M S Nazki
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all: Helen Keller, The Open Door
Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see: Helen Keller
Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, GOC Fire & Fury Corps inaugurated Operation Netra 1.0 at Military Hospital Leh, an initiative to conduct over 200 free cataract surgeries from 26–30 Apr 2026.
In the past three months, eye camps across eight remote locations, including Tangste, Chushul, Changthang Region, Nubra Valley and Kargil have delivered quality eye care to more than 950 individuals. In addition, identified more than 200 cataract patients in need of surgery. Their eye surgery is conducted as part of Operation Netra 1.0.
Corps Cdr commended the team of Ophthalmologists from Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi for their contribution to this noble mission. More than a medical camp, Operation Netra is a vision restoring initiative bringing hope and transforming lives in Ladakh.
The inaugural event was attended by Dr Rinchen Chosdol, Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Yangchen Dolma, Medical Superintendent SNM Hospital and Dr Motup Angmo, Eye Specialist SNM Hospital.
Operation Netra 1.0 is a specialized, largescale medical initiative launched by the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps in April 2026 to provide free, highquality cataract surgeries to residents in remote, highaltitude regions of Ladakh.
Key Aspects of Operation Netra 1.0:
- Purpose: To eliminate preventable blindness caused by cataracts in remote border populations, often located in challenging terrain like Leh.
- Location: Conducted in Ladakh by the Fire and Fury Corps, serving communities with limited access to modern eye care facilities.
- Action: The camp identifies patients and performs surgeries, aiming to improve the quality of life for residents.
Vision and visionless:
Vision is the ability to see (sight) or a compelling, forwardthinking mental image of a desired future, often providing inspiration or direction. Visionless means physically blind/sightless or lacking foresight, imagination, and inspiration. Vision is used for navigation and strategic planning, while visionless describes uninspired leaders or lack of sight.
Vision (Physical and Conceptual)
- Physical Sight: The biological ability to perceive surroundings. Vision loss can be partial or complete, requiring tools to manage daily activities.
- Conceptual/Strategic: A detailed, clear goal of a desired end result, often used in leadership to create a compelling future.
Visionless (Physical and Conceptual)
- Physical Blindness: Lacking the physical faculty of sight (e.g., “visionless eyes”).
- Conceptual/Ideological: Lacking foresight, imagination, or inspiration, often describing poor leadership or misguided strategies (e.g., “a visionless leader”).
This region of Ladakh features highaltitude deserts, rugged mountains, and crucial border areas. Key locations include the historic Tangtse junction, militarysensitive Chushul, vast Changthang grasslands, the scenic Nubra Valley, and the historic Kargil town, offering a mix of strategic importance, nomadic culture, and breathtaking, arid landscapes.
- Tangtse: Situated between the Nubra region and Pangong Tso, this village is a key transit point and historical spot on the way to Pangong Lake. It often serves as a stopover for travelers, featuring local culture and dramatic mountain views.
- Chushul: A critical, highaltitude village near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Known for its operational airstrip and proximity to the famous Rezang La War Memorial, it is a key area in Eastern Ladakh’s border security.
- Changthang Region: A highaltitude plateau extending into eastern Ladakh, characterized by vast, desolate plains and nomads who rear Pashmina goats and yaks. It is home to highaltitude lakes like Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and Tso Kar, and offers vast, scenic landscapes for travelers.
- Nubra Valley: Situated to the north of Leh, this valley is often called the “Valley of Flowers” or “Orchard of Ladakh”. Famous for the confluence of the Shyok and Nubra rivers, white sand dunes with Bactrian camels in Hunder, and the Diskit Monastery, it is a major tourist destination accessed via the high Khardung La Pass.
- Kargil: As the secondlargest town in Ladakh, it serves as the gateway to the Kargil District. Situated along the Suru River, it is known for its historic significance, fertile valleys, and stunning views of the NunKun peaks. It offers a different, more lush landscape compared to the Leh region.
The people of these Ladakh regions are primarily of Tibetan descent, leading hardy, selfsufficient lives centered on agriculture, pastoralism, and a deep, hospitable Buddhist or Shia Muslim culture. They are known for their resilience in a highaltitude desert, with unique cultural identities ranging from the nomadic Changpa to the agriculturalists of Nubra and the agrarianpastoral communities of Chushul.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows. The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision!
The people:
- Tangste (Tangtse): Situated between Leh and Pangong, residents are predominantly Tibetan Buddhists who are increasingly engaging in the tourism industry due to its location on a popular tourist route, while maintaining a deeply religious lifestyle focused on the local Tangtse Gompa.
- Chushul: A remote village near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that holds the Organic Certificate. The community is tightknit, with inhabitants (largely pastoralists and farmers) practicing organic farming at high altitude and holding a keen interest in ice hockey.
- Changthang Region: Inhabited by the Changpa nomads, who are pastoralists recognized by their herds of pashmina goats and yaks. They live in nomadic tents and possess a unique, enduring lifestyle, migrating with their livestock at extremely high altitudes.
- Nubra Valley: Residents are known as Dumra, and the valley is known for its incredible hospitality. They are mostly Tibetan Buddhists who practice agriculture, cultivating fruits and crops, and are known for their resilience and deepseated culture.
- Kargil: Dominated by the Purigpa and Balti people, the population is largely Shia Muslim (about 77% of the district). They are known for being farmers and having a rich, unique culture blended from Tibetan roots.
These regions represent a blend of ancient traditions, where agriculture and livestockrearing (sheep, yaks) remain crucial for survival in the barren, highaltitude landscape.
Role of Indian Army:
The Indian Army acts as the primary guardian of Ladakh, ensuring territorial integrity, managing border tensions, and facilitating development in remote regions. Key roles include highaltitude surveillance in Changthang/Nubra, operationalizing strategic airfields in Chushul, infrastructure support for connectivity, and executing Operation Sadbhavana for local community welfare.
Here is the specific role of the Indian Army in these regions:
- Chushul: Known for its vital airstrip, the Army maintains dominance over highaltitude ridgelines to control the Chushul bowl, crucial for preventing incursions. It serves as a designated Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) point with China.
- Changthang Region: Focuses on guarding the vast border areas, facilitating development in remote villages under the Vibrant Village Programme, and enhancing community welfare, such as installing solar power plants (e.g., Khakted village).
- Tangste: Acts as a vital logistical hub to support troops stationed in eastern Ladakh and the surrounding Pangong Lake region.
- Nubra Valley: Provides logistical support and security to the Siachen glacier frontier, managing logistics and supporting connectivity to the world’s highest battlefield.
- Kargil: Ensures security along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, maintaining a strong foothold at vital positions in sectors like Batalik.
- Overall Role: The Army holds the region via the 14 Corps (“Fire & Fury”) and local specialized forces like the Ladakh Scouts, ensuring highaltitude combat readiness. They conduct civic actions, including medical care (e.g., Eye camps at all mentioned locations) and veterinary services for nomadic communities.
Now to the final lines: Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourself a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost. What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. The highest result of education is tolerance.
