M S Nazki
Hard boiled: Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare!
Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another……… Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance!
‘…there are no shortcuts to excellence. Developing real expertise, figuring out really hard problems, it all takes time―longer than most people imagine….you’ve got to apply those skills and produce goods or services that are valuable to people….Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you’re willing to stay loyal to it…it’s doing what you love, but not just falling in love―staying in love!……..― Angela Duckworth, Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success!
As much as talent counts, effort counts twice!…………Lt General Pratik Sharma
It soon became clear that doing one thing better and better might be more satisfying than staying an amateur at many different things……….!
General Officer CommandinginChief, Northern Command reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed at forward posts in Ladakh. He was briefed about the prevailing security situation and ongoing developments in the region.
Army Cdr NC commended the troops for their grit, resilience, and unwavering commitment while operating in extreme conditions, motivating all ranks to persist in their pursuit for excellence in safeguarding the nation’s frontiers in one of the most challenging environments.
Ladakh is a land where grit and resilience are woven into daily life, defined by extreme highaltitude conditions and a spirit of endurance.
Inspiring stories include Nb Subedar Tsewang Chosgail, the first Ladakhi to scale Mt. Kangchenjunga, and Major Khushal Chand, whose small force defended the region in 1948.
Modern stories, such as the Chadar Trek or Ladakh Marathon, highlight the endurance of the human spirit against harsh nature.
Stories of Grit and Resilience from Ladakh:
The Defender of Ladakh (1948): Major Khushal Chand (known as the ‘Tiger of Ladakh’) displayed unmatched grit during the 1948 IndiaPakistan war. Faced with a potential invasion, he and a small band of volunteers secured the region and later formed the backbone of the Ladakh Scouts, a crucial military unit.
Summiting the Third Highest Peak (2025): Nb Subedar Tsewang Chosgail became the first Ladakhi to summit Mount Kangchenjunga
His achievement is a testament to 15 years of highaltitude training, showcasing profound dedication and endurance.
The Challenging Chadar Trek (2026): Winter trekkers often take on the Chadar Trek over the frozen Zanskar River, where temperatures drop far below freezing. This trek is frequently cited as an ultimate test of mental and physical resilience.
Ladakh Marathon Participants: Runners at 14,000+ feet, such as those at Pangong Lake or the KhardungLa Challenge, showcase resilience by thriving in oxygenthin air, often sharing stories of friendship and triumph over extreme endurance challenges.
The “Faces of Ladakh”: Many accounts from travelers describe the daily resilience of locals living in remote villages, turning harsh winters and extreme isolation into stories of community strength, hope, and vibrant cultural preservation.
The Battle of Rezang La (1962) and Major Sonam Wangchuk’s heroics in Kargil (1999) are iconic stories of bravery from Ladakh. In 1962, 120 soldiers of 13 Kumaon, led by Major Shaitan Singh at 16,000 feet, fought to the last man against overwhelming enemy forces, with many found frozen at their posts holding weapons.
The Last Stand at Rezang La (1962):
The Hero: Major Shaitan Singh (Param Vir Chakra, posthumous) and his company of 13 Kumaon (mostly Ahir company).
The Story: On November 18, 1962, at Rezang La, Chushul valley, a small company of 120 men was attacked by thousands of Chinese soldiers. Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, the Indian soldiers repulsed seven waves of attacks.
The Bravery: When ammunition ran out, they engaged in brutal handtohand combat. Major Shaitan Singh continued to move between posts under heavy fire to motivate his men until he was mortally wounded.
The Legacy: 114 out of 120 soldiers made the supreme sacrifice. Their bodies were found months later, still holding their positions, a testament to their unwavering commitment.
“Lion of Ladakh” Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (1999)
The Action: During Operation Vijay, then Major Sonam Wangchuk of the Ladakh Scouts led a mission to recapture a strategic ridge at 18,000 feet in the Chorbat La sector.
The Heroics: Operating with only 40 men, he led the climb under intense enemy fire and harsh conditions, successfully recapturing the position and providing India its first major victory in the Kargil war.
The Award: For his leadership and conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC).
“Lion of Ladakh” Colonel Chewang Rinchen
The Legend: Known as the “Lion of Ladakh,” he remains the youngest recipient of the Mahavir Chakra (MVC) at age 17, and later received another MVC.
The Feat: In 1948, he formed a militia unit of 28 local youth and secured the Nubra Valley, later capturing crucial heights above 20,000 feet, including Tukkar Hill.
These stories highlight the “unbreakable will” of soldiers serving in the harshest terrains on Earth, ensuring national security despite overwhelming odds.
Shanaz Parveen, a young woman from Kargil, Ladakh, showed immense courage by defying strict societal stereotypes that discouraged girls from engaging in sports. Despite facing immense pressure and the belief that “girls don’t belong” in combat, she trained relentlessly in Taekwondo and became the first woman from Ladakh to win gold at the Federation Cup Taekwondo Championship.
Here are a few notable stories of courageous women from Ladakh:
Shanaz Parveen (Taekwondo): Battled harsh weather, long training hours, and societal backlash in Kargil to win the Gold medal at the Federation Cup.
Zulikha Bano (Lawyer): Hailing from Bogdang in the Nubra Valley, she overcame extreme adversity to become the first woman lawyer from the local Balti community.
