Ladakh

The Leh Nutrition Project played a pivotal role in elevating Ladakh - long deprived of primary health facilities, accessibility to basic medicines, multiple cases of anaemia, and a high infant mortality rate.

Kangla-Nyishar, a Leh-based startup established by four Ladakhi women, makes artisanal food like walnut pesto and buckwheat tea with locally sourced organic produce that benefit small growers, producers and the local economy.

With their apparel brand Namza Couture, Padma Yangchan and Jigmet Disket are pioneering the use of fine Ladakhi textile, whether it's Nambu (sheep wool), Khulu (yak wool), camel wool or pashmina.

Fighting the biting cold and darkness for decades, four Ladakhi engineers working with the Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) found a way to bring light to this village near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

In an exclusive interview, Sonam Wangchuk reveals details of the fully portable solar-heated tents he has invented for the Indian Army to use in freezing high-altitude zones like Galwan Valley.

Besides growing 20 varieties of crops ranging from barley to watermelons, this 'Mitti Ka Aadmi' also extracts pashmina from his cashmere goats, teaches organic farming techniques while also running an independent homestay in Ladakh.

When the list of Padma awardees was announced earlier this week, some names familiar to readers of The Better India cropped up.

"My father sold his land to fund our education. He was among the more progressive men in the village who believed that his daughters should receive a proper education," says Zulikha Bano, the first woman lawyer from Ladakh's Balti Community.

Interestingly, their offbeat efforts even included the promotion of homestays and educating Ladakh’s masses about this elusive cat.

“Dr. Jigment Wangchuk and his entire team have completely changed the entire scenario of Chushul Primary Health Centre. I have never seen such a dedicated officer and team," says Konchok Stanzin, Councillor of Chushul.