"All Is Not Well In Ladakh": Man who inspired '3 Idiots' calls out to PM, people
Leh: Sonam Wangchuk, the social reformist from Ladakh whose life story inspired the Hindi movie ‘3 Idiots’, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the safety and protection of Ladakh since studies have suggested that about two-thirds of the glaciers here are moving towards extinction.
Wangchuk on Sunday said that if the careless moves continued and Ladakh is denied protection from industries, the glaciers will die out, adding to the intense problems due to water scarcity in India and neighbouring regions, reports NDTV.
The reformist pointed out that if measures were not taken, industries, tourism and commerce will continue to flourish in Ladakh, but also destroy it. “Recent studies from Kashmir University and other research organizations have concluded that glaciers in Leh-Ladakh will finish nearly to its 2/3rd if they are not properly taken care of. A study by Kashmir Univesity has found that the glaciers surrounded by highways and human activities are melting at a comparatively faster rate,” he added.
Wangchuk further said that the climate change was not the outcome of merely the global warming due to work in America and Europe. Local pollution and emissions were equally responsible for such problems to Ladakh. “In areas like Ladakh, there should be minimal human activities so that the glaciers can remain intact for the locals here and the country across," he stressed.
Also pointing out the importance of the need for adoption of sustainable development, the reformist ‘urgently’ requested Modi to ensure Ladakh and other Himalayan regions are protected from ‘industrial exploitation’, as it will safeguard the lives and employment of the locals. He highlighted to PM Modi to intervene and safeguard the ecosystem under the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution.
Wangchuk, however, also pointed out that the citizens too have an equal responsibility towards mitigation of climate change and should be equally concerned about the matter. In a 13-minute video shared on his YouTube channel Wangchuk ‘urgently’ appealed to Indians and the people of the world to help protect the "environmentally sensitive" region of Ladakh.
He laid stress on adapting to sustainable modes of living and on using resources to meet the current development goals but preserving them for the future generations so that nature could continue providing the resources and services to human beings.
He appealed to children to avoid wasting food and clothes as it would harm the environment.
"ALL IS NOT WELL in Ladakh! In my latest video I appeal to @narendramodi ji to intervene & give safeguards to eco-fragile Ladakh. To draw attention of Govt & the world I plan to sit on a 5 day #ClimateFast from 26 Jan at Khardungla pass at 18000ft -40 degree C," he said in a Tweet.
Wangchuk also said that, in order to pass his message to PM Modi and the people on Republic Day, he would sit on a five-day fast at the Khardongla Pass.
"I will hold this 5-day long fast (Sanketik Anshan) at the Khardongla pass at a temperature of minus 40 degrees to deliver my message that these glaciers will not live anymore if we continued doing such hazards to the Earth," he said.
He also posted on Twitter, "A TEST RUN for my #ClimateFast at #Khardungla 18,000 ft minus 40 degrees Celsius starting 26th January... But the test is on my rooftop at #HIAL Phyang at 11,500 ft Will update about the -20 experience in the morning #SaveLadakh."
Born in 1966, Wangchuk, a mechanical engineer and Director of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), was a recipient of the Magsaysay Award in the year 2018.
Wangchuk's personality inspired the fictional character of Phunsukh Wangdu essayed by Aamir Khan in the 2009 film.
ALL IS NOT WELL in Ladakh!
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) January 21, 2023
In my latest video I appeal to @narendramodi ji to intervene & give safeguards to eco-fragile Ladakh.
To draw attention of Govt & the world I plan to sit on a 5 day #ClimateFast from 26 Jan at Khardungla pass at 18000ft -40 °Chttps://t.co/ECi3YlB9kU
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Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
