Rajnath Singh cancels Siachen visit due to inclement weather, celebrates Holi with armed forces personnel in Leh

Due to the prevailing weather conditions in Siachen, the Defence Minister was forced to abandon his visit and instead celebrate Holi with armed forces personnel in Leh.

Srinagar: Stating the nation continues to flourish even as “some untoward events unfold on our borders at times," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday praised the valour of the armed forces for protecting the nation despite the severe cold conditions prevailing in the Ladakh region, known for its cold desert terrain.

"Despite the occasional occurrence of untoward events on our borders, our country continues to progress. Our borders are vast and spread in all directions," Singh said while addressing the armed forces after celebrating the Holi festival with them in Leh.

Rajnath was scheduled to visit the Siachen area - the world’s highest battlefield - to celebrate Holi, which will be celebrated from March 24-25, with the armed forces personnel deployed there. However, due to the prevailing weather conditions in Siachen, he was forced to abandon his visit and instead celebrate Holi in Leh.

"I wanted to celebrate the festival of colours with the soldiers at Siachen, but due to bad weather, I couldn’t make it. I am committed to visiting Siachen in the future and meeting the soldiers there who are bearing the brunt of bone-chilling cold to protect the nation," the Defence Minister said.

Flanked by Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Rajnath stated that Ladakh is no ordinary land. “This is the land of Siachen, Kargil, Bharat Mata. Ladakh represents national determination. We know that our political capital is Delhi, our economic capital is Mumbai, and our technological capital is Bengaluru. Similarly, Ladakh is the capital of bravery and prowess,” Rajnath said.

The Defence Minister reassured the soldiers that the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is steadfastly committed to supporting the families of soldiers.

Situated at an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet in the Karakoram range, the Siachen Glacier is known as the highest militarized zone in the world. Here, soldiers contend with severe challenges such as frostbite, high winds, and frequent avalanches and landslides, especially during the harsh winters. Temperatures plummet to as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius in this unforgiving environment.