‘Ladakhis took bullets on chest to protect nation’
Return of sacred relics of Buddha
after 75 years historic re-union
LMF, Mother Dairy agreement to
connect UT to national markets
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today that Ladakh had long pending demand of Union Territory status due to lack of development and the Central Government decision has brought visible changes across different sectors. He declared that the UT remained at the centre of Government’s development agenda.
He said formation of the Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation would play an important role in promoting industrial growth in Ladakh in the coming years as we want this border region to become self-reliant.

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On last-day of his two-day visit to the UT of Ladakh, Shah today inaugurated the exposition of sacred holy relics of Tathagata Buddha and the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations at Jivetsal in Leh. He also laid the foundation stone of 10,000 liters per day dairy plant in Kargil and launched a series of dairy development initiatives for Ladakh through virtual mode.
He said he has visited the Union Territory after seven years and was glad to be there on Buddha Purnima.
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“Ladakh is a model of rapid transformation since the 2019 bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Home Minister said and listed sweeping political, social and economic changes in the Union territory.
Asserting that Ladakh had an old demand to be made a Union territory, he said the basic reason for this demand was that development was not taking place here.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the twin bodies of Ladakh, have been agitating for last over five years seeking Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Though the demand hasn’t been formally rejected by the Centre, the indications are enough that the Government of India is averse to the demands though it was open to giving certain legislative rights and protections through the Hill Development Councils.
Shah was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and various other dignitaries.
“Ladakh has now seven districts and 193 Panchayats, with five new districts – Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass – created and notifications already issued. Local languages had also been given administrative recognition. Earlier only Hindi and English were in use, but now Bhoti, Purgi and Urdu have also been accorded importance, the Home Minister said, adding the road length has also increased from about 1,799 km before 2019 to 4,040 km now.
He said work on the Zojila tunnel is in progress, construction of the Shinkun La tunnel has started and a new civil airport is also coming up.
Shah said Ladakh’s budget has risen from Rs 1,000 crore when it was part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State to Rs 6,000 crore now.
Asserting that development in the UT is because of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the number of bridges has risen from 19 to 72, a three-time increase while the mobile towers have increased from 344 to 653, and helipads have gone up from seven to 41. The snow-clearing machines, crucial for the region, have increased from 60 to 215. The grid-related works have gone up from 145 to 184, while distribution of have risen from 1,182 to 3,153.
“I am giving these figures on this scale because after becoming a Union Territory, it (Ladakh) has remained the focus of the Narendra Modi Government, the focus of the Prime Minister of the country, and so many development works have taken place together,” he said, adding the impact of better infrastructure was visible in road connectivity, with the Zojila Pass, which earlier remained shut for 127 days, remaining closed for only 19 days this year. Besides, the Kargil-Leh road, which earlier remained closed for nearly 175 days, was shut for only 11 days.
He said that VSAT connectivity has been extended to all Panchayats and major work has been undertaken to upgrade telecom towers. In the education sector, Sindhu Central University has been established, 174 ICT labs set up, 130 smart classrooms created, 40 science laboratories built and 24 Atal Tinkering Labs established.
He said Ladakh became a fully literate administrative unit in 2024 and claimed there was no illiterate person left in the region.
“Nearly 98 per cent households have been provided tap water connections under the Har Ghar Jal scheme, while substantial work has also been carried out in agriculture and horticulture,” he said.
Shah described the return of sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Ladakh after 75 years as a “historic reunion” and said that the UT has remained a “living land of dharma” that preserved and nurtured Buddhist knowledge for centuries.
Stressing the relevance of Buddha’s teachings in modern times, Shah said the message of peace, compassion and the middle path was even more important today than it was 2,500 years ago.
“Ladakh has been a living land of dharma for centuries. When the Dalai Lama comes here, he says this land is not merely a geographical land but a living laboratory of Buddhist culture and compassion,” Shah said in his address after inaugurating the exposition of sacred holy relics of Tathagata Buddha.
He said the land of Ladakh has preserved and nurtured knowledge.
