New Delhi, May 4 -- Post India's independence, when British officers led the Pakistani Army to invade Ladakh, it was the Nubra Guards of Ladakh who fought them as there was no Indian Army in that area. Ladakhis are among the most patriotic and peace-loving in India. One can say this from personal experience having commanded two formations in Ladakh - the Siachen Brigade and the Division in Kargil. The contribution of Ladakh Scouts in safeguarding the nation has been immense.

Prior to a bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir state into Union territories of J&K and Ladakh on October 31, 2019, Ladakh received a very small fraction of the massive funds the central government was pouring into J&K. The feeling prevailed that since Ladakhis didn't pi...