Author: The Dispatch Staff
Zanskar, Feb 11: In a significant initiative to promote gender equality and scientific education, the ICDS Department Zanskar, in collaboration with the Education Department Zanskar, celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science at Government High School Karsha.The programme aimed to encourage women and girls to pursue education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), while raising awareness about the importance of education in empowering young girls.Gynecologist at CHC Padum, Dr. Tsetan, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while the Block Development Officer Karsha was the Guest of Honour. The Principal of Higher Secondary School…
Kargil, Feb 12: Providing major relief to winter-stranded residents, the AN-32 Kargil Courier Service on Thursday successfully operated its first Jammu sortie of the season, restoring crucial air connectivity between Kargil and Jammu.The sortie marked a significant step in ensuring transportation during harsh winter conditions when road connectivity remains severely affected. At Jammu Airport, the Indian Air Force pilots and crew were warmly received by the Liaison Officer, Assistant Liaison Officers, and officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), CISF, Air India and AIASL.According to officials, the service operated two sorties during the day, carrying a total of 128…
Leh, Feb 12: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Wednesday reaffirmed the Union Territory Administration’s commitment towards comprehensive and inclusive development of Ladakh while interacting with various delegations at the LG Secretariat.Several delegations from across the Union Territory called on the Lieutenant Governor and apprised him of issues related to development, renewable energy, tourism promotion, connectivity and social welfare.A joint delegation from the Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency (LREDA) and Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDA) briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the functioning and progress of hydroelectric power projects in Leh and Kargil districts. The LG discussed the importance…
Kargil, Feb 12: Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Rakesh Kumar on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to deliberate on the preparation of the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2026-27 under VB-GRAMG (formerly MGNREGA) at the Conference Hall, Baroo.The meeting witnessed participation from SDMs of Drass, Sankoo, Zanskar and Chiktan, along with officers from multiple departments including Police, Engineering Wings, Revenue, Forest, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Education, Health, Social Welfare, Tourism, Fisheries, PMGSY and other concerned sectors. The officers presented suggestions and inputs for finalisation of the development plan.The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to formulate the Annual Action Plan in line with the…
Leh, Feb 12: In a significant step towards strengthening the fight against drug abuse, executives and officials of various transport unions of Leh district visited the District De-Addiction Centre (DDAC) at Dambuchan on Tuesday. The visit was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Leh, Ghulam Mohd (JKAS), along with Additional Superintendent of Police Leh, Rigzen Sangdup (JKPS).During the visit, members of the transport unions were briefed about the functioning of the de-addiction centre and the challenges faced in its day-to-day operations. Officials highlighted the growing need for community participation in combating substance abuse and ensuring effective rehabilitation of affected individuals.Representatives from…
Kharu, Feb 11: In a significant push towards environmental conservation and sustainable living, the CII Foundation, supported by HDFC Bank Parivartan, in collaboration with the Block Development Office (RDD) Kharu and Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency (LREDA), successfully concluded a six-day community engagement and environmental awareness campaign in Kharu Sub Division.The campaign, organised at Martselang village, focused on reducing plastic pollution, promoting sustainable alternatives, and strengthening waste segregation practices at the grassroots level. As part of the initiative, nearly 900 cloth bags were distributed among households and community members to encourage the use of eco-friendly alternatives and reduce dependence on…
Stories from a Kargili KitchenBy Yash Saxena A Food & Travel Narrative from the Himalayas Exploring Kargil’s Cuisine, Culture, Memory and Life Beyond War The untold story of Kargil—told not through war, but through foodTucked between some of the most forbidding folds of the Himalayas, Kargil is a land too often seen only through the lens of war—yet its valleys hold a tenderness, resilience and faith that endure through food. Born from years of travel, cooking and friendships, foodways researcher Yash Saxena gathers voices from mountain kitchens and firesides—of shepherds, monks, farmers and mothers who feed a world shaped by…
Leh, Feb 10: The District Administration Leh on Tuesday organised an awareness workshop to mark Safer Internet Day 2026 under the theme “Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI.” The session was chaired by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Leh, Sonam Nurboo, and attended by officials from various government departments and Village Level Entrepreneurs from Common Service Centres. In his inaugural address, ADDC Sonam Nurboo highlighted society’s growing dependence on the internet and said the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence has raised global concerns regarding digital safety and ethical usage. He stressed the importance of…
Leh, Feb 10: A five-day workshop on Art Education and Theatre under the National Population Education (NPE) Programme commenced on Tuesday at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Leh. The workshop is being held from February 10 to February 14, 2026. The programme aims to strengthen creative teaching methodologies and promote experiential learning through art and theatre, in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises holistic, joyful and activity-based learning. The workshop is being conducted by two distinguished resource persons. Retired senior teacher Tsetan Angchuk is sharing his expertise in art-integrated education…
Leh, Feb 10: A review meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC) was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADDC) Leh, Sonam Nurboo, at the Mini Conference Hall of the DC Office to assess progress of cooperative initiatives and review decisions taken in earlier meetings. During the meeting, Rigzin Angchuk from the Cooperative Department presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining the action plan and progress achieved across various cooperative sectors in the district. The presentation covered dairy development, the role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in fair price distribution of petrol and diesel, modernisation…