“Whenever Buddhism faced crises, this land worked to protect the teachings of Buddha. And when peace returned, it helped to expand and carry forward that preserved wisdom. Unless one internalises knowledge and makes it a part of oneself, liberation is not possible. Knowledge is incomplete without spiritual practice, while spiritual practice without knowledge is blind. Therefore, the union of spiritual practice and knowledge is the right path. Even with these, if there is no moral discipline, one cannot lead a truly wise life. The basis of a life of wisdom is moral discipline,” the Home Minister said.
Highlighting Ladakh’s role in the spread of Buddhism, Shah said Kashmir was once an ancient centre of Buddhist studies, Mahayana philosophy and Buddhist art, from where Ladakh first came into close contact with Buddhism. Emperor Ashoka’s envoys laid the foundation of Buddhist influence in Ladakh through Kashmir and Gandhara, while Mahayana Buddhism expanded in the region during the Kushan period between the first and third centuries CE.
The Silk Route linking Kashmir, Leh, Yarkand, Khotan and Tibet became a channel not only for trade but also for ideas, monks, manuscripts and artistic traditions. Later, Tibetan influence between the seventh and tenth centuries further enriched Ladakh through Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, Shah added.
He said it was through Ladakh and adjoining routes that the teachings of Tathagata Buddha, which originated in India, spread to China and several other countries.
“The message that emerged from the land of Ladakh has become a guiding force that helps many people around take their lives forward. The presence of these sacred relics in Ladakh reminds us that India’s civilisation has, for thousands of years, given the message of peace and coexistence,” he said, adding that in a diverse region like Ladakh, this message becomes even more relevant.
He said the return of the relics has boosted the significance of Buddha Purnima for the people of Ladakh.
“These sacred relics have come to Ladakh after 75 years. It is as if Buddha himself is present here today,” Shah said, adding that the followers of Buddhism and other religions in Ladakh and Kargil would draw spiritual energy from the relics alike.
Extending Buddha Purnima greetings to the locals, the minister said that the teachings of Lord Buddha, especially the message ‘Appo Deepo Bhava’ (be your own light), continue to inspire people towards self-reliance and higher purpose.
Stressing the relevance of Buddha’s teachings in modern times, Shah said the message of peace, compassion and the middle path was even more important today than it was 2,500 years ago.
“Amid conflict and unrest, only the path of peace and compassion can provide solutions,” he said.
Shah also appealed to the Ladakh administration to ensure smooth arrangements so that followers of all faiths, especially Buddhists, could visit and pay obeisance to the relics.
Later, addressing another gathering in Leh after launching several dairy projects, Shah praised the people of Ladakh and Kargil for their patriotism and sacrifices in safeguarding the country’s borders.
“Whenever danger came from across the border, the people of Ladakh stood in defence of the nation before the Army reached. The Army reached later. First, the people of Ladakh took bullets on their chests to protect the nation,” Shah said, adding that the whole country — from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Dwarka to Kamakhya — knows and appreciates this history.
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Ministers of State SP Singh Baghel and Goerge Kurien and LG Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena were also present in the function.
Maintaining that ITBP and the Army are major buyers in Ladakh, with around 18,000 soldiers stationed at the borders, he expressed confidence that their requirements of milk, curd, and paneer will be met by this plant. He further stated that a mobile laboratory costing Rs 45 lakh has also been launched, which will greatly help in maintaining milk quality.
“The Android-based AMCS app too has been launched, enabling dairy farmers to transparently monitor their milk accounts on a single platform. This will also boost their confidence,” he said, adding that five livestock farmers who were honoured today are an inspiration for all livestock farmers of Kargil and Leh.
Shah said that Ladakh Milk Federation (LMF) and Mother Dairy have signed an agreement, which will connect Ladakh to national markets. He said that Ladakh’s organic products should get access to the large market of Delhi. He urged the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to facilitate a tripartite MoU with the National Cooperative Organic Limited. He added that while Mother Dairy products should be sold here, arrangements should also be made for marketing Ladakh’s products across the country through Mother Dairy and other cooperatives.
He announced plans for a major expansion of the dairy sector in Ladakh and Kargil, including the setting up of a 50,000 liter-per-day milk processing plant in Leh.
The Government is committed to strengthening dairy infrastructure in Ladakh and Kargil to ensure sustainable livelihood and enhance the income of dairy farmers, Shah said.
“We are also working to further strengthen infrastructure in Ladakh as well as in Kargil. In the coming days, a new dairy plant with a processing capacity of around 50,000 liters per day will be set up in Leh at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore,” he said.
Shah said that cattle breeding centers will also be established in Leh and Kargil at a cost of around Rs 4 crore each to provide high-yielding breeds suited to local climatic conditions and around 500 improved cattle are planned to be introduced annually, with a long-term goal of nearly tripling livestock numbers in the region over the next decade.

