Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, (Ladakh), July 22: As part of the ongoing 20th anniversary celebrations of Kargil Vijay Diwas, an Army Mela was organised at the Nawang Dorje Stobdan Memorial Stadium in Leh, under the aegis of the Fire & Fury Corps.
The main objective of the Army Mela was to showcase the strength of the Armed Forces, in addition to serving as an outreach initiative towards the local population and to provide a platform for local cultural shows. Lieutenant General YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding. Fire & Fury Corps visited the Mela and interacted with the people of Leh.
The main attraction of the Mela was the display of various types of weapons and equipment of Army, Air Force & Para Military Forces, which generated a lot of curiosity and excitement amongst those who attended, especially the children.
A larger number of stalls showcasing activities of different agencies were established in the Mela premises by the Army, as well as the civil administration. In order to encourage local artisans, the Handicraft Department of Leh put up stalls for handlooms and handicrafts, which highlighted the rich talent of local artisans and weavers. The Rural Development Department of Leh put up stalls for various Ladakhi cuisines for the people visiting the Mela to enjoy and savor.
There were presentations by the Cultural Society of Leh, local schools as also local dance troupes. Vibrant colours were added to the events when the Pipe and Jazz Bands of the Army hit notes of symphony, in synergy with the local troupes. This was followed by a massed military pipe band display, which was truly enthralling.
One of the major highlights of the event was the presence of Ms Aparajita Acharya, daughter of Major Padmapani Acharya, Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous) who made the supreme sacrifice during the battle for Tololing.
The Army Mela organized in Leh successfully highlighted the capabilities of the Armed Forces besides also displaying the rich culture of Ladakh region. The close coordination and cooperation between the uniformed forces and the civil administration was on full display in the Mela, which also contributed towards its huge success.
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