Tag Archives: Ladakh

Colonel Chewang Rinchen – Lion of Ladakh

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Ladakh has given birth to some of India’s bravest souls in uniform. Among the first in Independent India, however, was Colonel Chewang Rinchen. Born on November 11, 1931, in the remote, and picturesque village of Sumur in Nubra Valley, he lived a remarkable life.

In 1948, when Pakistan’s tribal raiders captured Kargil and set their eyes on Leh, Ladakh was being defended by just 33 men of the Jammu and Kashmir state forces and 20 volunteers led by Lieutenant Colonel Prithi Singh. When Lt Col Prithi Singh raised the tricolour in Leh and sought volunteers to defend Ladakh against Pakistani raiders, 17-year-old Chewang Rinchen from the Nubra Valley was the first to respond to protect his motherland. As a young lad of 17 Chewang Rinchen enrolled himself in the Ladakh Guards on 25 July 1948. With hardly a week’s training, he organised and trained a local militia unit of 28 youths. In September, operating alongside Indian Army units, he fought in the Nubra Valley. His grim defence of a position on the Kharu Nullah earned him a promotion to the rank of Jemadar (Naib Subedar). In the same month, negotiating a 17,000 feet-high snow-clad pass under most trying conditions, he helped the capture of Lama House, a vital enemy stronghold. On 15 December, having marched for three days over high snowdrifts, he put in a fierce attack on a high hill feature near Biagdangdo and captured it. This action was immediately followed by his capture of Tukkar Hill, the last enemy position in Leh tehsil. This last action involved crossing over snow-clad hills 21,000 feet high. Half of his platoon was suffering from frostbite. But under his inspiring leadership and following his example of personal bravery, his men had accomplished a seemingly impossible feat.  For his bravery and leadership, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra in 1952. Till date, he remains the youngest recipient of the MVC.

His subsequent career saw him bagging the Sena Medal in the 1962 war against China, for his defence of the Daulat Beg Oldi Tri-junction. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, then Maj Chewang Rinchen was commander of the force that was assigned the task of capturing the Chalunka complex of enemy defenses in the Partappur Sector. Each of these nine enemy strong points was held by one to two platoons and fortified with mines and wire obstacles. This operation was planned and executed with professional competence and great zeal. Under most adverse weather conditions, Maj Rinchen led his command, displaying aggressive spirit, fighting from bunker to bunker, exhorting, and encouraging his men to destroy the enemy thus making the operation a complete success. In this action, Maj Chewang Rinchen displayed inspiring leadership, indomitable courage, initiative and exceptional devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army and was awarded Maha Vir Chakra, the second time.

Rinchen eventually retired as a Colonel in the Indian Army, and remains one of the institution’s defining figures, playing a critical role in the creation of the Ladakh Scouts. He passed away on July 1, 1997, at the age of 66 years.

The 1,400 feet long strategic bridge situated at the height of 14,650 feet on the Shyok river in the Ladakh region has been named after the legendary Colonel Chewang Rinchen.  His ancestral home in Sumur village was converted to a heritage site. His story remains an inspiration to many young Ladakhis looking to serve their nation even today.

Rising Bharat National News Feed: October 25th 2020

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  1. Webinar dwells on NEP 2020

Key points:

  1. The Panjab University Alumni Association in collaboration with Swayam Cell of the varsity organised a webinar on “National Education Policy 2020: Joining the dots”. Dr Vishal Sharma, coordinator, Swayam Cell, welcomed speakers and moderated the event. Vinita Arora, Dr Rajiv Khosla and Sanjiv Gupta were the keynote speakers of the event. Vinita, Senior Principal, Bhavan Vidhyala, explained the change from 10+2 to 5+3+3+4 system of the NEP 2020 in school education and its benefits. Khosla, Associate Professor, DAV Institute of Management, discussed countries like England, Canada and Singapore where students wanted to go for higher education. Gupta, Chief GM (Manufacturing), SML Isuzu Ltd, discussed the industry academia aspect of the policy.

