Ladakh’s Water Heroes Honoured at National Level: President and Union Minister Recognize Exemplary Service in Matho and Youkma Kharboo
NEW DELHI — March 11, 2026 : In a landmark day for the Union Territory of Ladakh, the dedication of grassroots workers and community leaders was celebrated at the highest levels during the national Jal Mahotsav event. Two separate villages, Matho and Youkma Kharboo, have emerged as national benchmarks for the Jal Jeevan Mission, proving that local leadership and technical expertise are the pillars of sustainable water security.
In a moment of immense pride for the region, Sh. Tsering Dorjey, a daily-wager PHE lineman from Matho village, was honored by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Despite the hard terrain and harsh climatic conditions of Leh, Sh. Dorjey’s tireless efforts in the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure have ensured uninterrupted tap connectivity for his community. His commitment to timely rectifications has made him a national example of frontline excellence.
The transformation of Matho village was further catalysed by the visionary leadership of Smt. Tsering Dolma, the former Sarpanch and Chairperson of the Village Water and Sanitation Committee. Smt. Dolma played a pivotal role in mobilizing the community, ensuring the mission was executed with total transparency and coordination between the community and the Public Health Engineering Department. Together, the interaction between administrative support and Sh. Dorjey’s technical dedication has brought sustainable water security to every household in Matho.
Simultaneously, the village of Youkma Kharboo was thrust into the national spotlight as Sh. Zakir Ali, also a dedicated daily-wager lineman with the PHED, was formally recognized by the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Sh. C.R. Patil. Commemorating World Plumber’s Day, the award highlighted Sh. Ali’s unwavering commitment to the Youkma Kharboo water supply scheme. By navigating rugged terrain daily to monitor collection chambers and maintain pipelines, Sh. Ali has ensured a steady flow of clean water since the scheme’s inception.
The success of both Matho and Youkma Kharboo serves as an inspiring witness to the power of the “Jan Andolan” spirit. These honors reflect how the combined efforts of dedicated grassroots workers like Sh. Tsering Dorjey and Sh. Zakir Ali, supported by communities are essential to fulfilling the national vision of safe and reliable drinking water for all with the spirit of “Jan Bagidari”, even in the most challenging landscapes of India.
The success of Matho and Youkma Kharboo serves as the inspiring witness to the power of the “Jan Andolan” spirit. These honors highlight how the synergy between grassroots workers and community stakeholders is vital to achieving the national goal of universal water security, overcoming the unique geographical challenges of the region through the principle of “Jan Bhagidari.
