Leh, Oct 01: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) attended the joint celebration of the United Nation’s International Day of Older Persons and Gandhi Jayanti organised by Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) at its campus in Choglamsar.
Commending Bhikkhu Sanghasena, the founder of MIMC, for his selfless service to society, the HLG highlighted that Bhikkhu Sanghasena is providing social security, which is one of the three essential things in a person’s life other than education and health, to homeless elderly and persons with physical and mental disabilities.
Calling the world a transit camp for humans, the HLG stated that we should make efforts to take care of the world, our fellow humans and the environment. The programme, he said, is an effort to help our fellow humans, particularly the elderly persons. The HLG appreciated the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji for his visionary initiatives, especially during the Covid pandemic and for showcasing India’s might as a powerful nation during the recently concluded G20 Summit in Delhi.
The HLG distributed the Mahatma Gandhi Lifetime Achievement awards to Smt Yangchan; President of Mahila Mandal Leh, Smt Sarla Chhewang; Founder, Women Alliance of Ladakh, Smt Sonam Dolma; Director, National Institute of Sowa Rigpa, Leh, Dr Padma Gurmet; ex-Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Sri Tsering Motup; art conservator Smt Noorjahan and President, PAGIR Leh, Shri Tsewang Dorjey. He also distributed Mahakaruna Award 2023 to Ven Fa Kuan and excellence awards to Shri Jigmat Wangdus Jyoti and Shri Punchok Dorjay Vajra. The HLG also distributed gifts to the elderly persons from Mahabodhi Maitri Geriatric Home.
Founder of MIMC, Bhikkhu Sanghasena, in his welcome speech, informed that MIMC was the first organisation in Ladakh to set up an elderly home, where doctors and nurses take care of elderly persons along with people with physical and mental disabilities. He also informed about various initiatives taken by MIMC in the fields of education, health and the promotion of yoga/meditation.
Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Shri Tsering Angchuk; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Shri Stanzin Chosphel; Commissioner Secretary, Shri Mehboob Ali Khan; Special Advisor to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Deepak Vohra; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof SK Mehta; Vice-Chancellor, CIBS, Prof Rajesh Ranjan; heads of religious organisations, NGOs, officials from Indian Army; district officials and members of MIMC were present during the event.
