A 3-day SVANidhi Mahotsav celebration of Atmanirbhar street vendors Mela organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with Urban Local Bodies Department UT Ladakh and Municipal Committee, Kargil concluded on July 22.

CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmed Khan was the chief guest. Executive Councillors, Mohsin Ali and Phuntsok Tashi; Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Santosh Sukhadeve; Director Urban Local Bodies, UT Ladakh, Zahida Batool besides other concerned officials, artists, performers, musicians, street vendors, and lager number of viewers were present.

CEC, Feroz Khan thanked Urban Local Bodies UT Ladakh for recognizing the hard work of street vendors and also giving a platform for them.

Stressing over the usage of locally produced organic food products, CEC Khan said organic food should be given preference in our daily lives for a healthy life.

He also said that local products should be given a value-based identity for a better market price along with a separate rate list. He also said that a separate market should be developed for street vendors so that they can sell their products with dignity. He requested the vendor community to identify space immediately and the administration will help to develop the market accordingly.

He also appreciated the huge number of women participating in this business and said that this is the beginning of the holistic and inclusive development of society.

DC, Kargil,Santosh Sukhadeve acknowledged the hard work of street vendors and said that every individual has the right to earn and live a dignified life. He stressed on vendors to be informed about various government schemes which are beneficial for their social and economic development.

He further assured full support from the administration regarding the issues and challenges being faced by the vendor community of Kargil.

The program ended with the screening of a short film on Street Vendors (success stories), Nukkad Natak on PM Kissan, cultural programs by different cultural groups, and a play by street vendors.