A sporting and cultural event in Dras, Kargil

INN/Dras, @Infodeaofficial

At Dras, Kargil, the Indian Army organized a cultural and sporting event in partnership with the local population. This much-anticipated sporting and cultural event took place in extremely cold temperatures from December 23 to December 27, 2024. The event featured a number of sports activities, including the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Competition, the Men’s and Women’s Archery Competition, Tent Pegging, and the Introduction and Demonstration of Ice Stock Sport, which was played for the first time in the UT of Ladakh.

Additionally, the event featured a variety of captivating traditional performances by the Shina, Balti, and Purgi communities, followed by a Khukri Martial Arts demonstration by the valiant Indian Army Gorkha warriors.

The “Cultural Symposium: Majlis-E-Saqafat,” which took place on December 25 and 26, 2024, was a special highlight of the event. Its goal was to revive and celebrate the rich Dras heritage through theme-based discussions with notable figures from the fields of literature, journalism, education, and sports. In addition, Ice Stock Sport was introduced for the first time in UT Ladakh.

The closing ceremony on December 27, 2024, served as the event’s high point. In addition to distinguished civil dignitaries like Shri Abdul Wahid, Councilor, Bhimbet, and Shri Abdul Samad, Councilor, Rambirpora, Drass, the event was graced by a number of dignitaries, including Maj Gen K Mahesh, SM, General Officer Commanding, Forever in Operations Division, and Brig Sumeet Abrol, SM, VSM, PhD, Commander, Dras Warriors Brigade. Notable figures from the local community also engaged with the local residents of Dras.

The Indian Army organizes the event every year, and it has become the most anticipated event of the year in this part of Ladakh due to its enormous popularity and growing passion. The people of Dras expressed their profound gratitude to the Indian Army for hosting this sports and cultural extravaganza. They also thanked them for giving local athletes and youths a chance to practice their skills and celebrate life in one of the coldest and most remote areas of the nation.