Leh: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, today flagged off the Unity March — a district-level Padyatra — as part of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India.
The march began from the Hall of Fame, Leh, and was jointly organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports and My Bharat Kendra.
The event witnessed spirited participation from school students, senior officials, volunteers of My Bharat Kendra, and jawans of the North West Frontier (NWF) ITBP, reflecting the true spirit of unity and nationalism. The Unity March was joined by Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, DGP Dr S.D Singh Jamwal, and senior functionaries of the Civil Administration and the Police Department.
Addressing the gathering, the Lt Governor paid glowing tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, recalling his monumental role in unifying the fragmented princely states into a strong and integrated nation after Independence. He lauded Sardar Patel’s unwavering determination and farsighted diplomacy that laid the foundation of modern India.
“Ladakh, the crown jewel of India, stands as a living example of Sardar Patel’s vision,” the Lt Governor said, citing Operation Eraze, which was carried out under Patel’s direct guidance to thwart the advance of Pakistani forces towards Leh in 1947. “Today, as the Tricolour proudly flutters over the snow-clad peaks of Pangong Tso and Siachen, we remember and honour Sardar Patel’s immortal contribution,” he added.
Emphasising that unity is not just a slogan but the lifeblood of the nation, the Lt Governor said, “In Ladakh, unity is our daily oxygen — reflected in the harmony among diverse communities and the seamless blend of cultures, languages, and faiths. The mosques of Kargil and the monasteries of Hemis are two luminous pillars of our composite heritage.”
Kavinder Gupta called upon the youth of Ladakh to take a solemn pledge to transform the region into a beacon of national integration, envisioning “Ekta Runs” from Padum to Pangong Lake and carrying forward the spirit of “One Nation, One Shawl, One Soul.” Saluting the brave soldiers guarding the nation’s frontiers, he referred to them as the “modern-day Sardar Patels”, upholding the unity and sovereignty of the country with courage and conviction. He urged every citizen to uphold national unity and integrity above all divisions.
He further appealed to the people to work collectively for a Viksit (Developed) Ladakh, “where solar energy lights up monasteries, innovation reaches every village through startups, and every child, inspired by the Tricolour, dreams of contributing to India’s progress.”
The Lt Governor also administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Pledge, reaffirming the collective resolve of the people of Ladakh to safeguard the nation’s unity, integrity, and security.
Later, Kavinder Gupta attended the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas function organised by Ladakh Police at the District Police Line, Choglamsar. He administered the Unity Pledge to the police personnel and inspected the ceremonial parade, which included contingents from Ladakh Police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, IRP Battalion Women’s Wing, and the Ladakh Police Women’s Pipe Band, taking their salute with pride and appreciation.
On the occasion, Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, DGP Dr S.D Singh Jamwal and other senior functionaries of the Police Department were present.
