KARGIL, DECEMBER 31, 2021: The first-ever Kargil Mahotsav was held today at the SM Joshi Hall in Pune where Chairman/CEC LAHDC Kargil, Feroz Ahmed Khan and Vice-Chancellor Savitribai Phule University Pune, Dr Nitin Karmalkar presided over the occasion.

The program began with the launch of signature theme song of Kargil International Marathon sung by renowned singer Padmashri Shankar Mahadevan and composed by Mazhar Siddiqui.

On the occasion, colorful cultural presentations were made by the students of the Sarhad College and the Afghan Students Union, Pune.

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VC SPUP Dr Karmalkar reminiscing his PhD days said that being a geologist he has had a very deep connection with Ladakh in general and Kargil in particular.

He said that he had experienced the hospitality of the people of Kargil during his stay in Drass in the 1980s for his PhD fieldwork. 

CEC Khan while speaking on the occasion thanked the organizers for their passion for promoting Kargil as a sports tourism destination.

He also sought the intervention of the Vice-Chancellor SPUP for collaborations in the domain of higher education.

Citing the example of a recent MoU signed between Gujrat University and the University of Ladakh, he urged the VC SPUP to explore academic collaborations in consultation with the University of Ladakh.

Addressing the audience, the CEC said that the kind of love that people of Pune have shown towards the people of the frontier district of Kargil has been second to none.

Earlier in the day, CEC Khan called upon the Mayor of Pune Municipal Corporation Murlidhar Mohol at his official residence.

During the meet, the CEC was briefed about the activities of various Pune-based organizations working for the welfare of border regions of the country.

On the occasion, Executive Councilor Syed Abass Razvi, Founder Sarhad Foundation Sanjay Nahar, President Swanand Foundation Sanjeev Shah, and President Arham Foundation Sailaish Pagariya besides other members of the team from Kargil were present.

Welcoming the team from Kargil in Pune, Mayor Murlidhar Mohal said that the people of Pune have always opened up its arms for all with the spirit of Atithi Deva Bhava.

Speaking on the occasion, CEC Khan appreciated the passion of the people of Pune and said that such selfless efforts would go a long way for realizing the high values of national integration at the ground level.

He also appreciated the manner in which Pune MC, under the leadership of Murlidhar Mahol had handled the situation arising out of the pandemic outbreak last year.

Commending the work done by organizations such as Sarhad Pune along with the efforts of the local authorities have been instrumental in establishing Kargil as a tourist destination in its own right.

The CEC hoped that the efforts of these organizations will help LAHDC Kargil to take concrete actions for making Kargil a tourist hotspot.

He said that they have rightly identified archery as a sport to be promoted on a large scale and youth in Kargil have a keen interest in the sport.

The CEC said that youth only need right direction and guidance to avail opportunities at national, international and Olympics-level.

CEC Khan also chaired a detailed meeting for Kargil International Marathon 2022 during which it was decided that Sarhad Pune shall provide technical support for human resource development while LAHDC Kargil will take care of the logistics.

After thorough discussions regarding the route, it was decided to change the route of marathon towards Suru Valley, as the technical team pointed out that the current route isn’t feasible because of uneven surface and requires blocking of National Highway.

Later in the afternoon, the CEC and his team interacted with Sriram Pawar, editor-in-chief of Sakal Times, a largest circulated newspaper in Maharashtra.

During the interaction, Sambhaji Patil, associate editor, Sakal Times besides other members of the media fraternity were also present.