Leh, Jan 26: The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated with full fervor and gaiety in different blocks of Leh district. Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, unfurled the national flag at the Polo Ground. He also inspected the guard of honour and took the salute during the occasion.

Chairman of LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson; Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk; Executive Councillors of LAHDC Leh; Advisor to LG, Umang Narula; Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh, Saugat Biswas; Administrative Secretaries of UT Ladakh, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Satish Khandare; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Sachin Kumar Vaishya; Superintendent of Police, Rajiv Pandey and officials from UT Government took part in the Republic Day celebration.

Unlike previous years, the usual hustle and bustle from the Republic Day celebrations were missing due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. A limited number of citizens were allowed to take part in the Republic Day celebrations.

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Contingents from Central Armed Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), District Police Leh (men), IR 25 Battalion (women); women Special Police Officer (SPO), District Police Leh; and Ex-servicemen, three-band parties, including the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Center (LSRC) and District Police Leh took part in the march past. The drums band from Ladakh Scouts Regimental Center hooked the audience with reverberating drum beats.

Cultural troupes from Leh and Kargil districts enthralled the guests with their scintillating performances.

Similarly, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kharu, AG Zargar unfurled the national tricolour and took the salute in the presence of Councillor Sakti, Rigzin Tsering; Councillor Igoo, Sonam Thardos; BDC Kharu, Deachen Dorjey, BDO Kharu; sub-division level officer/officials, sarpanches and panches, at sub-division Kharu.

Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Nubra, Mohammad Yusuf, unfurled the national flag at Diskit. Tehsildar Jigmet Angchuk hoisted the national flag at Sumoor and Block Development Officer (BDO) Nilza Angmo unfurled the national flag at Panamik. Naib Tehsildar Abdul Rehman Nabad unfurled the national flag at Turtuk and Naib Tehsildar Tashi Jorgais also unfurled the national flag at Khalsar.

Similarly, Tehsildar, Saspol, Sonam Phuntsog unfurled the national flag at Saspol in the presence of sarpanch, nambardar and villagers.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Khaltsi, Tanveer Ahmad, hoisted the national flag at Khaltsi and took the salute. Government officials, sarpanches and nambardars of sub-division Khaltsi were present during the occasion.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Nyoma, Dorje Gailtsan unfurled the national flag at sub-division Nyoma. Similarly, Naib Tehsildar Mohammad Ruhullah unfurled the national flag and celebrated the Republic Day at Chuchot.

Healthcare workers, employees and organisations were also felicitated during the occasion.

Meanwhile, the UT Administration announced the names of winners of the first state awards on the eve of Republic Day.  The winners would be given a cash award of Rs 51,000 and a citation.

Tsering Gurmet from Kungyam won the award in the Art (Sculpture) category whereas Dr Jamyang Gyalson from CIBS Choglamsar claimed the award in literature. Dorjay Angchuk from Skampari and Rigzin Sangdup from Chuchot won the award in Music (Surna) category. Kachoo Ahmad Khan from Goma Minjee, Kargil, claimed the award in the theatre artist category.

Baqirya Health Care from Kargil Bemathang won the state award in social reforms, empowerment (Organisation) category, whereas Dr Om Prakhas Chaurasia, Director of DIHAR Ladakh, claimed the award in public service gazette category. Similarly, Mohammad Baqir, Sub-Inspector, I/C PP Minamarg Kargil, and cameraman Tsering Namgyal Tsaskhan won the state award in the Public Service non-gazetted category.

Municipal Committee Leh and PHE Sub-Division Leh won the state award in public service organisation/Innovation in the public service category. Meanwhile, designated COVID-19 hospitals as well as staff working in all COVID testing laboratories in Leh and Kargil districts won the state award in public service organisation/managing COVID-19 pandemic category.

Ice hockey player Rinchen Dolma from Spituk and athlete Jigmet Dolma from Igoo were recognised for their achievements and conferred with the state award in the sports category. Sonam Stanzin Thangjuk from Khaltsi and Urgain Phuntsog from Gya were awarded in the progressive farming category, whereas Mohammad Ali from Pishu, Kargil was recognised for his contribution in the field of education and conferred the state award in teaching and academics category.