The UT Administration of Ladakh organised a farewell ceremony in honour of the outgoing Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, who will soon assume charge as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. Shri Kavinder Gupta had assumed the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on July 18, 2026.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including DGP Ladakh Mukesh Singh, GOC 14 Corps Hitesh Bhalla, Principal District and Sessions Judge Leh Spalzes Angmo, Commissioner/Secretary to the Lt Governor L Franklin, Administrative Secretaries, Directors and Heads of Departments, officials from the Army, BRO, Police and senior officers of the UT Administration.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt Governor Shri Kavinder Gupta expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people and officials of Ladakh for the affection, cooperation and support extended to him during his tenure. He remarked that Ladakh will always remain close to his heart and that he would carry back fond memories of the region. He thanked the officers and officials of the UT Administration for their dedication and teamwork, adding that he would always remain available to assist Ladakh in whatever capacity possible.
Reflecting on his tenure, Shri Kavinder Gupta said that his interactions with officers and officials of the Administration had consistently emphasised the importance of teamwork and coordinated efforts for development. He expressed satisfaction over the initiatives undertaken for the progress of Ladakh and said that he always tried to showcase Ladakh’s rich culture and heritage wherever he travelled. He cited the example of presenting a traditional Ladakhi Thangka painting to Shri Narendra Modi during his meeting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister as a gesture highlighting the region’s unique cultural identity.
The Lt Governor noted that Ladakh is progressing due to the hard work of its people and the dedication of the administrative machinery. He commended officials of the UT Administration for their tireless service in a region known for its challenging terrain and harsh climatic conditions. He also highlighted that several initiatives during his tenure focused on promoting renewable energy to protect Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem, along with strengthening the sectors of healthcare, education and power connectivity.
Shri Kavinder Gupta informed that he travelled nearly 10,000 kilometres across Ladakh to understand the ground realities and the issues faced by people in even the most remote areas of the Union Territory. He also spoke about various Memoranda of Understanding signed with educational institutions to benefit students from Ladakh and expand opportunities for higher education and skill development.
Emphasising inclusive development, he underlined the importance of effective dissemination of Central Government schemes so that the people of Ladakh can fully benefit from them. He also appreciated the people of Ladakh for taking pride in their rich culture, heritage and native languages, while also embracing the national language Hindi, which strengthens national unity.
The Lt Governor remarked that although many initiatives had been undertaken during his tenure, much more remains to be accomplished, and he expressed confidence that Ladakh would continue to progress on the path of development.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also released the second edition of the “Sindhu Darshan” magazine, highlighting Ladakh’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Speaking on the occasion, DGP Ladakh Shri Mukesh Singh lauded Shri Kavinder Gupta’s dedication to public service and nation-building. He noted that Shri Gupta’s commitment and leadership had earlier earned him important positions such as Mayor of Jammu, Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, and Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that continuing this journey of service, Shri Kavinder Gupta has now been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, and wished him great success in his new role.
Commissioner/Secretary to the Lt Governor, Dr L Franklin, highlighted the distinguished career and leadership qualities of Shri Kavinder Gupta and described him as a simple, approachable and compassionate leader. He noted that the outgoing Lt Governor patiently listened to officials and delegations and always came across as someone who genuinely cared for the welfare of the people. Dr Franklin congratulated him on his well-deserved appointment as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
During the ceremony, various organisations and departments felicitated Shri Kavinder Gupta in recognition of his service and contributions to Ladakh. The event also featured cultural performances by local artists, adding a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to the occasion.
The farewell ceremony concluded with warm wishes from the UT Administration and all dignitaries present for Shri Kavinder Gupta’s continued success in his future responsibilities.
Earlier, the officials and staff of Lok Niwas and LG Secretariat also bid farewell to Shri Kavinder Gupta.