Ladakh Youth shouldn’t have to leave for Education: PM Modi

LEH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Centre was prioritising quality education, access to modern technology and skill development for Ladakh’s youth, stressing that young people should not have to leave the Union Territory to pursue higher education and research opportunities.

Addressing the region virtually while inaugurating five development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore, Modi said a major centre of excellence was being established in Leh, while proposals to set up satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu were being advanced to expand access to specialised education within Ladakh.

“Our special focus is on the new generation of Ladakh. The youth should receive good education, get opportunities to learn new technology, and not depend on other cities. That is why a major centre of excellence is being established in Leh,” Modi said.

He added that the proposed academic initiatives would give local students better opportunities for higher education, research and acquiring new skills without having to move outside the region.

The Prime Minister said the broader objective was to equip Ladakh’s younger generation with the education and technological capabilities needed to pursue new opportunities and become more self-reliant. He also highlighted the Union Territory’s potential in sports, particularly ice hockey, winter sports and mountaineering, and said efforts were being made to improve training and facilities under Ladakh’s new sports policy.

“Our effort is to ensure that the youth receive better training and facilities, and achieve new accomplishments at national and international levels,” he said.

Modi’s remarks came as the Centre inaugurated five development projects spanning airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, power supply, water conservation and heritage preservation. These included the new passenger terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, a 9-MW Hanu small hydroelectric project, the Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi transmission line, India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat and 40 water bodies developed under Project Him Sarovar.

However, emphasising opportunities for young people, Modi said Ladakh’s development must enable its residents to access education, technology and skills within their own region, helping them pursue their aspirations closer to home.