Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, attended the Suru Summer Festival on August 27.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Akhoon, highlighted the Suru Valley’s breathtaking landscapes and the unmatched hospitality of its people. He said that with the continued support and financial assistance of the Union Territory Administration, the festival will expand in scale and scope in the coming years, creating greater opportunities for tourism and local livelihoods.

Dr. Akhoon also placed key demands before the dignitaries, including the establishment of a Trekking and Mountaineering Institute in Suru, the opening of the Pahalgam–Panikhar road, and district status for the Sankoo Sub-Division. He expressed optimism that both the Central Government and the UT Administration will address these demands to unlock the full potential of Kargil.

CEC thanked the District Administration for making the necessary arrangements, social media influencers from outside Ladakh for promoting Suru as a tourist destination, and the visitors and local community members who participated in large numbers despite harsh weather conditions. He assured that the Suru Summer Festival will be organised on an even larger scale in the future, reflecting the growing enthusiasm around the event.

Dr. Akhoon also noted the recent inclusion of Suru in National Geographic’s list of “25 Best Destinations,” calling it a proud achievement that will help position the valley as a premier destination at both national and international levels.

Concluding his address, he expressed gratitude to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and LG Kavinder Gupta for their presence and support, reaffirming LAHDC Kargil’s commitment to sustainable development and tourism promotion in the region.