Ladakh to make debut in Republic Day Parade on Rajpath

re is a palpable excitement among members of Lakh contingent for Republic Day Pare as young union territory is all set to make its debut in extravaganza on Rajpath with a beautiful tableau depicting iconic Thikse Monastery and its cultural herit.

Union Territory of Lakh was created in 2019 after central government bifurcated state of Jammu and Kashmir came into UTs.

On Friday, during a media preview of R-Day tableaux held here, members of Lakh contingent were feeling "on top of world".

"Our tableau will be showcased for first time on Rajpath in grand pare. We h struggled to get a separate UT status and that aspiration was fulfilled in 2019 and we h celebrated it in Lakh. And, w as an independent UT, with our own identity, we will be taking part in ceremonial event. We feel very happy," said Diksit Palmo, who hails from Leh.

She is one of five women in 11-member contingent led by a government official.

Palmo says she also was part of contingent of n state of Jammu & Kashmir in 2015, but this time, "our identity is our own".

tableau prominently depicts historic Thikse Monastery located on top of a hill in Thikse in Leh district, and is one of most-visited tourist sites in region.

Artistes dressed in colourful tritional Lakhi 'gunchas' interacted with reporters on Friday during media preview of R-Day tableaux held at Delhi Cantonment.

Dorjay Youron, who is from Thiksey, was doubly excited to kw landmark of her hometown will be showcased on Rajpath.

Rinchen Dolma, ar member of contingent, said, "We are proud to represent our region with our own name -- Lakh, and t as a constituent of J&K, which also has a different identity w." A total of 17 states and UTs will be represented on Rajpath in this year's pare through ir vibrant tableaux, besides that of various ministries and three armed forces.

" Lakh tableau highlights vision for Lakh to be carbon-neutral, and exemplary for world. It also showcases Indian Astromical Observatory, located in Hanle near Leh, one of world's highest sites for optical, infrared an gamma-ray telescopes," according to tableaux details shared by officials.

Lkah region is kwn for its unique cultural and beautiful architectural herit and vibrant costumes and festivals and delicious food, besides scenic beauties dotted with monasteries. Jammu and Kashmir, however, does t figure in list of tableaux list released by government.

Sarabjeet Kaur, a Jammu native, felt s that new UT of J&K will t be represented this year during Republic Day pare.

"I am part of Ministry of Culture's tableau which will depict heralding of 75th year of our Independence Day, and I am happy to be part of it. But, a bit unhappy that my state, w a UT, will t be re in tableaux pare," said Kaur, an artiste who will depict herself as a Kashmiri woman, dressed in a tritional costume while accompanying ministry's tableau.

Ministry of Culture's tableau also carries a giant bust of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and men and women dressed as INA soldiers.