Leh, Jan 20: Ladakh celebrated its first Investiture Ceremony, recognizing 26 individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The award ceremony, pioneered by Commissioner/ Secretary, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, featured a 28gms gold medal of 18 carats, a cash prize of Rs.51,000/-, a citation, and a handmade, white Pashmina shawl curated by JD Handloom Ladakh, Lakshya Singhal.

The Pashmina shawl, produced by the Handloom Department, Ladakh, is a symbol of the region’s natural beauty and the Changthang plains that produce the finest Pashmina in the world. Each shawl was made by a group of 10 women trainees under the supervision of instructor Rigzin Wangmo and took approximately 15 days to complete. The shawls feature an infinity knot motif designed in-house by the Department, which represents the local culture and artisanal skills.

In addition to the awards, the ceremony also promoted local food items such as barley, buckwheat, and sea buckthorn. The gold medal was minted at The India Government Mint Mumbai and features the National Emblem on the front and the Black Necked Crane (the state bird of Ladakh) and the awardee’s name and field of contribution on the back. The medal is suspended from a ribbon representing the three colors of the Indian flag, representing the local fauna.

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The event was also used as a platform to promote local culture and products besides honouring local talent.

The Awards were conferred to individuals and organizations in the fields of Bravery, Literature, Art & Craft, Social Reforms, Empowerment and Environment Protection, Public Service, Sports, Entrepreneurship & Progressive Farming and Teaching & Academics.

The LG facilitated 26 awardees that include Sculptor Tsering Gurmet, R/O Kyungyam, Leh, Artist Mohd Hussain Khan, R/O Silmoo, Kargil, Clay Sculpture Skarma Tsering, R/O Hemis Shukpachan Leh and Theater Artist Kacho Ahmad khan, R/O Minjee Kargil in the field of Art.

Dorjey Angchok, R/O Skampari, Leh and Rigzin Sangdup, R/O Chuchot Yokma, Leh were awarded in the field of Music (Surna). Dr. Jamyang Gyalson, R/O Matho, Leh was awarded in the field of Literature, while Late Tashi Rabgias, R/O Sakti, Leh was conferred with the award posthumously.

In Social Reforms and Empowerment Protection (Organisation) award category, Baqirya Health Care, Kargil was awarded while in the Public Service award category, Director DIHAR, Dr Om Prakash Chaurasia, Sub-Inspector Mohd Baqir, R/O Chanigund, Kargil and retired Cameraperson Tsering Namgyal, R/O Leh, Dr. Maheshwar S. Kanwar and Head Assistant Chewang Rinchin received the awards.

In the category- Public Service-(Organisation), Municipal Committee Leh, PHE Subdivision Leh and Designated Covid-19 Hospitals/Covid Testing Laboratories of Ladakh were awarded.

Rinchen Dolma, R/O Spituk, Leh, Jigmet Dolma, R/O Igoo, Leh, Tashi Tundup, R/O Pokar, Kargil awarded in the Sports category, while Sonam Stanzin, R/O Domkhar, Leh and Urgain Phuntsog, R/O Gya, Leh received the awards in the Category – Progressive Farming. Jigmet Norboo, R/O Leh was awarded in the category of Entrepreneurship.

In the Category- Teaching & Academics – the awards were received by Mohd Ali, R/O Pishu, Kargil and Mohd Mustafa Kamal, R/O Pokar Kargil, while Nawang Stanzin, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ladakh Police awarded in the Bravery category.