Be it the icy war fields of Galwan, Kargil and Siachen or the battles fought in the hot expanse of the Thar desert – tourists can now experience the war zones for themselves.

On January 15, India’s Ministry of Defence opened its historical as well as active battlefields and geopolitical zones for visitors as part of its new endeavour ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’. The initiative will see some of its iconic and inaccessible war zones transform into tourist destinations. The newly inaugurated ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’ includes Galwan, and Doklam along with 75 other forward sites that have witnessed some military action in the past. These battle sites have been shortlisted by the Indian Army for “battlefield tourism” in association with the Ministry of Tourism. This would give a major boost to tourism, create awareness about the military’s history and instil patriotism.

Once remote, now accessible

Visitors can make all travel-related arrangements including applying for permits on the ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’ website and app. The app offers a comprehensive guide to tourists, which includes historical insights, battle accounts, stories of bravery, and applications for permissions.

For tourists, this marks the beginning of a new frontier in tourism, which was earlier restricted to the foot-thumping ceremony by BSF soldiers at the Attari border.

There are opportunities to hear and witness the tales of valour and sacrifice that have occurred in our living memory amidst the world’s most stunning as well as treacherous landscapes. Tourism of forward areas has always been a wanted thing by people who are not in uniform. The tourists can now see for themselves the site (albeit, from a distance) of the deadly clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in June 2020 leading to the loss of 20 Indian soldiers and several Chinese fighters.

The cause of the conflict was Chinese forces objecting to Indian road construction in the part patrolled by Indian troops.

Earlier in June 2017, there was a two-month standoff in Doklam, between India and China, when the latter began construction of a road here and Indian troops entered to stop the construction.

The Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield, and Kargil in Kashmir, the site of a 1999 conflict with Pakistan, hold great historical and geopolitical significance for India. These too have been opened up for tourists. Tourists can travel the area from the Siachen Base Camp (12,000 ft) up to 15,000 ft, getting a closer look at the difficult topography in which our soldiers operate in extreme conditions.

Enhanced infrastructure

Boosting up of border infrastructure in recent years has made this journey possible. Full credit to the government of India for taking up and spearheading efforts to develop infrastructure and promote adventure tourism in border regions.

Overcoming the earlier mindset and constraints of not developing the LAC (Line of Actual Control) along the India-China border, the Indian government has majorly expanded and improved the infrastructure networks of the LAC in the last 10 years. The road network has immensely improved in the region.

Since Galwan, more bridges and tunnels have been constructed to improve the LAC infrastructure. Plans are there to significantly increase rail infrastructure as well.

Some of the other battle sites include those along India’s borders with China and Pakistan which have had a history of wars after independence – the 1962 war with China and the 1967 war, at Nathu La in Sikkim, Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh etc. On the western frontier, the Battle of Longewala was one of the first big conflicts during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, fought at the Indian border post of Longewala in the Thar desert.

“So far, Indian citizens were not being actively encouraged for security reasons. Now, they will get an opportunity to interact with soldiers deployed in the borders and learn firsthand about their rigours on the borders and their sacrifices,” says Lt Gen Satish Dua, former chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

The altering of combat zones, mostly in border areas, into tourism centres has also given a boost to the local economy. It has helped stop migration and attracted local communities to undertake small/medium businesses.

Tourism and associated activities in the Longewala border are a case in point. The Centre along with the Rajasthan government has developed and curated the Longewala border and its associated history – the Tanot Mata temple, Kishangarh Fort, and Longewala war memorial along with the picturesque villages within the vast desert landscape – have become major tourist attractions in the area.

Now, with new destinations in the Himalayan hills, the local population in the far-flung mountainous areas also won’t feel alienated and will have touch with the national mainstream. Unique products from these areas can be found in the main market.

“In several places, camps may have to be established and wherever possible, homestays may spring up. Enhanced infrastructure in border areas will always be an asset for soldiers and citizens alike,” says Lt General Dua.

“An unintended advantage will be the enhanced presence of citizens in border areas, which is always a positive dynamic in sparsely populated areas. It may be appreciated that the Kargil intrusion was first reported by graziers,” he added.

Previously, in 2023, the central government had launched the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’, for the comprehensive development of select villages in 46 blocks adjoining the northern border in 19 districts in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh. Through these various endeavours, the tourism potential, and promotion of local, cultural, and traditional knowledge and heritage of the border areas can surely be leveraged.

(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday visited the Siachen base camp and told soldiers posted at the world’s highest battlefield that all citizens salute their bravery.

