LEH/JAMMU: Newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Friday vowed to work alongside the people to rebuild the Union Territory and elevate it to global prominence as a premier tourist destination.
Gupta took the oath of office during a ceremony at Raj Niwas, administered by Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. Prior to this role, Gupta had held several key positions, including Deputy Chief Minister and Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
“I have been entrusted with the responsibility of Lieutenant Governor, and I assure the people of Ladakh that we will work together—rising above religion, caste, and political differences—to build a new Ladakh,” Gupta said after assuming office.
Acknowledging the historical neglect faced by the region, he stated, “Ladakh has endured discrimination in the past, and there’s still much work to be done.”
Outlining his vision for development, Gupta emphasized, “We aim to position Ladakh on the global tourism map—just like the world’s most celebrated travel destinations, we want Ladakh to be counted among them.”
MLA Vikram Randhawa, who attended the oath ceremony, called Gupta’s appointment a blessing for Ladakh and a loss for Jammu and Kashmir. “He is a true son of Jammu and a capable leader with strong administrative experience,” Randhawa said, noting Gupta’s tenure as a three-time MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, and Speaker of the J&K Assembly.
