High in the rugged Himalayas, where temperatures often dip below –20°C and altitudes soar beyond 15,000 feet, nine Tibetan refugee women represent resilience and sacrifice, standing shoulder to shoulder with men in the service of their nation.
Employed as part of the 763 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) of Project Vartak, these women support nearly 50 dependents through their earnings. What began as an opportunity for livelihood has become a journey of dignity and transformation, a proof that empowering even a handful of women uplifts entire families and communities.
Traditionally, construction and high-altitude manual labour were seen as men’s work. Yet these women defy stereotypes, breaking stones, carrying heavy loads, and assisting in road-building across treacherous mountain terrain. They are not only building roads, they are building futures.
For them, working with 763 BRTF is more than just wages. It brings economic independence, education for their children, access to healthcare, and decision-making power within their households. It also fosters solidarity among them as the sisterhood of strength.
Recognising their contribution, 763 BRTF provides skill training and essential protective gear, such as jackets, raincoats, boots, and gloves, enabling them to work safely in unforgiving conditions. These measures ensure that their hard work is matched by dignity and care.
Every stone they lift and every road they help lay is not only a lifeline for remote border villages but also a strategic asset for nation-building. Their work reflects the unique bond of shared hardship and shared progress. In this festive season, these nine women truly embody the divine spirit: mothers, workers, breadwinners, and nation-builders. The Indian army is not just securing the borders of the country, but also making the women of the remotest areas strong enough to support their loved ones.
