LEH: Endorsing the union territory of Ladakh as the upcoming spiritual hub of India, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) has called for promoting the region as the future spiritual destination.
“Ladakh is best placed to become the spiritual hub of India in future due to the presence of numerous gompas and meditation and learning centres in Ladakh,” said the LG, while speaking in the G20 University Connect Lecture Series on ‘Engaging Young Minds’ hosted by the University of Ladakh at its Campus at Taru.
The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, GoI and Research and Information System for Developing Countries, a New Delhi-based autonomous policy research institute.
Terming the theme ‘projecting Ladakh as a future spiritual destination of India’ as unique and interesting which needs consideration and elaboration, the LG stated that Ladakh is best suited for developing as a spiritual destination due to its geographic position at a high altitude and also due to the presence of monasteries, stupas and meditation centres where people seek solace for their well-being.
He informed about the importance of India as a spiritual as well as intellectual centre which attracted students seeking spiritual attainment from different countries as India was spiritually and academically far more advanced than other nations in ancient times.
The LG emphasised the need to take a lot of necessary measures to make Ladakh a spiritual destination in the future, including preparing elaborate plans and starting work towards achieving the targets so that tourists visiting Ladakh will spread the word of the region as a spiritual destination.
He highlighted that all the institutions working collectively on a mission mode hold the key towards making Ladakh a spiritual destination of Ladakh.
He also highlighted the key requirements for creating an apex spiritual destination, viz. capable teachers, proper atmosphere for learning, internal discipline, good moral character and conduct, an intellectual quest along with the desire to observe and achieve physical fitness and best intellectual pursuit, etc.
The LG stated that if we take measures to develop our gompas, meditation centres and institutions along with learning centres then Ladakh can become as powerful as other major spiritual/learning/ yoga institutions in India.
He highlighted the advantages held by Ladakh and the need to build upon our strengths to become a Vishwa Guru and the number one destination for learners in India. He also advised the need to be circumspect in this regard.
Appreciating the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi for his thoughtful and visionary initiative to give limelight to the yearly G20 event and provide the slogan of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future,’ the LG stated that the delegates from the G20 nations, who are the ambassadors of their countries, will go back with a positive image of India after visiting several parts of the country and share this positive image of India with their family, friends and relatives.
He also stated that all this became possible due to the warm welcome accorded to the delegates by the people of India who take pride in their culture and identity of being Indians.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, Prof SK Mehta, welcomed the guests.
Centre for Canadian, United States and Latin American Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, Professor Arvind Kumar; Founder, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Ven Bhikkhu Sanghasena; Spiritual Teacher, Dhammachari Tsewang Norbu Vivek; Founder Chairman, WCBCL, Lobzang Visuddha; Venerable Dorjey Dolma from Harvard Divinity School and other officials and representatives from different organisations, students and faculty of UoL were present in the event.
