LEH: Noting that there is a need for the conservation and preservation of art, culture, heritage, language and identity of Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) on Tuesday told the Ladakh Buddhist Association that his administration shares common opinion on the issue and stands committed for the same.
Demanding immediate attention of the UT administration, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) on Tuesday flagged with Lieutenant Governor, a number of issues and demands including an anti-conversion law in Ladakh, laws to protect heritage monuments in Ladakh, empowerment of both the Hill Councils and establishing all the corporations and boards in Ladakh, government support for Gonpas for the development of Buddhist and Tibetan art and culture besides protection of their land, and old-age pension to senior monks.
A delegation from various bodies of Ladakh Buddhist Association led by its President, Thupstan Chhewang and President, All Ladakh Gonpa Association, Acharya Stanzin Wangtak, called on the Lieutenant Governor at Raj Niwas.
Thupstan raised several issues, viz. the need to create posts of Bhoti teachers in Govt schools and the creation of a separate Bhoti Language Department in the University of Ladakh and stressed the need for an anti-conversion law in Ladakh.
He informed the LG that there is an immediate need to make Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) a full-fledged university with full-strength faculties.
Thupstan emphasised on the need for heritage laws and guidelines to protect heritage monuments in Ladakh; the need to empower both the Hill Councils; the need to sensitise government officials on public issues; regularise daily wagers; make Ladakh Residence Certificate (LRC) mandatory while filling up the posts of vacant posts and apportionment of J&K Public Service Commission for conducting recruitment drives for gazetted posts; the need to prioritise school and higher education; construction of Yatri Niwas for pilgrims from Ladakh at Sarnath, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Dehradun along with assistance to improve Buddhist Viharas at Delhi and Bodh Gaya; the need to construct sarai for patients at Chandigarh and Delhi; establishing all the corporations and boards in Ladakh; redressal of issues faced by employees such as time-bound promotion and pension; the need to tackle issues of alcoholism and drug abuse; the need to set up homes for destitute, cradles for abandoned children rehabilitation home for drug addicts and patients suffering from mental problems, etc.
Thupstan also raised issues of Gonpa Association, including the need for support from the Ministry of Culture for the development of Buddhist/Tibetan art and culture; protection of the land belonging to the gompas in Ladakh; redressal of issues faced in the functioning of Gonpa schools affiliated to CIBS due to shortage of teachers; the need for clean public conveniences, parking space and proper roads along with staff and providing old-age pension to senior monks, etc.
The LG gave a patient hearing to Thupstan and highlighted that there is a need for the conservation and preservation of art, culture, heritage, language and identity of Ladakh.
“The Administration, LBA and Gonpa Association share common goals and opinions on these aspects,” said the LG.
He informed about the Ladakh Literary Conference at Kargil where he highlighted the need for people to stay connected with one’s roots for the benefit of future generations. He emphasised the need to leave the world in a better place than what was left behind by our ancestors as their legacy and also assured to look into their matter.
More than 20 delegates, including the President of LBA Youth Association and LBA Women Wing and other officials of LBA and Gonpa Association, were present in the meeting.
