To tell the truth, with just four seats in the 87-seat assembly, prior to the bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, Ladakh implied that its voice was in many cases muffled by the bigger and more crowded divisions of Jammu and Kashmir. Throughout the long term, the majority in Ladakh felt disregarded and dismissed by the successive local governments. One of the principal purposes behind this was the absence of political portrayal and dynamic power in the locale.
Today when Mann Ki Baat, an iconic radio program hosted by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is on a historic milestone about to complete 100 episodes on 30th April 2023. The program has cast its impressions and positive vibes not just in India but also throughout the world.
Ladakh is a remote and rough locale with brutal weather patterns, which makes it hard to construct streets, spans, and other foundations. Thus, numerous regions in Ladakh miss the mark on conveniences, for example, power, water supply, medical care, and what not, the connection with the outer world.
PM Modi has shown a keen interest in the development of Ladakh and has highlighted the region’s unique culture, natural beauty, and strategic importance on several occasions during his Mann ki Baat addresses.
In 2020 PM Modi talked about the importance of renewable energy and mentioned the solar power projects being set up in Ladakh. He also praised the region’s contribution to defense forces. In the same year, PM Modi talked about the immense tourism potential of Ladakh and urged people to explore the region’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
In 2021, PM Modi talked about the successful completion of India’s first-ever Drought-Proofing Project in Ladakh, which aims to make the region self-sufficient in terms of water resources.
PM Modi lauded Uregen Futsog for growing dozens of crops in an organic and environmentally friendly way.
Lobsang Chospel of Ladakh, who despite being disabled hoisted the National flag on one of the highest glaciers of the world Siachen Glacier his valor was lauded, thus introducing him to the world by PM in Mann Ki Baat.
PM Modi also paid glowing tributes to the Jawans martyred in Eastern Ladakh.
PM Modi also laid out a vision for the development of Ladakh and stating the region will soon get an Open Synthetic Track and an Astro Turf Football stadium, besides mentioning the export of apricots from Ladakh to countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE.
Prime Minister Modi laid the thrust on how visionary projects like Himayat are changing the academic and employment picture of Ladakh towards betterment. He spotlighted the success story of Parveen Fatima, a woman from Kargil who rose to become a Supervisor-cum-Coordinator in a garment unit in Tamil Nadu.
The statistics and surveys of prestigious knowledge sources and eminent intellectuals of the country aptly show the far-reaching positives of Mann Ki Baat on the overall fabric of the country. Undoubtedly, the humans living in the geographically tough terrain area of Ladakh have come to the limelight in a positive way and through Mann Ki Baat their voices are echoing throughout the India.
Pertinently, Mann Ki Baat program, started on October 3, 2014, is listened by the people in 23 languages and 29 dialects through 501 radio stations of All India Radio, besides, on social media. Apart from this, it is also broadcast in 11 foreign languages.
From this stage broaching the several aspects of remote and virgin area Ladakh including agriculture, innovation, positive stories, and prominent faces behind bringing pragmatic changes in the region gives a reason to people of Ladakh to feel jubilant.
(The writer is the editor of the daily “Srinagar Jang” and news portal “onlykashmir[dot]in”)
