To celebrate the Union Territory status granted to Ladakh by the Central Government, the Buddhist community Apex body Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) organised a grand celebration at Chowkhang Vihara in which all communities, political leaders and public participated. The UT demand movement reportedly started way back in 1949 by then LBA President Kalon Tsewang Rigzin who presented a memorandum to then Prime Minister of Indian Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and expressed the public aspiration to be under direct rule of Union Government and ever since people had been agitating from time to time and people of Ladakh had firm believe that UT is achievable. The celebration began with unfurling of Buddhist Prayer Flag followed by National Anthem amid chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” by the huge gathering. Prominent speakers including Skyabje Togdan Rinpoche, LBA President PT Kunzang, LBA Vice President Rinchen Namgyal, LBA Youth President Konchok Ishey, Former Minister of Congress party Nawang Rigzin Jora, BJP former Minister Chering Dorje, Ladakh Gonpa Association President Shatup Chamba, Anjuman Moin-Ul-Islam President Dr Abdul Qayum, Anjuman Imamiya President Ashraf Ali Barcha and Christian Association President Dechen Chamga expressed their sincere gratitude to BJP led Government for fulfilling the long standing demand of Ladakh region. The speakers also said that unity of Ladakh made possible for UT status to Ladakh. All the speakers including opposition leader expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah for granting UT to Ladakh to make Ladakh free from Kashmir. They also hailed the contribution of three Heroes of 1989 UT agitation Nawang Rinchen of Sankar village, Tsering Stobdan of Durbuk, and Tsewang Dorjey of Saboo- popularly known as ‘Nawang, Dorjay and Stobdan’ who lost their lives. Former Minister and senior Congress leader Nawang Rigzin Jora proposed Ex-MP Thupstan Chhewang’s name for the post of Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh and BJP senior leader Chering Dorje and other speakers endorsed the statement saying that Thupstan Chhewang then LBA President was the spearhead in mobilizing the public for1989 agitation. Delegation from Kargil led by Kargil LBA president and 12 members representing different Buddhist region also participated in the celebration. Hill Council Chairman Gyal P Wangyal, Executive Councillors, Councillors, LBA Kargil branch Spokesperson Tsering Sampel and other prominent person present during the celebration expressed gratitude to the Union Government. Later, a cake cutting ceremony and culture progamme were held to celebrate the UT status to Ladakh.
