Reopening of airfields in east Ladakh mean no more than reactivating the old ones

Reopening of airfields in eastern Ladakh bordering China in recent times meant no more than simply 'reactivating' those which were lying there without operation for many years that would also benefit local population.

The outgoing Chief of Air Staff Indian Airforce Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major told this to local media in Leh today during his special visit here to give his farewell address to the air warriors of Airforce Station Leh as his retirement is due in the end of this month.

Hindu in its April 7 edition says, "After successfully reopening the Daulat Beg Oldi and Fuk Che airfields in Ladakh last year, India is now working vigorously to operationalise the Neoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) this year for the Indian Air Force (IAF), close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China."

In his address to the air warriors Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said, India is perhaps most stable and peaceful country to its neigbours and a few days ago nation went to polls to come out successfuly. He reminded the air warriors their responsibility to protect this country and 'a great democracy.'

He was closely associated with Leh as in 1999, he took over as the Air Officer Commanding Leh (Ladakh), in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict.

MP election in Ladakh

Boycott of polls in Dribling Ladakh
Out of sight from mainstream media
Leh May 17:
It just skipped everyone's heightened attention on lok sabha elections that one snowbound village Dribling in remote and snowbound trans-Sighela pass area totally boycott the recent polls for MP seat from Ladakh.
Their protest, according to sources, was the sheer negligence and govt. apathy they have faced irrespective of any party or govt. agency. Tucked away in high snowcapped mountains Dribling is one of six valleys inhabited by small communities in the Zanskar mountain range of Ladakh.
People from these areas are cut off from rest of the world for at least 7 months due to snow on their passes that lead them out to Leh town or even to neighbouring villages. They are bereft of road, telephone, electricity and other basic facilities modern society has. Agriculture and livestock rearing are the sources of livelihood for them, and they sustain in a sub-zero temprature facing at times nature's wrath of snowavalanche and landslides. Despite the problems they face official visits to these areas hardly take place.
In agony they decided to boycott the polls, however, it skipped the notice of media somehow. Similar attempt to boycott polls also emerged in Chushul bordering China. Sources said, villagers were angry that a much smaller village Tsaga had electricy generator, and they were neglegted lot. However, the villagers later cast their votes despite their boycott calls, sources said.