Official language – Editorial

The language dilemma once again sparked a heated discourse among different factions in Ladakh. A proposal was put forward suggesting that English, Hindi, Urdu, and Bhoti be made the official languages of Ladakh. Meanwhile, various linguistic groups in the region engaged in intense debates, presenting different suggestions for the official language.

A faction in Leh has proposed making “Bhoti” the official language of Ladakh, arguing that it is spoken by the majority of the region’s popula...

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139 More Government Schools in Ladakh at Risk of Shutting Down

The education for the poor section will become so expensive in Ladakh that many will succumb to the system, and the number of left-out students may increase. Neither am I a conspiracy theorist, nor am I a soothsayer. But empirical evidence about the government in Ladakh is not a good sign for society. UDISE data 2023-24 reports that Ladakh has identified 35 zero-enrollment schools, 21 schools with teachers that have zero enrollments, and 83 schools with single teachers. Consolidating all the...

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Book Review: Imperial Games in Tibet by Dilip Sinha

Dilip Sinha, a former Indian diplomat, wrote Imperial Games in Tibet: The Struggle for Statehood and Sovereignty. This outstanding scholarly study, which is founded on a great deal of archival research, provides a concise overview of how Tibet, a country that was conquered by a powerful neighbour and abandoned by the international community, became involved in the imperial intrigues that were taking place in the high Himalayas. Even India, Tibet’s long-time ally, failed the Tibetans when the...

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The Downfall of Assad: Possible Implications

The Middle East looks engulfed in a never-ending war fury. The two main factors responsible are its geostrategic location and diversified sectarian plurality. Though it appears that the region is going to lose its relevance in geopolitics on account of phasing out of fossil fuels and attention of world powers shifting towards Indo-Pacific region but it’s power of connecting and regulating East and West is going to wade unlikely. The region will continue to be chaotic until the emergence of g...

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A real conversation about things nobody tells you about college life

By: Tsering Gaphel and Padma Angmo

Dear readers,

If you are reading this, chances are the topic sparked your curiosity, and you are wondering what it is all about. Don’t worry—you are not alone. We would have also chosen to read this article if we were still in college. We were just as lost and confused as you are now when we first joined our colleges. But here is the secret we learned through our own experience with college life: nobody knows what they are doing.

Sure, some student...

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Book Review: Friends – India’s Closest Strategic Partners

The author, Sreeram Chaulia, begins the book with an introduction that details the 2023 G20 conference in India and the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi proclamation. Someone reading a few pages from the book’s initial section would find that Narendra Modi’s accomplishments are somewhat overemphasised. In light of the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the author claims that the United States and its European allies intended the G20 joint communique as a tool for exerting coordin...

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Patterns of Domestic Violence and Deteriorating Mental Health among Women in Kargil

By: Aamina Banoo

All Violence is the illustration of a pathetic stereotype”. Barbara Kruger.

We  all  have  heard about Domestic Violence and its various forms but nobody really sits and talk about it. Kargil  is a small beautiful town/District in the union territory of Ladakh with a total population of 1.4 lacs people. It is specially known for its beautiful landscapes, Himalayan mountains and beautiful valleys surrounded by simple and content people.

Most of the people have the p...

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The Untold Sacrifices of Education: A Journey from Zanskar to Distant Dreams

It was never a choice for us coming from a remote village in Zanskar valley (Padum) but rather a compulsory option to go away from home at such a young age just to get an education. I wouldn’t say “just” when we sacrifice all and everything we have for education. All the sacrifices our families made to make sure we have sufficient education – that’s how much value education holds in this generation.

We all are aware that Ladakh is known for its harsh winter, where the temperature reaches ...

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Ladakh’s New Districts: A Path to Progress or a Strategic Shift?

“Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to create five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The five new districts will be Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, Changthang”.

As I came across this news, so many thoughts started running around in my brain. Ladakh – newly appeared Union Territory on the map of India has been an integral part of India from long time. Known for its harsh climate, tough terrain, high altitude, unique culture,...

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The Need for Investigative Journalism in Ladakh’s Media Landscape

In Ladakh, where the local media landscape is rapidly evolving, there is a noticeable gap when it comes to investigative journalism. They often fall short when it comes to the crucial task of tracing cases of crime and corruption, following up with authorities, and maintaining the pressure needed to ensure accountability. This lack of professional investigative reporting is a missed opportunity, especially as the region navigates changes with its newly formed police force and developing gove...

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