LEH: The revered Buddhist monk and social reformer of Ladakh was posthumously honoured with the Padma Shri on April 28 by President Droupadi Murmu. Lobzang, passed away on March 16, 2024.
He was honoured for his exceptional contributions to the welfare and healthcare of the Ladakhi people. The award was received from the President by his nephew, Tashi Motup Kau.
He was born into the Kau family of Sheynam, Leh in 1931. In 1962, he became the private secretary to Kushok Bakula Rinpoche and played a key role in establishing Ladakh Bodh Vihar in Delhi a centre for education and medical support for Ladakh people.
Lobzang helped many Ladakhi children to study in Sarnath and at the Ladakh Institute of Higher Studies, Delhi, later renamed as Vishesh Kendriya Vidyalaya, besides serving on various national commissions for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
As President of Ashoka Mission, Lama initiated support services for patients and their families seeking treatment in Delhi hospitals in the 1980s.
For his contribution, he received several prestigious honours various nations including Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, and Mongolia.
He was also honoured a Lifetime Achievement Award from LAHDC Leh and a Medal of Honour from the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, presented by the Vice-President of India in 2024.
The Padma Shri also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.
Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of “distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs”. It is awarded by the Government of India every year on India’s Republic Day.
Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 to be awarded to citizens of India in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs. It has also been awarded to some distinguished individuals who were not citizens of India but did contribute in various ways to India.
As per the media reports, “We are all aware of his immense contributions to Ladakh. For the past six decades, he dedicated himself to the welfare of the region. While he made significant contributions to Buddhism at both national and international levels,’ said awardees nephew Tashi Motup Kau.
The Ashoka Mission has been a great support for the people of Ladakh, and is expected it will continue to benefit patients, students, and the broader community in the years to come.
It is a moment of great joy for people of Ladakh that the award was conferred on late Lama Lobzang.
