Ladakh celebrates dPal rNgam Duston, marking 50 Years of Ladakh Tourism & UT Declaration Day.

Ladakh celebrates dPal rNgam Duston, marking 50 Years of Ladakh Tourism & UT Declaration Day.
The 8th Ladakh dPal rNgam Duston celebration, which began with a vibrant procession from Leh Palace in the morning, continued with grandeur at the NDS Sports Ground on August 5. The event was presided over by Lt Governor of UT Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) B.D. Mishra (Retd), as the chief guest. His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche was honoured as the guest of honour, with Dr. Pawan Kotwal (IAS), Advisor to the Hon’ble Lt Governor of UT Ladakh, and Sh. Thupstan Chhewang, President of Ashoka Mission Delhi, serving as a special guest.
H.E Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche; Hon’ble Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson; Dy. Chairman, LAHDC, Leh, Tsering Angchuk, Hon’ble Executive Councillors, Hon’ble Councillors; First Lady, UT Ladakh, Neelam Mishra; ADGP, Ladakh Police, Dr. S.D Singh Jamwal; DC/CEO, Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve; SSP, Leh, Shruti Arora; Director MIMC, Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena; Member, National Commission for Minorities, GoI, Rinchen Lhamo; Former MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Secretaries, Directors, HoDs UT administration; religious heads and other prominent dignitaries attended the event.
The 8th dPal rNgam Duston featured a vibrant cultural programme featuring a diverse array of performances and presentations. The event highlighted the rich heritage of the region and honoured significant contributions in the tourism and cultural sectors.
The evening began with an enchanting display of traditional Chamms (Mask Dance), followed by Dekar dance, Yak-Singe Dance and the Lharna musical tune.The event also featured a documentary that celebrated the achievements of LAHDC, Leh, and the UT Ladakh, showcasing significant progress and development in the region.
An important highlight of the evening included the presentation of the LAHDC Lifetime Achievement Award to Ven Lama Lobzang, recognizing his lifelong dedication to humanitarian aid and services for the welfare of the people. Additionally, Abdul Ghani Sheikh was honoured with the Ladakh dPal Ngam Duston Award for his significant contributions to the community as a renowed writer and a noted historian.
The program continued with an engaging cultural showcase, featuring mimicry performances by Junior Jony Liver and Ravinder Joli.
A special moment of recognition took place as Ms. Lobzang Tsendol, the first female travel agent in the region, was awarded an Appreciation Certificate for her pioneering role in the tourism industry. Hotel Omasila’s Sh. Nawang Tsering was also honoured with a Tourism Appreciation Certificate for his contributions to hospitality. RIMO Expedition was celebrated with a Presentation of Appreciation Certificate to Tsewang Mutup Goba, acknowledging their exceptional efforts in promoting adventure tourism in Ladakh.
Chairman/CEC Tashi Gyalson began his address by extending heartfelt congratulations to everyone on the momentous occasion of the 5th anniversary of Ladakh’s elevation to Union Territory status and acknowledging the celebration of the Spal rNgam Duston, a significant cultural event. CEC highlighted the exceptional contributions of Abdul Ghani Sheikh, the recipient of the Spal rNgam Duston award stating that,” Sheikh, a distinguished writer and historian from Ladakh, has made invaluable contributions to society through his work, which continues to be a vital part of our cultural and historical narrative.”
Additionally, he praised Ven. Lama Lobzang, who was honored with the LAHDC Lifetime Achievement Award. Ven. Lama Lobzang, a revered Buddhist monk whose dedication and teachings have set a remarkable example of service and commitment to the community, inspiring future generations.
Chairman Gyalson emphasized that this event is a moment to honor the collective contributions that have spurred the development of Ladakh. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of preserving our culture and heritage.He also reflected on the progress achieved since Ladakh’s transition to Union Territory status, noting the visible advancements across various sectors of society.
Addressing the gathering, DC/CEO Santosh Sukhadeve,Leh, emphasized that this occasion strengthens our sense of belonging, celebrates Ladakhi culture and traditions, and fosters unity for holistic development. He highlighted the importance of honouring exceptional individuals who have significantly contributed to Ladakh’s progress in various fields.
Sukhadeve commended the efforts of the LAHDC and the UT administration in promoting sustainable development and tourism, noting their relentless work to meet the people’s aspirations and ensure equitable growth across the region. He further underlined the strides made in health infrastructure, education, and road development, along with various schemes designed to benefit all sectors of society.
The evening concluded with an electrifying performance by PawanDeep Rajan from Indian Idol, who captivated the audience with a powerful and heartfelt set. The night was further enriched by local talents Padma Dolkar and Stakmo Dorjey, and adding to the excitement were the Dashugs Band and the Rolyangs Band, kept the energy high throughout the night. As the final notes rang out, the event closed on a high note, leaving everyone thoroughly entertained