Developing Ladakh

The harsh reality is that notwithstanding strategic, cultural and geographical significance of Ladakh region, the largest region area-wise in the country, its development did not receive the measure of attention it deserved. This was despite persistent demand from the people of Ladakh. Not only that, they went on complaining about discriminatory treatment meted out to the region by respective Governments. It is this region that raised voice demanding transfer of the region as Union Territory on the ground of blatant discrimination. Ladakh had no listeners because Ladakh is not a vote bank either for regional or national level political parties. It is sparsely populated perhaps owing to harsh climatic conditions. Ladakhi people bore atrocious treatment with fortitude.
Another harsh reality is that Central authorities began mounting attention on Ladakh only when Chinese PLA began indulging in provocative activities on long Indo-China Line of Actual Control. They would clandestinely cross over to this side of the border, go deep into our territory ten or fifteen miles, pitch tents, hoist Chinese flags, paint the rocks red, paint Chinese slogans and so forth and so on. Then the Central Government, on regular alarming reports from the army, opened its eyes and rising from deep slumber found that it had been caught napping. This was a turning moment for Ladakh. Thereafter, the region came into focus. Then our Defence Ministry realized how much it lagged behind in providing necessary infrastructure for the border and Ladakh region.
The good news is that Modi Government is fully conscious of the strategic and cultural significance of Ladakh region. That is why it has decided development of Ladakh, border as well as mainland as a matter of priority. Foremost is the construction of roads and railway link. Two tunnels at Gagangir and Zoji La will provide round the year connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of the country. In his address to the audience assembled in Leh on the occasion of celebrating fourth International Festival of Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh, attended by a number of celebrities, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the Union Government was not mindful only of the LAC in Ladakh but also of the people who inhabited these far off villages and hamlets. It was in fitness of things that he paid glowing tribute to the people of Ladakh who, out of patriotic zeal, were rendering all possible support to the army in war and in peace. He praised the people of Ladakh for maintaining very cordial relations with the Army in Ladakh. Presence of the Defence Minister and the Army Chief in Leh on the occasion of the festival infused the entire Ladakh region with confidence and clarity of vision.
Ladakh is expecting fast and comprehensive development in all areas. Road and rail connectivity plans from Kashmir and Himachal sides are underway. The plan is to lay out a network of internal roads and connect even the farthest hamlet through road link. The second is developing educational and health services to uplift the society. More schemes will be floated for widening and deepening interaction between the youth of Ladakh and the rest in the country. Ladakh will ultimately emerge as the most important Buddhist religious destination. Once physical connectivity is established, religious tourists from far and wide over the globe will travel to Ladakh to visit the ancient and indigenous sites where traditional Gompas and their supervising monks live in peace and tranquility. The Tibetan Buddhists, who lost their original home as a result of Chinese occupation of Tibet, are deeply interested in establishing close contacts with their co-ethnic Ladakhi Buddhists. This is bound to increase the popularity and acceptability of Ladakh among the followers of Buddhism in the Asian Continent. Ladakh is also rich in untapped mineral resources. Exploration of her mineral resources would, in all probability, become the source of better development and lucrative dividends.

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