18th Ladakhi Kisan-Jawan-Vigyan-Mela

The impounding silence of the valley was broken by the sounds of drums and trumpets with joyous chats of people as Leh woke up to celebrate the 18th Ladakhi Kisan-Jawan-Vigyan-Mela organized at Leh by Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), earlier known as Field Research Laboratory (FRL) here today. DIHAR, a DRDO lab situated at an altitude of 3,500 meters above MSL (mean sea level), the world’s highest located agro-animal laboratory, famous for its pioneering work in developing and propagating wide range of high altitude agro-animal technologies in Ladakh region, holds the event annually. This year the event assumed all the more significance as DIHAR is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year with dedicated service to the Nation. In addition to DIHAR, technologies/ products/services related to high altitudes from other DRDO labs, various units of armed forces/paramilitary forces and industry were on display. The mela, which, true to its name, has become the symbol of unique synergy among the Armed forces, the local Ladakhi people, especially farmers and the DIHAR scientists, was attended by over 15,000 people that included over 2500 personnel of armed forces, farmers, entrepreneurs, students and women and children.