Hafta-e-Wahdat Celebrations Conclude with Grand Milad al-Nabi (s) Events Across Ladakh

VoL Desk, Sep. 22: The closing ceremony of Hafta-e-Wahdat (Week of Unity), commemorating the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was celebrated with immense pride and religious devotion across Ladakh.

Two major Milad al-Nabi (s) events were organized at the district headquarter in Kargil, attracting thousands of devotees. One gathering was held at Central Jamia Masjid Kargil under the banner of Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT) chaired by Sheikh Hamid Nasiri, whil...

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A Ladakhi Youth’s Alienation from Self, Soul and Homeland

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...

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Swachh Bharat Mission poised to enter its next decade

New Delhi, September 17, 2024: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, few could have predicted its transformative impact. What began as a call for behaviour change has grown into a globally recognized initiative, reducing infant mortality and diseases, boosting school attendance for girls, reducing crimes against women, and improving livelihoods. As the Swachh Bharat Mission marks its 10th anniversary, this year’s Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign e...

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85 organisations, movements across India, express solidarity with Ladakh’s Delhi Chalo march

VoL Desk, September 17: Vikalp Sangam General Assembly, a network of 85 organisations and movements across India, expressed solidarity with the ‘Delhi Chalo’ footmarch that people of Ladakh have embarked on, on 1st September.

The Assembly stated that this Yatra highlights continued neglect of Ladakh’s legitimate demands for special Constitutional status, enabling its people to protect their land, culture, environment and economic interests. It is in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-v...

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Raising Legal Age For Marriage

Child marriage is a marriage or domestic partnership, formal or informal, between a child and an adult, or between a child and another child. It is estimated that there are around 24 million child brides in India. The states with the highest rates of child marriage include Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka (50 per cent or more).

Number of girls and women who were first married or in union before age of 18.
Percentage ...
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KDA Backs Pad Yatra to Delhi for Ladakh’s Four-Point Agenda

The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has announced its support for the pad yatra to Delhi, which advocates for a four-point agenda for Ladakh. This announcement was made by KDA Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai, who stated that the alliance will join the pad yatra upon its arrival in Delhi.

The statement was delivered at a press conference today, attended by KDA Co-Chairmen Qamar Ali Akhone and Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, along with representatives from Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, Anjuman Jam...

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Ladakh’s District Expansion: A Welcome Development or a Political Diversion?

On August 26, the Home Minister announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh, a move that has generated both appreciation and skepticism among the region’s residents. This decision coincided with the announcement of the peaceful march to Delhi by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The march aims to address four long-standing demands: The four point agenda includes full-fledged statehood for Ladakh; constitutional safeguards under the 6th...

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What are the prospects for Sankoo becoming a district?

On August 26, 2024, at 11:22 AM, Home Minister Amit Shah announced on social media platform X that five new districts — Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang — would be created in Ladakh.

As soon as the news was shared, celebrations began across Ladakh. The people in these areas, who had been asking for district status for a long time, were very happy, hoping this decision would bring them relief.

Ladakh had been divided into two districts, Leh and Kargil, in 1979, mainly based o...

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New Districts in Ladakh Bring Joy and Resentment: Celebrations in Zanskar and Drass, Protests in Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan

By: Safina Qusar & Mohd Hassanain Ebadie

Elated by the announcement of granting five new districts in Ladakh, the Zanskar and Drass subdivisions resonated with chants of celebration. People danced joyfully at Jashn-e-Drass, a major celebration that saw participation from various political and religious leaders, setting aside religious, sectarian, and political differences. In contrast, a shutdown erupted in Sankoo, while Shakar-Chiktan expressed their displeasure over not being included i...

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Applications invited for MBBS, BDS seats under Ladakh Central Pool

VoL Desk, August 29: The Directorate of Health Services, Ladakh have invited applications from eligible candidates obtaining minimum prescribed marks for selection against 7 MBBS and 2 BDS seats under “Ladakh Central Pool Medical Seats Guidelines”.

The announcement was made in a notification on August 26, 2024 to fill up the MBBS and BDS seats of Ladakh quota for the year 2023-24.

The medical colleges offered for the candidates are Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi, LLM Medical C...

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