(Tribune India, 25 October 2020) News Link

  • NEP for maximum benefit of students: Guv

Key points:

  1. Governor Anandiben Patel has said that the building structures of the new university should be built high rise. Special efforts should be made by marking the universities of the State for a place in the list of top universities of the country. Stress should be laid on making arrangements for the new projects and innovation with P.P.P.T. Model and CSR fund.
  2. Patel was holding discussions with officials and vice-chancellors of Government universities of Indore and Bhopal on various topics related to quality of higher education and development of the universities of the State at Raj Bhavan today. Principal Secretary Higher Education Anupam Rajan and Principal Secretary Raj Bhavan D.P. Ahuja was present in the meeting.
  3. Patel said that the universities of the State should make efforts to get a place in the list of top universities of the country. In this work, the universities should not depend on the administration for essential financial resources. Along with utilisation of funds available in the university, financial support should be garnered from industrial establishments under the P.P.P.T. Model and Corporate Responsibility Fund. She said that it is necessary to make efforts with innovative thinking for P.P.P.T. model. (Daily Pioneer, 25 October 2020) News Link
  1. दिल्ली : पैसिफिक मॉल में बना अयोध्या राम मंदिर का मॉडल, देखने के लिए लोगों की लगी भारी भीड़

Key points:

  1. दिल्ली के सुभाष नगर में पैसिफिक मॉल में अयोध्या राम मंदिर की 25 फुट ऊंची प्रतिकृति स्थापित की गई। राम मंदिर के इस मॉडल को देखने के लिए लोगों में काफी उत्साह नजर आ रहा है। मंदिर के साथ सेल्फी लेने के लिए लोगों में होड़ सी मची हुई है। पेसिफिक मॉल प्रशासन ने इस बार नवरात्रि और दशहरा पर्व के दौरान श्री राम जन्मभूमि मंदिर का शानदार मॉडल तैयार किया है।
  2. पैसिफिक मॉल के प्रबंधन का कहना है कि दिवाली से पहले और विजयादशमी को ख्याल में रखकर राम मंदिर की प्रतिकृति बनाई गया है। जिस तरह से कोरोना वायरस की वजह से माहौल में नकारात्मकता फैली है उसे दूर करने के लिए इससे बेहतर आइडिया और क्या हो सकता था। प्रबंधन का यह भी कहना है कि अक्टूबर और नवंबर के महीने में त्यौहारों की वजह से ग्राहकों की आवक ज्यादा रहती है, इसके साथ ही इन दो महीनों में लोग भक्ति भाव में डूबे रहते हैं।

(Live Hindustan, 25 October 2020) News Link

  1. Mumbai: Locals fear construction work is muddying 1,000-year-old Banganga

Key points:

  1. All is not well at Banganga, the ancient talao or freshwater tank that rests at the southwest corner of Malabar Hill and survived for centuries as a living heritage precinct in the city where pilgrims have found their way since the 12th century Shilahara period.
  2. Regarded as sacred, the tank also owes its origin to the legend that a thirsty Lord Rama on his way to Lanka had shot a ‘ban’ or an arrow into the ground that caused this fresh water spring to burst forth from the Bhagwati River, an offshoot of the Ganga believed to be running underground. Over the years, around 118 temples dedicated to various gods have come up around this only stepwell in the city whose natural aquifers continue to spout potable water.
  3. That ancient structures are susceptible to stress from development is no surprise but the 1000-year-old structure is facing a “first of its kind” threat, warn locals and members of the Goud Saraswat Brahman (GSB) Temple Trust that owns and manages the Banganga complex after the clear waters of the tank turned murky brown last month, which they believe is a result of heavy piling work for a new multi-storeyed residential project coming up 100 metres northeast from the historic tank. Rutvik Aurangabadkar, executive administrator of the GSB Temple Trust says, “We saw that the water was getting muddy every time piling work was on. We are worried that the construction activity has hindered the underground route and poses a threat of permanent damage to the natural aquifer that might render the tank redundant.”
  4. Although the BMC officials had issued temporary stop-work orders in September following a geotechnical investigation of the site and despite the Trust’s letters to the project developers voicing their concerns over the contamination of the water that has never seen any cause for complaint in the past — construction work resumed a fortnight ago prompting the GSB Trust to reach out to the Maharashtra Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. The 143×57 metre tank was listed as a protected monument by the state archaeological department in 1991 and in 1995 the site was notified as a heritage precinct.
  5. “Our team of engineers observed that the construction site, located at a higher ground than the water tank, could be the source of the natural water spring from where water flows into the tank. We wrote to the Geological Survey of India last week requesting technical support to locate the underground water source of Banganga and to confirm whether piling work for building construction is threatening the natural water source of the tank. We’ve been asked to consult the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, which should help us investigate and take proper remedial measures,” explained Tejas Garge, director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Maharashtra adding that the source had never been scanned in the past “because a problem like this had never been encountered.”
    (Times of India, 25 October 2020) News Link
  • POJK
  1. Pakistan is at war with itself: PoK activist

