New Delhi: The Indian Navy has embarked on a multidimensional outreach programme dedicated to strengthening the connection with the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The purpose of the programme is to enhance greater participation of the youth from Ladakh in the Defence Services, strengthen nation-building and promote maritime consciousness in the region. This is in continuation with the pursuance of the vision of national leadership towards developing remote areas, the Ministry of Defence stated here today. Indian Navy had earlier carried out extensive engagement in the North East as part of the outreach activities last year when a large stall was set up by the navy at the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama, about 121 km from Kohima. Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), then had also flagged in the 3500km Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition at the Hornbill Festival, besides visits to schools by Naval Officers, and interaction with ex-servicemen. Indian Navy had also organised a multi-speciality medical and wellness camp then at a remotely located district of Niuland in Nagaland.
As part of the programme, this time the CNS will be hosting various outreach activities today and tomorrow in Leh. Today, he called on the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Leh and Ladakh, Brig (Dr) BD Mishra, (Retired) and paid respect on behalf of the Indian Navy by laying a wreath at the War Memorial.
The events in Ladakh as part of Indian Navy outreach included a public band performance by the Naval Band today. Tomorrow a friendly football match will be played between the Indian Navy and the Ladakh UT team at the Spituk Football Stadium, which will be witnessed by the CNS as chief host and the LG as chief guest. The CNS will also interact with the students and faculty of Lamdon Senior Secondary School.
Besides, the LG will also flag off the return leg of the ‘Bike and Car Expedition’ comprising 107 participants including Naval Personnel of Ladakh domicile and 20 women.
The expedition commenced on June 15 and 22, 2023, from Delhi and Visakhapatnam respectively and engaged extensively with more than 3000 students across various schools and colleges across the Ladakh region.
During the return leg from Leh too, while covering a total distance of over 5000 km each, the participants would be interacting with students at various schools as well as veterans and the local populace.
All Naval personnel of Ladakh domicile from various naval stations are also participating in these events and sharing their enriching experiences and success stories to encourage the youth to participate in greater numbers, towards nation building as well as joining the Indian Navy and serving the Nation with pride, the Ministry of Defence said.
– global bihari bureau
