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<title>Ladakh News</title><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/index.html</link><description>News from Ladakh and IALS members</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2007 J. Seb Mankelow</dc:rights><dc:date>2008-11-01T14:15:40-07:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:54:30 -0700</lastBuildDate><item><title>All aboard for Kargil&#x21;</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2008-11-01T14:15:40-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/dafdf8ed2bbf25cd9b39c2963dedeec5-38.html#unique-entry-id-38</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/dafdf8ed2bbf25cd9b39c2963dedeec5-38.html#unique-entry-id-38</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Reported in the Tribune (online edition) the audacious plans to build a rail connection linking Leh with Himachal Pradesh (reported in August) are now being upstaged by a plan to link Kargil with the existing rail terminus in Kashmir. 


Admittedly this project is very much in its preliminary stages.   However, the proposal is yet another example of the attention and funding now being directed toward improving Ladakh&rsquo;s infrastructure.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Karmapa begins tour in Ladakh and Chinese continue incursions along LAC</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-09-10T15:37:02-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/0d245fff58835c8a9100f8f2970668eb-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/0d245fff58835c8a9100f8f2970668eb-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Reported by Phayul.com the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje arrived in Ladakh on the 9th September to begin his second tour of the region since escaping Tibet in 2000.   Creating an interesting contrast of events his visit comes at a time when China continue to make incursions along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh, specifically in the Pangong Tso and Trig Heights areas.   More on this story can be found here. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Kargil LAHDC elections</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-09-06T20:00:29-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/ec0ad7210e2b79208c92c7d1b533d316-36.html#unique-entry-id-36</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/ec0ad7210e2b79208c92c7d1b533d316-36.html#unique-entry-id-36</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Independents dominate Kargil's 2nd LAHDC election with 17 seats, NC win six seats, two of which were unopposed, LUTF win two seats and Congress one.   For more on this story click here.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Kailash Mansarovar discussions ongoing</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-08-22T09:27:10-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/38a29afc2a2b25afa00ad0bc9b9821b3-35.html#unique-entry-id-35</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/38a29afc2a2b25afa00ad0bc9b9821b3-35.html#unique-entry-id-35</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The benefits of opening a border crossing in Eastern Ladakh to facilitate pilgrimage to Kailash and Mansarovar have been outlined by a Parliamentary committee.   Reported in The Times of India the proposal was made by the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture which promotes tourism in J&K.   This idea has been frequently aired over the last few years and despite recent posturing by China and India in this border area there are clearly individuals who think that the opening of this shorter and more reliable route is still worth pursuing.


The report also recommends the urgent maintenance of several of Ladakh's larger deep relief carvings by the Archaeological Survey of India.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Freedom march in Ladakh</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-08-11T20:21:15-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/698dcadb938b5d1e1706c41532b87bfd-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/698dcadb938b5d1e1706c41532b87bfd-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Continuing the heightened profile of the Free Tibet movement another freedom march has been held in Ladakh.   An estimated 2500 Ladakhis and Tibetans marched from Spituk to the polo ground in Leh.   Click here for more details.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>All aboard for Leh</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-08-11T09:21:26-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/6251d150f38846b58ae067ebd6ca2e20-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/6251d150f38846b58ae067ebd6ca2e20-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Having gone through various feasibility studies, with occasional coverage in the Indian media over the last 6 months, the Prime Minister's Office has given the construction of a railway linking Bilaspur (HP) with Leh its 'in-principle' approval.   The full story is available here. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Announcing the release of Modern Ladakh</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-07-31T11:42:01-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/38abbffba7b640a71e25005482a45f4e-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/38abbffba7b640a71e25005482a45f4e-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Conceived by the late Nicky Grist and finished by Martijn van Beek and Fernanda Pirie, we are pleased to announce the release of the volume Modern Ladakh.   Click here for more information or to order a copy. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>threatened closure of the Istituto Italiano per l&#x27;Africa e L&#x27;Oriente (IsIAO)</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-07-05T08:02:34-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/ee9e73713fa6bb5529ccd849c192dfe6-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/ee9e73713fa6bb5529ccd849c192dfe6-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We have recently received a link to a online petition concerning the threatened closure of the Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e L'Oriente (IsIAO) to which our hosts in the Rome IALS conference are affiliated.   The&nbsp;petition is addressed to the President of Italy, requesting&nbsp; him to use his authority to prevent the institute being closed. 


The Insitute has been associated with a distinguished lineage of scholars working on Tibet and other areas. 


