Someone had been to Ladakh for a week-long family trip. Their local driver was a 28-year old chap named Jigmet. Jigmet's family consists of his parents, wife and two small girls.
This was the conversation with Jigmet, during their journey in the deep Himalayan Ranges. Prashant: At the end of this week the 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 Ladakhi, so I won't go anywhere in winter. Prashant: What work will you do in winter? Jigmet: Nothing, will sit 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 will you do there? Jigmet: Work as a Loader for the Indian Army. Prashant: You mean, you will join the Indian Army as a Jawan (Private)? Jigmet: No, I have crossed the age for that. This is a contract job for the Army. With my few friends, also 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, the 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: Loader. To carry a load on our back from one Chowky to other in Siachen. All supplies are airdropped there. We do the job of picking it up and carrying it to Chowkies (base camps). Prashant: Why doesn't the Army use mules or vehicles for moving loads? Jigmet: Siachen is a glacier. Trucks or other vehicles will not work there. Ice scooters make too much 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 loads silently to bring back to barracks. We can't even use a torch. Mules or horses cannot be used because at the altitude of 18,875 feet, in winter temperature of minus 50 degrees no animal will survive. Prashant: How can you lift a load on your back where oxygen levels are low? Jigmet: We carry maximum 15 kgs at a time and we work for a maximum of 2 hours a day. Rest of the time is for recouping. Prashant: That is very risky. Jigmet: Many of my friends 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, but it's rewarding, We are paid Rs 18,000 per month. Since all expenses are taken care of, we can save around Rs 50,000 in these three months. This money is precious for my family, for my daughter's education. Also I am proud to serve the Indian Army, which means serving the nation. The value of money and the life we have can be better understood after this exchange. Roland Francis Toronto.
