Leh was the capital of the kingdom of Ladakh but it has been converted to the Leh district now. With an area of 45,110 sq km, it is largest district in India after Kutch in Gujarat. Leh has been for long one of the most important trade routes as it has China to its east, Pakistan to its west and also Tibet to its west. Being at an altitude of 3,500m, its terrain is one of the most hilly and difficult to navigate among all the places across the country.
Being in Jammu and Kashmir, Leh has always had to face a lot of political, social and economic problems. Be it China’s claim over Aksai Chin and Pakistan’s claim over Kashmir, the central government’s neglect in terms of basic facilities like roads, education, health-care etc, the people of Leh have seen it all. They stand with their heads held high at hearing our national anthem everyday. But what they get in return – complete disregard from the government along with the entire population of the country.
The rivers, streams, snow, amazing landscapes and much more at Leh are those to watch out for. It is surely a tourist’s delight. But what about the basic facilities for the people? Does anyone care? The destruction caused by the recent cloudburst is mind numbing. You need to read this article by tarun vijay to know what exactly happened there. It will surely make you cry.
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indus-calling/entry/walking-the-valley-of-death
There is no proper hospital there. There is no morgue to keep the dead bodies. One of the most famous schools there, the one showed in the movie 3 Idiots has been washed away, people have been rendered homeless – the whole area looks like a war ravaged zone. Did we need this to awake the people of our country and also those at the government?
Its a really sorry state of affairs that we talk about other nations attacking us, terrorist and Naxal threats, threats from Dawood Ibrahim and what not. But we cannot sadly provide basic facilities to parts of our country. The same is the case with the North East.
So how many more tragedies, catastrophes and disasters do we need to recognize the fact that even these places however far they are, are the parts of the country?
Do you think Leh / Ladakh is a case of mystery or plain neglect by the men at the center? Would love to hear your views!
