Author: The Dispatch Staff

Kargil: Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), A.S. Sahney,  accompanied by the Chief General Manager, visited Kargil and engaged with officials, employees, and community representatives during a formal interaction at the IOCL Depot Kargil. He was warmly received by Depot Manager and staff, and accorded a traditional welcome by members of Team Stringmo and students of PM Shri Government Model High School, Lankoor. The occasion also featured a Guard of Honour by the IOCL security personnel. During the visit, Sahney was briefed on Kargil’s rich cultural heritage, the historic significance of the 1999 Kargil War, and the achievements of…

Drass: In a gesture filled with warmth, respect, and patriotism, students of PM Shri Government High School Thasgam, Drass, celebrated Rakshabandhan with Indian Army personnel stationed in the region. The event honoured soldiers who, despite being far from their families, dedicate their lives to protecting the nation. Students tied rakhis to the soldiers, symbolising a bond of protection and gratitude, while expressing heartfelt appreciation for the Army’s selfless service and sacrifices. Head of Institution Haji Akbar Ali lauded the invaluable role of the armed forces in safeguarding the country and said such interactions strengthen the bond between civilians and the…

Zanskar: The Sheep Husbandry Department, Kargil, on Saturday launched the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP) for 2025–26 under the Central Wool Development Board, Ministry of Textiles, in the Zanskar Subdivision. The launch, marked by a Sheep Show-cum-Seminar, drew more than 250 sheep breeders from across the region alongside officials and public representatives. The event was inaugurated by Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil, Er. Punchok Tashi, with Sheep Husbandry UT Ladakh Director Dr. Iftikhar Hussain as Guest of Honour and SDM Zanskar Mohammad Hassan as Special Guest. In his welcome remarks, Officer Incharge Pashmina Goat Farm Khangral, Dr. Zakir Hussain, greeted the…

Leh: In a move to strengthen Ladakh’s traditional medical heritage, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta met with Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), Leh; Dr. Ashok Kumar, National Organizing Secretary of Arogya Bharti; and Shri Sanjeevan Kumar, Northern Zone Coordinator of Arogya Bharti. The meeting focused on preserving, promoting, and integrating Sowa Rigpa—the traditional Himalayan system of medicine—while exploring how the AYUSH system can enhance public wellness. Dr. Gurmet stressed the need to safeguard ancient knowledge while adapting it to modern healthcare demands, and also briefed the LG on the ongoing activities at NISR Leh.…

Kargil: A three-day hunger strike began here on Saturday morning in support of four demands, including statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory of Ladakh. The hunger strike sponsored by Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Lex Apex Body (LAB) at Hussani Park in the town comes amid displeasure among the representatives of the two bodies over the Centre’s delay in holding the next round of talks with them. https://youtu.be/dOrlxYtiBKA KDA and LAB have been jointly spearheading the agitation over the past five years and have held several rounds of talks with the high-powered committee (HPC) of the…

Leh: Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Sonam Nurboo on Friday chaired a meeting in the VC Room of the DC Office to review preparations for the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign ahead of Independence Day. Addressing SDMs and BDOs virtually, Nurboo urged them to encourage households and merchants to hoist the National Flag with respect and pride. He directed merchant associations to ensure flags are prominently displayed on shops, market buildings, and residential houses. It was informed that flags will be made available on a payment basis through the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and the Tourism Department. The ADDC also…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, has called for strengthening education, sports, and women’s participation to empower the youth of the Union Territory, while also reviewing law-and-order matters with senior officers. Interacting with a delegation from Turtuk led by former Councillor Abdul Ali, the LG stressed that students from Ladakh must have access to quality education and modern facilities to compete at par with the best. He urged more women to take the lead in promoting the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative envisioned by the Prime Minister. The delegation sought the establishment of a Government Degree College in Turtuk,…

Leh: On Raksha Bandhan, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta celebrated with divyang sisters, schoolgirls, and women personnel from ITBP and Ladakh Police at the LG Secretariat, honouring the sacred bond of protection and affection. Rakhis were tied on his wrist by students and women from paramilitary forces. The LG lauded women serving in remote, challenging regions like Ladakh, saying, “Our sisters in uniform are no less than brothers in protecting the nation.” He emphasised that Indian festivals carry messages of unity and harmony, noting that even the Prime Minister celebrates such occasions with security forces. Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan…

Leh: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, in the presence of Executive Councillor Ghulam Mehdi, chaired a follow-up meeting at the DC Office Conference Hall to finalise arrangements for the Singe Tsangspo Tsande Lasgul – Mission Indus Clean-Up, set to be launched on August 12. The meeting reviewed operational roles, logistics, waste management measures, awareness activities, and stakeholder coordination to ensure the success of the district-wide Safai Andolan, which will run from Upshi to Phey and Phey to Nimoo under the theme “Zero Tolerance Against Pollution.” The campaign aims to clean Ladakh’s lifeline, the Indus…

Leh: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, has rolled out a district-wide HPV vaccination drive targeting girls from Classes 10 to 12 as part of its ongoing preventive healthcare initiatives. The vaccination is being administered at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Leh as well as in Nubra, Nyoma, and Tangtse blocks, with beneficiaries receiving certificates upon completion. The campaign is aimed at protecting adolescent girls from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and lowering the risk of cervical cancer in the region. Reaffirming its focus on preventive healthcare, LAHDC Leh said it remains committed to extending such initiatives across…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has assured residents of Shayok in Ladakh’s Nubra region that every effort will be made to address their concerns, including those in remote “last-mile” areas. The assurance came during a meeting with a delegation led by Ladakh Buddhist Association Vice-President Kunzes Dolma, accompanied by residents Tsewang Chuskit and Tsetan Angmo. They highlighted that the Nubra–Pangong road via Shayok has remained blocked for weeks following a mudslide, with no progress on clearance despite repeated requests to the Public Works Department and Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The delegation also urged the administration to include Shayok village in…