If you would like to sign the petition click here on on the link above.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>IAF reopens old air base near the Karakoram pass.</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-06-01T01:53:35-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/e0883c709f85adac0b908ed8544ec2d6-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/e0883c709f85adac0b908ed8544ec2d6-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Reported in The Hindu, the IAF have reopened Daulatbeigh Oldi airbase.   Only 8km from the Chinese border (and with two additional airbases scheduled for reopening), this increase in airforce capability is likely to be a direct response to the recent Chinese military incursions in eastern Ladakh.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>submissions for LS 23</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-05-22T10:58:15-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/f8858aeb46ace4c1595fdbeb518a88f0-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/f8858aeb46ace4c1595fdbeb518a88f0-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As the finishing touches are being put to LS 22, Editor Kim Gutschow has set a deadline of 30th September 2008 for LS 23 submissions.   Please view the submission guidelines for further information.


LS 23 is shaping up already with an interesting feature article from Alexander Andreev entitled Russian Travelers in Ladakh.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Forthcoming volume on Health and Environment</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-05-21T11:28:26-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/10ace733340a51ad045fd60882482578-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/10ace733340a51ad045fd60882482578-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Further to the volume on Health and Environment proposed at the recent Rome Colloquium, Dr Richard Lee has posted this abstract for discussion. 


Abstract


Indigenous people living in geographically remote places have been a favorite &ldquo;target&rdquo; for anthropologists, epidemiologists, and explorers.   The physical and spiritual environment and the biologic characteristics of isolated populations are of interest to scholars pursuing the origin and the limits of human activities.   Infectious disease has been a particularly popular subject of field research and speculation.   The examples of epidemic catastrophes among island people and following the European entrance into the Americas have established a pessimistic and hostile attitude to the intrusion of urban, cosmopolitan visitors among remote villagers.   However, remote does not automatically mean isolation!   This is especially true for Ladakh.   The history of travel and trade through Ladakh destroys the notion that the region is the equivalent of a remote island.   The migratory pattern of birds adds to the transport of animal and human pathogens through the region.   Ladakh has protected and maintained its traditional culture for more than a millennium despite the waxing and waning of plagues and invaders.   Its stability is perhaps because it is remote enough to be left alone most of the time but accessible enough for infectious pathogens to circulate and maintain immunocompetence throughout the population. 


Please forward any correspondence To: 


Richard V.   Lee, M.D. 


7664 East Quaker Road


Orchard Park, NY 14127


716-667-3304 phone/fax


<a href="mailto:dmdrvl@buffalo.edu">dmdrvl@buffalo.edu</a>
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>14th IALS Colloquium</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh Noticeboard</category><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-05-12T08:24:31-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/4634aafe91e9f4a963fe6cb037493fca-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/4634aafe91e9f4a963fe6cb037493fca-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[14th IALS Colloquium


We are pleased to announce that the 14th IALS Colloquium will take place in Leh, Ladakh, from 16th to 19th July 2009.


Call for Papers


We welcome proposals for papers on a wide range of topics related to Ladakh.  &nbsp; All papers should be based on original research, reflecting material not previously published.  


Call for Film/digital media 


We welcome screening of videos and films related to Ladakh, both documentary as well as feature.     Preferred language is English, or with English subtitles. 


All proposals are subject to review.


Please send abstracts of approximately 250 words by 1st December 2008 to: <a href="mailto:monisha@bom4.vsnl.net.in">Monisha Ahmed</a>, Hon.   Secretary IALS


IALS Membership is required for Program participation.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Olympic relay sparks another demonstration</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-04-17T23:42:00-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/202902d5ac27c3aef636fa04ad4b1432-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/202902d5ac27c3aef636fa04ad4b1432-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[To coincide with yesterday's Olympic flame carry in New Delhi over 5000 Tibetan exiles and Indian Buddhists marched through Leh.   Reports from the South China Morning Post state that businesses and schools were again closed down whilst Tibetan flag carrying demonstrators marched through the town chanting 'free Tibet'.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Support for Tibet continues</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-04-07T19:56:36-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/ed53d1aaab1d83b94a4fe425355e0f3a-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/ed53d1aaab1d83b94a4fe425355e0f3a-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[ALL LADAKH CLOSED


Tenzin Rabten


Because of common Lama, Cultural, tradition & religion of Ladakhi people with the Tibetan's, today on April 2, 2008 they started a mass procession at Leh town to show stand in solidarity with Tibetan in Tibet.   Ladakh Buddhist Youth Association, Himayang Action Committee for Tibet, Ladakh Buddhist & Gompa Association Leh, organized this procession.


Since this is the rise of Ladakh, Shri.   Chhering Dorjay, Chief Executive Councilor-LADHC, Shri.   Rigzin Spalbar, President Ladakh Congress Party, All the High Lamas, School Children, monks & about 150000 Local people joined the relay.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>more on Chinese incursions and the pashmina crisis</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-03-30T00:08:07-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/85d71f35ed47b88e4b301de8b34c4862-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/85d71f35ed47b88e4b301de8b34c4862-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Thupstan Chewang is interviewed by rediff.com on Ladakh border issues, including incursions by the Chinese and the status of the Demchok border crossing for travel to Kailash.


