LEH: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) on Friday flagged off the car expedition- Kakatiya to Karakoram- along with Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition as a part of the Indian Navy outreach programme-Jullay Ladakh- from the Astroturf Stadium near Spituk in the presence of the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar.
The LG also kicked off the exhibition football match between Indian Navy and UT Ladakh teams organised by Indian Navy, UT Administration and Ladakh Football Association and interacted with the players, early Friday morning, hours after the Navy Chief called upon him at the Raj Niwas.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral R Hari Kumar, it may be mentioned, is camping in Ladakh for the multi-dimensional outreach programme of the Navy for Ladakh, aiming to ensure greater participation of the youth from the union territory in the defence services.
Admiral R Hari Kumar on Thursday, kicked off a number of outreach activities including Indian Naval band’s performance along with Ladakhi band Da Shuks.
On Friday morning, Lieutenant Governor Mishra flagged off the car expedition- Kakatiya to Karakoram- along with Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition in the presence of the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar.
It was informed that the Car Expedition of Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam, which commenced from Visakhapatnam on June 22, will culminate on July 19, 2023 covering thousands of kilometres.
It was also informed that the outreach programme aims to promote maritime consciousness among the local population and encourage youth at schools and colleges to pursue a career in Armed Forces. It was also informed that the fourth car participating in the car expedition comprises women employees of Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam.
It was informed that the outreach programme will cover a total distance of 7500km over a period of 28 days and will pass through several cities, including Vijayawada, Nagpur, Jhansi, Delhi, Kufri, Kaza, Leh, Kargil, Srinagar, Lucknow, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar.
It was informed that the Indian Navy’s Motor Bike team ‘The Sea Riders’ will complete the 28-day long motorcycle expedition in Ladakh passing through Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and Nubra covering a total distance of about 5,600 km. The ride will culminate at the National War Memorial on July 12, 2023.
Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk; Executive Councillor, Stanzin Chosphel; Councillors from LAHDC Leh; Departmental Secretaries; Head of Departments; officials from the Indian Navy; district officials and students from different schools were present during the event.
On Thursday evening, Admiral R Hari Kumar had called on the Lieutenant Governor at Raj Niwas and informed LG that the Indian Navy will not only host NCC cadets from Ladakh for their visit to naval establishments but also provide them with academic training for appearing in online exams to get entry into the Indian Navy.
He stated that they are looking for NCC cadets who are keen to join the Indian Navy. Stating that there are currently only a few sailors and officials from Ladakh who are serving in the Indian Navy, CNS Admiral Hari Kumar informed about the plan to increase the enrolment of aspiring youth from Ladakh as sailors and officials in the Navy.
CNS Admiral Hari Kumar informed LG about their visit to various schools and colleges to raise awareness about opportunities in the Indian Navy to encourage them to join the naval force as a part of their outreach programme.
He briefed LG about the various programmes organised by the Indian Navy in Ladakh over a period of two days, including the music performance by its band and the exhibition football match, etc.
Commending the Indian Navy for organising the programmes in Ladakh, LG instructed Commanding Officer, 1 Ladakh Battalion NCC Leh, Col VS Johar to increase the number of NCC cadets who wish to visit naval establishments and are keen on joining the Indian Navy as it would be beneficial to them.
Stating that the NCC cadets from Ladakh should make full use of the opportunity, LG instructed Col VS Johar to conduct the selection process of the NCC cadets, who are keen on joining the Indian Navy along with their visit to naval establishments, in a proper manner.
LG informed CNS Admiral Hari Kumar about the plan to open a Sainik School in Ladakh at the earliest for the benefit of the Ladakhi students and youth. He also discussed various initiatives taken by the Administration for the overall development of Ladakh.
CNS Admiral Hari Kumar assured to provide all possible assistance for the setting up of Sainik School in Ladakh.
