Stories From The Field

The Story Of Trans Singay-La The journey of documenting 40 years of LNP legacy started when we first met Stanzin Gya (renowned film maker from Ladakh), he was so thrilled when we told him how we want our coming generation and the millennials to know LNP’s contribution in shaping the future of Ladakh since 70’s. Stanzin Gya, himself was one of the beneficiaries of the programs of LNP and was able to connect with every story we were we were sharing. He immediately agreed to come onboard and assist us in documenting the journey of LNP. First few months was all about going through the old footage from the LNP archives. Our three researchers including me were onto it, day and night, making notes on whom to talk, where to go for the shooting etc. And, it was only after two months, we were ready with a foundation for the documentation. We had Radhika Kothari, Lobzang Wangtak, Dorjay Namgyal and many more who assisted us in structuring the film. We set our voyage in the month of September 2020 to Trans- Singay La first. Covering the whole region where LNP has operated before, we first went to Lingshed, were we camped in the monastery. Next day the whole village came to meet the members of LNP team, the memes’ and abis’ brought their young ones to meet us.  The whole day there was buzz about the the good old days of how LNP came, the difficulties faced due to lack of connectivity. “They came on horses and face storms.” Later, we went to Yulchungs- Nyeraks, a beautiful village perched on top of the mountain. We crossed Chocho Khuru la, where we met few women who were part of the LNP sponsorship programs. They spoke about how LNP team persuaded them for education especially for women and how it will help them in shaping their future and society. Many got emotional. That atmosphere of nostalgia made us teary eye as well. As we travelled with them through the lanes of memories,  they also spoke about the reluctance the parents first had of sending their children away for education.  “But it was all worth when we reach Leh, and when we joined the school,” recalled Thinles Dolma. Next stop was Photoksar, crossing Ser-Ser la (passes), this village sits on the edge of a mountain. LNP worked here for the  Community Health worker (CHW) program. They laughed about being scared while coming for health-check-ups.  “The LNP team used to incentivize us with Thukpa (rice porridge), which was a luxury at that time and that too with vegetables in it,” remarked Skarma Dolma. LNP had also  hired a woman, who was well versed with women’s health issues, including around pregnancy as there was no medical centre in the village and Leh town was way too far for us. The recalled learning about basic hygiene practices, calculating the months of pregnancies, natural deliveries and many more. Back in Leh, the senior LNP team after 4 days felt amused on how such a short time it took to cover three villages, whereas in the past, it would usually take a month or more. We came back with not just footage of one of the most remote regions of Ladakh but also with a memory to cherish for the rest of our life. It proposed the possibilities of work we could do and continue for the people of Ladakh. May 19, 2025 lnp-wp-admin 4:15 pm Enabling A Sustainable Ladakh Housing Colony, P.O. Box 59, Leh-Ladakh 194101. India+91 1982 252151 – contact@lnp.org.in | lnplehladakh@gmail.com Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube

Seeds Of Hope ‘’To see things in the seed, that is genius’’ – Lao Tzu. In Ladakh due to its cold arid region vegetation was very less, and people didn’t have much idea about cultivation. LNP took upon the responsibility of bringing the  practice of vegetable cultivation. It all started in the year 1983, first, few progressive farmers were selected, given the training on how to tilt land, how to make beds for seedlings and how much of manure to put in – everything was taught. And then they were provided with variety of seeds (free of cost) like Carrot, Lettuce, Chinese cabbage, Tamyung (a variety of radish), Radish, Spinach Turnip etc. and remember it was the starting point. Over the years LNP has kept its tradition of distributing seeds in whole region of Ladakh, but yes, we have limited the area of distribution. In March, our team visited few villages – Kharu, Sakti, Egoo and Martselang and distributed peas. Abhi Palmo said “LNP used to come in the early days bring the joy to our land- the seeds, we used to have small gatherings then a small celebration with Chang (local wine), then we gave them Khataks (traditional scarf) and then they will distribute seeds according to land holdings, sometimes they used to bring other farmers for seed exchange – mainly crops, barley and wheat. And later on, they will come and enquire about the production and give us advice on earning an income through vegetable cultivation.” May 19, 2025 lnp-wp-admin 4:12 pm Enabling A Sustainable Ladakh Housing Colony, P.O. Box 59, Leh-Ladakh 194101. India+91 1982 252151 – contact@lnp.org.in | lnplehladakh@gmail.com Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube

The Journey On The Nomadic Routes We were so resisting travelling to Changthang. Winter was around, and travelling to one of the roughest and harshest parts of Ladakh, was definitely not an ideal.  We took two weeks to prepare our mind and body for the Changthang voyage. Getting the sleeping bags, trekking shoes, thick windshield jacket and so on. The roads were really smooth as compared to Trans Singay La where there no pucca roads (metalled roads). We had to cross only Tanglang La (Passes) to first reach Zara, the nomadic area. We reached in a day time where there was a community meeting going on. It became easy to converse with them or would have been difficult had they had gone for herding. It took us sometimes to adjust ourselves to the altitude. Some of us felt nauseous, had headaches and the wind was too strong to bear. After pitching our tents, we had garam chai Oh, what a relief that was. After settling in, preparing ourselves to bear the weather – our purpose of capturing stories was fulfilled with our conservations with the Changpa nomads. Many spoke about the LNP Bhukari (cooking stove). Before LNP interventions, the nomads use the hearth for cooking, warming the tent but the smoke spread across the tent-making them vulnerable to many lungs problems. LNP gave them the Bhukari, which redistributed the smoke outside the tent than within, clear them of respiratory issues. The next stop was Yagang, they don’t stay in Rebos like the Changpa in Zara, but instead, they live in made small houses made of rocks and available material. While strolling down the valley we met a number of people. We invited all of them to join us for evening tea and share their recollections of LNP’s work in the initial days. Many forward with narratives of fodder supports for their animals through the treacherous roads and snow blocks through Tanglang la road. LNP has worked in the nomadic region for more than 30 years and it was difficult for us to cover every story as every one of the villages had something to tell LNP truly became a part of their life. Even if we camped for a month, I’m sure I wouldn’t have covered everything. It makes me so proud that I’m now a part of the LNP family. I consider it as my responsibility to carry forward the legacy of LNP and be able to do the same work for what LNP is known for! April 3, 2021 Padma Angmo 3:35 pm Enabling A Sustainable Ladakh Housing Colony, P.O. Box 59, Leh-Ladakh 194101. India+91 1982 252151 – contact@lnp.org.in | lnplehladakh@gmail.com Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube