KD NEWS SERVICE
LEH, Dec 25: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, on Wednesday paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, on his birth anniversary, which is observed nationwide as Good Governance Day. The tribute was paid at a commemorative programme held at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, Leh.
Addressing officers and staff on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor fondly recalled the towering statesmanship and visionary leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, describing him as a leader whose tenure will forever be remembered for nation-building, transparent administration and governance rooted in the welfare of the common people. He said Vajpayee ji combined political acumen with moral integrity, setting high standards for public life and democratic governance.
Shri Kavinder Gupta shared his personal experiences of meeting the former Prime Minister on several occasions and spoke at length about Vajpayee ji’s role during critical phases of India’s political history, particularly the Emergency period, during which he endured nearly a year of imprisonment. He noted that despite political adversity, Vajpayee ji emerged stronger, earning respect across party lines for his principled politics and unwavering commitment to democratic values.
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted Vajpayee ji’s extraordinary oratory skills and magnetic charisma, which attracted massive audiences wherever he spoke. He said Vajpayee ji’s speeches and poetic expressions reflected deep sensitivity, nationalism and humanism, and continue to inspire generations even today.
Referring to the observance of Good Governance Day on Vajpayee ji’s birth anniversary, Shri Kavinder said the occasion serves as a reminder of the former Prime Minister’s enduring belief in accountable, transparent and people-centric administration. He remarked that Vajpayee ji’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by several path-breaking reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, improving infrastructure and ensuring inclusive development.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that Vajpayee ji strongly believed in last-mile delivery of development, ensuring that the benefits of governance reached the poorest and most remote sections of society. He said this vision continues to guide the governance framework of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Highlighting the efforts of the UT Administration, Shri Kavinder Gupta reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring that government schemes and developmental initiatives effectively reach far-flung, remote and border villages of Ladakh. He stressed the importance of transparency, digital governance and efficient service delivery, noting that initiatives such as e-office systems and technology-driven administration are significantly strengthening public service delivery and administrative efficiency in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor further reiterated the Administration’s focus on inclusive development, youth empowerment, preservation of Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage, and the strengthening of public welfare systems to improve the quality of life of the people.
The programme was conducted by Shri Sachin Bali, Under Secretary, JKAS. On the occasion, Lt Col BK Dash, Officer on Special Duty to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Shri Sahil Verma, Media Advisor, along with officers and staff of the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, were present.
