Q. How do you feel after winning the Gold Medal at the prestigious Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026 for your Yak Churpi-Soft Cheese?

Jullay, and thank you for having me. I feel extremely happy and proud to share my journey with the people of Ladakh after winning the Gold Medal at the prestigious Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026 for our Yak Churpi-Soft Cheese. This recognition has made me feel proud of the work I do, especially because many people often overlook or show little interest in such traditional livelihoods and products.

I belong to Lalok in Changthang, and my family has been engaged in rearing yaks and other livestock for generations. Living closely with these animals, I always tried to explore what more could be done in the field of livestock rearing, particularly in dairy production, fibre, and related products.

Being involved in yak farming, I focused mainly on dairy production and started working on local products such as cheese, ghee, curd, and other dairy items. Making cheese in Ladakh itself was a major challenge because of the region’s extreme climatic conditions and low temperatures.

The Gold Medal I received for Yak Churpi is not solely my achievement. I am deeply thankful to the Department of Animal Husbandry for extending all possible support, and to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), through which the product was sent to the competition in Brazil. Without their support and collective effort, I would not have been able to compete at the international level.

The competition saw participation from nearly 30 countries, with around 2,700 varieties of cheese presented. I had never imagined that a traditional produce from Ladakh would gain recognition on such a prestigious international platform.

This award is not just a personal achievement; it represents the arrival of a deeply local food tradition onto the global stage. I believe this recognition will not only boost the local produce of the Changthang region but will also encourage livestock rearers across Ladakh to continue preserving and promoting their traditional practices and products.

Q. What are your thoughts on sustainable and organic products, and the declining interest among youth in traditional livelihoods?

There is a lot of discussion today around sustainable and organic products, but at the same time, many young people are becoming more focused on tourism-based industries and other modern occupations. The traditional way of life followed by our ancestors is slowly fading away.

For example, in Changthang, which has long been known for its nomadic and pastoral culture, traditional livelihoods are gradually declining as many people are shifting towards the tourism industry, army services, GREF labour work, and other sectors. Very few youths are continuing with traditional occupations such as farming and livestock rearing.

Personally, I feel that many people do not fully understand the value and importance of the work carried out by our ancestors and families. Instead of appreciating and continuing these traditions, many tend to follow the path others are taking.

Farming and livestock rearing involve immense hard work and dedication. In today’s world, many of us are often looking for easier ways to earn money, which is one reason why traditional occupations are being neglected.

Education is extremely important, and there is absolutely no second thought about that. However, along with education, it is equally important to stay connected to our roots. We should think about preserving, promoting, and adding value to the traditional products and practices passed down by our ancestors, as they were not only livelihoods but also an essential part of our culture and identity.

Q. How has SECMOL influenced your life and journey?

Being a SECMOL student, I must say that what I am today, and the pride I feel in what I do and where I come from, is all because of SECMOL.
I had failed my Class 10 examination and was not very good in studies. At one point, I always felt that I was not good at anything. Because of my elder brother, I came to SECMOL for a summer camp and later pursued the Foundation Course there.

At SECMOL, I realised that many of the concepts we hear about on different platforms—such as organic living, sustainability, and environmental responsibility—are not just discussed in theory but are taught and practiced in real life. The learning at SECMOL goes far beyond academics.

SECMOL gave me a holistic education and completely changed my way of thinking. It encouraged me to reconnect with my roots, try new ideas, and take pride in promoting the traditional way of life followed by my parents and ancestors.

Today, I proudly say that I am a SECMOL student because the institution truly shaped my personality, confidence, and vision for life.

Q. What challenges do traditional livestock rearers in Changthang face today?

The number of people engaged in livestock rearing is steadily decreasing, and I feel this is very unfortunate. My farm is located just after crossing Changla Pass. I still remember that during my childhood, there were nearly 20 nomadic families settled in the area with their livestock, but today only my farm remains there.

Many people are giving up these traditional activities because livestock rearing requires immense hard work, while the financial returns are often very limited. At times, I feel that people are being forced to abandon this way of life due to fewer earning opportunities and the rising cost of living.
At the same time, there are now other options available for earning a livelihood, such as jobs in the Army, GREF labour work, and the tourism industry.

Naturally, many families choose these comparatively stable and less demanding sources of income.

Today, in areas like Lalok in Changthang, traditional livestock rearing has almost been abandoned. This is not just the loss of an occupation, but also the gradual disappearance of a unique culture, lifestyle, and traditional knowledge system that has existed for generations. Q.

Q.What opportunities do you see for youth in Changthang?

There is immense potential in Changthang, but what is often lacking is sustained hard work, innovation, and market exploration. Many young people are not fully exploring these opportunities and tend to show little interest in traditional sectors. Instead, most prefer to follow what others are already doing.
I believe it is very important for the youth to understand the value of the resources, traditions, and opportunities that exist in Changthang. There is great scope in livestock rearing, dairy production, organic products, wool, handicrafts, and other local produce, but these sectors need dedication, creativity, and better market access.

If young people start working seriously towards value addition, branding, and promoting local products, Changthang can create sustainable livelihood opportunities while also preserving its unique culture and traditional way of life.

Message to the Readers:
I want to encourage the youth to value their roots, traditions, and local way of life. Our traditional knowledge and products have immense potential. With hard work, education, and innovation, we can preserve our culture while creating better opportunities for the future.