2nd ‘Ladakh Literature Day’ celebrated with great success
Prof Dr. Lobzang Tsewang honoured with Ladakh Literature Award 2023
Leh: The 2nd edition of Ladakh Literature Day commemorating the 97th birth anniversary of legendary historian and eminent scholar Late Tashi Rabgais was successfully celebrated today, organised by LAHDC Leh and Ladakh Academy of Arts Culture and Language (LAACL) Leh.
Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal presided as the chief guest of the occasion in the presence of Executive Councillor for Culture, Stanzin Chosphel; Councillors; Commissioner/ Secretary, Culture, Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan; Heads of religious organisations and many distinguished scholars, experts in literature, art, and music; members of Tashi Rabgais Memorial Trust attended the Ladakh Literature Day 2023.
Professor Dr. Lobzang Tsewang was conferred with the prestigious Ladakh Literature Award for the year 2023 for his scholarly dedication in the fields of philosophy, literature, and translation.
Addressing the gathering, MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, lauded the unique initiative of LAHDC Leh for celebrating Ladakh Literature Day on the birth anniversary of scholar Tashi Rabgais. He emphasised the much-needed role of the youths in carrying forward the rich legacy and preservation of the literary culture and tradition of Ladakh.
He also mentioned that the learning of Bhoti language will get a boost with the sanctioning of 240 plus Bhoti teacher posts under SAMAGRA SHIKSHA by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.
MP Ladakh congratulated the Ladakh Academy of Arts Culture and Language (LAACL) Leh for timely publishing the desired books on the rich folk songs covering the whole region of Ladakh along with the creation of its digital repository accessible by QR code and biography on the Lama Tsultim Nyima.
In his speech, MP Ladakh also shed light on the selfless contributions and achievements of Prof Dr. Lobzang Tsewang and extended his heartiest congratulations for being bestowed the 2nd Ladakh Literature Award 2023.
Commissioner/Secretary, Mehboob Ali Khan stressed the initiatives of the UT Administration in the preservation and promotion of the language and culture of Ladakh with the observation of necessary Literature festivals in both the districts and the construction of a much-awaited Cultural Centre in the region as an asset for the cultural experts and the benefit of Cultural Academy and the involved stakeholders.
He lauded the effort of the Cultural Academy in the successful documentation and compilation of the folk songs before such rich oral traditions were lost.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Executive Councillor for Culture, Stanzin Chosphel highlighted the initiative of the Hill Council Leh under which authors will be provided financial assistance for publishing their books and every Panchayat Halqas have been receiving upto rupees two lakhs for the preservation of ancient heritage sites.
He also assured of the continued support from Hill Council Leh in the preservation, promotion, and conservation of the language and culture of Ladakh.
Venerable Thupstan Palden delivered the keynote address on ‘Ladakhi Literature and its Current Scenario’ and Dr. Tsering Dolker spoke about the ‘Role of Ladakhi Youth in Promoting Bhoti Language and Literature’.
Dy Secy LAACL Leh, Tsewang Paljor presented the note of thanks in the end. Similarly, prizes and certificates were awarded to the winners of the School Level Essay Writing Competition in Bhoti.
A poetic symposium was also held as part of the Ladakh Literature Day 2023. And a new musical instrument named ‘Koyangs’ created by music expert Ralam Angchuk was also launched by the dignitaries on the occasion.
