What is peanut to me may be a pot of gold to some one else. A truly humbling experience.

What is peanut to me may be a pot of gold to some one else.

A truly humbling experience.

​

Regards
Srinivasan

Local driver was 28 years old chap named Jigmet. His family consist of his parents, wife and two

kid girls. This was the conversation with Jigmet, during our drives in deep Himalayan Ranges.

Prashant -: At the end of this week tourist season in Ladakh will end. Are you planning to go to

Goa, the way Nepali Workers from Hotels do?

Jigmet -: No, I am local Laddakhi, so I won't go any where in winter.

Prashant -:What work will you do in winter?

Jigmet -: Nothing, will sit up quietly at home (chuckles and winks)

Prashant -: For six months, up to next April?

Jigmet -: I have one option for working. It's to go to Siachen.

Prashant -: Siachen? What you will do there?

Jigmet -: Work as Loader for Indian Army.

Prashant -: You mean, you will join Indian Army as Jawan?

Jigmet -: No, I have crossed age limit to join Army. This is a contract job for Indian Army. With

my few friend drivers, I will travel 265 kilometers to Siachen Base camp, My medical

examination will be done there to check, if I am fit enough for this job. If I am declared fit, then

Army will issue us uniforms, shoes, warm clothing, helmets, etc, We will have to walk up

mountains for 15 days to reach Siachen. There is no motorable road to reach Siachen. We will

work there for 3 months.



Prashant -: What work will you do?

Jigmet -: It is of loader. To carry load on our back from one chowki to other in Siachen. All

supplies are airdropped there. We do the job of picking it up and carrying it in Chowki.




Prashant -: Why Army does not use Mules or vehicles for shifting of loads?

Jigmet -: Siachen is a glacier. Trucks or other vehicle will not work there. Ice scooters make too

much of sound, which will attract attention from enemy around there. Use of vehicle will result

in firing from other side. We go out in the middle of night, generally around 2 am and pick up

load silently and bring back to barracks. We can't even use a torch. Mules or horses cannot be

used because at the altitude of 18875 feet, in winter temperature of minus 50 no animal will

survive.

Prashant -: How can you lift load on your back where oxygen levels are low?

Jigmet -: We carry maximum 15 kgs at a time and we work maximum for 2 hours in a day. Rest

of the time is for recapturing.




Prashant -: That is very risky

Jigmet -: Many of my friend died there. Some of them fell in bottomless crevasses. Some got

shot down by enemy bullets. The biggest danger we have in Siachen is of frost bites.

Prashant -: This is life threatening

Jigmet -: Yes, but it's rewarding. We are paid Rs 18000/- per month. Since all expenses are taken

care of, we can save around Rs 50000/- in these three months. This money is precious for my

family, for my daughter's education and finally I have feeling that I am serving Army
The value of money and the life we have can be better understood and appreciated after reading this.
Article by :

Ravinder Tikoo

Posted by : 

Vipul Koul 

Edited by :

Ashok koul