Srinagar, Oct 31 (UNI) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that Ladakh is making rapid multidimensional development and appreciated the people of the union territory for moving forward on the path of progress.
President Murmu was speaking at the Foundation Day celebrations of UT Ladakh at Leh today. She arrived on her first visit to Ladakh earlier the day.
The President expressed happiness that her first visit to Ladakh as President of India is taking place on its Foundation Day.
The President noted that Ladakh is making rapid multidimensional development. She appreciated the people of Ladakh for moving forward on the path of progress.
She noted that the Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil have continuously strengthened the grassroots democracy and have taken meaningful steps for the development of Ladakh, especially for the youth employment.
The President said that the budget provisions for Ladakh have been increased five times by the Central Government during the last four years.
“This shows the commitment of the Government for the development of Ladakh,” she said.
The President said that Ladakh has to be taken forward on the path of development while preserving the natural beauty of the region and maintaining the distinct identity of its people.
She was happy to note that a lot of emphasis is being laid on the infrastructure development to increase the connectivity of Ladakh.
“Many new policies have been implemented. These steps are resulting in the economic progress of Ladakh, especially the development of tourism. But, at the same time, keeping this region clean is a priority for all of us. Emphasis should be on Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Tourism,” she said
The President said that many steps have been taken in line with the goal of developing Ladakh as a Carbon Neutral Region. Public Sector Undertakings have started work for the development of Green Energy.
She noted that the world’s first High Altitude Green Hydrogen Fueling Station is being set up in Leh by NTPC. Recently, the Central Government has approved the Green Energy Corridor Project in Ladakh. Under this project, Renewable Energy Projects with a capacity of 13000 MW will be connected to the Power Grid through Inter-State Transmission System.
The President wished that in the journey of building a developed India by the year 2047, Ladakh remains at the leading position in the country on the parameters of Economic, Environmental and Human Development.
President Murmu will also visit the Siachen base camp and interact with the soldiers deployed at the frontlines on Wednesday.
The visit of the President Murmu- also the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces- comes at a time when Army is gearing up for the fourth consecutive winter in the icy heights of Ladakh after a standoff with China in May 2020.
Earlier the day, the President was received in Leh by Lt. Governor of Ladakh Brigadier B.D. Mishra (Retd) and Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande. She was accorded guard of honour on her first visit to Ladakh.
“Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd), Lt. Governor of Ladakh and General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff received President Droupadi Murmu on her arrival at Leh. She was accorded guard of honour on her first visit to Ladakh,” President of Indian said in an X post.