Key points:

  1. Amid the anti-government movement in the country, a political activist from Mirpur in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) has slammed the Imran Khan government over the state of affairs in the country, saying it is “at war with itself.” Activist Amjad Ayub Mirza wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday that “3 days ago, IG Sindh was abducted. Last night Ali Imran was abducted. Today, MNA Mohsin Dawar has been abducted. The Pakistani state is at war with itself.”
  2. Mirza’s statement comes after Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Mohsin Dawar was barred from leaving the airport as soon as he arrived in Quetta on Saturday in a bid to prevent him from participating in the third rally of the opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in Quetta on Sunday. In a Twitter post, Mohsin said that he will not be intimidated and will not keep mum.
  3. Apart from Mohsin Dawar detention, the PoK activist Amjad Mirza also called out the abduction of journalist Ali Imran Syed, who is credited with obtaining footage arrest of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) the leader Captain (retd) Safdar Awan on October 19. Safdar Awan, who is the husband of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, was arrested from his hotel room after a PMD rally. Thereafter, the IGP Sindh, Mushtaq Mehr, was ‘kidnapped’ by Rangers who forced him to file an FIR for Safdar’s arrest.
  4. The development caused extreme bitterness among the police officers who retaliated by submitting leave of absence.
  5. Almost the entire top brass of the police, including three Additional IGs, 25 DIGs, 30 SSPs and dozens of SPs, DSPs and SHOs across Sindh, tendered leave applications, as a protest against the “resentment and heartache caused to all ranks of the force” by the unfortunate incident of October 18 and 19. (Times of India,25 October 2020) News Link

Major boost to development: DDCs to have direct funding from Centre

Key points:

  1. In some significant measures aimed at empowerment of the District Development Committees (DDCs), the third tier of Panchayati Raj Institutions which are being established for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Government reportedly mulled handsome direct funding for the DDCs which will be in addition to the funds to be provided to them by the Union Territory Government for developmental works.
  2. Territorial Constituency Fund is also proposed for the elected members of the DDCs, official sources told the Excelsior.
  3. They said the Union Home Ministry which had recently amended Jammu and Kashmir’s Panchayati Raj Act to set up the District Development Committees and Councils in Jammu and Kashmir is planning to keep population of the district (in the areas under the DDCs) as criteria for funding of the Committees as all the DDCs will have equal number of 14 elected members.
  4. “Population is likely to be the criteria for direct funding of the District Development Committees. This is being done in view of the fact that certain districts like Jammu, Kathua, Baramulla and Kupwara have much higher population than Samba, Reasi, Bandipora and Kulgam districts,” sources said, adding the population-based criteria of Central funding to the Committees will lead to equal distribution of funds.
  5. However, as already reported, each DDCs will have 14 Territorial constituencies and an equal number of elected representatives. Therefore, the Territorial segments in small districts like Samba and Bandipora will be based on fewer numbers of votes as compared to districts like Samba and Srinagar.

