Leh – At the grand celebration of the 9th Ladakh dPal rNam Duston 2025, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, emphasized the crucial role of culture and tradition in shaping the region’s identity. Addressing a packed audience at Leh’s NDS Stadium, he highlighted the need to keep younger generations rooted in Ladakh’s age-old values and cultural heritage.
Accompanied by First Lady Bindu Gupta, the LG praised the dPal rNam Duston as a celebration of Ladakh’s pride, ancient glory, and vibrant traditions. He stressed that preserving Ladakh’s unique identity, especially post the formation of the Union Territory in 2019, remains a top priority of the administration.
To promote cultural understanding, he proposed organizing exchange programs that would expose Ladakhi students to India’s diverse traditions while keeping them connected to their own roots.
On the occasion, two key initiatives were unveiled: Ladakh Norskal, focused on historical site documentation, and Ladakh Homestay, aimed at promoting tourism through local engagement. Audiovisual presentations on The Month of Compassion (celebrating HH Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday) and the achievements of the 5th LAHDC Leh added emotional depth to the event.
Among the event’s highlights were a play on Angulimala’s transformation, traditional and contemporary performances by local youth, and a musical act by Indian Idol sensation Rito Riba.
In recognition of outstanding service, Ven Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, received the Ladakh dPal rNam Award 2025 for his spiritual and humanitarian contributions.
Other honorees included:
- Prof. Lobzang Tsewang – LAHDC Lifetime Achievement Award (Scholarship & Translation)
- Helena Norberg (Sweden) – LAHDC Special Award (50 years of service to Ladakh)
- Ishey Yangzom – Tourism
- Moses Kunzang, JKAS – Administration
- Thupstan Shanfan – Traditional Knowledge & Astrology
- Ghulam Mustafa & Ghulam Mohiuddin – Hospitality
- Ghulam Musa – Public Service
CEC & LAHDC Leh Chairman, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, also shared the Council’s ongoing efforts for community development and announced 2025 as the Year of Compassion, honoring the spiritual legacy of HH the Dalai Lama.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of high-ranking officials, religious leaders, army personnel, administrators, scholars, and members of civil society – all united to celebrate the timeless spirit of Ladakh.
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