Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Ladakh celebrates 7th UT anniversary; L-G announces dPal rNgam awards
Ladakh is a beautiful, high mountain region in the far north of India.
Seven years ago, on August 5, 2019, the Indian government made Ladakh a Union Territory, which means it is managed directly by the national government.
On Wednesday, the people of Ladakh held a big celebration to mark seven years since that special day.
The Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, joined the party at the old and famous Leh Palace.
He said the change has helped Ladakh grow in many ways, like better roads, schools, hospitals, farming, and tourism.
During the celebration, he announced special honours called the dPal rNgam awards, Ladakh's highest civilian awards.
One award will be given to His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche, a respected spiritual leader.
Another special award will be given to a brave soldier named Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, who fought in a war in 1999 and is being honoured after his death.
The soldier was called the 'Lion of Ladakh' because he was so courageous.
The awards are meant to thank people who have helped Ladakh and to inspire future generations.
Ladakh celebrated the seventh anniversary of its Union Territory status on August 5 at the historic Leh Palace, with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena joining the 'dPal rNgam Duston 2026' festivities.
The anniversary marks the August 5, 2019 revocation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status and bifurcated it into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Saxena said the move fulfilled the long-standing aspirations of Ladakh's people and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for progress across infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy, agriculture, tourism and other sectors.
The dPal rNgam Award for this year will be conferred on His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche, while the dPal rNgam Lifetime Achievement Award goes posthumously to late Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, the Mahavir Chakra awardee known as the 'Lion of Ladakh' for his courage during the 1999 Kargil War.
Saxena said the awards honour individuals whose contributions have had a lasting impact on Ladakh, and called for collective efforts to make the region prosperous, peaceful and self-reliant.
- Who
- Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena; awardees His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche and the late Colonel Sonam Wangchuk; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were credited for development.
- What
- Ladakh celebrated the seventh anniversary of its Union Territory declaration and the dPal rNgam civilian awards were announced for the year.
- When
- August 5, marking seven years since Article 370 was revoked on August 5, 2019.
- Where
- The historic Leh Palace in Leh, Ladakh (reported from Leh/Jammu).
- Why
- To commemorate the 2019 move that made Ladakh a Union Territory, which the L-G said has fulfilled the people's aspirations and brought an era of inclusive development.
- Event
- 7th anniversary of Ladakh's Union Territory declaration
- Celebration
- dPal rNgam Duston 2026 (Union Territory Declaration Day)
- Date
- August 5
- Location
- Leh Palace, Leh, Ladakh
- Lieutenant Governor
- Vinai Kumar Saxena
- Background
- Article 370 revoked on August 5, 2019; Jammu and Kashmir bifurcated into two Union Territories
- dPal rNgam Award
- His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche
- dPal rNgam Lifetime Achievement Award
- Late Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Mahavir Chakra awardee, 'Lion of Ladakh')