Promising to make Nobra a model constituency, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti has said empowerment of the Ladakh region through Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil districts is a shining example of her party’s devolution of power and governance to the common people.Mehbooba who completed two day tour of the northern most constituency of the country addressed well attended meetings throughout the mountainous locked valley, which is approachable only through the 180350 feet Khardungla pass, the world’s highest motorable point.
She addressed meetings at Diskit, the Sub pisional headquarter; Takshi-Thang, the farthest village in the region; Turtuk, Bokhtan and Hunder. Hunder is the only place in the country which is home to double humped camels, a legacy from the Central Asian connection of the Silk Route era. The constituency has still telltale marks of the Silk Route tradition and its cultural footprints.Addressing the public meetings, considered the largest in recent times, in the constituency which is the smallest by voter population of 13 thousand, Mehbooba said there is a general perception that the areas in Chinese territory bordering our country are better developed with all modern amenities including train to Tibet.Mehbooba, who was accompanied by the party Chief Spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar during her tour to the area, said by comparison our forward areas have lagged behind because of the lack of effort to take special care of these areas in view of harsh climate and tough topography.
Mehbooba said the people of these areas need amenities like health and education literally at their doorsteps because of the daunting distances even between the villages not speak of tortuous road connections with Leh or Srinagar.Referring to the fact that Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) popularly known as Shah-I-Hamdhan is believed to have passed through the area and there are a number of landmarks associated with him, Mehbooba said there would be larger number of people even from the Kashmir Valley to visit the area. With a view to tapping that potential, the PDP government would develop those sites and conserve the heritage buildings linked with Shah-I-Hamdhan and Silk Route.
Mehbooba said in order to empower the people of this area, Tashi Gaylson, PDP’s candidate for Nobra constituency, would incase of his winning the election be taken in the council of ministers if the PDP forms the government. This, she said, will be the first time that this area would be represented in the government effectively.Mehooba said the people of the area have to spend two to three days to reach Srinagar. To overcome this, the next government would take up the construction of Turtuk-Hannu road which would reduce the journey up to Srinagar to only few hours.The PDP president said the effort of her party if it receives the mandate to form the next government would be to upgrade schools and provide trained teaching staff to them apart from equipping them with libraries and laboratories.
Mehbooba said the PDP’s focus would be on providing special health care locally so that only in rear cases patients would have to move out for medical assistance.Speaking about the need for providing dignified jobs to the local youth, she said a skill development centre would be established in the area. She said tourism would be developed and more avenues of growth and employment would be created.Mehbooba said the people of this distant area face problems of lodging in Srinagar when they come here for medical or any other purposes. To address that, she said, a Nobra House would be constructed in Srinagar.Referring to the problem of the pide families of Turtuk area, Mehbooba said that reopening Turtuk-Khapla-Skardo road was part of the PDP’s Self-Rule agenda and it would immediately try to establish a meeting point for the pided families on the pattern of similar facility at Teetwal.
“To give boost to the local traditions and culture, the PDP government will establish a Cultural Centre at Turtuk,” she said and added the local High School will also be upgraded and a playground will be developed at Bodgan. To connect Bodgan village with the main road, a road will be constructed so that the people will get relief.Mehbooba said Silk Route Interpretation Centre will be established at Takshi-Panamic area. The PDP Chief, who was invited to visit the historic Dishkit Monastery, said a museum, to house old artifacts, manuscripts, paintings and other historically valuable items associated with the region, will be established. Mehbooba said old age home will also be established for senior Lammas.Tashi Gaylson, PDP candidate for Nobra constituency; D Phonsung and Gh Mohammad Chatapa were also present on the occasion. (GNS)