The three day 2nd International Festival of Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh inaugurated

, September 17, 2013  Leh: To promote the rich Buddhist Heritage and Culture, Mahabodhi International Meditation Cente in collaboration with Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Bihar, Ministry of tourism J&K, LAHDC and All Ladakh Gonpa Association celebrated the Inaugural Ceremony of ‘The 2nd International Festival of Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh’ with great zeal and religious fervour on 16 September, 2013 at Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra (SSK), Leh.

During the occasion Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad was the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion Bhikku Sanghasena welcomed all the guests and prayed for the blessing to overcome the differences and ignorance and enable us to live in peace and harmony. He further prayed for the physical, mental and spiritual growth of all humanity. Ghulam Nabi Azad while addressing the audience appreciated with great pride the rapid progress and development in Leh district in the recent times and a large contribution and dedication of Nawang Rigzin Jora and Rigzin Spalbar in this process.

Referring to Kushok Bakula Rinpochey as a great son of India, a diplomat who has significantly contributed for reviving the ties with some important countries, he said that Bakula has immensely worked in spreading education awareness in Ladakh. He further added that Buddhist has admired the people world over for peace, tranquillity and serenity and holding of such a festival on heritage of Buddhist with participation from many parts of the world would play great role in exchanging the experiences and serve to strengthen heritage and friendship in the universe. Rigzin Jora in his address called religion a purely personal affair and said that people must follow the core values of religion rather than indulging in ritual and ceremonial things to make the world a better place to live in. “For enabling to carry the Buddhist way of life it is necessary that the monasteries must also go a paradigm shift, now the monasteries must become vibrant learning centres. The monks must become Dharma teachers”.

Spalbar appreciated the role and work done by Sanghasena and thanked him for inviting such dignitaries from all over the world on this occasion and extended greetings and welcomed all guests to the land of peace and tranquillity and get rejuvenated thereby prolonging life. Dr. Ravindre Panth highlighted that the entire world is under a series of crisis ad a critical phase of conflict on the various issues of life; it is at this moment that the universal teachings of Buddha becomes relevant for the suffering humanity. He requested the tourism Ministry Govt. of India to place this mega event in the annual calendar of the events. He further appealed to put Leh in the Buddhist Pilgrim Circuit in India as a place of living Buddhism Destiny.

Vajramala, Former President of German Buddhist Union highlighted that Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in the west because it gives answers to the most urgent questions of the time especially by the youth. She quoted a famous saying that “if you educate a boy, you will built a career and if you educate a girl, you are educating the whole family and the entire society and use all skills of Buddha Dharma to create a better world by promoting education to every single child, protecting the nature, birds and animals”.

Calling Sanghasena the One Man Army for his effort, Swami Agnivesh expressed grief that downtrodden and poor people of Ladakh are not being given proper treatment and they should enjoy the same health and facilities as the people of other districts are enjoying. Another submission he gave was that women should be given the equal ordination of Buddha Bhikkhu as in this time if women are not given equal position in the religion and spirituality, there can be no peace in the world. He appealed to maintain peace and shed the custom of dowry and appealed to make whole of India alcohol and intoxicants free.

Within these three days will include a wide range of Buddhist film festival, Seminar on Buddha’s way of Inner wisdom, Book fair, Ladakhi cultural programmes, presentation of papers on Sutra and Tantra tradition of Buddhism, Meditation and Yoga classes etc.  Mask dance “Chham” by monks of Hemis Monestary, performances by various artist Ven. Choying Dolma from Nepal, Singer and composer Datuk Dr. Victor Wee and group “Wayfaree” from Malaysia, Buddhist singer “Dharma Bums” from America and songs and dances by Ladakhi artists were another exclusive highlights of the day.

लेह में पांचवी द्रुकपा काउंसिल

17 Sep 2013  जम्मू : लद्दाख के लेह जिले के हेमिस मठ में सोमवार को आयोजित पांचवी द्रुकपा काउंसिल में देश विदेश से द्रुकपा बौद्ध गुरु पहुंचे। द्रुपका समुदाय के धर्मगुरु ग्लायांग द्रुकपा के साथ इस मौके पर 50 के करीब द्रुकपा मास्टर व हजारों अनुयायी मौजूद थे। द्रुकपा थुकसे रिनपोचे की अध्यक्षता में आयोजित कार्यक्रमों में द्रिकुंग समुदाय के धर्मगुरु द्रिकुंग क्याबगान भी मौजूद थे। काउंसिल के दौरान विश्व शांति के लिए प्रार्थना करने के साथ अध्यात्म व भौतिकवाद जैसे विषयों पर चर्चा की गई। इस मौके पर रंगारंग कार्यक्रम के साथ निशुल्क चिकित्सा शिविर का आयोजन भी किया गया।

Source: danikjagran.com

Over 15 ITBP posts to come up along LAC in Ladakh

August 31

To effectively guard the Sino-Indian border, the Ladakh region would get over 15 of the 35 border outposts being mulled by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).  “We are likely to get 15 to 16 new border outposts and more personnel to strengthen border security along the LAC in the Ladakh region. Similarly, Arunachal Pradesh would be another area where there would be an increase in our posts and men,” a senior ITBP source told The Tribune.