(daily excelsior, 25 October 2020) News Link

  • Govt finalizes ‘One District One Product’ list for Food Processing Enterprises Scheme

Key points:

  1. The list of “One District One Product” under the formalization of Food Processing Enterprises Scheme was today finalized here at a meeting chaired by Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production & Farmers’ Welfare Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary.
  2. Taking into account the feedback received from various stakeholders, the Principal Secretary finalized the list of “One District One Product” under the Scheme.
  3. The approved list incorporated Jammu for Dairy products; Rajouri for Spices; Poonch for Mutton and Poultry processing; Kishtwar for Walnut processing; Doda for Walnut processing; Ramban for Honey processing; Udhampur for Pickles and Jam; Reasi for Organic vegetables; Kathua for Spices, Samba for Mushroom.
  4. For Kashmir division, the approved list incorporated Anantnag for Trout Fish;  Pulwama for Saffron; Shopian for Apple; Kulgam for Apple/Spices; Srinagar for Flowers; Budgam for Exotic vegetables; Baramulla for Dairy products; Kupwara for Walnut; Ganderbal for Honey; Bandipora for Processed Poultry/Mutton.

(Greater Kashmir, 25 October 2020) News Link

  • Ladakh after removing 370
    • Efforts being made to expend funds provided by Centre for development of Ladakh: LG

Key points:

  1. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur on Saturday said all efforts are being made to expend funds allotted by the central government in a judicious and comprehensive manner for equitable development of all parts of the union territory.Mathur, who arrived here on a two-day visit on Friday, said preparations will be made this winter to execute the maximum number of works next season.”Collective efforts will be made by the UT administration and the hill councils to expend the allotted budget to the maximum possible extent despite limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the LG told reporters.
  2. Sharing details of the Ladakh Vision Document 2050, Mathur said the document has been brought in public domain to solicit opinions and inputs from people.Meetings with both the hill councils would also be convened to suggest additions and modifications, he said.
  3. He added that a UT-level Planning Board comprising experts from different fields has also been constituted and its suggestions would be sought.”Effort will be made to promulgate the Vision 2050 within the next two months with support and opinions from all stakeholders. The emphasis of the Vision 2050 would be on more practical and workable projects,” Mathur said.
  4. He said equitable and area-specific development of Kargil and Leh have been accorded top priority.”MODI (Mission Organic Development Initiative) scheme, Ladakh Green House Initiative scheme and other projects and schemes are already under execution,” he said.
  5. On the status of the expansion of Kargil Airport, the LG said it is subject to technical parameters and approval of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India.

(Outlook India, 25 October 2020) News Link

Rising Bharat International News Feed: September 5th 2020

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  1. India’s security would be maintained in ‘extended neighborhood’ as well: Gen Bipin Rawat

Key points:

  1. In the emerging defense paradigm, India’s security would be maintained not only along the northern and western borders but in the strategic space of the “extended neighborhood” as well, Chief of Defense Staff Gen Bipin Rawat said on Saturday.
  2. He also said that India values its emerging relationship with the US and cherishes its traditional relationship with Russia, adding the country shares a mature and robust defense and security framework with both these powers.
  3. Talking about the regional security paradigm, he touched upon key aspects of India’s security doctrine. In this context, he mentioned International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan as about Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

(Hindustan times, 05 Sept, 2020)News Link

  1. Families allege 5 men kidnapped by China’s PLA from Arunachal, probe underway

Key points:

  1. Arunachal Pradesh police has launched a probe following reports that five people, who had gone hunting in a forest in Upper Subansiri district on the Sino-India border, were allegedly kidnapped by the Chinese military, a senior official said on Saturday, The alleged incident occurred on Friday in Nacho area of the district, their families said. Two others, who were in the group, managed to escape and informed police.
  2. “I have sent the officer-in-charge of the Nacho police station to the area to verify the facts and directed him to report immediately. However, the report will be available only by Sunday morning,” Superintendent of Police Taru Gussar said.

(Hindustan times, 05 Sept, 2020)News Link

  1. China’s PLA in race to reach the green line in Ladakh

Key points:

  1. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), under commander-in-chief Xi Jinping, defines its Tibet border with Ladakh by a green line that runs over finger 4 relief feature on the north bank of Pangong Tso and nearly claims all the Chushul Valley on the south banks of the salt-water body. This line was defined by the Chinese on the map in 1960 and since then it is the ambition of each ruler of ‘forbidden city’ to reach that objective.
  2. However, due to the Indian Army’s pre-emption on August 29, 30, 31, the PLA’s objective of unilaterally changing the facts on the ground could not be achieved and hence the irritation among the Chinese government against India.
  3. While the leaders of communist China were talking peace and tranquillity to their military and diplomatic counterparts, the PLA was militarily beefing up to reach the green claim line on the southern banks of Pangong Tso on the night of August 29-30.