Other news reports confirm that around 15,000 pashmina goats have now perished from starvation on Ladakh's Chang thang.   Winter is however on the wane as BRO announce the imminent opening of the Srinagar-Leh highway.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ladakh Buddhist Mass Rally</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-03-18T01:54:18-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/57a6deffddb73ae5a3838f98ace0d87f-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/57a6deffddb73ae5a3838f98ace0d87f-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[All Ladakh Bandh on March 17, 2008


March 17, 2008 had been observed as black day in Ladakh, India in connection with the recent Chinese suppression in Lhasa, Tibet.   Joint hands of Ladakh Buddhist Association, All Ladakh Gompa Association, Himalayan Action Committee and Regional Tibetan Youth Congress organized a mass rally in Leh City.   Rally was joined by more then 13000 Tibetan and local Ladakhi Buddhist.   This is one of the biggest ever rally in Leh.   Young blood Tibetan, showed special responsible on this mass rally.   They carry the national flag and play card &ldquo;(China is a killing Machine.   Tibet a Killing Field)-(Stop 2008 olyampic&hellip;Act now)!&rdquo;   All the Shops in restaurants in Ladakh were called for BANDH.   &nbsp;Later they put a memorandum to the UNO through kind hand of Deputy Commission, Leh Ladakh. 


Thanks to Tenzin Rabten (TCV Ladakh) and Marco Vasta for this illustrated story.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>HH The Dalai Lama confirms the reincarnation of Bakula Rinpoche</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-03-03T07:24:12-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/5d1e62937e206eaf3c51cd5203f2619f-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/5d1e62937e206eaf3c51cd5203f2619f-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On the 26th February HH the Dalai Lama confirmed Thupstan Ngawang, a child born in Nubra, Ladakh, as the reincarnation of Bakula Rinpoche.   The child was born on 24th November 2005 and has been chosen from among several children.


More on this story can be found here]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hundreds of Pashmina goats dead</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-02-28T10:49:17-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/7a9892bb6f66ac38ec495f2166879c85-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/7a9892bb6f66ac38ec495f2166879c85-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The BBC's South Asia news site has provided an update on the situation in Ladakh's Chang thang.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Government approves setting up of field station in Leh</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-02-16T02:13:28-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/e500e8936bbf637539af68e1df5d524c-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/e500e8936bbf637539af68e1df5d524c-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[India's Central Government has approved the establishment of a field research station in Leh with a view to tackling some of the environmental problems faced by the region.   See the Times of India article for more info.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Are you interested in being the next Honorary Treasurer and Membership Secretary?</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-02-14T01:49:40-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/e7c1ea22a325363986113d6d80f86392-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/e7c1ea22a325363986113d6d80f86392-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you are a IALS member interested in being the next Treasurer and Membership Secretary then please contact Francesca Merritt.   Francesca is currently looking for someone to understudy/assist with treasurer and membership administration.   If you are looking to get more involved in the IALS then this is a perfect opportunity to learn the ropes from a long standing and highly valued member of the Executive Committee.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dr Keith Ball&#x27;s obituary online</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-02-12T09:45:18-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/0ebab5f216c6b90bcfe1ead00aed42df-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/0ebab5f216c6b90bcfe1ead00aed42df-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Further to the members' news post documenting the sad loss of Dr Keith Ball, the obituary published in the Guardian can now be viewed online.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tourist numbers reach 50&#x2c;000</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-02-11T11:30:39-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/1f2bdf010bc45106d5daee03fa41d25e-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/1f2bdf010bc45106d5daee03fa41d25e-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[More tourists than ever before in Ladakh 


February 7, 2008: 


Ladakh crossed 50000 mark in tourist inflow last year, which has cast away the apprehension that the popularity of this trans-Himalayan region as a tourist destiny is declining.   According to J&K Tourism Department Leh, the number of tourists visited Ladakh last year was 50185 that includes 28178 foreign and 22007 domestic tourists.   This figure shows a considerable surge from the previous year&rsquo;s influx of tourists (43821), which is attributed to more frequent flight operations and suddenly much cheaper air fair option available with the Deccan Airways launching its service between New Delhi and Leh last summer. 


The mystic and isolated Ladakh was thrown open to foreign tourists in 1974.   It gained instant popularity among them and in a short period tourist influx rose sharply touching 20000 in just about three years.   This figure, however, remained constant for many years to come with disturbed periods in between (1989 mass agitation and 1999 Kargil episode) when number of visitors to Ladakh sharply went down. 


The incoming of domestic tourists to Ladakh is a recent phenomenon, which was set off by a massive publicity campaign of Sindhu Festival launched by then BJP led NDA government.   In 1997, L K Advani, BJP leader and former Union Home Minister, discovered that Sindhu (the Indus River) flowed through Ladakh and he decided to have an annual celebration of Sindhu Festival to give vent to his surcharged ethnical (Sindhi community from Pakistan) and religious sentiments. 