Need to decongest Srinagar, existing assets could be monetized
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 1: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accused opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of peddling lies regarding the status of Urdu to distract public attention from their political alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking to reporters in Pampore, Omar accused the PDP and its leader Iltija Mufti of spreading misinformation on the issue. Iltija on Wednesday had claimed that the Chief Minister was trying to remove Urdu from the collective history of Jammu and Kashmir.
“They are doing politics based on falsehood. I challenge them to show the order where Urdu has been dropped,” he said, adding that there is a clear distinction between seeking public comments and implementing a decision.]

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The Chief Minister reiterated that no order has been issued to remove Urdu from the examination process. “We asked for feedback, but some people misrepresented it. There is no question of dropping Urdu,” he said.

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“May Allah protect us from people who cannot differentiate between truth and falsehood. Unfortunately, the leaders of this Jamaat do not see anything other than lies. We asked them to show the order where Urdu was dropped; they only showed the order where public comments were sought,” he said.
Omar expressed surprise over the controversy surrounding a proposal to drop Urdu from recruitment examinations for key revenue posts and took a swipe at PDP leader Iltija Mufti’s understanding of the administrative process.
“She is a young girl, but she is educated. Do I have to teach her more?” he said.
The Chief Minister said the file remains pending with him and has not been approved.
“I have neither cleared it nor will I. It was moved by the department, but we sought public feedback as it is our responsibility as an elected Government,” he added.
Omar said that by raising the Urdu issue, the PDP is attempting to divert attention on allegations that it helped the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections in J&K.
“They helped the BJP and do not want people to focus on that, so they have raised the issue of Urdu. Whatever we are facing today is due to the PDP facilitating the BJP in J&K. Internally, they are aiding the BJP,” he alleged.
The Chief Minister dismissed exit polls predicting a BJP victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, asserting that the projections would be proven wrong once results are declared.
He said exit polls have often failed to accurately reflect electoral outcomes.
Referring to the previous West Bengal Assembly elections, he noted that most exit polls had forecast a BJP win, but the final results differed significantly.
“So far, no exit polls have been correct. Five years ago, all exit polls predicted victory for the BJP, but the outcome was otherwise,” he said.
He added that the results would soon provide clarity. “By Monday, when we take the salute at the Secretariat, results will start to emerge.”
He said the exit polls would be proven wrong, adding that some agencies did not release projections as they may have anticipated different outcomes.
On the rising prices of essential commodities, Omar said price hikes were likely after the conclusion of elections in key states across the country.
The Chief Minister called for an end to the conflict in West Asia. “There is no justification for war. I hope the US shows wisdom so that the conflict ends and fuel prices come down,” he said.
On electoral integrity, Omar said he does not believe in pre-poll rigging but stressed the importance of safeguarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after polling.
He also alleged manipulation through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process by the Election Commission of India, warning that any irregularities could have serious implications.
The Chief Minister on the occasion inaugurated 368 newly constructed residential quarters for government employees at Sempora in Pampore, developed across 23 blocks at an estimated cost of Rs 90.65 crore.
He said the Government ensured timely completion of accommodation facilities ahead of the Darbar Move, adding that the structures would be allotted to employees.
Omar underscored the need to decongest Srinagar, suggesting that existing Government housing assets in areas such as Jawahar Nagar and the MLA hostel could be monetised while new residential clusters are developed for employees, senior officers and legislators.

