Chinese and Indian armies resorting to stone pelting in a remote belt is rarely known to anybody in Leh. It is, in fact, bigger news in Srinagar than in Leh, where people are busy hosting and serving thousands of tourists that 16 flights bring in daily.

Hotels apart, the massive tourist rush has given a boost to business and this sector is being driven mainly by the J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI). Handicrafts, travel, fruits, vegetables and all the new initiatives, EDI is the main promoter. Its regional office is managed by four staffers-

Dorjay Wangchuk, Jigmet Skitzon, Gulzar Ali and Kunzes Dolma – and they work over time. They function within the targets set for them and the appetite the market exhibits. They have to make a huge balance.

EDI’s work in the region explains its status and standing. When the Leh’s Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) offers the JKEDI only three kanals of land for creating its regional centre, the Deputy Commissioner Prasana Ramaswamy intervenes: “I strongly recommend this case as JKEDI is doing a superb job of training  and financing entrepreneurs. The Manger JKEDI is certain of getting the funds for Regional Center for construction of the regional center. It will definitely do a lot of good to Leh” It gets eight kanals of land finally.