Addressing the troops, she said in difficult situations like heavy snowfall and minus 50 degrees temperature, they present extraordinary examples of sacrifice and tolerance in protecting the motherland.

The President said that as the supreme commander of the armed forces, she felt very proud of them and that “all citizens salute their bravery”.

“They face severe weather conditions. In difficult situations like heavy snowfall and minus 50 degrees temperature, they remain deployed at their front with full devotion and vigilance. They present extraordinary examples of sacrifice and tolerance in protecting the motherland,” President Murmu said.

President Droupadi Murmu visited Siachen Base Camp and addressed the soldiers posted there. The President said that as the supreme commander of the armed forces, she felt very proud of them and that all citizens salute their bravery. pic.twitter.com/SFsaTYEQji

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 26, 2024

She told soldiers that all Indians are aware of their sacrifice and bravery and “we respect them”, according to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Dressed in Indian military uniform, President Murmu also paid tributes at the Siachen War Memorial.

The Memorial, she said, is a symbol of the sacrifice of soldiers and officers who have been martyred since the Indian Army began Operation Meghdoot on the Siachen Glacier on April 13, 1984.

Under Operation Meghdoot, the Indian Army established its full control over the glacier.

The President said since the commencement of Operation Meghdoot, “the brave soldiers and officers of the Indian armed forces have ensured the security of this region”.

Lt Governor of Ladakh Brigadier B D Mishra had received President Murmu on her arrival at Thoise airfield.

Murmu is the country’s third president to have visited Siachen base camp, located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the others being A P J Abdul Kalam and Ram Nath Kovind. While Kalam visited in April 2004, Kovind went to the base camp in May 2018.

The Siachen glacier is at a height of around 20,000 feet in the Karakoram mountain range. It is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where soldiers have to battle extreme cold, high winds and frostbite among other severe weather conditions. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A popular influencer on Instagram, Reshma Sebastian, has issued a clarification and said that she is not Smriti Singh, the widow of Captain Anshuman Singh, who was recently awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously, India’s second-highest gallantry award, by President Droupadi Murmu, for his bravery during a fire incident in Siachen.

Many internet users mistakenly believed Ms Sebastian to be Smriti Singh. Several people stated that their facial features and hairstyle seem similar. Notably, the influencer is a mother to a four-year-old girl and resides in Germany.

The influencer said that she endured harassment for her fashion videos and pictures on the social networking platform. Ms Sebastian also shared a screenshot on her Instagram story of a man mocking the Army officer’s wife in a Facebook post that included her picture.

She wrote, “This is absurd! Using my identity to spread false information about Smriti Singh. We are going ahead with legal actions.” The influencer, who has over three lakh followers, urged people to inform her of any other such incident.

Reshma Sebastian also shared a post on her Instagram feed and captioned it, “There is a limit.” “This is not Smriti Singh’s (widow of Indian Army soldier Capt Anshuman Singh) page/ig account. Read the profile details and bio first. Please refrain from spreading false information and hate comments,” she wrote in the post.

In July last year, a short circuit led to a fire in an Indian Army ammunition dump at Siachen around 3 am. Captain Singh helped rescue those stuck inside a fibre-glass hut near the dump as it caught fire. When the fire reached a nearby medical investigation shelter, Captain Singh attempted to retrieve life-saving medicine stored inside. In doing so, he suffered severe burns and died soon after.

The couple were married in February last year after Captain Singh graduated from Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. This was his first posting at Siachen under Operation Meghdoot.

Raebareli:

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday met the family of late Captain Anshuman Singh, who died in the July 2023 Siachen fire, showing exceptional bravery and saving many lives.

He was honoured with the Kirti Chakra posthumously by President Droupadi Murmu recently.

Late Captain Anshuman Singh’s father Ravi Pratap Singh and mother Manju Singh reached Raebareli to meet the senior Congress leader.

Talking to reporters after meeting the Congress MP, Manju Singh said that she had earlier expressed a desire to meet the Congress MP and he called her. She was very moved while meeting Mr Gandhi on Tuesday, and discussed the Agniveer scheme with him.

Replying to a question, she said that the Indian Army should ensure equal facilities for all.

She said that she had met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and their response was very positive.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi landed at the Lucknow airport and reached Raebareli by road.

He was scheduled to land at Fursatganj airport but due to low visibility, his special aircraft coming from Manipur was diverted to Lucknow, Congress sources said.

This was the first visit of the Congress MP to his constituency after assuming office of the LoP in the Lok Sabha.

