True heroes: The unseen face of the Army in Jammu & Kashmir
By Aditi Kumaria Hingu | First Published Aug 8, 2016, 9:58 AM IST- If today, Ladakh is a land of peace and beauty, a lot of credit goes to the Indian Army
- In the rarefied (low oxygen) atmosphere, BRO personnel brave all odds
In recent weeks, events from Jammu and Kashmir have dominated the headlines. The print and electronic media have reported about stone pelting and other acts of civil unrest against the Indian Army. Reading the reports one would assume that the Indian Army is an authoritarian force opposed to all principles of democracy and civil empowerment.
Latest Videos
Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, it is in the same state that the humanitarian aspect of the Indian army consistently comes to the fore, month after month, year after year.
The predominant image about Jammu and Kashmir is the salubrious valley of Kashmir. Initially, the valley's scenic beauty and long association with the film industry kept the valley in our minds. Nowadays, mostly the unrest and rise of militancy have kept Kashmir dominating the conversation around the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
However, geographically the Kashmir valley accounts for only 16% of the state’s area. Jammu region accounts for another 26%, whereas the largest region is Ladakh with 58% of the area.
Thus life continued as it always for its nomadic and semi-pastoral inhabitants – centred on small rivers formed in the summer months due to snow melt, growing barley and apricots, rearing yak and sheep and surviving in sub-zero temperatures.
It is here that the role played by the Indian Army is commendable. Given that Ladakh is of strategic importance to India, the Army has maintained a significant presence in the region. Going beyond its conventional role of being defenders of the nation, the Army has truly invested in the land and its people.
The most exceptional service that the Indian Army has provided has been that of developing road infrastructure in the highest mountain range in the world – the Himalayas. The roads all across Ladakh are developed and maintained by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). BRO is a uniformed force under the Defence Ministry. It draws a major part of its manpower from the army and is headed by a Lieutenant General. It provides much-needed connectivity to people living in remote villages like Khardung and Khalsar.
In the rarefied (low oxygen) atmosphere, BRO personnel brave all odds to ensure that traffic does not get stalled due to snowfall, landslides and avalanches. They are underpaid, unacknowledged and yet remain dedicated to the job.
There have been instances when within 24 hours of an avalanche washing away a road, BRO personnel have developed an alternate road to ensure that movement of people and essential services does not get affected.
The Army has also opened Army Goodwill Schools in an effort to integrate Ladakhis into the national mainstream. These schools are based in villages as remote and small as Tangste (more than six hours drive from Leh) and are based on the curriculum prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education.
The schools are fully functional with trained staff, computer labs, extracurricular activities and mid-day meals. Deserving students get extra coaching to give them an opportunity to go outside Ladakh for higher studies. Moreover, programmes are conducted on Sundays on various socio-economic issues, like women empowerment, feminine hygiene/health and animal husbandry.
Another contribution of the Army has been to set up medical facilities in Ladakh. While towns like Leh and Kargil do have government run hospitals, other areas are largely dependent on the medical centres set up by the Army.
Despite the increase in tourism in the last few years, routes such as Leh-Khardungla (said to be the highest motorable road in the world at 18,650 feet) do not have any facilities managed by either local authorities or the private sector.
It is the soldiers based at these outputs who willingly provide medical aid and a cup of hot tea to travellers.
If today, Ladakh is a land of peace and beauty, a lot of credit goes to the Indian Army. It has gone beyond the call of duty to earn the love and respect of the simple inhabitants of these barren villages.
It has convinced them that the whole country stands with them as proud Indians.
These men in their olive green fatigues are true heroes who have been working silently, away from the arclights, away from fame and glory, only to help make life a little easier for their countrymen in Ladakh.
Aditi Kumaria Hingu is a marketing graduate from IIM Calcutta, she currently works in the corporate sector. She comes from an army background and is the daughter of Major General Mrinal Suman (AVSM, VSM, PhD), who commanded an Engineer Regiment on the Siachen Glacier. The opinions expressed here are her own.
subscribe to Asianet Newsable WhatsApp channel by clicking here. For more reliable and latest news
subscribe to Asianet Newsable Telegram channel by clicking here.