SECMOL School building in Leh, Ladakh, represents the entire Himalayan Region in a recently published book, “NEW INDIAN ARCHITECTURE: 1947-2020.” This elaborate treatise is a prestigious Indian architecture publication in the post-Independence era which features more than one hundred architectural marvels. These are spread over a vast area of the subcontinent from Leh in the north to Madurai in the south (3600km), and Kolkata in the east to Gandhinagar in the west (2000km). Conceived and bui...
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Parliament Passes Law To Auction And Mining Of Lithium Reserves
Delhi, August 03: India’s parliament has approved a new law aimed at accelerating the extraction of critical minerals, including lithium, essential for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The legislation permits the government to auction and mine the recently discovered reserves of these minerals, marking a significant step towards meeting the rising demand for EV raw materials.
The law removes lithium and other minerals from the list of atomic minerals, which previously restricted their auc...
Melting Of Ladakh Glacier Could Form 3 Glacial Lakes: Study
These lakes could be a potential source of glacial lake outburst floods in the Himalayas, the scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, said.
Kargil, August 01: Accelerated melting of the Himalayan Parkachik Glacier in Ladakh could give rise to three glacial lakes with an average depth ranging between 34 and 84 metres, scientists have found.
These lakes could be a potential source of glacial lake outburst floods in the Himalayas, the scientists from the Wadia ...
WHAT I LEARNED FROM MUHARRAM
“A Timeless Message of Sacrifice and Humanity”
“Ashura is an effort to promote Hussain’s message. It’s not just about sobbing in the dark and wearing all black, either! Change your behaviour, ideas, lives, and character. Make a revolution inside of you!”
Muharram, the first holy month of Islam, has been a part of my life since childhood, and over the years, it has taught me more than I expected. Initially, I saw Muharram as a month of mourning, but as I grew, I realized that it holds v...
Srinagar: Muharram processions takes out on the traditional route after 34 years
VoL Desk, July 27: After more than three decades of being prohibited, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday allowed 8th Muharram procession to proceed through the centre of Srinagar. Thousands of Shia Muslims took part in the procession on the route that they demanded since decades to reopen for the procession.
“The permission is hereby granted…for taking out Muharram procession on 8th Muharram-1445 from Guru Bazar to Dalgate via Budshah Kadal and M.A Road, Srinagar, from 6 a...
From Housewife to Entrepreneur: The Inspiring Journey of “Lakhpati Didi” in Kargil
Fatima Banoo, a resident of the border village of Latoo in Kargil district, has earned herself the title of “Lakhpati Didi”; thanks to her successful venture which is a Self-Help Group. Despite having no formal education, Fatima has not only become a successful entrepreneur but also emerged as an inspiration for women in the Kargil district. Her story represents a shining example of women’s entrepreneurship in Kargil, where the Ladakh Rural Livelihood Mission (LRLM) is making significant cha...
200-Year-Old Gyab-Thago Mud Heritage Home, Ladakh Revisited
“So much of our future lies in preserving the past.” – Peter Westbrook.
It is assumed that concrete buildings have a life of 100 years, but strangely mud and timber houses can last for more than 200 years. It has been proved right by the Gyab-Thago Heritage Home, Ladakh, which has lived for more than 200 years. This mud-and-timber house is in Stok village, about 17 km southeast of Leh town in Ladakh, India. The Stok village is situated in the Indus Valley and has an altitude of 3497 m (11...
Lookmik: The Alpine Medicinal Plant of Kargil with Therapeutic Potential
During a recent picnic excursion to Sapi village in Kargil, I had the delightful opportunity to capture photographs of a captivating plant adorned with fuzzy and stout “petals” that strikingly resembled a lion’s paw. Intrigued by its unique appearance, I was eager to learn more about this remarkable plant. It was during this journey that Haji Hussain Pashkumpa, a knowledgeable companion shared with me that this plant holds the esteemed status of being the national symbol of Austria. This rev...
Baseej-e-Zarat and Rangul Organic Promote Floriculture in Kargil with Lilium and Gladiolus Distribution Program
VoL Desk, July 06: Baseej-e-Zarat wa Baghbani (BZB) and Rangul Organic Producer Company Limited (ROPCL) organized a distribution program today for Lilium bulbs and Gladiolus corms, which was sponsored by the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur. The event took place at TFC, Biamathang, Kargil, with the aim of encouraging farmers to engage in floriculture.
The program saw the presence of notable figures including CEC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, DC Kargil Santosh Sukhad...
Positive Freedom, Negative Freedom and India!
Liberty is liberty, not equality or fairness or justice or human happiness or a quiet conscience.
“Two Concepts of liberty”(1958)
Isaiah Berlin’s ideas about freedom have been influential in many different cultural contexts,
including India. In addition to his work on freedom, Berlin made significant contributions to the
fields of political philosophy, the philosophy of history, and the philosophy of culture. His work
has been widely read and admired, and he is considered to be one of the mos...