On reaching Raebareli, Mr Gandhi offered prayers at a temple in Bachhrawan and then headed to the Bhuemau Guest House where he met delegations from different sections of society, besides party leaders and citizens.

He is also expected to visit a few villages in his constituency before returning to New Delhi later in the evening.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Smriti Singh, the widow of Captain Anshuman Singh, stood before President Droupadi Murmu with folded hands. Alongside her stood Captain Singh’s mother, their shared grief palpable. Both of them were at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accept the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest gallantry award, awarded posthumously to Captain Singh for his bravery during a fire incident in Siachen. 

“He would tell me, ‘I would die with the brass on my chest. I would not die an ordinary death,'” Smriti Singh recalled.

“We met on the first day of college. I don’t want to be dramatic but it was love at first sight. After a month, he got selected into the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). We met at an engineering college but then he got selected in a medical college. Super intelligent guy. From then on, after just one month of meeting, it was a long-distance relationship for eight long years,” she added. “Then we decided to get married. Unfortunately, within two months of our marriage, he got posted in Siachen.”

Cpt #AnshumanSingh was awarded #KirtiChakra (posthumous). It was an emotional moment for his wife & Veer Nari Smt Smriti who accepted the award from #President Smt #DroupadiMurmu. Smt Smriti shares the story of her husband’s commitment & dedication towards the nation. Listen in! pic.twitter.com/SNZTwSDZ1Z

— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) July 6, 2024

Captain Singh was posted with 26 Punjab as a medical officer in the Siachen Glacier area. On July 19, 2023, a short circuit led to a fire in an Indian Army ammunition dump around 3 am. Captain Singh saw a fibreglass hut engulfed in flames and immediately acted to save those trapped inside. He successfully rescued four to five individuals, however, the fire soon spread to a nearby medical investigation room. 

Captain Singh went back into the blazing structure. Despite his efforts, he could not escape the inferno, and was trapped inside before dying.

“Unfortunately, within two months of our marriage, he got posted in Siachen,” Ms Singh recounted. “On July 18, we had a long conversation about how our life would be in the next 50 years. On July 19 morning, I got a call that he is no more,” she said. “For the next 7-8 hours we were not ready to accept that anything of such sort has happened.”

“Now that I have the Kirti Chakra in my hand, maybe it is true. But it’s okay, he’s a hero. We can manage a little of our lives. He has given all his life to save other families, his army family,” Ms Singh said. 

Captain Singh was cremated with full state honours in Bhagalpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district on July 22, 2023. 

New Delhi:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday visited Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, and reviewed India’s overall military preparedness in the region.

Mr Singh’s visit to Siachen came over a week after the Indian Army marked the 40th year of its presence in the strategically key region.

The defence minister, accompanied by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, reviewed the overall security situation in the region, officials said.

Mr Singh also interacted with the soldiers deployed in Siachen.

The Siachen glacier, which is at a height of around 20,000 feet in the Karakoram range, is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

Under its ‘Operation Meghdoot’ the Indian Army established its full control over the Siachen Glacier in April 1984.

The Indian Army strengthened its presence in Siachen over the last few years.

In January last year, Captain Shiva Chauhan from the Army’s Corps of Engineers was posted at a frontline post in Siachen Glacier, in the first such operational deployment of a woman Army officer at the key battlefield.

“The Indian Army’s control over Siachen Glacier has not only been a story of unparalleled valour and determination but also an incredible journey of technological advancements and logistical improvements that transformed it from one of the most formidable terrains into a symbol of indomitable spirit and innovation,” an Army official had said last week. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

An Agniveer died in the line of duty in Siachen, the Army’s Leh-headquartered Fire and Fury Corps said on Sunday. Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and all ranks of the force condoled the death of Agniveer, Gawate Akshay Laxman, who hailed from Maharashtra.

The Siachen glacier at the height of around 20,000 feet in the Karakoram range is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

The exact details of Laxman’s death are not immediately known.

“Quartered in snow silent to remain, when the bugle calls they shall rise and march again,” the Fire and Fury Corps said on ‘X’.

Quartered in snow silent to remain, when the bugle calls they shall rise and march again

All ranks of Fire and Fury Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of #Agniveer (Operator) Gawate Akshay Laxman, in the line of duty, in the unforgiving heights of #Siachen and offer deepest… pic.twitter.com/1Qo1izqr1U

— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) October 22, 2023

“All ranks of Fire and Fury Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of #Agniveer (Operator) Gawate Akshay Laxman, in the line of duty, in the unforgiving heights of #Siachen and offer deepest condolences to the family,” it said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)