Singela Partners is the parent body of Singela Area Marathon
JOIN US ON OUR JOURNEY OF EXPLORING THE COLD DESERT THAT IS ON EVERYONE’S BUCKET LIST.
Singela Area is the most remote and backward valley in Leh District and Union Territory of Ladakh, in Northern India Himalaya. The entire area remains cut off from other parts of the region especially in winter season. The Area consists of seven villages: Lingshed, Dipling, Skumpata Gongma, Skumpata Yokma, Yulchung, Neraks and Jingchan. Topographically, Singela Area people are farmers with limited crops, which can grow once in a year in the high altitude (14,000 feet) of this area. The indifferent weather condition and changeable acclimatization cause and create the various problems for community development works. In winter, the farmers can neither work in the fields nor access to other parts of the region due to snowfall and severe cold conditions. The daily diet, clothing and dwellings of people are very simple and even not enough for good health and barely protect them from the severe winters. The inhabitants belong to Schedule Tribes and Below Poverty Line categories depend on limited agriculture crops and livestock. This area people have no additional economic income resources for better living standard, education, sports and health facilities. Over the centuries, these rural villages are being remained under development in all sectors in absence of Human Resource Development (Education, Health and Sport etc.). The grand-parents/people are illiterate and cannot afford a proper education and sport to their children.
Our Founder.
I, Sonam Dorje belong to a small rural village Yulchung. My parents depended on agricultural farming and livestock to meet up family livelihood purpose was a very limited food and clothes.
Topographically, my village is situated at high altitude (13500 feet) in Himalaya. My village Yulchung hails from Trans Singela Area region. This area consists of eight villages like Lingshed, Kartse, Dipling, Skumpata, Gongma, Neraks, Yulchung and Zingchan. Trans Singela Area is the tribal, rural, remote and backward areas in the entire region of District Leh Ladakh, in Himalaya Northern India. The entire area remains cut off from other part of the region in winter due to heavy snowfalls and severe cold conditions.
General level of education in my village is poor due to economic poverty and other factors. The children could not have good education in the village itself. It was lucky that I could run away from my village for education purpose. I ran away from my village to town and I got admission in the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, in Ladakh. I studied Tibetan Bhoti language, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Mathematics, Social Studies, Economics, and Comparative Philosophy and played sports. I got scholarship from school and managed with this scholarship for mass, book, pencil, notebook and uniforms. My father and relatives could not help me financial requirements during my education.
It was a great opportunity for me that the principal and teachers of the Institution guided and encouraged me to study well in all subjects to make a meaningful life. I could complete my studies 10+2 standards from the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Ladakh and higher education of graduation from college in Jammu. I studied Information Technology IT in computer too from ITI Chandigarh. I could study my higher education with the help of my own earning by guiding and trekking during the summer vacation. I got opportunity to improve my knowledge in Buddhist Philosophy and computer in Bangalore in South India.
After complete my education, my aim was to serve voluntarily in the education field in the communities. I wanted to get good education for each and every child to make literacy development in the communities. Due to without education, the villages are underdeveloped in all the sectors. Hence, I motivated, encouraged and inspired the parents to send their all children to the school, college, university and institution to become the best educated person. After completed their education, I liked to have them to return to their villages to serve their parents, families, villagers and the community. I love the students to have positive knowledge, thoughts and ideas for the welfare of living beings. My best aim and object are for development of peace, success, love and compassion for all sentient beings in family, village, city, country and world.
Over the centuries Trans Singela Area villages are remote, backward and undeveloped in all sectors. Since 1997, I have been voluntarily doing social service on the projects of Education, Traditional Health and Sports in Trans Singela Area villages: Lingshed, Dipling, Skumpata, Gongma, Yulchung, Neyraks and Jingchan and Schools and Residential Hostel:
-
Education: to provide scholarship for higher education/NEET coaching, winter tuition/coaching in
the villages and to engage extra teacher in the schools and etc.