The 4,057-km-long LAC between India and China, also known as the MacCartney-MacDonald Line, runs through J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The Ladakh region has about 955 km border with China, out of which the LAC forms 700 km and rest is the undisputed international border.

The officer said areas such as Chumar, Daulat Beg Oldie and Demchok, where Chinese incursions had increased in recent times would get ‘focused’ attention with the setting up of the new posts over the next few years.

Chumar, located 300 km from Leh, is an area where both countries have major perception differences on the LAC.  “At a time when China has been ramping up its infrastructure on the other side of the LAC, at least 10 of our strategically located posts with 1,500 personnel in the Ladakh region get cut off every winter for over six months. And, there is a spurt in the Chinese incursions as well. So, the Home Ministry has decided to focus more on Ladakh,” he said.

He admitted that the spurt in the Chinese incursions had made the Indian Army readjust its troops this year after the April stand-off between the two countries in Daulat Beg Oldie. On April 15 and 16 this year, 50 troops of the People’s Liberation Army of China along with Molosser dogs had intruded 19-km inside the Indian territory in the Daulat Beg Oldie sector in Ladakh and pitched up tents. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also been thinking over a proposal to give us Mi-17 copter in Ladakh, said the source.

Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130901/j&k.htm#1

BJP demands UT status for Ladakh

JAMMU, Aug 1: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today asserted for Union Territory (UT) status to Ladakh region, alleging that the Ladakhis have suffered immensely under the oppressive rule and domination by Kashmir dissentions and want liberation from slave like situation. Former MP from Ladakh and BJP leader, Thupstan Chhewng while addressing a press conference here today said, “The people of Ladakh have been demanding separation from Jammu and Kashmir by according Ladakh the status of a Union Territory as we fulfill all the criteria and norms that are essential for an area to be declared as a separate entity. The demand of the people of Ladakh is as older than the demand by people of Telangana for separate statehood as it was made as far back as 1947.”

The continuous neglect of Ladakh by successive Governments in the State of Jammu and Kashmir has proved our apprehension of discrimination and step motherly treatment, he added. Acting president, Leh BJP, Ven Lobzang Nyantak, Councilor LAHDC-Leh said, “Ladakh region is a victim of continuous neglect and discrimination at political and administrative levels. Despite the formation of Ladakh Automous Hill Development Councils both in Leh and Kargil districts, which constitute the Ladakh region, we remain at the receiving end in the State. In reality we continue to be governed through remote control from Srinagar by Kashmir Centric leadership. A UT alone can save us from the present dispensation”.

State spokesperson, BJP Youth wing, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal announced that on August 31, 2013, under the leadership of Thupstan Chhewang we are going to demonstrate a public protest in Leh to raise our demand of UT status to Ladakh region.

Mohd Hassan, BJP Block president Chushot, said that the Muslim community of Ladakh fully supports the demand and have full faith and confidence in the leadership spearheading demand for UT status to Ladakh.

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/bjp-demands-ut-status-for-ladakh/

NSAB team in Ladakh to assess situation in view of Chinese skirmishes

JAMMU, Aug 6: In the backdrop of ever-increasing Chinese skirmishes on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a team of National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) headed by its Chairman and former Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran, is in Ladakh to ascertain the ground situation. On return, the team will give detailed feedback to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and National Security Council for working out a strategy to check the incursions in future. Reliable sources told EXCELSIOR that taking serious note of frequent Chinese skirmishes along the Line of Actual Control in Leh district during the past few months, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has deputed National Security Advisory Board team to visit the border areas of the Ladakh region and personally take stock of the ground situation.

The team, which arrived at Leh on August 2, has so far visited the Daulat Beg Oldi sector, Demchok in south of Aksai Chin, Chumur and Pangong areas to personally assess the situation. These areas have seen major incidents of the Chinese incursions during the past few months. In Daulat Beg Oldi sector, the Chinese Army had adopted aggressive posture in the month of May and even pitched tents while as in Demchok area the Chinese troops got work on link-road stopped in the past. In Chumur area, the Chinese Army ingressed 200 meters in the recent past and even stopped Indian Army from patrolling the area. “Besides assessing the situation vis-à-vis presence of Indian forces in these areas and getting information about the Chinese incursions in these areas, the National Security Advisory Board Chairman also had assessment of infrastructure constructed under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) scheme in the villages near the Line of Actual Control”, sources informed.

