Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, June 22: The first batch of Chota Kailash Yatra pilgrimage left for Demchok-located on the Indo-China border.
LAHDC Chairman Dr Sonam Dawa and J&K Ladakh Affairs and Cooperative Minister Chering Dorjay formally flagged off a group of pilgrims this morning. As many as 50 devotees from different parts of India are taking part in the journey under the Laghu Yudyog Bharati (LYB) banner.
Terming it as first step towards opening Kailash Mansarvor route from Demchok in Ladakh Dr Dawa said that Chota Kailash is a holy place for both Hindu and Buddhist community and this not only helps in tourism promotion in Ladakh but also helps in national integration and unity among each other. He expressed his hope that in future many more pilgrims from different parts of India will take part in the Yatra to Chota Kailash in Demchok.
Expressing his delight over beginning such maiden Yatra, Ladakh Affairs and Cooperative Minister Chering Dorjay Lakrook said that such Yatra should have started long time ago as China already had been sending tourist including foreigners to the last border areas. He further added that people living on the border areas live a very tough and challenging life style with economically backward conditions which force them to migrate to cities. So such tourist visit will improve their living standard and people would prefer to stay back at their native places.
BJP State secretary Juggal Kishore Gupta, LYB All India president Om Prakash Mittal, J&K LYB president Rajendra Gupta and J&K State general secretary Parveen Pargal were among the 50 yatris from different parts of India taking part in the maiden Yatra.
Expressing their delight to be among the first batch of yatris to Chota Kailash, they hailed the support and initiatives of Dr Dawa for making the Yatra’s arrangement. They further informed that they took all requisite permission from Home Ministry and State Government level for this Yatra and expressed hope that in future it will continue in large scale.
Executive Councillor for Agriculture Tsering Wangdus and DIC General Manager Urgain Lhundup were also present during the flag off ceremony this morning.
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