New Delhi, July 13, 2011: Yoga is the latest weapon in the
arsenal of the Indian soldiers posted on the forbidding heights of Siachen
Glacier – better known as the highest and coldest battleground in the world
where guns have been silent since 2003.
At altitude varying between 10,000-23,000 feet and
temperature dipping to -65 degree Celsius, slight physical activity on the part
of the soldiers leave them gasping for breath, a little negligence can either
cause a sub-burn or a frost bite, food goes stone cold as soon as it is taken
off the burner, washing your face becomes a luxury and drinking water smells of
kerosene used to melt the snow. The three-months on the glacier in two year
tenure in the Siachen-Saltoro region could be a real test of one’s physical and
psychological mettle.
It takes more than equipment to conquer
those heights, on the other side of which is sitting Pakistan Army. Defence
Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Life Sciences laboratories are
using the ancient wisdom like Yoga and cotemporary innovation like growing
strawberries and vegetables in the otherwise barren Ladakh region to make life
better for soldiers in the glacier.
DRDO’s Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied
Sciences (DIPAS) lab has devised a Yoga regime for the soldiers in posted to
the region.
“At those heights, the physical capacity and the load
carrying capacity of the soldiers decrease considerably due to lack of oxygen.
Also the body is constantly losing heat to the environment. We have sought to
minimize the affect of harsh climate through Yoga,” DRDO’s Chief Controller of
Research and Development Dr William Selvamurthy elaborated.
The
soldiers need to perform certain form of exercise at those heights to accustom
their heart and lungs to the low oxygen content in the atmosphere. According to
the research conducted by DIPAS the oxygen demands during yogic exercises are
much less as compared to other form of conventional exercises.
So far, 2000 army personnel posted at the Ladakh-based
14 Corps have been trained in the Yoga, they in turn would impart the knowledge
to all soldiers going to the region.
Besides Yoga, DRDO’s plantation drive in the
cold-desert of Ladakh has literally started bearing fruits. Due to the efforts
of Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), located in Leh and an
obscure village of Partapur, the region- completely devoid of rainfall - now
boasts of growing strawberries, pears, peaches and water-melons. Today the
region is produces 13 types of apple due to collaboration of scientists and
local farmers.
“We have been working really hard to provide fresh
food for the soldiers at Siachen. Now we have the capacity to supply 5000 metric
tonnes of vegetables to the army,” Dr. Selvamurthy said. DIHAR is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year.
The initiative is important for the Indian Army, as
its soldiers voluntary give non-veg as they start their posting at various
camps on Siachen Glacier. The belief is that non-veg and tobacco at Glacier
would bring ill-fate for the unit and its members in Siachen, where more than
enemy bullet the extreme weather can take you down.
The DIHAR scientists are helping the local population
in growing various plants making use of economical methods for green-house and
trench cultivation.
“DIHAR has made a hybrid cow and buffalo that is
capable of giving 18 litres of day per day,” said the distinguished scientist.
Selvamurthy sums it up: “We have been mandated to
increase the lethality, survivability, efficiency and sustainability of our
soldiers at that altitude. After all it is the man behind the machine that
matters the most.”
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