This annual festival did bring in lots of domestic tourists in the following years and today the number of domestic tourists has grown almost equal to foreigners even as the rate of increase is much higher than the later.    Last year&rsquo;s figure tells that about 4000 more domestic tourists visited Ladakh than the previous year&rsquo;s record of 17707. 


 


With the increase in the number of tourists visiting Ladakh there has also been considerable growth in hotels, guest houses and other tourist facilities.   According to J&K Tourism Department, Leh, there are 124 hotels with double-bed capacity of 1900 and 365 guest houses with similar bed capacity.   In addition, there are 150 restaurants registered with the Tourism department. 


These establishments together generate huge employment opportunities.    Hotels only employ some 1400 staff including cooks and waiters.   Apart from this, some 5000 people are engaged as travel agents, guides, taxi drivers, bus operators and pony men.   Tourism department has registered 228 pony men and 165 professional guides. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Chinese incursion into Ladakh?</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-02-07T02:39:01-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/3b9e38b4f16df919c15f39af7349173c-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/3b9e38b4f16df919c15f39af7349173c-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Click here for news on reported Chinese activity around Demchok and detail on ceding Aksai Chin.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Entrepreneurship Awareness Program held in Leh</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-02-06T09:34:57-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/2aa0b68a0d4f84877572a765476193c4-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/2aa0b68a0d4f84877572a765476193c4-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[February 6, 2008:


T Morup, Leh


Power shortage is the biggest constraint in Ladakh preventing real industrial growth here, however, this problem will be solved to a great extent with the commencement of 45-megawatt Nemo-Basgo Hydel project expected to be completed in less than the target period. 


Engineers of NHPC have told Chering Dorjey the LAHDC Leh Chairman that they should be able to hand over the power project completed in about three and a half years from now.    Mr.   Dorjey revealed this in his address during a one-day seminar on Entrepreneurship Awareness Program organized by J&K Entrepreneurship Development (JKED) and sponsored by SIDBI at JKED office in Leh Industrial Area today.


He hoped that with the commencement of the hydel project the &ldquo;constraint&rdquo; will be removed ushering in a new era of progress and employment opportunities.   In his reaction to grievances against bank loans raised by a trainee with ITI unit in Leh, Mr.   Dorjey said, there are many such complaints and SBI Leh despite being the second most profiting bank in the entire J&K State fail to meet their quota of subsidized loans for local enterprises.    Relatively better performance by J&K Bank in this regard can be attributed to its special drive to recruit local staff, he said adding that the Hill Council&rsquo;s insistence to carry out similar drive was not paid heed to by SBI.


The next biggest issue in entrepreneurship development in Leh is always &lsquo;imitating&rsquo; others&rsquo; businesses while being afraid of starting something new.   Both Mr.   Dorjey and Tsering Nurboo Lampa, EC Agriculture raised this issue prevailing in Leh.   Jumping into ventures without having enough capacity and plan leads to a crises situation.   For example, the number of steel fabricators in Leh grew out of proportion after some initial successes leaving the new entrepreneurs unable to even pay the salaries of the workers.  


At the same time the inability to &lsquo;think big&rsquo; and refusing to actually come forward and accept the challenges in taking up major enterprises or business projects also pose a constraint in the growth of industry in Ladakh.   Mr.   Dorjey said, no local qualifies for major loan schemes such as those available with the National Horticulture Board of India.   Similarly, a 14-crore road and bridges project in Leh being financed by ADB, on Hill Council&rsquo;s insistence, was broken up into five sub-contracts, yet hardly one or two contractors qualified for it, Mr.   Dorjey said. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Kashmir&#x27;s Pashmina goats at risk</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-02-05T09:47:28-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/3076a82a62358e20c5163895689fc8ee-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/3076a82a62358e20c5163895689fc8ee-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Reported today on the BBC's South Asia news site, recent heavy snow is threatening the survival of grazing livestock on Ladakh's Chang thang.   It would appear that the crisis is on a similar scale to that experienced in the winter of 1998 when similar events resulted in the starvation of thousands of yak, sheep and goat.   The gravity of the situation is partly attributed to the locust activity which has decimated fodder supplies in parts of eastern Ladakh (and much of Zangskar) over the last three summers. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>International Conference on &#x201c;Novel Approaches for Food and Health Security in High Altitudes&#x201d; to be held at Field Research Laboratory&#x2c; Leh in September 6-10&#x2c; 2008.</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh Noticeboard</category><dc:date>2008-01-31T00:32:20-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/f01178cc5f3f0db9ad9d46162d23516b-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/f01178cc5f3f0db9ad9d46162d23516b-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[International Conference on &ldquo;Novel Approaches for Food and Health Security in High Altitudes&rdquo; to be held at Field Research Laboratory, Leh in September 6-10, 2008.


