At a point in time in which so much is being made of military heroics ~ some of it, alas, essentially political ~ it would not be unreal to expect the common folk to associate valour with firefights against the adversary along the Western front.

So also for a few of them would the term Zojila stir up thoughts of the gallantry displayed in wresting control of the “lifeline” to Ladakh from Pakistani forces in 1948 ~ and their failed bid to repeat that performance in 1999.

What tends to be overlooked, taken for granted, is the virtually constant battle to keep open that critical section of National Highway 1-A on which troops, military stores, food, fuel, etc are supplied from Srinagar. Since snow blocks the highway for at least three months each winter, the annual stocking is a military operation in itself.

Time was, before the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) improved surface communications in forward areas, an aerial “bridge” had been necessary, and one celebrated writer had hailed that airlift as “the mule train in the sky”. That recollection of history is necessary to appreciate the significance of Sunday’s re-opening of the highway to Kargil-Ladakh; the closure had stretched over all of four months, the snowfall had been extra heavy last winter.

Now Ladakh can breathe easy again. It could take at least another seven years for the Rs 7,000-crore Zojila tunnel to bear fruit. The Zojila story is replete with acts of rare commitment and dedication ~ now a new one has been scripted. Yet before hailing that brand of heroism it is necessary to recognise Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon, GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, for telling the nation of the magnificent efforts of a “differently-abled” bulldozer operator of the Beacons project of the BRO. His name is Anyatullah, popularly known as Tula, and he is deaf and dumb.

“Right now we are at Zojila” the General said when the road was being re-opened: “but this was due to the hard work and perseverance of Tula. It is because of the dedication of people like Tula that today transportation between Kashmir and Ladakh has been restored.”

Military men are not known for sharing glory with those outside the fauj, yet Gen Dhillon waxed eloquent, “if today the Ladakh region will have fresh supplies of vegetables, petrol, diesel, and other commodities, Tula has played a big role in it. I salute him and respect his dedication.” Adding that, “I will definitely recommend a decoration and suitable reward.”

It would be a matter of shame if the General’s words get drowned in the electoral rhetoric and allied jingoism of the day. South Block in general, and the defence minister in particular, are dutybound to ensure that the GOC 15 Corps’ words carry due weight. Deployment of weaponry is not enough to sustain the security effort ~ a bulldozer can punch as powerfully as a tank.