Unheard Voices From The Mystic Mountains

As we stepped down ‘Kushak Bakula Rinpoche’ Airport in Leh, the air was fresh and crisp, the temperature zero and fresh snow on the ground. The warm smile of our taxi driver, Dorji, lifted our spirits. In the market, there was a usual hustle-bustle. At our homestay, one of us asked how business was. “It’s good madam Ji,” came the reply.“This is good for us. Humein Kashmir se aazadi mil Gayi,” she said. We were amazed at the political awareness of the lady who epitomized understanding and wisdom that comes with a life honed by the experience of living in a tough area.

The next day, we made a visit to ‘Phyang’ village. Here, we met a 20-year-old self-help group of 10 women. They take the monastery land on rent and grow crops. Selling those crops was their main source of income. “For a woman, life is tougher, especially in the mountains where you have to do most work manually,” one of them said.

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