Sinha lauds people of Ladakh for patriotism

Srinagar, July 24: Lauding the patriotic zeal, integrity and solidarity of Ladakhi people to preserve the sovereignty of the country, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt General (Retd) S K Sinha said they fought alongwith Army to defeat Pakistan in the region.

Recalling his old days when he was part of the Indian Army and happened to be in Ladakh region during Indo-Pak war in 1948, General Sinha said Ladakhi people joined the Indian Army during the war and fought with exemplary courage to give a defeating retreat to Pakistan forces from the region that captured some area of Kargil District.

The Governor said that their role is praiseworthy and cannot be forgotten and will remain as beacon light for the coming generations.

Sharing his memories with a group of students from Ladakh, Gen Sinha said that he has great love for Ladakh.

''When we compare Ladakh region then and now, it can be imagined that how the Ladakhi people have worked hard and achieved the honorable status with all modern facilities'', he said.

He said that Ladakh division attained the status of fast developing region in every sphere of life despite tough terrain and geographical vagaries.

The Army under operation Sadhbhavna conducted a tour for a group of 37 girl students including four teachers from Ladakh to various historical places of the country.

The group led by Lt B S Ranawat of seventh Mechanical Infantry visited Manali, Kulu, Dharamshala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jammu and Srinagar.

GOC third Division flagged off the group from Karu in Leh for onward journey on July 12, 2006 and after visiting various places they reached here last evening.

Students will have glimpses of various world famous tourist resorts of Kashmir during their three-day stay at Srinagar and will retun to Leh tomorrow.

Expressing their gratitude to the Army for arranging such a charming, memorable and informative tour under operation Sadhbhavna, students and teachers said that this tour will always be remembered as it has provided an opportunity to every participant to visit such historical places and experience many new things.

UNI