Winter Wonderland: Exploring Winter Sports in the Majestic Sankoo Valley

Sankoo, a subdivision of Kargil district in the Union Territory of Ladakh, is located 40 km south of Kargil Town. Nestled in a bowl-shaped valley, it is drained by the large tributary streams of the Suru River and the Nakpochoo River.

Known as Ladakh’s own Gulmarg, the “meadow of flowers,” Sankoo is the most verdant and flourishing valley in the region. Apart from its breathtaking beauty, it has also emerged as one of the best skiing destinations in Kargil, attracting ski enthusiasts from...

Read More

Expediting the Zojila Tunnel: A Lifeline for Ladakh

The Zojila Tunnel, an ambitious 13-kilometer infrastructure project, is poised to revolutionize connectivity in the Ladakh region. Designed to ensure all-weather access and eliminate the seasonal blockade imposed by harsh winter conditions, it stands as India’s longest highway tunnel. However, its significance extends far beyond infrastructure—it is a crucial lifeline for the people of Ladakh, a strategic asset for national security, and a catalyst for economic growth. While the tunnel’s raw...

Read More

Ladakh’s Silent Struggle for a Secure Future Yields Little Progress

When Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory in 2019, many believed it would usher in a new era of development. Five years later, the reality is starkly different. The youth of Ladakh are left in despair—no jobs, no Public Service Commission, and no roadmap for their future. Job opportunities are scarce, and the region’s demand for constitutional safeguards remains unheard.

Five years since Article 370’s abrogation, Ladakh is at a crossroads—not of advancement, but of uncertai...

Read More

Environmental Science: A Lifeline for Survival, Not Just a Subject

The recent transition of Govt. schools from JKBOSE to the CBSE curriculum marks a significant step towards standardizing education in the Union Territory of Ladakh. However, the lack of a dedicated Environmental Science (EVS) subject in the CBSE curriculum poses a significant challenge, primarily for both students and subject teachers, and generally for the whole populace. This change not only impacts the quality of education but also undermines efforts to build an environmentally literate s...

Read More

Earning my first opportunity: “A Ladakhi Girl’s Journey of Grit”

I am the first in my family to earn a Master’s degree, an achievement that carries both immense pride and deep responsibility. If my grandfather were here today, his eyes would shine with happiness, his hands resting on my shoulders with quiet pride. But he isn’t. That absence is something I carry with me every day. His dreams and his hopes for me live on through me, pushing me to turn this education into something meaningful. But I knew that in this fast-paced world, I needed to challenge m...

Read More

Book Review: Be Zubaan Dost – A Scholarly Analysis of Reading Culture and Intellectual Resistance

Reviewed by: Mohd Ajaz and Ali Asgar Balti

Author: Compiled from the speeches and writings of Imam Khamenei (R.A)
Publisher: Welayat Publication
Medium: Urdu Edition
Year of Publication: 2012


Introduction

At an era where shallow online, and social media writing has hijacked deep, intellectual inquiry, Be Zubaan Dost Kitaab is a towering tribute to the cause of action and also Imam Khamenei (R.A) who, by their own thoughts, have decried the fading culture of reading and have called ...

Read More

Anganwadi Workers in Ladakh and J&K: Dedicated Service, Yet Low Wages

Anganwadi workers, commonly known as Bau in Kargil and other parts of Ladakh, play a crucial role in India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). These frontline workers are responsible for ensuring nutrition, health, and early childhood education for underprivileged children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. However, despite their dedication, the salary of Anganwadi workers in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir remains significantly lower compared to other states in India.

The Rol...

Read More

Healthcare in Kargil: What Needs to Change?

For the past few days, I have been at District Hospital Kargil, spending most of my nights with a family member who is admitted there. During this time, I closely observed many things—some that reflect the dedication of our healthcare workers and others that highlight serious issues that need immediate attention.

One of the most reassuring aspects was seeing the doctors and hospital staff working tirelessly, even late at night. Their dedication to patient care is truly commendable, and th...

Read More

شہداء مقاومت کے تشییع جنازے کے موقع پر کرگل میں عظیم الشان جلوسِ عزا

کارگل، 23 فروری 2025: امام خمینی میموریل ٹرسٹ، کرگل کے زیرِ اہتمام سید مقاومت، شہید سید حسن نصراللہ اور شہید سید ہاشم صفی الدین کے تشییع جنازے کی مناسبت سے ایک عظیم الشان جلوس برآمد ہوا، جس میں ہزاروں مومنین نے شرکت کی اور شہداء کو شاندار الفاظ میں خراجِ عقیدت پیش کیا۔

تفصیلات کے مطابق، جلوس آج بعد از نمازِ ظہرین تقریباً دو بجے جامع مسجد کرگل سے برآمد ہوا، جس میں ہزاروں افراد شریک ہوئے۔ عزادار نوحہ خوانی اور سینہ زنی کے ساتھ ساتھ حزب اللہ، حماس اور دیگر مزاحمتی تنظیموں کے حق میں نعرے بلند...

Read More

لداخ میں موسمیاتی تبدیلی: ماحولیات اور عوام کے لیے سنگین خطرہ

لداخ، جو اپنی برف پوش وادیوں، دلکش پہاڑوں، اور شدید سردیوں کے لیے جانا جاتا تھا، اب موسمیاتی تبدیلیوں کے شدید اثرات کا سامنا کر رہا ہے۔ ایک وقت تھا جب فروری کے مہینے میں کرگل شہر میں کم از کم ایک سے دو فیٹ برف پڑتی تھی، جبکہ دراس، سانکو، اور سورو جیسے بالائی علاقے چار فٹ سے بھی زیادہ برف میں ڈھکے رہتے تھے۔ مقامی لوگوں کے لیے برفباری ایک عام اور متوقع مظہر تھا۔ فروری اورمارچ میں”کھس ہرژیس” کہلانے والا برفباری کاسلسلہ ہر دوسرے ہفتے جاری رہتا تھا۔

مگر اب حالات بالکل بدل چکے ہیں۔ پچھلے چند سا...

Read More