-
Health: to preserve and promote Traditional Amchi Medicine for next generations,
-
Sports: to promote the Race, Ice-Skate, Ice-Hockey, Traditional Archery and Athletics
Education: For the welfare of the community and its people, I have spontaneous aspiration and voluntarily guide the children and students in developing the education to make fruitful their lives for their communities. The scholarship system helps many students to study higher education on different subjects in colleges, universities and coaching in Institutions to achieve their goals. Many students have been successful in education and qualified in their precious lives.
Health: The health is also important for long life on this planet. Over the centuries Trans Singela Area people depends on Amchis health service and herbal medicine in the communities. Traditional Amchi Health center constructed to provide all facilities to the Amchis, where the Amchis study more education and share their experience knowledge about the patients. They collect herbs and prepare the medicines. They provide health service and distribute free medicines to the patients. The young Amchis also trained in dental health service to the patients.
Sports: the winter sport organizes to train the students and youths in ice skating, ice-hockey and racing in the villages and the schools. The instructor and tools are provided for them during the training. The students and youths participate to get a proper training.
-
Lingshed Constituency people elected me as a Councilor in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Leh Ladakh. During this period, I got many opportunities to give service in the communities to promote and develop the education to improve and strengthening the schools and to open Primary schools. I provided primary health centres in the villages. I developed the different infrastructures of road connectivity, communication facility, agricultural facility, solar electricity facility, public awareness to strengthen the education in government schools.
This is the achievement on different projected development:
Education: many students have been successful in education and achieved their goals, those who are in service of different fields in the communities. And other many students are for higher education in different Institutions. The residential hostels in Lingshed, Fotoksar and Wanla successfully and smoothly run for the welfare of the students. The primary schools opened in Kartse-Lingshed, Gongma, Jingchan, Machu, Fotoksar Gongma, Sumdho in villages.
Health: Primary medical centre provided in Dipling, Skumpata and Amchi dental health centre in Lingshed. Dipling Solar School and Amchi dental centre constructed to provide health service to the communities.
Sports: in Ladakh Marathon 2023 and 2024, our students participated and hold 2nd and 3rd positions in 11K distance that encouraged organizing Singela Marathon Race in 2024 for the welfare of the students and youths in rural villages, in which about 150 participants happily and successfully participated.
Social activity in the communities will continuously serve for the benefits and welfare of the students, youths and people in Trans Singela Area villages.
Sonam Dorje
Social Activist in Trans Singela Area villages
Leh – Ladakh
Founder
_____
Mr. Sonam Dorje
Singela Area Marathon – Race
In 2023 we got an opportunity to bring 10 students from Government High school, Lingshed - 5 boys and 5 girls to participate in Ladakh Marathon. All these students were selected and trained by Mr Nawang Tsering who is the champion of Ladakh Marathon also known as hat-trick men. He is the son of soil from Lingshed village. During the Ladakh Marathon all the students came in the top ten under 11.5 km in 2023 and one girl came 2nd position. So, then we came to an idea to have a Marathon organisation from there Singela Area Marathon was born in same year. This organisation will provide a platform to the runners, especially to the young budding minds of Singela Area. Therefore in 2024 Singela Area Marathon organised for the first time the race at Lingshed: 11.5km, 5km and run for fun. this event was conducted zero use of plastic water bottle and other plastic base materials. Which dedicated for the environment. All the schools of Singela Area were invited to participate and with zeal and enthusiasm there were 150 participants combine all categories. This year also 3 girls and 3 boys of 11.5km of Singela Area Marathon runners are brought to participate in Ladakh Marathon 2024 and two girls brought 2nd and 3rd positions in 11.5km. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners Global Pearls In coming year we will organise Singela Area Marathon of various categories such as: - •Traditional trail route of 17.22 kms half marathon •Half marathon •11.5 kms race •5 kms race run for fun
Our Team
Lobzang Tsultim
(FOUNDER
- Singela Partners Welfare Association)
(CO-FOUNDER Singela Area Marathon)
Lobzang Tsultim born and raised in the serene village of Lingshed (Bando Pa) family. He was graduated from Jammu University. From a young age, He have been passionate about the growth and empowerment of students. During college years, I had the honor of serving twice as the President of the Singela Area Students Welfare Association (SASWA), where I dedicated my time to supporting and uplifting fellow students. Tsultim draws his inspiration and motivation from Mr. Sonam Dorjay, a respected and visionary leader of Trans Singela area who has guided him in his journey. Understanding the challenges of growing up without access to sports opportunities, I, along with like-minded friends, co-founded Singela Partners in January 2020. Our vision is to create a thriving sports culture, with a special focus on ice hockey, marathons, and other athletic activities. My journey is dedicated to ensuring that the youth of our region have access to the opportunities we once missed, paving the way for a brighter and stronger future.