Lieutenant Rigzin Chorol (Army Officer): Became the first woman officer from Ladakh, braving personal loss by honoring her late husband’s dream while raising a young child.
Ladakhi Ice Hockey Women’s Team: Transformed their passion from playing on frozen lakes to competing internationally, overcoming a lack of resources and challenging weather conditions.
These stories highlight that courage in Ladakh is often about challenging traditional gender roles and overcoming the region’s harsh, highaltitude environment to achieve personal and communal goals……Tsering Dolma for Major’s Diary, I call her Athena Daffodil
Resilience:
Resilience is the ability to bounce back, adapt, and recover from adversity, while grit is the passion and perseverance required to pursue longterm goals. Together, they enable individuals to sustain effort, handle setbacks, and thrive, with resilience aiding recovery and grit fueling the endurance to keep going.
- Definition: Grit is persevering toward a specific, longterm goal despite failure. Resilience is the mental capacity to recover from stressful events and adapt.
- Focus: Grit focuses on the goal (futureoriented), whereas resilience focuses on the recovery process (present/pastoriented).
- Relationship: Resilience is an inherent component of grit; you often need resilience to maintain the grit required for longterm pursuits.
Key Aspects of Developing Both:
- Growth Mindset: Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.
- SelfCare & Support: Building strong support systems and practicing selfcare prevents burnout.
- Perspective: Shifting focus to what can be controlled, influenced, or accepted, as explained in this LinkedIn post and Slideshare presentation.
How to Cultivate Them:
- Setbacks as Learning: Reframe failures as learning opportunities rather than signs to stop.
- Passion & Purpose: Cultivate a deep interest (passion) to fuel longterm commitment.
- Adaptability: Be willing to change strategies when something isn’t working, ensuring sustainability.
I won’t just have a job; I’ll have a calling. I’ll challenge myself every day. When I get knocked down, I’ll get back up. I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I’ll strive to be the grittiest…………!
Forward posts in Ladakh are strategically located along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in Siachen, including key areas like the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector, Tangtse sector, and highaltitude posts in the Siachen Glacier like Bana Top and Pahalwan Post.
Key forward areas and posts in Ladakh include:
- Siachen Glacier Sector: The world’s highest battlefield features over 108 posts, including Bana Top Pahalwan Post, Indira Col and Kumar Post.
- Eastern Ladakh Sector: Major areas often visited for operational review include the Tangtse sector, Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), and critical points near the LAC that are part of the Northern Command’s deployment.
- Operational Readiness: These locations are routinely visited by top leadership to review security, with recent focus on areas like Tangtse and other LAC points.
The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the roughly 3,488km, nondemarcated, de facto border separating Indiancontrolled territory from Chinesecontrolled territory. It serves as a tense military boundary rather than an official international border, divided into western (Ladakh), middle, and eastern (Arunachal/Sikkim) sectors.
The Indian military utilizes the LAC for patrolling, reconnaissance via special forces, establishing buffer zones, and managing standoffs with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Key Aspects of the LAC in Indian Military Context:
- Definition: It is a notional, nondemarcated line born from the 1993 bilateral agreement separating Indian and Chinese forces.
Usage Examples:
- “Grey Zone” Warfare Management: Indian Army Chief highlighted the need to manage “grey zone” tactics to prevent Chinese, creeping, or nonkinetic incursions.
- Armed Patrols & Rules of Engagement: Following the 2020 Galwan clash, the Indian Army revised rules, empowering troops to use firearms under extraordinary circumstances.
- Border Personnel Meetings (BPMs): Regularly used to hold meetings at specified locations to resolve frictions.
- Surveillance: Special forces use the line to monitor “unheld peaks” that have not been physically occupied by either side.
- Technology Deployment: The army uses AIpowered tools to predict and prevent Chinese military buildups.
The LAC remains highly militarized, especially following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, with both sides maintaining highaltitude surveillance and patrol presence.
Operational preparedness (or readiness) ensures an organization, asset, or system is fully prepared to launch, manage, and sustain operations safely and efficiently upon handover. It bridges the gap between project completion and functional operation, validating that staff, systems, processes, and technology are ready to function without significant issues.
Key Aspects of Operational Preparedness
- Asset Handover: Ensuring the team is ready to assume ownership of a new asset/facility.
- Safety & Compliance: Validating systems are safe to start up and comply with required standards.
- Process Alignment: Aligning personnel, procedures, and technology for daily operations.
- Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating residual risks prior to launch.
- Documentation: Utilizing checklists for audits and to confirm all tasks are complete.
Common Use Contexts
- Military: Reviewing the readiness of troops for combat, often involving highlevel inspections.
- So to the final lines: I learned a lesson I’d never forget. The lesson was that, when you have setbacks and failures, you can’t overreact to them. When you keep searching for ways to change your situation for the better, you stand a chance of finding them. When you stop searching, assuming they can’t be found, you guarantee they won! …Grit grows as we figure out our life philosophy, learn to dust ourselves off after rejection and disappointment, and learn to tell the difference between lowlevel goals that should be abandoned quickly and higherlevel goals that demand more tenacity. The maturation story is that we develop the capacity for longterm passion and perseverance as we get older………!
