Author: The Dispatch Staff

Kargil | August 7, 2025 Bringing justice closer to the people, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Srinagar Bench successfully concluded a three-day long Circuit Sitting at the Tourist Facilitation Centre in Baroo, Kargil. The special session, aimed at addressing service matters locally, marked a significant step toward improving access to judicial redressal for government employees and pensioners in the remote district. The Division Bench, comprising Hon’ble Mr. D.S. Mahra (Judicial Member and HoD) and Hon’ble Mr. Prasant Kumar (Administrative Member), conducted hearings in hybrid mode — accommodating both physical and virtual appearances to maximize accessibility. Of the 68 cases listed…

Leh: In a remarkable feat of engineering and resilience, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is close to creating India’s first geothermal power generation facility in Ladakh’s cold desert. #India is close to creating a geothermal based electricity power generation in the heart of Ladakh’s cold desert, at a staggering altitude of 14,000 ft. #ONGC is nearing completion of a well in the Puga Valley, marking a giant leap toward India’s first geothermal power… pic.twitter.com/GsB5eUyWsy — Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) (@ONGC_) August 6, 2025 Drilling is nearing completion at an altitude of 14,000 feet in Puga…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, held a series of high-level review meetings at the LG Secretariat in Leh on Wednesday, assessing the functioning and progress of several crucial departments. In a comprehensive exercise aimed at streamlining governance and improving service delivery, the LG chaired separate sessions with officials from the Power Development Department, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, and the Department of Information and Public Relations. Secretary Vikram Singh Malik, IAS, and other senior officers were present during the discussions. Later, the LG also took stock of the performance of the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department,…

Kargil;  The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Wednesday announced a three-day hunger strike here from August 9 alleging delay by the Centre in holding the next round of talks concerning the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule for the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh. https://youtu.be/29OoF_6oTd4?si=oqxIhkWSHgSyBohZ The strike will begin coming Saturday in Kargil town and the leaders of Leh Apex Body (LAB) have also been requested to join the protest and send a message to the central government that the people of Ladakh will not stay silent on their “genuine” demands, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai told reporters here. KDA,…

Kargil: In a continued push to cultivate grassroots entrepreneurship in the Union Territory, the Enterprising Ladakh initiative reached the University of Ladakh’s Kargil campus with an orientation session led by top officials from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad. Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, and Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Director – Government Projects at EDII, engaged with faculty members and university leadership to explore how local entrepreneurship can be a force for both economic growth and social transformation in Ladakh. Facilitated by Padma Lhazes, Project Officer for Enterprising Ladakh, the session opened a dialogue on embedding entrepreneurship into…

Kargil: Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review and finalise arrangements for the upcoming Arbaeen-e-Hussaini (Chehlum) procession in Kargil, calling for coordinated efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of the sacred occasion. The meeting focused on critical civic and security preparations, including uninterrupted power and water supply, medical aid, ambulance availability, sanitation of congregational areas, and traffic management along the procession routes. Officials were also directed to install water sprinklers at designated locations and deploy medical teams to respond to any emergencies. DC Rakesh Kumar emphasised the need for clear ambulance access during…

Leh: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, assured full support for key road and bridge infrastructure projects in Ladakh during a meeting with a delegation from LAHDC Leh in New Delhi on Tuesday. The delegation, led by LAHDC Chairman Tashi Gyalson, included Deputy Chairman Tsering Angchuk and Councillors Rigzin Lundup and Tsering Sangdup. One of the primary concerns raised was the inclusion of the Disket–Burma Bridge over the Shayok River at Shatse Taknak in the CRIF (Central Road and Infrastructure Fund) supplementary list—a project marked as high priority by both the UT Administration and the Hill Council.…

Leh: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ladakh welcomed two notable figures into its fold today—senior journalist Rinchen Angmo and social worker Tsering Dorjay—during an event held under the leadership of BJP Ladakh State President Tashi Gyalson Khachu and State General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Kaul. Both new members cited the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the historic move to grant Union Territory status to Ladakh as key reasons for their decision to join the party. They also praised the ongoing developmental push in the region and expressed appreciation for CEC LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, particularly for initiating…

Leh: A three-day Entrepreneurship Awareness Program (EAP) kicked off today at the University of Ladakh’s Leh campus, aimed at nurturing innovation and self-employment among Ladakhi youth. Organised under the Enterprising Ladakh initiative by the Department of Higher Education, UT Ladakh, the program is being implemented by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad. The initiative is part of a broader push by the UT administration to create a culture of enterprise and skill development among students. The program was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Saket Kushwaha, who welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship in building a resilient…

Leh: A three-day summer workshop aimed at empowering school teachers across Leh district concluded at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Leh, with a focus on educational transformation, classroom innovation, and the implementation of NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework. Held from August 4 to 6 in collaboration with CBSE, the capacity-building program engaged teachers in interactive training sessions to improve lesson planning, inclusive teaching, and effective classroom strategies aligned with 21st-century learning goals. The workshop brought together a panel of education experts including Ramandeep Kaur, Joint Secretary CBSE; Rajiv Sharma, Deputy Chairman, Centre of Excellence, Chandigarh;…

Leh: In a spirited display of sportsmanship and community strength, the Phobrang Youth for Social and Environmental Care hosted the first-ever Annual Volleyball Tournament at Dhata Phobrang, drawing wide participation from across the region. Nine teams — including seven boys’ teams and two girls’ teams — competed in the event that brought together athletes, villagers, and supporters for a lively celebration of teamwork and local pride. The tournament culminated in two thrilling finals. In the women’s category, Six Sisters clinched victory against a determined squad from High School Yourgo. The men’s title went to Team Tsogtsallu, who overcame a strong…