We are witnessing a boom in research techniques and technologies and it is time to deliberate in the areas of high altitude agro-animal research. 


The theme of conference is &ldquo;Enhancing performance and sustainable development in high altitudes&rdquo; and will provide glimpses of futuristic approach in this area.


The delegates will be treated to three days intensively stimulating, thought provoking and academically enriching sessions comprising of orations, invited talks and posters by eminent scientists from India and abroad.   Panel discussions, research communications and interactions with scientists will satiate academic cravings.


Areas for Deliberations


&bull;	Sustainable agriculture and animal production systems 


&bull;	Ethnobotany and bioprospecting of medicinal plants


&bull;	Molecular and biotechnological approaches for crop and animal improvement and conservation


&bull;	Biomedical research to improve human health


&bull;	Food safety and nutritional implications


&bull;	Stress physiology in high altitudes


&bull;	Zero energy post-harvest management of fruits & vegetables


&bull;	Utilization of non-conventional energy sources


&bull;	Plant, soil and animal health


&bull;	Agriculture resource management in high altitudes


&bull;	Dissemination and adoption of technologies in high altitude communities  


For more information please visit the conference website.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sad Losses and New Beginnings</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2008-01-13T02:06:48-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/50cf3994784b1d3dffca101ac44c148f-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/50cf3994784b1d3dffca101ac44c148f-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Keith Ball


We regret to announce that Dr Keith Ball died on 9 January aged 92 after suffering from a long deteriorating illness.   Keith&rsquo;s connection with Ladakh dates back to 1980 when &ndash; already well into his 60s &ndash; he joined the Bristol University expedition to Zangskar.   Together with Jonathan Elford, he subsequently contributed a chapter on &ldquo;Health in Zangskar&rdquo; to Himalayan Buddhist Villages, the set of research papers on Zangskar edited by John Crook and Henry Osmaston).   On his own and in association with Dr Tsering Norboo of the Sonam Memorial Hospital in Leh, he later wrote a series of research papers on silicosis, high-altitude oedema, tetanus and respiratory illness in Ladakh.   John Crook, who led the Bristol expedition, remembers him as &ldquo;a patient doctor to us all&rdquo; and notes that &ldquo;his warm personality soon attracted villagers to him.&rdquo;   &nbsp;Everyone who knew Keith &nbsp;- whether in India or in Europe - will remember those same qualities of warmth, patience and careful research.


Peter Marczell


We have recently heard of the death of our colleague Peter Marczell in late 2007.   Peter was Hungarian-born but was based in Geneva for most of his adult life.   He initially earnt his living as a market researcher, but in the early 1990s embarked on what became a series of studies on the Hungarian scholar Alexander Csoma de Kőr&ouml;s who had stayed in Ladakh in the 1820s.   Peter&rsquo;s researches culminated in a two-volume study Alexander Csoma de Kőr&ouml;s, consisting of a set of essays and transcripts of archival records, which was published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal earlier in 2007.   He had been suffering from a serious illness for some time, but was able to take part in the IALS conference in Rome in September.   Peter had been a member of the IALS Advisory Committee.


&nbsp;


&nbsp;


Kim Gutschow


Kim gave birth to a daughter, Yeshe Johanna Gutschow Rai, at home on December 30, 2007.   Kim reports that &ldquo;after a small bout of jaundice, Yeshe is now well and claiming her place in the family song and dance&rdquo; alongside her elder brother Krishan and sister Tashi.


Seb Mankelow


Seb became a father in November (Seb's wife Jaj, and Kim were both sporting bumps at the Rome Colloquium) with the birth of Erin.   As a consequence Seb can occasionally be found working on the IALS website in the early hours of the morning...


The IALS Executive Committee is currently discussing the possibility of introducing reduced membership rates for the under fives!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>LUTF delegation meets Azad&#x2c; Farooq&#x2c; Omar; CM assures review to give more powers to Leh council</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-01-09T01:49:45-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/068df4442fa698a42c34e8c7b11df964-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/068df4442fa698a42c34e8c7b11df964-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today that his Government would carry our a review in order to give more powers to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC-Leh) with a view to further strengthening it. 


He gave this assurance to a delegation of the Latah Union Territory Front (LUTF) led by Mr Thupstan Chhewang, MP and LUTF president, at an hour-long meeting at his residence here.   The Chief Minister also expressed his views about the other notable demands of the LUTF concerning the inclusion of the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, reopening of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage through Leh and police atrocities on elected representatives and Buddhist leaders.


The meeting of Ladakh leaders with the Chief Minister followed one that they had with National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah and NC president Omar Abdullah yesterday.   In a statement here, Mr Chhewang quoted the Chief Minister as having promised the delegation that his government would certainly consider investing the LAHDC with more financial and legislative powers.   The delegation pointed out to him that the powers given so far were more &ldquo;symbolic&rdquo; in nature. 

