Ladakh erupts in celebrations

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Leh, October 31

The Ladakh region, minus Kargil town, today erupted in celebrations as the dream of Ladakhi people came true when the strategically-located region formally attained the status of Union Territory (UT).

From traditional and cultural dances to marathon, the mood in the region, especially in Buddhist-dominated parts, was upbeat where the people exchanged greetings and congratulated each other for the fulfilment of UT demand pending for the last 71 years.

The lone Member of Parliament (MP) from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and former MP Thupstan Chhewang, attired in Ladakhi dresses, also joined the celebrations and danced to the tunes of traditional music instruments of the region.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, all MPs and 130 crore people of India for fulfilling the decades-long demand of Ladakhi people. Now, Ladakh will breathe freely and join the country on the path of development and prosperity. The October 31 will mark the dawn of new Ladakh,” Namgyal said.

The people, however, have planned mega celebrations in Leh district tomorrow to start the new administrative system on a positive note.

“Everyone in Ladakh is happy and ecstatic after the fulfilment of the 71-year-old demand. We will now have a separate administrative setup and we hope that Ladakh will now march on the path of prosperity, development and unity. For this, we again extend our sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for giving Ladakhi people a reason to cheer,” PT Kunzang, president of the Ladakh Buddhists Association (LBA), which vociferously spearheaded the struggle for UT status to the region for decades.

Kunzang said the people of Ladakhi would hold mega celebrations in Leh town tomorrow. “The Leh Council has decided to dedicate the theme of this year’s annual festival-Dpal-nam-Tuston (proud day), to the achievement of UT status. Dpal-nam-Tuston is an annual event started in 2016 by the Leh Council to mark the glorious past and to sensitise the young generation to connect with the Ladakh’s glorious past while educating them about the cultural values and history,” Kunzang said.