New Delhi | January 28, 2026: Former Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN), on Tuesday met Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and raised a series of long-pending issues related to the preservation of Buddhist education and the sustainable development of tourism in the Union Territory.
During the meeting, JTN submitted detailed representations highlighting challenges faced by Ladakh’s monastic education system, cultural institutions and tourism-dependent economy, seeking the Ministry’s intervention for their early and favourable resolution.
The former MP sought formal recognition of Drepung Gomang School, Mundgod (Karnataka), as a feeder school of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh. He underlined the institution’s role in imparting modern education alongside traditional Buddhist learning to young monks from Ladakh and other Himalayan regions, and stressed that recognition would ensure academic continuity and strengthen the Buddhist education framework under the Ministry of Culture.
JTN also strongly pitched for the regularisation of 35 long-serving contractual Gompa teachers working in CIBS feeder schools. He pointed out that many of them have served for over a decade and play a vital role not only in academic teaching but also in preserving Ladakh’s cultural and heritage traditions. He urged the Ministry to address their professional insecurity and lack of social security through a structured and time-bound regularisation process.
Another key demand raised was the upgradation of Duzin Photang School (DPS), a CIBS feeder school in Zanskar, to the Higher Secondary level. JTN said the move would significantly improve access to education for students in one of the country’s most remote regions, help reduce drop-out rates and align with the goals of the National Education Policy.
On the tourism front, JTN submitted a representation on behalf of the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHGHA), drawing attention to critical issues impacting the sector. These included the need to enhance air connectivity and flight capacity to Leh for the Summer 2026 season to curb high airfares, addressing adverse international travel advisories, strengthening sewage treatment and waste management infrastructure, early operationalisation of the simplified registration portal for hotels and guest houses, and urgent attention to public conveniences, stray dog management and solid waste systems.
Emphasising that tourism is the backbone of Ladakh’s economy, JTN said growth in the sector must be community-centric, locally owned and ecologically sensitive to protect the region’s fragile environment and rich cultural identity.
The meeting also witnessed a broader discussion on cultural preservation, Buddhist heritage and responsible tourism development in Ladakh. JTN expressed confidence that the Union Minister’s guidance and support would help strengthen institutional frameworks and secure sustainable livelihoods for the people of the region.
The former MP thanked Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for his patient hearing and expressed hope for timely and positive action on the issues raised, in the larger interest of Ladakh’s students, teachers, tourism stakeholders and cultural institutions.
