LEH: The Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh, hosted a special ceremony titled “Ladakh Scouts Veterans Celebration ” to pay tribute to the brave ex-servicemen of Ladakh for their selfless service to the nation. The event was graced by veterans, distinguished officers, dignitaries, cultural artists, and members of the Mahabodhi family.
Before the formal ceremony, the ex-servicemen were taken on a visit to the Buddha Park for World Peace, a serene and inspiring site that houses 1,000 Buddha statues. There, Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena (VBS), Founder-President of MIMC, welcomed the veterans and shared his vision of creating a Martyrs’ Memorial within the premises of the Buddha Park. This proposed memorial will be a lasting tribute to the brave soldiers of Ladakh who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
The evening carried a special emotional resonance as Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena himself had served in the Indian Army during the 1970s before embracing monkhood and dedicating his life to walking on the path of the Buddha. Many of the veterans present were his former colleagues and fellow servicemen, making this honour deeply personal. It was not just a tribute from an institution, but from one ex-serviceman to his old friends and brothers-in-arms, an offering of gratitude for their courage and lifelong service to the nation.
The main ceremony featured the launch of the “VBS Martyrs Memorial Fund,” a charitable initiative dedicated to supporting the families of martyrs, including assistance with children’s education and immediate relief services.
As part of the program, the President of the Ex-Servicemen League, Ladakh, received a token of appreciation on behalf of all the veterans. In his address, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena and the MIMC family for organising such a meaningful tribute. He further assured the support of the League towards the various humanitarian activities of MIMC, affirming that his colleagues and comrades from the Army would join hands with him in extending their service to society.
The occasion also witnessed tributes from other respected leaders. Ms. Kunzes Dolma, Vice President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), paid homage to the veterans and thanked VBS for organising this unique ceremony of honour. Padmashri awardee Shri Morup Namgyal, Ladakh’s legendary folk artist, also shared his tribute to the veterans while extending admiration to VBS for his tireless humanitarian services for the people of Ladakh and beyond.
Adding cultural richness and heartfelt expression, students of Mahabodhi Residential School presented a series of songs and dances in honour of the veterans. Their touching performances were followed by an energetic presentation by the celebrated Phuntsog Ladakhi, whose powerful voice shook the hall with excitement, and a soulful performance by Jigmet Spaldon, whose melodious songs filled the evening with grace and emotion.
The night concluded with a special dinner in honour of the veterans, accompanied by a stirring performance from the Ladakh Scouts Band, whose music brought joy and celebration to the gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, VBS expressed and shared “Our veterans are the pride of Ladakh and the guardians of our nation. Their courage, discipline, and sacrifice are beyond measure. Through this event and the initiatives launched today, we wish to ensure that their service and the supreme sacrifice of our martyrs will always be remembered with gratitude.”
The ceremony was both a tribute and a reunion—an unforgettable evening where old bonds of comradeship were renewed, community leaders voiced their appreciation, culture and music lifted hearts, and the noble spirit of service was honoured with reverence.
