As attention remains focused on the Valley, Ladakh grapples with its own concerns | The Indian Express

As attention remains focused on the Valley, Ladakh grapples with its own concerns | The Indian Express

Written by Ashok Thakur |Updated: November 1, 2019 11:10:59 am

The writer a former education secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, is currently Honorary Professor at Panjab University, Chandigarh

As attention remains focused on the Valley, Ladakh grapples with its own concerns

The most important aspect is working out a harmonious working relationship between the two constituents of the UT, that is, the Shia Muslim majority in Kargil and the Buddhist majority in Leh.

Till now Ladakh’s communication route remained principally through Srinagar and Jammu. All this is set to change. (Illustrations: C R Sasikumar)

Little did the people of Ladakh realise that they would be caught in a bubble of history which would last for 185 long years when the forces of Zorawar Singh overran Ladakh and made it part of Gulab Singh’s fiefdom in 1835. Ladakhis struggled with their identity, having nothing in common with their rulers, neither the Dogras nor the Kashmiris, in terms of language, religion, food, dress or even physical features. It was a gunshot marriage which ended on October 31 when Ladakh finally became a Union Territory. This historic moment will be celebrated by all Ladakhis, and specially by its architect, former MP Thupstan Tsewang, whose lifetime goal will see fruition.