GOC of 17 Mountain Division meets Sikkim Governor to discuss battlefield tourism
Discussions also touched on the development of Dichu village, a frontier settlement near Doka La.
LOCAL
Major General M.S. Rathore, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 17 Mountain Division, paid a courtesy visit to the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Om Prakash Mathur, at Raj Bhavan on January 23. The meeting focused on the promotion of battlefield tourism under the Government of India’s “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” initiative.
Major General Rathore briefed the Governor about the inclusion of Nathula Pass, Doka La, and Chola Pass in the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan program. These historic sites hold immense significance, with Nathula witnessing a major clash between the Indian and Chinese armies in 1967, and Doka La being the site of a 73-day standoff in 2017.
The Governor commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership, stating, “The inclusion of Nathula Pass, Doka La, and Chola Pass in Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan is a matter of pride for our nation, offering citizens an opportunity to explore historic battlegrounds and learn about the valor of the Indian Army.”
Discussions also touched on the development of Dichu village, a frontier settlement near Doka La. The Governor, who recently visited the area, shared the villagers' concerns with the GOC and urged the 17 Mountain Division to address their needs.
Launched on Indian Army Day, January 15, the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, aims to promote 77 historic battlegrounds, including Siachen, Kargil, and Galwan, to honor the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and foster public awareness.