Padma Shri for linking Zanskar valley with Darcha

Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 1

Social worker Tsultrim Chonjor of Stongde village under Ladkah region has named for Padma Shri award for his social work. He dedicated his life and property for social cause.

Chanjore’s social work came to notice, when he constructed a 38-km-long stretch of road from Kargyak village under Zanskar valley of Ladakh region towards Darcha village in tribal Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh via Shinkula Pass from May 2014 to June 2017. He spent Rs 57 lakh from his own pocket and sold his ancestral property to construct the road.

Sources said he was a government employee, who had worked with the state handicrafts department from 1965 to 2000. He was unhappy as the region lacked road connectivity from the rest of the Indian mainland.

The social work of Chanjore was recognised by the Border Roads Organisation authority, which later took the responsibility of constructing the road from Darcha ahead of Shinkula Pass in Lahaul Spiti towards Padum village, the main headquarter of Zanskar valley in Ladakh region.

The Tribune had also highlighted the social work of Chanjore, when he constructed the road in the area.

Talking to The Tribune over phone from his native of village Stongde in Ladakh, Chonjor said, “It is a matter of happiness for me that the Central government has named me for the highest civilian award for my social work. My dream will come true, when all remote areas of country would be connected with road facility where people are facing difficulty in availing the transportation facility due to lack of road connectivity.”