Ladakh has struggled for administrative autonomy for many years. This struggle has transformed into a significant vehicle for ordinary people’s participation in public politics through the Ladakh Hill Development Council, established under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act of 1995. The first election for this council took place on August 28, 1995, marking a direct engagement of the people at the grassroots level.

Following the abrogation of Article 370, the state of Jamm...

After years of studies and residing outside Ladakh, this summer break, I returned to homeland, Ladakh. What should have been a joyous homecoming turned out to be a disheartening experience as one felt like a stranger in one’s own homeland.

My journey began when, as a small child, I was sent from Ladakh to a boarding school in Srinagar. These were formative years spent away from my house, which really shaped so much of who I am today, but coming back to Ladakh allowed me to realize how muc...