Jammu & Kashmir - As we saw it - Day 6 - Padum to Kargil

With a promise to myself to visit this land again, we started our journey to Kargil post breakfast. We were more than glad to let ourselves be lost in the vastness of the beautiful landscape that changes every few seconds. I may have mentioned already but I need to state again; "The best part of traveling in the mountains is the changing landscape". For me, it is a reflection of our life that keeps changing continuously while we are busy making plans.

An hour into the roads after crossing the hamlets around Padum and Sani Monastery, we were onto the long roads once again. People were busy about their daily chores and kids were aplenty around. Most of them were in their uniforms walking up the road. A group of kids, aged about 5 to 10, sprang into an action mode, a few hundred metres ahead of our vehicle . All that they were doing was to raise their hands above their head with both palms touching each other in the Indian pranama (salute), bring it to Namaskar (in front of their chest) and bending down to touch the ground almost as if touching an elder's feet. They did this non stop till even after our vehicle crossed them. Curious we inquired our driver and he mentioned they are asking for a lift as their schools are far away and there is no other transportation. He suggested we move ahead as these kids ask lift to every passing vehicle in the hope of getting one.

Deeply moved by their act, we requested our driver to stop the vehicle. We weren't going to go away ignoring them. We signaled to the kids to hop on and even managed to seat a few on our laps. Our vehicle was now packed completely as we picked up 7 kids, including a girl. As we moved further, we saw the same action repeated by other kids and this time they were even smaller. Sadness engulfed me, watching those tiny faces looking at you with hope. I almost teared up at their sight but also felt happy that kids here are eager to go to school to learn. A few kids in the cities do not want to go to school or even learn in spite of having all facilities. That is the irony of life.

Back in our vehicle, we got into chatting with them. The girl was shy but the guys kept chatting. They mentioned that they learn Ladhaki, Hindi, Urdu and English as their languages apart from the other main subjects. One kid was able to converse fluently with us and we were very happy for him , especially after listening to his plan post schooling. He wants to be a teacher and help his community. He also mentioned that the schools here do not function in winter, as the winters are very harsh and the teachers, who are outsiders, are unable to get used to the weather conditions. If they could get teachers from their home, then they could learn in winters too.

Soon their stop came and we dropped them. After a quick group photo and handover of chocolates, we proceeded on our way. Emotions must have run very high as none of us spoke for a longer time. We made our stop at Drang Drung Glacier and then again at the Alpine lakes. We couldn't have avoided it even if we wanted to. You need to be here and see the beauty in person for you to understand it completely.

Descending from the Penzi La pass we reached Rangdum Monastery where we had our lunch and moved on to Kargil. The rest of the day was spent in soaking in the beauty of the Suru Valley. We reached Kargil late evening, which gave us ample time to relax and unwind for our next big day. 

Relishing on another bowl of apricots freshly plucked from the trees, we packed and had a good nights rest.

Some useful tips: 

1. Engage with the kids and you will explore a whole new world through them

2. Help wherever possible with whatever you have in hand even if it is just time to spare

3. Experience silence and allow nature to teach you a few things that you wouldn't learn othewise