Shyam Saran, who was India’s Foreign Secretary in 2004, also had detailed meeting with the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), representatives of the intelligence agencies, representative of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council (LAHDC), Leh, Deputy Commissioner and former Member Parliament. The motive behind holding meeting with the LAHDC and representatives of the people was to elicit their views about the aggressive postures being made by the Chinese Army during the past several months besides to ascertain the requirement about the creation of infrastructure in border areas, sources said.

It is pertinent to mention here that National Security Advisory Board is an important element of the National Security Council system. The NSAB is a multi-disciplinary body comprising persons of eminence from outside Government with the principal function of providing long- term prognosis and analysis to the National Security Council and recommending solutions and policy options to the issues raised by them.

When contacted, Executive Councilor from Changthang area Gurmet Dorjey, who met Shyam Saran and his team on behalf of Hill Council, conveyed that vacuum which gets created due to restrictions on the movement of nomads towards the pastures in the forward locations is acting as blessings in disguise for the Chinese Army. “We sought intervention of National Security Advisory Board Chairman in allowing nomads towards the areas under the control of India so that Chinese Army don’t dominate the same taking the undue advantage of isolation of these areas”, he said.  “We also stressed that restrictions on movement of domestic as well as foreign tourists in several areas particularly on forward locations should be lifted in order to ensure frequent movement of people from this side as this will restrict Chinese Army from unnecessary claiming one or another area as part of their territory”, he added.

Former Member Parliament, P Namgial, while apprising the NSAB about the status of infrastructure in the border villages, sought Shyam Saran’s intervention for creation of more infrastructure so that border people remain inhabited in their villages and don’t move out for want of amenities and facilities. “Our borders are safe only because of nomads and there is a dire need to encourage them to frequently visit the pastures along the Line of Actual Control instead of putting restrictions on the same”, Mr Namgial said when contacted, adding “the visiting team was asked to get the proposal vis-à-vis construction of tunnel in between the area near Tso Mori lake and a village in Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh to ensure all weather road connectivity to the Ladakh region besides opening of Kailash Mansarovar yatra from the Ladakh region”.

According to the sources, the National Security Advisory Board received suggestions from various quarters for providing mobile network in all the 118 villages of the Leh district for connectivity of border people with the district headquarters and increasing funding under Border Area Development Programme (BADP). “The team will visit different forward locations of Kargil and interact with the Army and ITBP before returning to Leh on Thursday. They will leave for Union Capital on Friday and brief National Security Council about the ground situation in the Ladakh region”, sources said

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/

War Memorial to be built at Skyatsags Chowk

August 3, 2013  Leh: CEC LAHDC Rigzin Spalbar said that a war memorial will be built at Skyatsags (petrol pump) Chowk in honour of the martyrs of Ladakh who sacrificed their lives in different wars from 1947 to 1999. The foundation for the same would be laid by the Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora, CEC Rigzin Spalbar and the Core Commander, 14 Core on August 8, 2013. CEC said that this memorial would be a reminder of all the sacrifices made by Ladakhi soldiers in army or paramilitary to safeguard their motherland from the enemies and to pay homage making them immortal through this memorial.

-Source: http://reachladakh.com/

BJP demands UT status for Ladakh

JAMMU, Aug 1: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today asserted for Union Territory (UT) status to Ladakh region, alleging that the Ladakhis have suffered immensely under the oppressive rule and domination by Kashmir dissentions and want liberation from slave like situation. Former MP from Ladakh and BJP leader, Thupstan Chhewng while addressing a press conference here today said, “The people of Ladakh have been demanding separation from Jammu and Kashmir by according Ladakh the status of a Union Territory as we fulfill all the criteria and norms that are essential for an area to be declared as a separate entity. The demand of the people of Ladakh is as older than the demand by people of Telangana for separate statehood as it was made as far back as 1947.”

The continuous neglect of Ladakh by successive Governments in the State of Jammu and Kashmir has proved our apprehension of discrimination and step motherly treatment, he added. Acting president, Leh BJP, Ven Lobzang Nyantak, Councilor LAHDC-Leh said, “Ladakh region is a victim of continuous neglect and discrimination at political and administrative levels. Despite the formation of Ladakh Automous Hill Development Councils both in Leh and Kargil districts, which constitute the Ladakh region, we remain at the receiving end in the State. In reality we continue to be governed through remote control from Srinagar by Kashmir Centric leadership. A UT alone can save us from the present dispensation”.

State spokesperson, BJP Youth wing, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal announced that on August 31, 2013, under the leadership of Thupstan Chhewang we are going to demonstrate a public protest in Leh to raise our demand of UT status to Ladakh region.

