STATE TIMES NEWS
LEH: Celebrating 70th Independence Day, Kiren Rijiju, MoS (Home) on Monday hoisted National Flag at ITBP, Choglamsar, Leh who arrived in Leh this morning to flag-off Tiranga Mission, a motorcycle expedition held on the directive of PM, Narendra Modi to MPs to cover border areas on the eve of Independence Day.
Rijiju also flagged-in the para cycling expedition at Khardung-la launched by Prime Minister under Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) with an aim to make it a mass movement by involving citizens in various states and sensitizing the society towards disability and the need for accessibility.
The flag-in ceremony of Infinity Ride 2016 dedicated as “Divyaang Yodha Varsh” was organised by BSF and Aditya Mehta Foundation. MP Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang, CEC LAHDC Dr. Sonam Dawa, four Executive Councilors, Councilors, SSP, Leh Tsering Gyalpo, top ranking officers of various Paramilitary Forces, BJP workers were all present during flagged off event at Leh Gate and flag in ceremony at Khardong-la.
Addressing the para-military forces in the morning, Kiran Rijiju laid emphasis that it is our prime responsibility to secure the freedom we are destined with from various challenges like terrorism and threats from our neighbouring nations.
He appealed to the forces not to take Ladakh out of danger of terrorism and urged them to exercise strict security and vigilance in border areas and army camps.
He appreciated the conscientiousness and dedication exhibit by armed forces in Ladakh region and said that their responsive and supportive behaviour has developed a sense of trust and security among the local people and hoped for its continuation in future. Rijiju was appreciative of the efforts of BSF for taking initiative in the field of empowerment of divyangjan and applauded the Infinity Ride Team-2016 for their resolute commitment to the cause.
Thupstan Chhewang said that events like Tiranga Mission and Para-Cycling Expedition will send a message of national integrity and unity across the nation. Speaking separately to the media persons at Khardongla Top, on this occasion MP spoke loud of UT demand with legislation for Ladakh and pressed upon the need to separate Ladakh from Kashmir. He asserted that if UT demand is further ignored Ladakh will withdraw its support to center government and sought immediate response to free Ladakhis from the domination of Kashmir stating Ladakh has always remained loyal and close to India. He paid rich tribute to the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and soldiers.
Dr. A.P. Maheshwari, ADG, BSF said, “We as a Force are committed to the cause of Divyang and this would definitely send the message across the nation that Divyang have the divine potentials to cross all the hurdles and perform much more than the ordinary.”
The Para Cycling Expedition named ‘Infinity Ride-2016’ was flagged off on August 5 from Manali, HP and has covered 583 kms that culminated at Khardung-la today. A total of 34 members participated in the expedition with 13 riders from BSF, 3 from CRPF and 18 from Aditya Mehta Foundation led by R. K. Negi, Commandant BSF from BSF Institute of Adventure and Advance Training (BIAAT).