...The Chief Minister was apprised about the manner of the revival of the district unit of the Congress by keeping even senior party functionaries in the dark.   He was also told about the terror let loose by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and his police in Leh district against leaders of the LUTF as well as the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA).


...About the demand for the removal of the SSP he said he would let the MP and MLA (Mr Pinto Norboo) know about it after some time.   &ldquo;We got the impression as if the Chief Minister wanted to discuss the matter with the top police brass,&rdquo; Mr Chhewang said.


According to Mr Chhewang, the Chief Minister said his Government would take steps to get the Bhoti language its due recognition.   The delegation pointed out to him that a Cabinet resolution was required for its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.


The Chief Minister asserted that he would do his best to get the Leh route opened for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage.   He told the delegation that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Dr Man Mohan Singh, who incidentally was scheduled to go to China .


...He assured that he would give instructions to the new Power Minister to get the power schemes moving. ...  About the creation of more tehsils and sub-divisions the Chief Minister said the Government would take a decision after receiving the Bloeria Committee report on reorganisation of administrative units.


The delegation also presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the occasion listing their demands.  Yesterday the delegation had held a detailed meeting with Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah. 


The NC leaders assured it that their party would raise their demands on the floor of the Assembly. 

...Mr Chhewang said the delegation was quite satisfied with the concern shown by all political parties about the situation in Leh.   They had met their leaders during nearly one-long stay in this city. 

...He said the LUTF in keeping with its insistence on exercising democratic options would hold a dharna in the city.   This will be done to strike a rapport with local citizens and inform them about developments in Ladakh. 

...The delegation consisted of, apart from Mr Chhewang (Leh), Mr Pinto Norboo, MLA (Nubra), Executive councillors and councillors of LAHDC Mr Dorjay had to cut short his stay and fly back to Leh on Friday to keep his official schedule.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Jammu University to host lecture on Pre-Tibetan Buddhist Rock Sculptures</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2008-01-06T01:07:25-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/7f61e4ea06d198c504048b12efbab053-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/7f61e4ea06d198c504048b12efbab053-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Dr Phuntsog Dorjay has submitted this story  Jammu University to host lecture on Pre-Tibetan Buddhist Rock Sculptures for coverage on 'News and Noticeboard'.   The article provides some background on Ladakhi rock carvings and inscriptions whilst highlighting the need for greater conservation efforts.


1. hunters and ibex at Alchi (October 2006)


2. rock art slowly being harvested for construction (summer 2004)


3.   'Cement renovation' of the deep relief 5 Buddha bodies in Padum (September 2006).


Picture credits: Seb Mankelow]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PM urged to hasten grant of UT status</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2007-12-31T09:30:01-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/a6acefa95431bc3b26a2e23bd05f5cd7-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/a6acefa95431bc3b26a2e23bd05f5cd7-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Stating that a reign of terror had been let loose by the State Government in Leh, a delegation of the Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) urged the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, here today to expedite granting Union Territory status to Ladakh.


Members of the delegation flew into the national capital from Leh to apprise the Prime Minister about the latest developments in their trans-Himalayan region.


The Prime Minister spent about several minutes with them giving a patient hearing. 


Led by Mr Thupstan Chhewang, MP and LUTF President, the delegation also beseeched the Prime Minister to include the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and open the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage through Leh. 


It pointed out that Bhoti was spoken by almost all inhabitants of border Himalayan regions in the country. ...  The opening of Leh route for the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra wouldl usher in prosperity in Ladah.   It would also make the journey smoother compared to its present arduous passage through Uttarakhand, the delegation said.


Making a strong case for UT, the delegation pointed out that the Congress-led State Government was treating the duly-elected Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC-Leh) with utter contempt.   It stated: &ldquo;A reign of terror and repression has been let loose against us by the Congress-led State Government in Jammu and Kashmir.   The police has been set upon on us as a clearly pre-meditated strategy to browbeat us into submission.&rdquo;


It referred in this regard to the forcible closure of the headquarters of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), framing of false criminal including murder and attempt to murder charges against its office-bearers, police assault on an elected LUTF councillor, disrespect being shown to the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the LAHDC and a campaign of calumny against the LUTF chief.


The delegation asserted: &ldquo;We are constrained to seek existence with honour because the Congress-led State Government keeps adding salt to our wounds.   Its latest actions against us are not only brutal but an affront to human dignity and conscience.&rdquo;


It brought to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s notice: &ldquo;Sometimes we debate among ourselves whether grassroots democracy can truly succeed in our State.   It was after a long struggle that we had achieved the formation of the LAHDC as the first major step towards attaining the Union Territory.   We thought that the Council would help us govern our affairs at least to some extent. 

