Gangtok. This day will be written in golden letters in the history of the Indian Army. On those snowy peaks of Sikkim, where once the smell of gunpowder and the roar of cannons echoed, now the laughter of tourists and the sound of motorcycles will be heard there. Giving a strong and clear message to China, India has opened the strategically sensitive Cho La and Dok La for tourists. Cho-La Pass is an important mountain pass located in the Himalayas, located between the Indian state of Sikkim and Tibet (China). This pass is at an altitude of about 4,300 meters above sea level and is considered very important from historical, strategic and strategic point of view.
Now ‘Jai Hind’ will echo there
Generally the border areas are considered as ‘restricted areas’, but this decision of the Indian government is no less than a psychological defeat for the dragon (China). India has made it clear by sending ordinary citizens to the place about which China often complains that this land is ours and we can come and go here whenever we want.
After all, what happened in ‘Cho-La’?
This is the year 1967. After the 1962 war, China had the misconception that it could suppress the Indian Army. But what happened in Nathu-La and Cho-La in 1967 shook the soul of the Chinese Army (PLA). On October 1, 1967, Chinese soldiers tried to capture Indian posts at Cho-La pass. The valor shown by the soldiers of 7/11 Gorkha Rifles and 10 Jack Rifles at that time is still taught in military academies. Without any fear, Indian soldiers had ‘hand-to-hand combat’ with Chinese soldiers. To put it in simple language, that day Indian heroes entered their own post and beat up the Chinese soldiers. In that conflict, China had to retreat after suffering heavy losses. Now after 58 years, common Indians will be able to go there to pay homage to the soil of that bravery story.
Doklam: That tense field of 2017
On hearing the name of Dok-La (known as Doklam), one remembers the scene of 2017 when the armies of India and China stood face to face for 73 days. This is a ‘tri-junction’ where the borders of India, Bhutan and Tibet (China) meet. China was trying to build a road there, which was stopped by the Indian Army.
At that time the whole world thought that there would be a war. But the steadfast courage of the Indian leadership and army forced China to step back. Opening that Dok-La for tourists today is a symbol of India’s strategic confidence. This step shows that India is now adopting an ‘assertive’ (assertive) policy on its borders, not a ‘defensive’ one.
Battlefield Tourism: Not just an excursion, a strategy
- When Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off 25 motorcycles and tourist vehicles today, it was not just about promoting tourism. There is a deep diplomacy hidden behind this.
- Defense experts believe that when civilians and tourists start visiting the border areas, the country’s claim on that area becomes stronger. China often tries to infiltrate into areas which are deserted. There will always be movement there due to the movement of tourists, which will act as an ‘informal surveillance’.
- The start of tourism means that the roads leading to Cho-La and Dok-La will be made ‘world class’. It will be easier for the army to provide logistics. That is, the excuse is of tourism, but the preparation is for security.
- When the youth of the country will go there and see the harsh conditions and minus temperatures in which our soldiers are deployed, then the relationship between the army and the public will become stronger. This will not be tourism, but a ‘pilgrimage’.
The journey is full of challenges, but exciting
Cho-La Pass: The journey from Gangtok to these areas will be no less than an adventure. It is at an altitude of about 14,500 feet above sea level. To reach here one has to climb up through the clouds.
Dok-la: It is also situated at a very high altitude. The weather here changes in a moment. Sometimes there is bright sunshine, and the next moment there is a snowy storm.
A bike rider who was part of the first batch of tourists said, “We had heard stories in our childhood about how soldiers of our grandfathers’ age had defeated the Chinese in 1967. Today we are going to kiss that ground. This is not just a ride, it is a proud moment for us.
India changed its policy completely
Obviously, this step of India is sure to create panic in Beijing. China has always been opposing Indian activities in the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. But after the Galwan conflict of 2020, India has completely changed its policy. Now India does not care about China’s ‘objections’. Border Roads Organization (BRO) has laid a network of roads here in the last few years. Where earlier army vehicles used to take hours to reach, now vehicles run at a gallop. Now tourists will enjoy these roads.
