President arriving on Oct 31 as Ladakh celebrates UT Foundation Day

LEH: President of India Droupadi Murmu will arrive on her maiden visit to Ladakh on Tuesday as the region gears up to celebrate the Union Territory Foundation Day, marking four years of its reorganisation from an administrative unit of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into a full-fledged union territory.

All preparations are in place as Ladakh plans to celebrate the Union Territory Foundation Day on a grand scale. Ever since he took over as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier Mishra has been personally overseeing the preparations for the Union Territory Foundation Day.

Students and teachers from different schools will be performing at Raj Bhawans and Raj Niwas in all States and UTs on Tuesday, even as the main function in Ladakh will be held at at Sindhu Hall.

The main function will be attended by President of India, who is arriving on her maiden visit to Ladakh on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Rashtrapati Bhawan confirmed the visit of President of India. “The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu will visit Ladakh from October 31 to November 1, 2023,” an official release said.

“On October 31, the President will grace the Foundation Day celebrations of UT Ladakh at Leh. On November 1, the President will visit Siachen Base Camp and interact with troops. On the same day, she will attend the civic reception to be hosted in her honour at Leh. The President will also interact with members of SHGs and local tribals,” it added.

“Upon his arrival, the President of India will attend the main function of Union Territory Foundation Day in Leh. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier B D Mishra, Leh hill council chairman Tashi Gyalson, Executive Councillors, Councillors, and other official of the UT administration will also be present,” said an official.

“Murmu is also expected to visit Sindhu Ghat on October 31, while on November 1, the President, who is Supreme Commander of 3 Services, is likely to visit Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, along with top Army Commanders.

“In these two days, the President is likely to visit the places of religious and historic significance besides meeting the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, top Army Commanders and other dignitaries,” officials informed.

At the civic reception to be hosted in her honour at Leh, the President will also interact with members of SHGs and local tribals, they added.

This will be Murmu’s first visit to the Ladakh after her election as the President of India in July last year. Earlier this month, Murmu had arrived in Jammu and Kashmir—the erstwhile state from which Ladakh was carved out in 2019—on a two-day visit.

Jammu and Kashmir is also celebrating UT Day on October 31 with great enthusiasm. Ahead of President’s visit, the security has been tightened in and across Leh town.

Advisor Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal last week had conducted a thorough inspection of preparations at various venues.

Ladakh police chief, ADGP Dr SD Singh Jamwal, Commissioner Secretary Padma Angmo, Commissioner Secretary Kacho Mehbood Ali Khan, Administrative Secretary Ravinder Kumar, Secretary Micheal D’Souza, DC Leh Santosh Sukhdeve & other concerned officers accompanied Advisor on his tour.