...Our experience has been worse with key police and administrative officials remote-controlled from Srinagar.   They hardly show any appreciation of basic tenets of democracy and our distinct and unique ethnic and linguistic identity. ...  How can they treat our social and religious organisations with utter contempt?   Their wrong-doings have strengthened our resolve to keep striving for Union Territory for we want to strengthen what we regard as our umbilical chord with New Delhi.&rdquo;


The members of the delegation were: Mr Tsering Dorjay, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomos Hill Development Council (LeH).   Mr Sonam Wangchuk Norboo, MLA, Nubra, Mr Tsering Angdus and Mr Tsewang Tondup (Councillors), Mr Lobzang Nyantak (senior LUTF leader), Mr Dorjey Stanzin, Mr Stanzin Delik, Mr Tsering Angchuk, Mr Jigmet Namgyal, Mr Sonam Tsering, Mr Nawang Norboo, Mr Chotar Tsering, Mr Tsering Paldan, Mr Tondup Spalzang, Mr Phunchok Stanzin,, Mr Sonam Dorjey and Mr Dorjey Namgyal (all councillors). 


They reached here this afternoon after holding a mammoth public meeting in Leh to seek public endorsement of their stand.


...A supporting story to the one above can be found in the Daily Excelsior archive]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ladakh Festival dates</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh Noticeboard</category><dc:date>2007-11-05T06:38:09-08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/0d2ac22d1d0b9bc581546b4f5ee9c5bc-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/0d2ac22d1d0b9bc581546b4f5ee9c5bc-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[For anyone wanting the principal Buddhist festival dates for the Ladakh region the REACH Ladakh site offers a convenient list of dates until the close of 2011.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>IALS post Rome</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Members&#x27; news</category><dc:date>2007-11-03T11:38:07-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/8d6a395647a76178a97de4723ce0d7c4-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/8d6a395647a76178a97de4723ce0d7c4-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Aside from a wide spectrum of fascinating papers, the 13th IALS Colloquium witnessed the election of a new IALS Executive Committee.   John Bray takes over the helm as President, Monisha Ahmed has filled John Bray's old post as Hon.   Secretary, Francesca Merritt continues (much to everyone's relief!)   as Hon.   Treasurer and Membership Secretary and Kim Gutschow takes up the reigns of Ladakh Studies as Hon.   Editor.


Amongst other developments the LS team are focusing on updating and expanding the existing IALS presence on the internet.   This includes modernising the existing website; creating an online forum; regular postings of news and events relating to Ladakh and IALS members; and a gallery of unusual photographs.


Watch this space for more information.   If you would like to get involved please contact the webmaster or if you would like to contribute material please use the online submission.


picture credit: Patrick Sutherland]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Trekking routes in Ladakh face garbage menace</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2007-10-16T03:00:23-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/37ba7dccfb816637a3e74b880aca12eb-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/37ba7dccfb816637a3e74b880aca12eb-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Overland Escape, a travel company based in Ladakh, organized a cleaning drive collecting tons of garbage along the trekking routes between Lamayuru and Padum in Zanskar with a dual purpose of reducing the ever growing garbage menace along this popular route and creating awareness among the general public about the environmental hazards of piles and piles of rubbish trekking groups leave behind them. 


...Tsering Namgyal, a staff of Overland Escape who led the group with another staff Kunga and a German lady Nana, observed that the main stockpiles of garbage were found around the stalls and camping site put up at different points and the worst situation was at Fanjila, which forms the junction for three trekking routes leading to Chilling, Alchi and Zanskar. 


Namgyal said, it was sad to see that villagers everywhere were least bothered about the garbage lying at their places for many years.   Expressing his concern he further said, if this growing garbage menace along the trekking routes is not dealt with these areas would be left with nothing but rubbish all over. 


...The Director of Overland Escape Tundup Dorjey said, by organizing such cleaning campaigns we want to repay our debts to nature, environment of Ladakh, that provide us with a tremendous resource to earn our livelihood and we feel greatly obliged.   Through our such constant cleaning drives we have now come to realize that it would need more than just cleaning, so we have set up a plan to try and convince the local government to have strict regulations issued to travel agencies to bring the garbage back along with them in future.   For this purpose our travel company has already produced &ldquo;Green Bags&rdquo; to be issued to different trekking groups for at least bringing their rubbish back with and not leave it to cause further depredation of nature. 


One of our members of the campaign team, Nana Ziesche from Germany wrote her experience about the latest cleaning campaign that we carried out along the routes between Lamayuru and Zanskar: 


Since 1993 I&rsquo;m traveling to Ladakh, first as a backpacker, after a while as a group leader and since 2000 I have an own travel agency called Ladakh Travel, based in Hamburg/Germany. ...  Feedback of clients is usually positive; just there is a constant complaint about the rubbish in Ladakh, not only on the trekking routes but also in the villages. 

...The cleaning was so organized that we put the plastic bottles and crushed tins in bags and burnt the other rubbish like food packets, old clothes etc. ...  It was not only our aim to clean up, but also involve the villagers and create some awareness about environmental issues and the problem that if no-one cares about the rubbish, Ladakh will be in 10 years just one big garbage pit. 

