09/10/2024
Someone had travelled to Ladakh for a week with his family. His local driver's name was Jigmet, a 28-year-old young man. Jigmet's family includes his parents, wife and two young daughters.
During the trip, I had this conversation with Jigmet in the depths of the Himalayas:
Prashant -: "The tourist season in Ladakh will end this weekend. Are you planning to goa, like hotels Nepalese workers do? "
Jigmet -: "No, I'm a local ladakhhi, so won't go anywhere in winter." "
Pacific -: "What will you do in winter? "
Jigmet -: "Nothing, just just sitting at home peacefully. " (laughing and winking)
Pacific -: "Six months until next April? "
Jigmet -: "I have a choice. I can go to Siachen. "
Pacific -: "Siachen? What will you do there? "
Jigmet -: "Loader Work For Indian Army. "
Prashant -: "Do you mean you will join Indian Army as a soldier? "
Jigmet -: "No, I've crossed the age limit of joining the army. This is contracted job for Indian army. Me and some of my friends, who are drivers, will travel 265 km to Siachen base camp. There will be our medical test to see if we are fit for this job. If we declare fit, the army will provide us uniforms, shoes, hot clothes, helmets etc. We have to walk 15 days on the mountains to reach Siachen. There is no way to reach by motor. We will be working there for three months. "
Prashant -: "Which work will you do? "
Jigmet -: "Loader Work. Carrying back from one outpost to another in Siachen. All supplies are airdroped, and we pick it up and deliver it to the outlets. "
Pacific -: "Why does the army not use mules or vehicles? "
Jigmet -: "Siachen is a glacier. There trucks or other vehicles don't work. Ice scooters make a lot of noise, which can attract the enemy's attention. Using a vehicle can be firing from the other side. We go out at midnight, usually 2am, quietly and pick up stuff and bring back to the barrack. We can't even use the torch. Can't use mules or horses because at 18,875 feet high, no animal can survive in winter-50 degrees temperatures. "
Prashant -: "How do you lift stuff on your back, at so high where oxygen is deficient?" "
Jigmet -: "We lift a maximum of 15 kg weight and work a maximum of 2 hours a day." Let's rest of the time relax. "
Prashant -: "This is very risky! "
Jigmet -: "Many of my friends were killed there. Fell into some infinite deep cracks. Some were killed by enemy bullets. The biggest threat in siachen is frostbite, but it's rewarding. We are paid 18,000 rupees per month. With all expenses being completed, we can save about Rs 50,000 in three months. This money is priceless to my family, my daughters education. And finally, I feel that I am serving the Indian Army, that is serving my country. "
This conversation helps us understand the value of life and money. Be sure to share this story with your children so they can understand the importance of hard earned money.
Courtesy post
Jai Hind, Jai Hind ARMY 💐💐🇮🇳🇮🇳