Leh: From boosting Ladakh’s winter tourism to ensuring all-weather connectivity in some of the world’s toughest terrains, Lieutenant Governor Shri Kavinder Gupta has laid out an ambitious roadmap for the Union Territory’s future. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting with the Tourism and Culture Department at the LG Secretariat in Leh, the LG called for making Ladakh a year-round destination by expanding the reach of the Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023, promoting immersive cultural experiences, and introducing activities such as winter sports to attract visitors during the off-season. He underlined the importance of protecting Ladakh’s rich heritage, instructing the installation of CCTV…

Kargil: The District Administration Kargil, in collaboration with the Police Department and GDC Kargil Sankoo Campus, on Friday organised a special counselling session for aspirants of the upcoming LAHDC KSSRB recruitment examination. Held at the Science Block seminar hall, the programme aimed to motivate candidates, share strategic preparation tips, and introduce modern learning tools. The event began with Nodal Officer Dr. Saleem presenting traditional khatqas to guests. Assistant Information Officer Dr. Anwar Ali stressed the importance of a focused study plan and shared practical exam strategies, while Revenue Department official Mehboob Ilahi gave a live demonstration of the Roam Prep…

Kargil :  As part of the ongoing Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, the Tourism Department Kargil, in collaboration with the Education Department, organised a Rakhi tying ceremony for Indian Army soldiers at a zero border location near Kargil. Girl students from PM Shri Government Higher Secondary School Minjee tied specially woven tricolour rakhis to Army officers and jawans. The rakhis were crafted by a local women’s self-help group supported by the Handicrafts Department Kargil. In a show of mutual respect, traditional khataks were presented to the soldiers, while the Army gifted mementos to the officers and students. Chief Education Officer Kargil,…

Leh: Under Ladakh’s crystal-clear, unpolluted skies, where the Milky Way spills like a luminous river across the heavens, the Astro-Ambassadors of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve are guiding visitors into the cosmos. Among them is Kesang Dorjey, whose journey from a labourer in the scenic hamlet of Khaldo to an Astro-Ambassador is nothing short of meteoric. At India’s first Dark Sky Reserve, Kesang leads curious visitors through constellations, Saturn’s rings, and faraway galaxies, while working to preserve the pristine darkness above Hanle. At 4,500 metres above sea level, his mission blends science with community spirit — safeguarding the legacy of…

Leh: The University of Ladakh today inaugurated the Enterprising Ladakh office at its Leh campus, marking a new chapter in promoting entrepreneurship across the Union Territory. The ceremony was led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Saket Kushwaha and Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, along with Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Director of Government Projects, EDII. Registrar Nawang Tundup, faculty members, and dignitaries from the university were present at the event. Prof. Kushwaha praised the Enterprising Ladakh team for their impactful work in Leh and Kargil, stressing the need to create opportunities for Ladakh’s…

Khaltse : Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Khaltse, Mohd Sharif, chaired a coordination meeting with heads of departments and concerned officials to review preparations for the upcoming 79th Independence Day celebrations. The meeting discussed key arrangements, including security, traffic regulation, sanitation, medical facilities, and cultural programs. Plans for flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances to honour the nation’s freedom fighters were also finalised. The SDM directed all departments to complete the necessary arrangements well in advance to ensure smooth execution of the event. The meeting was attended by Naib Tehsildars, block and sector officers, school heads, and representatives from various government departments.

Leh: The Directorate of Sheep Husbandry, Ladakh, reviewed its first year of progress in a brainstorming session at the Changthang Breeding Farm (CBF), Stakna, focusing on boosting pashmina production, improving livestock breeding, and strengthening services at the grassroots level. Chaired by Director Dr. Iftikhar Hussain, the meeting brought together sectoral officers and farm in-charges led by District Sheep Husbandry Officer Leh, Dr. T. Morup. Key achievements highlighted included the installation of a modern pashmina dehairing plant to strengthen Ladakh’s pashmina value chain, reassessment of sheep and goat breeding policies to enhance productivity, and infrastructure upgrades at block and village levels…

Kargil: With just 10 days left for the ongoing revision of the Panchayat Electoral Rolls in Ladakh, the District Election Office Kargil has directed all Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to intensify efforts to update voter data ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections. Officials said the revision, based on the 2018 rolls and updated to January 1, 2025, is progressing slowly, with a significant number of claims and objections yet to be addressed. Deputy District Election Officer Kaneez Fatima ordered BLOs to work closely with Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Panchayat Election Booth Officials (PEBOs) of their respective halqas, using the…

Kargil: The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) celebrated its 11th anniversary with a 3.7 km marathon at Trespone, organised in collaboration with Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Trespone. The run, which began from Ashina and ended at GHSS Trespone, saw 105 students — 55 boys and 50 girls — participating with great enthusiasm. Principal Sajjad Hussain encouraged students to prioritise physical fitness, while NHIDCL’s General Manager, Arun Porje, highlighted the corporation’s role in strengthening the nation’s infrastructure over the past 11 years. Winners were felicitated in separate boys’ and girls’ categories. In the girls’ category, Fatima Nissa…