...At Fanjilla, we were surprised to find lots of dirt strewn around such as at Lamayuru, but maybe with some shops and tent restaurants selling soft drinks and other items it was just &ldquo;unavoidable&rdquo;. ...  We burnt a big rubbish pile and things such as plastic bottles were packed in some five bags to be carried on horses. ...  It was bit disappointing to know from him that he threw most of the empty bottles, cans etc. into the river, while some he was using as a decorative items in his stall.   As we proceeded further we finally got to the village with some 15 houses, however we could hardly find any men, there were some children and women who we could assemble for our usual briefing on garbage menace and thereby seeking their participation in collecting the rubbish strewn around. 

...The next day when we were crossing Sirsir-la to get to Photoksar, enroute we found tins of mushroom, tuna, paneer, fruit cocktail &ndash; some so old and rusted that it was difficult to recognize the label. 

...The worst scene we came across was at the second camping site at Photoksar, where it seemed that open ground was being used as toilet as a result it was not pleasant to pick rubbish there. 

...It was disgusting to see age old garbage lying strewn all over including along the river in Hanamur and Pishu villages and cleaning was almost impossible for us. ...  There was an abandoned restaurant at Pishu, where only an old lady helped us in cleaning the area while as a bunch of men did not care at all and were rather busy playing cards. 


By the time we were in Padum (headquarter Zanskar) after 10 days of rigorous garbage collection all along the trek routes we had some 13 bags filled with plastic bottles, crushed tins that we showed to the Tourist Officer, Mr. ...  Having a stroll around town myself I could see the obvious and was in a way speechless that it is possible that in a modern country as India is in many aspects, there are still these awful environmental conditions.


Just to add my observations about 11 years ago trekking, I felt a big change with the tent restaurants and their offer of soft drinks and other rubbish-arising items. ...  But rubbish was already there as I remember us being quite early at one camping and collecting every burnable item to have a nice little fire and getting it much cleaner.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Buddha of Compassion blesses Ladakh</title><dc:creator>seb@sebmankelow.com</dc:creator><category>Ladakh news</category><dc:date>2007-09-17T07:26:57-07:00</dc:date><link>http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/b4317f3b244930ae6997d4e26e754058-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ladakhstudies.org/News_files/b4317f3b244930ae6997d4e26e754058-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[By The Magpie


Leh,&nbsp;Wednesday, August 29, 2007


For five days, tens and thousands of devotees, assembled every day at the lush green meadow of Zhiwe-tsal (the garden of peace), at Choglamsar to attend the sermon on stages of path to enlightenment (Lamrim) by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.   This preaching was mainly introductory in nature especially for understanding by the people of Ladakh the essence of Buddhism. 


He also gave instructions on the precepts of Gyenyens (Upasaks and Upasikas) followed by the pledge taking ceremony.   These precepts include abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, taking intoxicants and lying, which are necessary to be followed by a common Buddhist practitioner preached His Holiness. 


Followed by these instructions the last day, His Holiness also gave the empowerment of the lord of great compassion (the eleven-headed Avalokitesvara) amidst intense spiritual energy in the air. 


A large number of followers including foreigners participated in the empowerment ceremony.   While the rituals were on, many looked up in the sky to catch a glimpse of Halo around the sun - a good omen in Buddhism.   The day was marked by another auspicious event., when the bone relics of the Buddha Shakyamuni arrived in Zhiwetsal and the His Holiness, considered to be the living Buddha, left his throne to receive it with incense.   The large number of blessed audience witnessed His Holiness holding the sacred relict briefly. 


A large number of Muslims, Hindus and Christians were also seen attending the concluding day of the five day preaching.   There were lot cultural troups from different part of Ladakh celebrating this day, and there was a festive mood amongst the blessed devotees, and thoroughly enjoyed the colourful cultural shows in honour of His Holiness.   Immensely delighted, His Holiness promised the people of Ladakh that he will visit Ladakh next year, when he will also travel to Kargil and Zangskar.


On this day, His Holiness emphasized especially on the need to follow the Dharma not only by the monks but also by the laymen.   He also mentioned about the lack coordination between various organisation in Ladakh.   He said that such lack of coordination leads to duplication of work by various organisation, which needs to be curbed for the general welfare of the people of Ladakh. 


On the previous day, the Sten-juk ceremony for the long life of His Holiness was held.   The ongoing Pig year, according to the Tibetan calendar, coincides with the year His Holiness was born and such coincidence is considered inauspicious in Tibetan astrology.   In Sten juk ceremony, apart from prayers, offerings in cash and kind were made by devotees from all religious communities for the long life of His Holiness.   Prayers were also performed by other religious communities in their mosques, temples, gurudwaras, church for the same purpose, said Dr.   Dawa, President, LBA.]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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