The Plight of Changpa Nomadic Tribe

The Changpas reside on this high-altitude plateau that sprawls in the western and northern parts of Tibet and further extends to Ladakh in India. Most of the regions that the Changpas reside in are quite inhospitable and unsuitable for farming. Thus, the primary occupation of the tribe is the rearing of yaks, horses, and sheep.

The famous “Pashmina” goats, whose soft wool is famous throughout the world, is found in this region. Pashmina, a highly coveted cashmere wool, comes from the fine...

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Constitutional Safeguards for Ladakh: Rationalizing Apprehensions and Justifying Demands

In a world where beings are sensitive and can think rationally, thinking about the future is natural. Predicting the future is not peculiar to humans – all living things anticipate what’s ahead. However, humans are unique because we can think beyond just the immediate future; we can imagine and plan for the distant future consciously. This ability doesn’t replace predicting the near future but adds to it, expanding our scope over time. As a result, our actions are always influenced by how we...

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A Himalayan Jewel: The Architectural Wonders of Stok Palace, Ladakh

The Stok Palace is located in the village of Stok, about 15 kilometer southwest of Leh, the capital of Ladakh, in the northernmost region of India. The Palace holds a rich historical legacy dating back to the 19th century. It was constructed by King Tsepal Namgyal in 1820 after the royal family of Ladakh was exiled from Leh. The construction of the Palace served as the royal residence for the Namgyal dynasty, which ruled Ladakh for centuries.

The Palace played a significant role in La...

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DM Leh orders imposition of Section 144 ahead of “Pashmina March”

VoL Desk, April 05: The District Magistrate, Leh has ordered the imposition of Section 144 of CrPC 1973 two days ahead of the “Pashmina March” spearheaded by environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and Leh Apex Body scheduled for April 07.

The Apex Body member, Tsering Dorjay Lakruk and Sonam Wangchuk, in a press conference, later condemned the imposition of Section 144.

The DM has issued the order in view of inputs from the Superintendent of Police regarding the apprehension of breach o...

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Sonam Wangchuk Launches ‘Pashmina March’ to Highlight Environmental Concerns in Ladakh

VoL Desk, April 03: Renowned environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has announced the “Pashmina March” to the Changthang region scheduled for April 7. Wangchuk shared this initiative through a video on his YouTube channel, which experienced a significant surge in followers following his 21-day hunger strike, concluded on March 27.

Following the conclusion of his 21-day hunger strike, Sonam Wangchuk, along with a group of women, initiated another hunger strike for 10 days. Wangchuk himself ...

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“I’ll Be Back”: Sonam Wangchuk Ends 21-Day Fast Over Ladakh Demands

Leh, March 26: After surviving on salt and water for 21 days, noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike to press for statehood for Ladakh and the protection of the fragile Himalayan ecology under Sixth Schedule of the constitution, but insisted this was only the end of phase one and that his fight will continue.

When he had begun his fast on March 6, Sonam Wangchuk had said he would continue it for 21 days and that it could be “extendable till death”.

In a post ...

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Ladakhi Folk Song Maestro Haji Master Hussain of Silmo Passes Away

VoL Desk, March 22: Today, the Ladakhi community mourns the loss of a cherished cultural icon, Master Mohd Hussain, whose passing at his ancestral village Silmo leaves a profound void. Renowned as a mnemonist and artist, Master Hussain was revered across Ladakh for his unparalleled knowledge of folk songs, Purgi idioms, Ladakhi proverbs, and pure Purgi vocabulary.

Master Hussain’s legacy lies in his extraordinary memory, having preserved over 100 Ladakhi folk songs and epic narratives in ...

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Ladakh’s Snowmelt Irrigation System Faces Decline

Everyone in Ladakh was thrilled and relieved when the region finally saw its first snowfall in February after long anticipation. Ladakh is a cold desert, and its arid climate makes conditions harsh for agriculture where water scarcity poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity, solutions are essential for sustaining food production and livelihoods. The region receives a good amount of snow during the winter months (January) creating a natural reservoir of freshwater that is c...

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Urgent Call for the 6th Schedule in Ladakh: A Student’s Perspective

Introduction:

Ladakh, the land of high passes and serene landscapes, is at a crucial juncture in its history. As a student deeply connected to the region, I am compelled to shed light on the pressing need for the implementation of the 6th Schedule in Ladakh. This demand arises from the unique socio-cultural, geographical, and political dynamics of the region, which require specialized governance mechanism to address the aspirations and challenges of its diverse population.

Historical C...

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Ladakh leaders’ meeting with MHA ends “without concrete outcome”

VoL Desk, March 04: Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) held a meeting with the Officials of Ministry of Home Affairs today at New Delhi. After the meeting a press release was issued by the Apex Body and KDA, which stated that the meeting ended without any concrete outcome.

As per the press release, the Subcommittee members subsequently had a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence, where they got no positive and satisfactory response from the Centre...

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