Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, expressed profound gratitude towards the city of Pune for its decades-long role in educating and nurturing students from the country's border regions. He made these remarks during the Ladakh Festival, organized in Pune by the social organization Sarhad.
A Celebration of Bonds and Bravery
The event, held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, was a vibrant celebration of the deep connection between Pune and the regions of Ladakh, Kargil, and Jammu & Kashmir. A key highlight was the presentation of the Kargil Gaurav National Awards 2025 to distinguished individuals from various fields by Lieutenant Governor Gupta himself.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Pune Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Ladakh's First Lady Bindu Gupta, Sarhad Founder President Sanjay Nahar, Sushma Nahar, Arham Institute Director Shailesh Pagaria, and Sanjeev Shah of the Samvad Foundation.
Pune: A Crucible of Nation-Building
In his address, Gupta eloquently described Pune's contribution extending far beyond academics. "Pune is not merely a hub of culture and education; it has also served as a crucible of nation-building," he stated. He emphasized that for decades, the city has not only educated students from these border areas but has embraced and nurtured them as its own, instilling in them confidence and self-belief.
"For this, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Pune. The city has instilled confidence and self-belief in these students, and that is why the relationship between Pune and Ladakh has transcended geography to become one rooted in emotion and humanity," the Lieutenant Governor added.
Honouring Contributions Across Fields
The Kargil Gaurav National Awards 2025 were conferred upon a diverse group of achievers in recognition of their significant contributions. The awardees included:
- Dr. Pralhad Kokare, Chairman of Cosmos Bank
- Major General Shashikant Pitre (Retd)
- Jhelum Chaubal, Director of Kesari Tours
- Senior journalist Rajiv Sabade
- Senior architect Dilip Kale
- Social worker Raj Deshmukh
- Tarun Uppal of the Nirbhay Bharat Foundation
- Mangesh Chivate, Head of the Chief Minister’s Medical Cell
Protecting Emotional Frontiers
Gupta also provided a poignant perspective on national security, moving beyond the conventional focus on armed forces. He highlighted the role of civil society in strengthening the nation's emotional fabric. "Organisations like Sarhad remind us that the emotional frontiers of the nation are protected by its society," he remarked.
He stressed that lasting peace and integration are achievable only when citizens in border areas feel a deep connection to the national mainstream. Recalling the 1999 Kargil War, he paid tribute to the ordinary citizens of Ladakh and Kargil—villagers and porters from remote areas—who emerged as a vital pillar of support for the Armed Forces in extremely challenging terrain, disregarding their own safety.
"Today’s programme in Pune stands as a tribute to their courage and sacrifice," Gupta concluded, framing the festival not just as a cultural event, but as a solemn acknowledgment of shared sacrifice and unity.