Kargil:  The Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) has submitted an urgent report calling for the immediate conservation of Phuktal Monastery, one of Ladakh’s most iconic and endangered cultural landmarks. The report, compiled following a recent site visit, was submitted to the Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil and other relevant authorities. Phuktal Monastery, perched dramatically along a cliffside in the remote Zanskar Valley, has served as a centre of meditation and Buddhist learning for centuries. It is historically linked with revered Buddhist scholars such as Zanskar Lotsawa Phagpa Sherab and Changsem Sherab Zangpo, and gained global recognition through Hungarian scholar…

Leh:  Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, emphasised that the region’s rich culture and centuries-old traditions are its lifeline, urging the youth to remain deeply connected to their roots to preserve Ladakh’s unique identity. He was speaking at the 9th Ladakh dPal rNam Duston celebration, held at NDS Stadium in Leh, where he was joined by First Lady Bindu Gupta. https://youtu.be/bvPVZ_OJwoE?si=PpYadcb–mxCGn5z Addressing a large crowd, the LG said that the celebration is not just a cultural festival but a reaffirmation of Ladakh’s pride, heritage, and collective memory. He noted the remarkable progress the Union Territory has made since the…

Leh:  Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, called for time-bound delivery of services, efficient governance, and visible on-ground development across the Union Territory during a high-level review meeting held at the LG Secretariat on Wednesday. Chairing a comprehensive departmental review, the LG directed officials to adopt a result-oriented approach, eliminate file pendency, and ensure timely completion of developmental projects. The review covered key departments, including Revenue, Finance, Home, Police, Health, Forest, Labour, and Environment. Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal gave an overview of departmental performance and highlighted progress under major schemes like the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) and…

Kargil:  Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Zanskar, Mohd Hassan, chaired a meeting at the Tourist Dak Bungalow to review preparations for this year’s Independence Day celebrations. It was decided that the main event will be held at the Sports Stadium Zanskar, with various committees formed to ensure smooth execution. The SDM directed Block Development Officers and the PHE department to carry out Swachh Bharat Abhiyan activities and implement the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign across all Panchayat Halqas. All government officers have been asked to attend the celebration with their teams in formal attire. The event will include a march-past and cultural performances…

Kargil:  Government Degree College (GDC) Drass held a combined farewell and welcome ceremony to honour outgoing faculty and greet newly posted staff in a warm, traditional gathering. The college welcomed Javed Naqi, Assistant Professor of Zoology, who was received by Principal Nasir Shabani. Outgoing faculty members Shah Niwaz Hussain (Political Science) and Samina Rehman (Sociology) were felicitated with traditional Khataks as a gesture of respect. Both incoming and outgoing faculty shared reflections and best wishes, expressing gratitude to the college and its students. Principal Shabani highlighted the contributions of the departing staff and the importance of new appointments in enhancing…

Kargil: Government Degree College (GDC) Kargil launched a week-long Mission Indus Cleanliness Program on Monday with a strong message of environmental responsibility. The event began with an address by Principal Disket Angmo, who outlined the program’s key activities: pledge-taking, technical sessions, hands-on biodegradable waste management, cleanliness drives, street plays (nukkad nataks), and a poster-slogan competition. A major highlight will be the cleaning of the Suru riverfront near Poyen. Angmo stressed the importance of preserving the Suru River, a crucial tributary of the Indus, calling it Kargil’s lifeline. She urged students to lead by example in reusing resources and protecting natural…

Leh: The National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR), Leh, launched a three-day reorientation training program for Sowa-Rigpa practitioners, aimed at strengthening indigenous healthcare practices. The program was inaugurated with the participation of experts in traditional medicine, public health, and wellness. Chief guest Ashok Kumar Varshney from Arogya Bharti, along with guests Tsetan Dorji Sadutshang (personal physician to His Holiness the Dalai Lama), Phuntsog Angehuk (former AYUSH Director, J&K), and Sanjeevan Kumar (Arogya Bharti, North and Rajasthan) attended the event. NISR Director Padma Gurmet outlined the vision of the institute and its ongoing Tribal Health Care Research Project (THCRP). He stressed the…

New Delhi:  Skarma Sonam Tashi from Ladakh has won a National Award at the 64th National Exhibition of Art, organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Ministry of Culture. His sculpture, My Homeland – 3, pays tribute to Ladakh’s landscape and architecture, using recycled materials like cardboard, paper mâché, and natural pigments. The piece highlights themes of sustainability and ecological awareness. Tashi is the first artist from Ladakh to receive this national honour — a proud moment for the region. The exhibition is open to the public until September 15 at the Lalit Kala Art Gallery, Rabindra Bhavan, New…

Leh:  The Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Leh, along with Executive Engineer REW Ghulam Abbas, BDO Chumathang Shri Ibrahim, Junior Engineers, and other officials from the Rural Development Department, undertook a comprehensive five-day tour of Changthang Valley to assess the status of ongoing developmental works. Beginning at Liktsey village, the inspection covered multiple key areas including Rhong, Chumathang, Hemya, Nyoma, Hanley, and Korzok. The team reviewed progress at project sites and issued directions to contractors for the timely completion of all pending works within the current financial year. During the visit, local delegations from several villages met with the ACD and…