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'The Balti Girl'

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As we entered Turtuk, after about 3 hours ride through beautiful terrains of Nubra valley, the first glimpse was of kids in school uniform getting off an olive green army trucks. As we crossed the truck, there was a big yellow sign on the dashboard reading 'School Bus'. All the kids in the village attend army school run by the Indian Armed Forces. Even their transportation to and fro is arranged by the Indian Army.

With the scene of army men carefully helping kids get off the truck playing in front of my eyes, I couldn't stop but think of the contrast in the neighboring Kashmir, where the mob was busy pelting stones at the very same army in protest of killing a known terrorist.

Turtuk is the last Indian outpost before Pakistan in Ladakh and the Northernmost village in India. Lying on the banks of Shyok River, it is a very secluded, military-dominated, and sensitive area, as merely ten kilometers ahead is the border or line of control between India and Pakistan. Known as erstwhile Baltistan, the place was under Pakistani control till 1971, so it is predominantly Muslim, It is the gateway to the Siachen Glacier, with the snow-clad peaks of Mt. K2, visible in the horizon from the top of the village. Despite being so close to the border, it manages to thrive in utmost peace, thanks to the inhabitants and the army.
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www.subodhshetty.com
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Ladakh - Portraits
As we entered Turtuk, after about 3 hours ride through beautiful terrains of Nubra valley, the first glimpse was of kids in school uniform getting off an olive green army trucks. As we crossed the truck, there was a big yellow sign on the dashboard reading 'School Bus'. All the kids in the village attend army school run by the Indian Armed Forces. Even their transportation to and fro is arranged by the Indian Army. <br /> <br /> With the scene of army men carefully helping kids get off the truck playing in front of my eyes, I couldn't stop but think of the contrast in the neighboring Kashmir, where the mob was busy pelting stones at the very same army in protest of killing a known terrorist. <br /> <br /> Turtuk is the last Indian outpost before Pakistan in Ladakh and the Northernmost village in India. Lying on the banks of Shyok River, it is a very secluded, military-dominated, and sensitive area, as merely ten kilometers ahead is the border or line of control between India and Pakistan. Known as erstwhile Baltistan, the place was under Pakistani control till 1971, so it is predominantly Muslim, It is the gateway to the Siachen Glacier, with the snow-clad peaks of Mt. K2, visible in the horizon from the top of the village. Despite being so close to the border, it manages to thrive in utmost peace, thanks to the inhabitants and the army.