KARGIL, OCTOBER 31, 2021: The Iconic Week Celebrations under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav concluded at Auditorium Hall Kargil today where a number of programmes including colorful folk music and dance performances by folk artists, play on the role of freedom fighters and the history of India’s independence, book and music album releases were organized. Different departments also put up their stalls to impart awareness to the general public about different beneficiary oriented schemes.

Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor,LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan was the chief guest on the occasion while the event was attended among others by the Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tsering Motup, Former IAS officer and prominent writer Kacho Asfandyar Khan, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Abdul Gaffar Zargar, Superintending Engineer PWD Kargil Tashi Tundup, Assistant Commissioner Development Ghulam Muhammad, district officers and a large number of general public.

Speaking on the occasion, CEC Feroz Khan said that the series of events held across the district under the Iconic Week Celebrations were aimed to aware the public about the contributions of the freedom fighters in achieving the independence for the country besides to impart awareness to the general population about different welfare schemes of the government for their economic upliftment.

CEC Khan said that India has made tremendous progress in the last 75 years in different aspects of life and the need of the hour is to celebrate this legacy, to carry it forward and make conscious joint efforts towards further progress of the nation. He also appreciated role of concerned departments and the general public for making the week long celebrations successful.

On the occasion, the CEC released a book titled The Story of NORBU ZANGPO & IDTHOG LHAMO in English narrated by Kacho Sikander Khan Sikander (in Urdu, 1977) and translated into English by Kacho Asfandyar Khan in the year 2020. He lauded Asfandyar Khan for translating the epic book from Urdu to English which will help in wider reach of this famous story from the legends of Ladakh as well as Ladakhi culture and stories to a wider audience.

The CEC also e-launched the second edition of the bi-monthly magazine Kargil Nama published by the Department of Information and Public Relations Kargil. He also released Balti Video Album Strogee Khaboo produced and directed by Feroz Khan Sahil and Mendoq Tsar Dramatic Club Hardass.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve said India has made tremendous progress and development in all sectors after independence which is the result of the untiring efforts by the freedom fighters. He said that Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progress and the glorious history of its people, rich culture and achievements and further highlighted the need to strengthen the values of unity in diversity to take the country to new heights.

Meanwhile, Ranthag Theater Group presented a play on the theme Unity in Diversity which also depicted the role of freedom fighters and history of Indian freedom struggle. Solo and group based cultural groups of the Balti, Aryan Dardi and Purgi ethnic tribes also presented colorful performances which enthralled the audience.

Lecturer History Saira Banoo and Muhammad Munawar student of 11th standard delivered their speeches on the Indian Freedom Movement.

Earlier, CEC Feroz Khan in presence of the DC Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve also inaugurated a book fair cum membership registration desk at the District Library Kargil.

Meanwhile, as part of the Iconic Week celebrations, different departments, and Self Help Groups (SHGs) put up their stalls to impart awareness to the general public about various beneficiary oriented schemes of their respective departments. The stalls also showcased the achievements made by the departments in the last one year.

On the occasion, the Employment and Counseling Centre Kargil held a registration camp in which dozens of educated unemployed youth registered themselves. People were also informed about several schemes and loans given by the District Industries Centre and unemployed youth were urged to take part in entrepreneurship for economic growth.

Health Department Kargil had set up stalls for awareness on different schemes including several government schemes and services provided to people under the National Health Mission NHM, JSY, JSSK, PMSMA, RCH, Family Planning, NCD Screening, National Leprosy Eradication Programme, RBSK, Adolescent Health and other related aspects.
Department of Agriculture Kargil had put the major achievements of 2019-20 and 2020-21 and put on display vegetables like Chinese cabbage, summer king cabbage, potato, hybrid onion and different kinds of seeds, tool kits, wending cart etc. People were imparted information about different schemes like CSS, SDP, KCC, PM Kissan, provision of chain link fencing for Self Help Groups (SHGs), poly green houses for SHGs, organic manure, hybrid seeds etc, Handloom Department Kargil had put on display pashmina shawl, ruffle shawl and other woolen products while the Rural Development Department organized an exhibition cum sale centre under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and displayed different local food items and arts and crafts.

Meanwhile, Office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner Kargil had displayed different schemes for labourers like e-SHRAM.
People were also enlightened about various benefits and welfare schemes available for laborers like the social security benefits through e-SHRAM Portal and the process of registration on the portal while the Nodal Officer SVEEP Kargil informed the public about Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Roll with reference to 01-01-2022 as the qualifying date besides the process of registration, updation, deletion and correction of names in the electoral roll.

People were also informed about different schemes under the Rural Development Sector including the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), MG-NREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin, Social Development Package, PMAY-G etc, schemes under Handicrafts and other departments besides various schemes available in Tourism Sector for the budding entrepreneurs besides the process for registration of restaurants and other business units at tourist places. Tourism Department also issued registration forms for youth on spot.

Hakeema Banoo and Arif Hussain Ladakhi conducted the proceedings of the event while Special Officer for Cultural Activities/AD Information Kargil Muhammad Ali Tak delivered the vote of thanks at the end.