Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh: In a significant gesture of compassion and support, Thiksey Rinpoche, Venerable Ngawang Jamyang Chamba Stanzin, has donated 62 kanal of land to aid the relocation of the Jangthang Tibetan Settlement in Chumur and to provide permanent housing for Tibetan families in Leh currently without proper shelter. On July 25, 2025, a high-level delegation led by Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) visited Thiksey Rinpoche in Ladakh to personally thank him for this generous act. The delegation included Kalon Dolma Gyari (Department of Security), Kalon Norzin Dolma (Department of Information and International Relations), Secretary Palden Dhondup (Department…

Kargil : Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, during his visit to Drass, met with representatives of religious, political, and civil society organisations to understand local concerns and aspirations. The LG said the primary aim of his visit was to interact directly with the people of the sub-division to learn about their issues and appreciate their culture. He assured residents that their voices will guide the administration’s priorities, and he pledged to work collaboratively with the people of Ladakh. Highlighting ongoing development in Drass, the LG informed that key projects such as the Court Complex, Degree College, and Revenue Complex…

Kargil : Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, visited the Eastern Portal of the Zoji-La Tunnel today to review the progress of ongoing construction work. Accompanied by site engineers, the LG entered the tunnel to assess the status of excavation. Project engineers briefed him that only 1.7 km of tunnel excavation remains and the entire project is expected to be completed by 2028. During his interaction with the workforce, LG Kavinder appreciated their dedication and perseverance in executing the tunnel work under tough conditions. He encouraged them to maintain the same momentum until completion. Speaking to engineers and media, the…

Leh: Deputy Chairman of LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk, visited the ongoing Nubra Saria project site at Skampari for a progress review. He was accompanied by Councillor Panamik, Tsering Sandup, Executive Engineer R&B Leh, Lobzang Yontan, and concerned officials. Officials at the site briefed the team on current status and construction quality. The visiting leaders expressed satisfaction with the pace and standard of work. Started in 2024, the Nubra Saria is a joint initiative of LAHDC Leh and Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) Nubra. It aims to serve as a transit accommodation for patients, students, and visitors from Nubra who come to…

Sayed Kazim Hussaini Kargil: Unseasonal weather changes have triggered flash floods in several remote villages of the Shakar Chiktan region in Kargil district, causing extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property. https://youtu.be/kWJ0D2Yaxyc Following a cloudburst in recent days, floodwaters swept through villages, damaging government buildings, farmlands, and residential areas. Among the worst-hit structures are a government hospital, Panchayat Ghar, and the Government Middle School in Kukarchey Chiktan. Vast stretches of agricultural land and irrigation canals have also been severely affected. Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon,…

Leh : Thiksay Monastery, along with the Nambardar and Youth President representing all villagers of Thiksay, has strongly condemned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk’s recent remarks about His Eminence Thiksay Rinpoche. https://youtu.be/vxCae85z52Q The comments were made in a video uploaded by Wangchuk on his YouTube channel, where he allegedly accused the Rinpoche of aligning with a particular political ideology. In a joint statement, the monastery and village representatives termed the allegations as deeply disrespectful and an unjust attempt to politicize a highly revered spiritual leader. They asserted that His Eminence Thiksay Rinpoche has always remained above politics and is widely respected for…

Leh: The Ladakh Buddhist Association has announced that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will bless devotees with a two-day teaching session at Jive-Tsal, Choglamsar, on August 16 and 17, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday). According to the Association, the spiritual gathering will culminate on August 17 with the conferring of the Long Life Empowerment (Tsewang) by His Holiness, followed by a traditional lifelong offering (Tenjuk). This offering will be made jointly by the Ladakh Buddhist Association, the All Ladakh Gonpa Association, and the Sonamling Tibetan Settlement. The topic for the teaching on August 16 will be announced upon confirmation. The…

Jammu:  A wreath-laying ceremony was held here on Saturday to pay tribute to an Agniveer who lost his life in a land mine explosion in Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district a day before, an official said. White Knight Corps Chief of staff Major General Shailendra Singh led the solemn ceremony held at Satwari military station to honour 20-year-old Lalit Kumar of 7 JAT regiment, he said. Superintendent of Police (city south) Ajay Sharma and some civil officers also attended the ceremony and paid their tributes. Kumar’s mortal remains were later sent to his home town Meerut…

Srinagar:  Bilquis Mir, India’s sole female judge for Kayaking and Canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has triumphed in her three-year legal battle for quashing an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court delivering a scathing indictment of authorities saying it “seems that the people at the helm of affairs are leaving no stone unturned in harassing such talented people”. The court said the attitude of ACB “in criminalising non-acquisition of a technical qualification” by Mir when she has brought laurels to the country all over the world “speaks volumes about the manner in…

Jammu: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has called for a unified political approach for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Azad also expressed concern over the state of development in Jammu and Kashmir, saying while central projects were progressing, state-level initiatives were “completely halted”. “Even the prime minister and the home minister have committed to restoring it (statehood) on the floor of Parliament. Some mistakes kept happening due to which there was a delay. First, a demand should be placed (before the government), but people immediately take to the streets,” Azad told reporters here. “The…

