Vidushi Gaur/New Delhi
Recently pn Kargil Vijay Divas, the nation watched a group of Ladakhi women singing a medley of Bollywood patriotic songs, Tera Himalaya Aakash Chhoo Le..(Yodha) and Aiy desh mere.. (Bhuj: The Pride of India) and winning hearts of millions.
The internet was bombarded with questions about these women who also rendered the song at the Kargil Martyrs' Memorial at Drass on July 26. How did these women come to the centrestage of national fame? Who is behind their viral video?
The Stringmo Sisters, as the group is known as, was raised by a passionate young teacher Sajjad 'Bob' Hussain. Bob, who works as a government teacher and is called Bob is the mentor, social reformer and the founder of Team Stringmo, one of Ladakh's most inspiring youth-led movements that is quietly transforming lives through education, art and leadership.
For Bob, who hails from Thasgam village of Dras, Ladakh, teaching has never been just a profession. "I can never sit idle for long," he says. "I have this extreme urge to contribute to society."
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Sajjad 'Bob' Hussain with his students
After completing his graduation and master's degree from Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, Sajjad stepped into the corporate world. Like many ambitious young professionals, he joined multinational companies, hoping to build a rewarding career.
Yet something was missing. He packed his bags and returned home.
Back in Ladakh in 2011, he joined the School Education Department as a teacher. His classroom became much larger than four walls. "I wanted to work for education, especially for girls," he recalls.
Sajjad 'Bob' Hussain with a student on Teachers' Day
Long before Team Stringmo was born, Bob had already begun connecting volunteer teachers from across India with remote villages under an initiative called WAVE—We Are Volunteers for Education. The effort brought educators into some of the country's most isolated border areas, exposing local students to new ideas, teaching methods and aspirations.
It also convinced him that education alone was not enough. Young people needed confidence. They needed mentors. They needed someone who believed in them.
Sajjad 'Bob' Hussain with his students
Ironically, the biggest inspiration behind a movement empowering hundreds of girls was a single girl -- his sister. Watching her experiences made him realise how limited opportunities remained for girls in conservative and geographically isolated regions.
"Girls have limited freedom," he says. "Patriarchy often pulls them down. Sending them outside Kargil for better exposure is extremely difficult. If they cannot go to opportunities, I will bring opportunities to Kargil."
In 2020, while the world battled isolation, Bob started what appeared to be a modest online initiative. He called it Stringmo, a word meaning "Sisters" in the local Purgi, Balti and Ladakhi languages. The name reflected everything the organisation wanted to become: unity, resilience and collective strength.
What started with a handful of tribal girls has today evolved into one of Ladakh's largest youth and women-led organisations. More than a hundred young members, including specially-abled girls from remote villages, now form its growing family.
Bob personally mentors them, not only in academics but also in communication, public speaking, leadership, creativity and emotional resilience.
Working with adolescents, he says, is never easy.
"They go through psychological changes, changing attitudes and emotional challenges."
His advice to them remains simple yet profound. "Achieving success is not a big thing. Keeping that achievement is what truly matters." He said.
Stringmo's most visible work can be found on walls.
Sajjad 'Bob' Hussain with his students
Under Bob's leadership, Team Stringmo has transformed more than 200 educational and public spaces into open-air galleries celebrating culture, environmental awareness and civic responsibility.
For four consecutive years, Team Stringmo has also participated in painting events during Kargil Vijay Diwas, honouring the sacrifices of Indian soldiers while encouraging young people to understand the meaning of service and nation-building.
Bob also serves as an important bridge connecting schools, local communities, civil administration and the Indian Army.
Sajjad 'Bob' Hussain with his students on an outing
His organisation has conducted workshops benefiting more than a thousand students while training teachers in innovative classroom practices. Team Stringmo has represented Ladakh at national tribal festivals and international conferences on Sustainable Development Goals, proving that ideas born in remote villages can influence conversations far beyond mountain borders.
His contributions have earned appreciation from the Office of the President of India, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, the Indian Army, the Border Roads Organisation and numerous government institutions.
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"I built Stringmo with all my heart. This is my effort for my beautiful country." For him, investing in young minds is an act of nation-building.
His dream is ambitious.
"I don't seek credit for contributing to my country," he says. "I simply want Stringmo to become a pan-India initiative so that no girl remains uneducated or deprived of opportunities."
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