(Hindustan times, 05 Sept, 2020)News Link

  • PLA faces off Indian Army at two points in Chushul, China talks peace

Key points:

  1. The tough meeting between Indian and Chinese defense ministers in Moscow on Friday evening converged on both sides willing to explore the peace option albeit the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has beefed up its positions south of Pangong Tso with its troops facing the Indian Army at two points.
  2. According to diplomats based both in New Delhi and Moscow, Indian defense minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe both held their positions while indicating that both countries were willing to give peace a chance in Ladakh. Singh is en-route to Delhi via Tehran.
  3. However, even as the two senior leaders discussed the issue, the PLA continued to be aggressive mode south of Pangong Tso as it faces Indian Army troopers at the bump feature and at Rechin La in the Chushul Valley. According to senior officials, around 150 PLA troops are deployed at the bump feature with an anti-aircraft gun being moved up the Black Top by the Chinese army on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

(Hindustan times, 05 Sept, 2020)News Link

  • Pro Bharat activity by other countries
    • Tibetan detained for protesting outside Chinese embassy

Key points:

  1. A Tibetan national has been detained by the Delhi Police from outside the Embassy of China in the diplomatic area of Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, where he had come to stage a protest on Saturday morning, officials said. The detained Tibetan citizen has been taken to a nearby police station, where he is being questioned to ascertain why he was protesting outside the embassy, carrying a flag in his hand.
  2. “We have detained the Tibetan national as soon as he reached there. He is being questioned to know the reason behind the protest. We have deployed police personnel outside the Chinese embassy and traffic has also been diverted to ensure nobody else reaches there for demonstration,” said additional deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Deepak Yadav.

(Hindustan times, 05 September, 2020) News Link

  • Relation with US
  1. Would love to help India, China resolve border dispute, says Trump

Key points:

  1. US President Donald Trump on Friday expressed his readiness once again to “help” India and China resolve their border situation, which he described as “very nasty”, Answering questions at a White House briefing, the president also expressed confidence that Indian Americans will vote for him in the November 3 elections citing the “incredible” turnout at the Howdy Modi event in Houston last September.
  2. India and China are “going at it pretty good on the border, as you know, it’s been very nasty, it’s been a very nasty situation,” the president said at the briefing, segueing into the conflict in response to a question about his campaign’s outreach to Indian American voters spearheaded by his son Donald Trump Jr and his partner Kimberley Guilfoyle.
  3. The American President had extended an offer to mediate the standoff way back in May. “We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute,” he had written in a tweet. Both sides turned him down.

(Hindustan Times, 05 September, 2020) News Link

  1. Pak violates ceasefire in Kashmir’s Nowgam sector, one soldier killed

Key points:

  1. An Army soldier was killed and two others got injured during an incident of ceasefire violation in north Kashmir’s Nowgam sector on Saturday. Defense spokesman said that Pakistan initiated an unprovoked Ceasefire Violation (CFV) along the Line of Control in Nowgam sector, Baramulla on the morning September 5 by firing Mortars and other weapons.
  2. Officials said that Pakistani troopers used light weapons and mortars. The Indian soldiers deployed on the forward posts also responded to the ceasefire violation.
  3. Nowgam sector falls under the jurisdiction of strategic 19 infantry division.

(Hindustan Times, 05 September, 2020) News Link

  • Kashmir can’t be removed from UN agenda: Pakistan

Key Points:

  1. Pakistan reminded India on Friday that Kashmir cannot be removed from the agenda of the UN Security Council (UNSC), which was committed to resolving the issue according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
  2. “Indian representatives are either deluding themselves, or deluding their public, by asserting that they will remove Kashmir from the Security Council’s agenda,” said Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, while commenting on the Indian move. It will not happen he said.
  3. India asked the UN body earlier this week to remove Kashmir from its agenda to prevent Pakistan from raising it at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, which begins in New York later this month.

(Dawn.com, 05 September, 2020) News Link