LEH: Taking forward the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat mission, Ladakh Raj Niwas hosted the celebrations of the Foundation Day of Sikkim state, on Tuesday, wherein officials and civilians of Ladakh serving in Ladakh were the special invitees.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) and First Lady Neelam Mishra participated in the programme held at Raj Niwas, an official spokesman said.
All 28 states and 8 union territories of India are celebrating the foundation of Sikkim at their respective Raj Bhawan and Raj Niwas as part of the central government’s push to celebrate India’s cultural diversity and different traditions. Sikkim became India’s 22nd state on this day, i.e. May 16, 1975.
Wishing everyone on the occasion of the foundation day of Sikkim, the LG informed that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, came up with the idea to facilitate familiarisation, foster national unity and integration of the different states of India by celebrating the cultural diversity and traditions under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme.
He appreciated Modi for such visionary initiatives to foster national unity and integration.
Stating that the sense of patriotism and national integration is deepening among the people, the LG hoped that the youth will take this sentiment forward and work towards national integration and unity.
Emphasising the need for cooperation among people of different cultures and ethnicity, he stated that one state will support the other in case of natural calamities and emergencies if they share a sense of national integration and unity.
He requested everyone to celebrate the Foundation Day of each state with the same feeling of national integration and unity.
The LG also distributed Exams Warriors- a book by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, among students of Moravian Mission School, Leh. He also interacted with the defence and paramilitary personnel and officials and civilians working in Ladakh.
Speaking on the occasion, member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, stated that the people of Ladakh and the Bhutia tribe from Sikkim used the same Bhoti script.
He informed about the collaboration of LAHDC Leh with Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency (SSOCA) for certification of villages from Leh district as organic villages under the MODI (Mission Organic Development Initiative)- a scheme of LAHDC Leh to make Leh a fully organic district by 2025. He also informed that the Leh Main Market has been modelled on the famous MG Marg of Sikkim.
Secretary to LG, Ravinder Kumar, informed about efforts being made to celebrate the Foundation Day of each state with full zeal with the maximum participation of employees from that state serving in Ladakh.
Suman Chhetri from Army Service Corps (ASC), Dorjee Leda Lepcha from ITBP 16th Battalion and Linda Philip Lepcha, a teacher at Moravian Mission School, who are from Sikkim, also shared their experiences during the event.
Advisor Umang Narula; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel; Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal; ADGP Ladakh Police, Satish Khandare; Commissioner Secretary, Ajeet Kumar Sahu; Commissioner Secretary, Saugat Biswas; Secretary, Mehboob Ali Khan; Secretary, Fayaz Ahmed; DIG Ladakh Police, Shaikh Junaid; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shrikant Suse; SSP Leh, PD Nitya; other officials and employees from Sikkim serving in Ladakh were present in the event.