Nawang Stering
RACE DIRECTOR
My name is Nawang Stering, and I come from the beautiful village of Lingshed in the Singela region of Ladakh. Running has always been my passion, and over the years, I’ve been fortunate to represent my region in several prestigious marathons across the country. My Achievements: Ladakh Marathon (2015–2024): 8 Gold Medals, 1 Bronze Tata Kolkata Marathon (2017–2018): 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Kargil Marathon 2023: 1 Gold Pune International Marathon 2023: 1 Silver Zojila Marathon 2024: 1 Gold From the beginning of the Singela Area Marathon, I have had the honor to work as its Race Director. It has been a wonderful journey and a great opportunity for me to serve my community. I feel especially proud to work alongside Mr. Sonam Dorjay, whose experience and dedication continue to inspire me. Through my journey, I aim to motivate the younger generation to take part in sports, live a healthy life, and carry forward the strong spirit of Singela.
Padma Kunzang
PRESIDENT
(Singela Area Student Welfare Association-SASWA)
Myself Padma kunzang from lingshed. As the President of SASWA, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Singela Area Marathon Team. It has been a great honor and pleasure to work under the guidance of Mr. Sonam Dorje and Mr. Lobzang Tsultim and to collaboration with singla area marathon project. This partnership has opened up meaningful opportunities for the people of our area, and I truly believe it marks the beginning of something impactful. As an individual it a great honor to get this opportunity to serve my own people in every small way I can. We are committed to continuing our support for this association and looking forward to more successful collaborations in the future.
Gurmet Namgyal
MARATHON INCHARGE
My name is Gurmet Namgyal, and I am from Skumpata Gongma (Gongmapa Family). I am passionate about helping young people and making a positive impact in my community. As the Vice President of the Singela Partners Welfare Association, I work to promote ice hockey, marathons, and other sports, creating opportunities for young people to grow, learn, and succeed. I have been actively involved in the Singela Area Marathon since its beginning, and I am currently the Marathon Incharge. It has been a great opportunity for me to work closely with Mr. Sonam Dorjay and Acho Tsultim, which has strengthened my commitment to community development and the well-being of the youth. I would also like to thank the Singela Area Marathon team for giving me the great opportunity to work with you all. It has been an honor to be part of this incredible journey.
Nawang Namgyal
FACILITATOR
My name is Nawang Namgyal, and I'm from Youlchung. Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of working under the Singela Area Marathon project, where I've gained invaluable experience and skills. I'm deeply grateful to have worked under the guidance and leadership of two exceptional individuals, Mr. Sonam Dorje and Mr. Lobzang Tsultim. I'm proud to have been a part of this team and look forward to continuing my journey with the lessons and values I've learned.
.jpeg)
Sonam Lhadol
TEAM MEMBER
My name is SONAM LHADOL. I have had the privilege of working as a cashier for the past few years with THE SINGELA MARATHON Organization—a journey that fills my heart with gratitude and pride. Coming from the beautiful Singaylalok community of Lingshed, I consider it a great blessing to be part of an organization that brings people together in the spirit of unity, health, and local pride. Being able to serve my community through this role has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The marathon isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of who we are. Each smile, each shared moment, and every act of teamwork reminds me how lucky I am to contribute, even in a small way, to something so meaningful. I am deeply thankful for this opportunity and for the chance to give back to the place that has given me so much. It is a chance to give back to the community that has shaped WHO I AM. It’s a great honour to serve the very place I call Home. I’m greatful for the trust placed in me and consider it my good fortune to be a part of this journey towards Better and Stronger Community of mine. LET’S SHINE TOGETHER.