Q. Congratulations on receiving the “Certificate of Appreciation” from the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) during the National Conclave held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on September 29 and 30, 2025. How do you feel about this honour, and what would you like to say about it?

Thank you. I feel deeply honoured to receive this award. Honestly, it’s something I had never dreamt of nor expected. I have always carried out welfare work without any hesitation or expectation of recognition. So, receiving this award makes me feel humbled and grateful to those who noticed my efforts, evaluated them, and recommended my name for this honour.

As the President of the Ex-Servicemen Association, Ibex Colony, and Goba of the area, I have tried to do my part for the welfare and betterment of the people. I am proud to say that I am the first Ladakhi to receive this award from the Defence Minister for dedication, commitment, and professional competence of a high order.

I also feel that this award is not just mine — it belongs to the entire ex-servicemen fraternity of Ladakh. Their collective contribution, discipline, and spirit of service have always inspired me. I am sure this recognition will motivate all of us to continue working for the welfare of our community and the nation.

Q. Share with us about your life.

I am from Lakjung, Nubra, and I joined the Indian Army in 1980. I dedicated 28 years of my life to serving the nation and safeguarding our borders. In 1999, I had the honour of participating in the Kargil War, where I fought bravely alongside my comrades to defend our country.

I retired on 31st December 2008 as an Honorary Subedar. When I first joined the Army, I was not very well qualified, but through dedication and hard work, I completed my matriculation while in service—an achievement I am truly grateful for.

Soon after my retirement, I took on a new responsibility: serving the people of Ibex Colony. My journey from a soldier to a community servant has been guided by the same values of discipline, duty, and dedication that I learned during my years in the Army.

Q. Brief us about your achievements during your tenure.

During my tenure, I have undertaken and successfully completed several developmental and welfare initiatives for the community. Some of the major achievements include the construction and blacktopping of link roads and streets through the Councillor’s budget allocation of Rs. 25 lakh, and the installation of seven new transformers across different sectors to ensure uninterrupted power supply during winters. We also installed streetlights throughout the area to enhance safety and convenience for residents.

Additionally, two large community halls with a capacity of 1,000 people each have been constructed, along with a mini community centre to accommodate smaller gatherings and community activities.

With the support of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, land previously used as a government store was finalised and sanctioned for the development of a public park. Under the CAPEX budget, Rs. 1.47 crore was sanctioned for the construction of the park. To facilitate easy financial access for retired personnel, senior citizens, and the general public, SBI and PNB ATMs have been installed in two sectors.

In terms of welfare and social initiatives, we successfully completed the settlement of land lease deeds for 858 households, ensuring land ownership security for families. Land has also been allocated for the construction of a monastery (work currently in progress). Additionally, we obtained approval for a separate polling station for Ibex Colony and created a separate municipal ward for the area, which was earlier part of Ward No. 8.

These initiatives have significantly improved the quality of life in the community, strengthened social infrastructure, and provided better facilities for people of all age groups.

Q. Ex-servicemen in Ladakh, after dedicating so many years to the nation’s security, continue to serve society in various capacities even after retirement — and their contributions are being recognised. What are your thoughts on this?

It is indeed a great source of encouragement for every serving soldier and ex-serviceman from Ladakh. Such recognition not only honours our past service but also motivates those who are currently guarding the nation’s borders and dedicating their lives to the cause of the country. This acknowledgment of our work gives a moral boost to many because it assures us that respect and consideration remain intact even after retirement.

I firmly believe that as ex-servicemen, our sense of duty and willingness to serve should grow stronger after retirement. The government has provided us with pensions that allow us to take care of our families without much struggle, and the opportunity to wear the uniform has already transformed us — through training, discipline, and education.

The Army has given us so much that we should never feel that our service was in vain. Instead, we must remain grateful and continue to work for the betterment of society in every possible capacity.

In fact, I feel that being an ex-serviceman brings even greater responsibility — to lead by example, to serve selflessly, and to continue contributing to the nation and our communities with the same spirit we once served in uniform.

Q. The concept of a full-time army has now shifted to the Agniveer system, which has received both criticism and appreciation. What is your opinion on this change?

In earlier days, when we were growing up, many parents in Ladakh felt assured that their children could join the Army even if they were not highly educated. And in many cases, those who joined the Army came back more disciplined, confident, and capable than many degree holders.

When it comes to the Ladakh Scouts, they cannot be directly compared with other Army units. They are specially trained and well adapted to safeguard the borders in extremely harsh terrain and high-altitude conditions. I’m not saying people from other states are not strong, but those who are born and raised in such high-altitude regions naturally have greater stamina and endurance — qualities essential for border defence in Ladakh.

That is why I strongly believe that Ladakh Scouts should continue as a full-time Army unit rather than being included under the Agniveer system. In fact, I have personally submitted a memorandum to Rinchen Lamo, the then Member of the Minority Commission, requesting that Ladakh Scouts be retained as a regular, full-time unit.

We must remember the example of the 1999 Kargil War — during that time, not only the Army but also the civilians of Ladakh stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in the operation. Ladakh holds immense strategic importance for the nation, and the people of Ladakh have always played a vital role in safeguarding this region with courage, loyalty, and commitment.

Message to the readers
“Service to the nation never truly ends. The discipline and values we learn in uniform should guide us in serving our communities with the same dedication. Let us stay grateful, united, and committed to working for the betterment of society and our nation.”