Skarma plays around as the other nuns perform traditional Buddhist prostrations. She tries her best to follow all the rituals and imitate the elderly nuns.

Chamba, a nun practises cycling, donated by an Indian tourist in Ladakh.

Skarma Chuksit, 8, is the youngest amongst all the nuns at Chattnyanling nunnery, Ladakh. When Skarma came to the nunnery in 2008, she was malnourished and too small for her age. She was suffering from rickets.

Skarma Chuksit plays in the midst of ancient stupas, near the Chattnyanling nunnery in Nyerma village

Lobzang Dolma, 85, is the eldest amongst all the nuns in Chattnyanling nunnery, Nyerma village. Earlier, she worked in the fields and on the roadside to sustain her livelihood.

The nuns fall asleep after the tiring day at school. The young nuns have close bonding among themselves as they watch for each other in >>>

Young nuns watches Indian TV soaps on Sunday in Thubstan Choskorling nunnery, Skara Village. The students are encouraged for the holistic upbringing so that they remain aware of the outer world as well.

Tsering Kunzom, from Zanskar. She took the decision of spending the rest of her life as a nun when she was just 7. As we sat in the prayer hall, she told me, “My family didn’t even know about my decision to become a nun. Only my aunt, who's also a nun, knew about it. My mother cried when she saw her only daughter dressed as a nun for the first time. I want to complete my studies here and continue my higher education in Buddhism literature to become a philosopher. Hope my mother would be proud of my decision then.”

Dr. Palmo is like a mother to these growing teenager girls. She takes care of their educational as well as emotional needs