The Ladakhi people of Sumda Chenmo had never enjoyed electricity in their remote village, located in the Ripchar Valley of the Zanskar Range, in southwestern Ladakh. On August 20 in the early evening, a trekking expedition turned on the lights. While trekking expeditions frequently go through the valley, this group… Continue reading…
The Times of India reported last week that Ladakh had inspired Sarvesh Shrivastava, a music composer/producer from Mumbai, to produce a new audiovisual mashup called “The Ladakh Project.” He and two others toured the area widely for two weeks in May making music, filming, photographing and recording in deserts, mountains,… Continue reading…
Tense political borders in and around northern India have produced regional political stresses that have fostered strains in the traditional peaceful relations between Ladakhis of different religious beliefs. These strains have produced hostilities and divisions among families, friends, and communities throughout Ladakh, and particularly in Leh. A fascinating scholarly article… Continue reading…
The Ladakhis went to the polls last Wednesday, one of the last regions of India to vote in the lengthy process of electing a new parliament. But unlike many areas of the country, providing polling booths and ballots to some of the rugged mountain communities proved to be a challenge. … Continue reading…
The idea of separating Ladakh from the rest of India’s state of Jammu and Kashmir, simmering for many years, got a renewed boost last week. On Monday, March 3, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, the upper chamber of the state legislature, passed a resolution calling for the creation of… Continue reading…
According to a news story last week, the Jammu and Kashmir state Director of Tourism, Talat Parvaiz, reported that 137,400 tourists have visited Ladakh so far this year. He also said that 11.68 crore rupees ($US 1,900,000) has been spent on tourism development projects in the Ladakh region during the… Continue reading…
India’s National Museum Institute, part of the National Museum in New Delhi, has taken a strong interest in preserving the unique cultural heritage of Ladakh. According to an article published last week, the Institute is focusing on what they call the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of the Ladakhi people. The… Continue reading…
The Indian Army has attempted for years to put a peaceful face on its mission in northern India, but the Ladakhi—and the rest of the people in the state of Jammu and Kashmir—still decry the military presence. A journal article in 2008 explained that the army tries to generate support… Continue reading…
The Dalai Lama was pleased last week to be involved in opening a solar lighting installation in Ladakh, the latest in a series of alternative energy projects in the region. According to a news report last Thursday, he took part in a ceremony opening a new, 10 KW solar plant… Continue reading…
The Dalai Lama was pleased last week to be involved in opening a solar lighting installation in Ladakh, the latest in a series of alternative energy projects in the region. According to a news report last Thursday, he took part in a ceremony opening a new, 10 KW solar plant… Continue reading…