Kargil, Feb 10: Executive Councillor for Tourism, LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Mohd Feroz on Tuesday attended the closing ceremony of a 15-day Ice Hockey Training-cum-Tournament for girls organised under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme in Kargil. The programme was organised by the District Hub for Women, Mission Shakti, Department of Social and Tribal Welfare Kargil, in collaboration with the District Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) Kargil and the Ice Hockey Association Kargil, with the aim of promoting sports among girls and encouraging their overall development. Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil Imteeaz Kacho, District Programme Officer ICDS Kargil Nargis Banoo, District…
Kargil, Feb 10: The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Kargil successfully concluded an eight-day intensive workshop on Social, Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning aimed at strengthening holistic teaching practices and promoting emotional resilience among students. The workshop, organised in two phases under the institute’s winter training initiatives, was designed to equip educators with practical tools to foster compassion, ethical awareness and emotional well-being in classrooms. The SEE Learning curriculum, an evidence-based educational approach, focuses on developing compassionate individuals and resilient school communities. The sessions emphasised empathy, perspective-taking and self-efficacy, enabling teachers to manage classroom challenges effectively and encourage…
Zanskar, Feb 10: Acting on the directions of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Zanskar, authorities on Tuesday conducted a joint inspection drive in the Main Market area to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations and protect consumer interests. The drive was led by the Naib Tehsildar Zanskar and carried out jointly by the Food Safety Officer, officials from the Medical Department, Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) of the FCS&CA Department, along with a police team. During the inspection, more than 25 establishments, including retail shops, vegetable vendors, restaurants, tea stalls and dhabas, were thoroughly checked. The inspection team detected several expired…
Leh, Feb 9: The District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW) under Mission Shakti, Leh, has launched a 15-day driving training programme aimed at empowering women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the district.The programme, which commenced on February 9, will benefit 20 women and is being conducted in two batches due to high demand and limited training capacity. The training focuses on imparting Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving skills to enhance women’s mobility, confidence and employability.The training is being conducted at the Ladakh Women Driving Institute under the guidance of woman instructor Tsering Angmo, reflecting the spirit of…
Leh, Feb 9: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Leh, Shree Raam R (IPS), along with district officials, visited the District De-Addiction Centre (DDAC), Leh, and interacted with patients undergoing treatment, encouraging them to remain committed to recovery and rehabilitation.The visit was conducted in the presence of District Social Welfare Officer Leh, Mohd Safdar Bhat (JKAS), Additional Superintendent of Police Regzin Sangdup (JKPS), and Dy. SP Headquarters Rishab Shukla (IPS).During the interaction, the SSP personally met the patients, listened to their concerns and motivated them to maintain discipline, adopt a healthy lifestyle and stay confident in their journey towards a drug-free…
New Delhi, Feb 9, 2026: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, on Monday met Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi and discussed key issues related to welfare and development of Kargil district.During the meeting, Dr. Akhoon raised matters concerning minority welfare, including the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Skill Development in Kargil and construction of residential hostels at Sub-Divisional Headquarters under the Revised Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.Highlighting the need for skill-based training, the CEC stressed that…
New Delhi, Feb 9: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Sunday visited the 7th edition of ‘Enchanting Ladakh’, an exhibition-cum-sale being held at Dilli Haat, highlighting Ladakh’s cultural richness and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at the national level.Organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, UT Ladakh, the annual event is aimed at providing a national platform to Ladakhi artisans, entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote local products and expand market reach.During his visit, the LG toured various stalls and interacted with artisans, entrepreneurs, students and SHG members. He lauded their efforts in promoting locally developed products and strengthening…
Kharu, Feb 8: Giving a significant boost to education in rural Ladakh, Administrative Secretary of School and Higher Education Departments, UT Ladakh, Ms. Bhanu Prabha, IAS, on Sunday assured the establishment of a fully-equipped model school at Igoo while attending the concluding ceremony of a month-long winter tuition programme at Government High School, Igoo.The winter tuition programme, organised by Shakya Junu Targyas Tsogspa, Igoo, aimed at supporting students academically during the harsh winter months. The event witnessed the presence of Deputy Chief Education Officer, Kharu, and the Headmaster of Government High School, Igoo, along with local residents and students.Addressing the…
Jammu: Days after a meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Saturday said he was optimistic about the outcome of the talks, indicating that the next round of discussions is likely to take place within the next 20 days. He said the talks are being conducted within the framework of the Constitution and in the national interest, expressing confidence that the engagement with the stakeholders would lead to a positive and successful outcome. A meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh, held on February 4 in Delhi, remained inconclusive, with…
Jammu, Feb 7: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Saturday inaugurated Udyamitsav and PRAGYAAN 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, describing innovation, entrepreneurship and scientific temper as key pillars of nation-building.Addressing students, innovators and educators at the Jagti campus, the LG said India’s youth will play a crucial role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasised that premier institutions like IIT Jammu are emerging as centres of research, startup culture and technological innovation, shaping the future of New India.Highlighting the significance of Udyamitsav, Gupta said the initiative symbolises India’s journey from ideas to…