- Inaugurates 2-day 9th Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2024
Kargil, Sept 13: Asserting that a new beginning awaits Zanskar after announcement of a separate district status for the region, Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) on Friday said that his vision was to enable Ladakhi youth to become job providers instead of job-seekers to boost the region’s economy to make it self-sufficient.
The LG was speaking after inaugurating the two-day 9th Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2024 at Sani in Zanskar sub-division, along with First Lady, Neelam Mishra.
In his address, the LG commended the people of Zanskar and organisers for conducting the 9th Ladakh Zanskar Festival on a grand scale with the participation of a large number of people and artists from across Ladakh.
He congratulated the people of Zanskar for being conferred with new district status by the Government of India and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the announcement.
The LG stated that the announcement of the district status is just the beginning as there is still a long way to go for the overall development and prosperity of Zanskar, particularly in the field of education and healthcare.
He also stated that his vision is to enable Ladakhi youth to become job providers instead of job-seekers to boost the region’s economy to make it self-sufficient.
The LG informed about the initiative taken by the UT Administration to reduce the mortality rate of pashmina goat kids by providing around 1,000 kid pends to the beneficiaries in the Changthang area.
He also informed that 300 more such kid pens would be distributed in the coming days.
The LG encouraged the women of Zanskar to become Lakhpati Didi to empower them to become economically sufficient and self-reliant-which is also the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The LG also visited stalls and doksa exhibitions during the event.
On the occasion, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon congratulated the people of Zanskar for the recent announcement by the Government of India to grant district status to the sub-division.
He expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) for their tireless efforts in helping realise this long-standing demand of the people of Zanskar.
Akhoon stated that the sub-division has witnessed remarkable progress compared to over sub-divisions of Ladakh. He hoped to see Zanskar making rapid progress in future with the development of more infrastructure with its announcement as a new district.
Executive Councillor, Er Punchok Tashi, in his welcome address, stated that Sani is a holy place and expressed his joy to witness the celebration of the Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2024. He expressed gratitude to the LG for his efforts in helping Zanskar achieve district status.
Monks from Sani monastery performed Chhams (sacred mask dance) while Stakri Cultural Association, Zanskar and artists from Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh also performed during the event.
The Zanskar Coordination Committee comprising political, religious and civil societies called on the LG at TFC Padum and expressed gratitude to him for helping in granting district status to the Zanskar sub-division. They also raised several issues, including empowering women and livestock breeding in Zanskar.
Earlier, the Ladakh Police jawans gave guard of honour to the LG on his arrival at TFC Padum.
Councillors of LAHDC Kargil; Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Vikram Singh Malik, IAS; Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, IAS; Senior Superintendent of Police, Ram R, IPS; district officers, artists and spectators were present during the event.
