Speculations end, President’s maiden Ladakh visit locked for Oct 31

LEH: Six months after the first speculation, the maiden visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the union territory of Ladakh has been locked for later this month.

The President will arrive on a two-day visit of Ladakh on October 31, and is slated to attend the Union Territory Foundation Day celebrations the same day, even as she is set to visit Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, the next day, if the weather conditions permit.

“The President of India has given her consent to attend the main function of Union Territory Foundation Day in Leh on October 31 which will be held at Sindhu Hall,” a senior official informed Indus Dispatch, adding that 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.

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, to mark four years of Ladakh’s reorganisation into a UT.

Ahead of her visit, Advisor Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal conducted a thorough inspection of preparations at various venues on Monday.

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.

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.

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.