Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Dr. Saraswat visits flood ravaged Leh

Leh, Aug.19 (ANI): Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Dr. VK Saraswat, on Thursday visited the affected areas of Leh as well as Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), the DRDO lab in Leh.

He visited the severely affected area of Choglamsar, met the victims and distributed relief material.

While visiting the SNM hospital, Dr. Saraswat talked to the victims in the hospital, and handed over the DRDO relief material to hospital authorities while assuring them of all possible help to them.

Dr. Saraswat, who is also Secretary, Deptt. of Defence R and D and Director General Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), also congratulated the DIHAR Director Dr Shashi Bala Singh and the DIHAR team for braving the calamity and handling situation meticulously which prevented any casualty: human or animal inside DIHAR campus.

He appreciated the spirit of DIHAR scientists and staff who risked their own lives for saving women and children as well as the livestock kept for research work in DIHAR.

Dr. Saraswat also appreciated the efforts of DIHAR team as well the team from the Directorate of Civil Works and Estates of the DRDO Hqrs, headed by Ajay Singh, Chief Executive Works, due to which not only the campus could be made functional and liveable in a record time, but succour to local population could also be provided.

It is noteworthy that the DRDO team headed by Dr W. Selvamurthy was formed within hours of the flash flood and could reach with relief material in the first Air Force flight landing in Leh.

Addressing the employees of DIHAR, Dr. Saraswat expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Leh/Ladakh, including those from DIHAR (living in leh town) who lost their loved ones in the disasterous floods.

He assured them of all the necessary help from DRDO in making the DIHAR campus a better and safer place in shortest possible time. In this regard he directed the Chief Executive works to scientifically plan the activities of rebuilding the campus in a way that such massive damage is avoided in a similar situation.

On this occasion, Dr. Saraswat informed the gathering that Prime Minister has identified this lab as very important one-both for the armed forces as well as ladakh region.

He also emphasised the need to involve the local population as the development of DIHAR has to be in sync with the Ladakh region. (ANI)