Jammu:  The fresh batch of over 2,300 pilgrims left a base camp here on Saturday to offer prayers at the 3,880-meter high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said. Over 3.60 lakh pilgrims have so far visited the cave shrine since the commencement of the 38-day long yatra on July 3. However, the footfall at the shrine has started decreasing over the past few days with the melting of the naturally formed ice-shivlingam. Escorted by the police and CRPF personnel, the 24th batch of 2,324 pilgrims, including 377 women and 51 Sadhus and Sadhvis, left Jammu’s…

Drass: More than 1,000 youth, war veterans, and civil society members came together for a powerful tribute march in Drass as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 commemorations. The event reflected the spirit of unity and patriotism as Union Ministers and dignitaries engaged with the younger generation to honour the sacrifice of Kargil war heroes and inspire a commitment to national service. The commemorative events began at the Old Horse Polo Ground in Bhimbhat, where Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, interacted with Yuva Bharat Volunteers, NSS and NCC cadets, school and college students, local…

Kargil : The 2 Ladakh Battalion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) played a leading role in the successful observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 held in Drass today, showcasing exemplary discipline and patriotic spirit. NCC cadets were at the forefront of the event, assisting with the coordination of dignitaries and VIP guests, and extending warm hospitality to the Veer Naris in a heartfelt gesture of respect and gratitude. They also actively participated in the Vijay Diwas Pad Yatra, marching in solidarity with war veterans and civilians to honour the heroes of the Kargil War. Their efforts earned praise from…

Kargil: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, conducted an extensive inspection of the flood-affected areas of Samrah Chiktan and Kukarchey Chiktan following recent flash floods and a cloudburst that damaged public and private property. Dr. Akhoon was accompanied by Executive Councillors Kacho Mohammad Feroz and Zakir Hussain, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Councillor Liyaqut Ali Khan, SDM Shakar Chiktan, and officers from PHE, Irrigation, and other concerned departments. The CEC inspected the damaged Panchayat Ghar, Government Hospital in Samrah Chiktan, agricultural lands, personal properties, and the flood-affected Government Middle School in Kukarchey. Taking serious note…

Leh: The Labour Department Leh, through the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner, disbursed Rs. 2.5 lakh as higher educational assistance to five registered labourers under the Ladakh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Each beneficiary received Rs. 50,000 to support the higher education of their children. The initiative is aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of construction workers by enabling access to quality education for their families. Officials stated that the timely disbursement reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to the welfare and upliftment of registered labourers in the region.

Leh: Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk (IAS), convened a review meeting today at the VC Room of the DC Office to assess the progress of various development projects being implemented under the District Capex Budget in Leh district. Officials from the Construction Division of PWD Leh and the Leh Development Authority presented detailed updates on the status of projects, both object-wise and work-wise, through comprehensive presentations. The DC evaluated the reports and stressed the need for timely execution of all projects. He directed departments to adhere strictly to deadlines and ensure quality implementation of works to avoid delays. The…

Leh: A key preparatory meeting was held at the SDM Conference Hall in Nyoma to review arrangements for the upcoming Nomadic Festival scheduled for August 9 and 10 at Hanley. The meeting was chaired by Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, and attended by councillors from Nyoma, Korzok, Chushul, Kyungam, and Sangha, along with officials from the SDM office, Cultural Academy Leh, PWD, PDD, PHE, PHC Nyoma, SHO Nyoma, and the Rural Development Department. During the meeting, officials discussed a wide range of logistical and administrative preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. These included the…

JAIPUR, Jul 26: A medical student was found hanging in her hostel room in a private medical college in Udaipur, officials said on Friday. The incident occurred on Thursday night when Sweta Singh, a final-year BDS student from Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly took her own life. Her roommate allegedly discovered her hanging, following which hostel authorities and the police were alerted. A suicide note was found in which Singh allegedly accused the faculty of mentally harassing students and not conducting exams on time, officials said. After the incident, students carried out a protest march at the college and blocked a…

SRINAGAR: In a move aimed at improving transparency and patient interaction in government healthcare institutions, the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has issued a circular making it mandatory for all doctors and paramedical staff to wear white aprons and nameplates during duty hours. The directive, issued by Secretary to the Government Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS), follows observations that many healthcare professionals were not adhering to the prescribed dress code, causing difficulties for patients in identifying medical personnel. “All doctors, including those working under the National Health Mission (NHM) and Ayush, as well as paramedical staff,…

Leh: Marking 26 years of India’s triumph in the 1999 Kargil War, UT Ladakh observed Kargil Vijay Diwas with solemn pride and heartfelt reverence at the War Memorial in Leh. The commemorative ceremony honoured the unmatched bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces. In a poignant moment, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Adv. Tashi Gyalson laid a ceremonial wreath, joining ex-servicemen, war veterans, officials, and citizens in paying rich tributes to the fallen soldiers. Dr. Pawan Kotwal (IAS), Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his address, he paid homage to the valour of…