Monthly data tracking flags vulnerable hotspots

Guidelines, multi-agency action plan to curb climate risks
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 1: Amid growing focus on climate resilience, 179 high-altitude glacial lakes in Ladakh are under continuous scientific watch, with experts closely tracking their behaviour through monthly monitoring. The initiative aims to detect temporal changes in water spread area, identify vulnerable lakes and support timely action to safeguard downstream areas from potential hazards.
This has been conveyed by the Central Water Commission (CWC) to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which is examining the issues of climate crisis, water scarcity and glacier retreat in Ladakh region.
Informing that it is undertaking extensive and systematic monitoring activities, the CWC said, “we are monitoring a total of 2843 glacial lakes and water bodies in the Himalayan Region using advanced Remote Sensing Techniques. Specifically, for Ladakh, we are monitoring 179 glacial lakes and 26 water bodies (with a water spread area of above 10 Hectares. This monitoring is being conducted on a monthly basis from June to October each year, providing crucial data on the behaviour of these water bodies”.

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Claiming that monitoring programme in Ladakh is being progressively expanded, the CWC further informed the National Green Tribunal that while monitoring of 3 large glacial lakes and several water bodies commenced in 2011, an additional 12 glacial lakes were brought under monitoring in 2022. The monitoring of remaining 164 glacial lakes in Ladakh commenced from June last year, demonstrating a phased and comprehensive approach to cover the entire region.
In response to the need for strengthening water management and monitoring glacier dynamics, the CWC has developed and finalized a criterion for risk indexing of the Glacial Lakes. “This scientific framework has been designed to identify and rank glacial lakes based on their likelihood of failure and the potential from a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event”, the CWC said, adding “the criteria evaluates 12 key factors including the lake’s size, change in size over time and stability of slopes and downstream vulnerabilities”.
Based on the risk indexing, a detailed assessment of 15 glacial lakes in Ladakh was conducted. The results reveal that none of the lakes fall under the high risk category so far. Only, two lakes fall under the moderate risk category and 12 lakes fall under the low risk category. This data driven risk assessment allows for targeted and prioritized mitigation and management strategies ensuring that resources are directed towards areas of genuine concern.
To standardise safety measures, the Central Water Commission has issued two crucial guidelines—Guideline for assessment of GLOF specific to river valley projects in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), which provide a comprehensive framework for identifying vulnerable glacial lakes and simulating GLOF scenarios to ensure the safety of infrastructure projects.
Similarly, guideline for structural measures to mitigate adverse effect of GLOF on dams/barrages has been designed for engineers and planners and support the integration of risk reduction strategies into infrastructure design.
“These guidelines are instrumental in ensuring that development activities in the fragile Himalayan region are conducted with the best standards of safety and environmental consideration”, the CWC said.
Moreover, the CWC has initiated inter-agency coordination to address these complex environmental challenges. A Steering Committee for Monitoring of Glaciers has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, MoJS. This committee brings together key national agencies such as National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Geological Survey of India (GSI) and CWC, among others, to unify efforts in glacier studies, consolidate data on a GIS-based web portal and develop predictive models for the behaviour of Himalayan glaciers.
“The CWC is not only aware of the challenges in Ladakh but has also implemented a robust, scientifically-grounded and institutionally backed framework to monitor, assess and mitigate the risks associated with climate change and its impact on water resources”, read an official document submitted to the National Green Tribunal.