Mohd Hassan, BJP Block president Chushot, said that the Muslim community of Ladakh fully supports the demand and have full faith and confidence in the leadership spearheading demand for UT status to Ladakh.

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/bjp-demands-ut-status-for-ladakh/

Meeting held to strengthen army and civil relationship

 July 22 Indian Army called upon CEC LAHDC Rigzin Spalbar on 20th July 2013, to discuss on the issues dealing with army and civil relationship in the district.

In the meeting, CEC urged the army officers to make the programmes of Operation Sadbhavana more meaningful and beneficial in the rural areas of the district especially in the border areas. He said this can be done by focusing more on ensuring their living standard through better health and providing them facilities of basic amenities which is imperative from national security point of view.

Stressing on the demand to regularize the local labourers working for army from a long period on contractual basis, CEC urged them to take firm and immediate action on it. He also made a mention of opening a women battalion in army and Para military for Ladakhi women considering their adaptability to serve in such geographical condition besides the dearth of job opportunity in the region which in coming times may result in a social crisis.

Making a mention of the new bridges constructed by army on national highways, CEC requested them to handover the old structures to the govt. which can be used in connecting the remote hamlets that remain cut-off in absence of roads connectivity. Keeping in view the increasing road accidents and traffic congestion Spalbar urged army to take up the making of Leh to Kharu as a 4 lane road and recommend it directly to BRO for its immediate execution. With the expectation that more than 2 lakh devotees will visit Ladakh during Kalachakra in 2014, CEC sought assistant and cooperation from army for smooth and secure handling of the event.  The army reassured on maintaining a more cordial relationship between army and civil population and said that army is always ready for any sort of support and cooperation for the people of Ladakh

 http://reachladakh.com/ 

           

Hevajra Temple Phyang Inaugurated

July 22, Phyang: On the eve of 1001 anniversary of the great translator Marpa Lotsawa, the founding father of the glorious Kagyupa Lineage, the newly built Hevajra Temple was inaugurated on 18th July at Phyang Monastery by the blessing of H.H. the 37th Drikung Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche.  Many eminent foreign guests and sponsors, local heads of all the political parties, Rinpoches and Heads of Buddhist community, CEC LAHDC Rigzin Spalbar, EC Agriculture and Health, Councilors, ADC, District Officers and army official were also present.

Addressing the gathering Chetsang Rinpoche said that the establishment of this new temple is a blessing for the Buddhist community to earn good deeds through prayers and to promote moral and religious values among the community people. H.H. also stressed upon the Ladakhi to respect and look after their old aged parents seeing the dismay culture of children separating their parents as they reach old age.

Calling the occasion a historic day for the people of Ladakh, CEC Rigzin Spalbar said that this new temple is an addition to the Buddhist Cultural Centre with great significance. He asserted that it is a moment of pride for all the Buddhists of the region and it will have a great importance in spreading communal harmony and world peace. The President LBA Dr. Tondup Tsewang and President LGA Geshes Konchok Namgyal also spoke on the occasion. A book on the newly built Hevajra Temple was also released by Chetsang Rinpochey. To mark the occasion a cultural program was also presented. http://reachladakh.com/

Phyang Tsedup Festival celebrated

Stanzin Angmo, Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Phyang: The 28th and 29th day of the fifth month, according to the Tibetan calendar, is celebrated as the Phyang Tsedup Festival. The two day festival was celebrated on 6th and 7th July. The festival is a grand ceremony in which monks perform special prayers and Chhams (masked dance) robed in colourful brocade. Large number of locals as well as tourists came to witness the celebration.

Phyang Tsedup Festival is celebrated every year around the same month.  ‘Tsedup’ literally mean to intensify/better the life force; the festival was started during the reign of King Tashi Namgyal (1555-1575) and as the name of the festival ‘Tsedup’ suggests it was basically a prayer for the long and blessed life of the King.  During the two day festival, 50 feet ‘Thanka’ (painting) of Skyoba Jiksten Gonbo the founder of Digung monastic order is also exhibited.

“The history of Chhams(mask dance) dates back to 7th to 8th century in Tibet which was started by Guru Rinpoche (Padma Sambhava) and is has been spreading since then. It’s been around 400 years since Chhams is being performed in Phyang,” said Khanpo Konchok Namdak. Talking about the importance of Chhams he said, “To the people it might seem just as a performance by monks with masks but it has several deeper meanings. The monks with masks depicts the gods and goddesses, who through their symbolic dance is a way to show people a path towards enlightenment, especially those who are already close to achieving it. Another important symbol of the mask dance is to prepare the people through ‘Pardo’ (time after death), during which they will be confronting these gods and goddesses. Chams is also performed so that the land at which it is being performed would become pious and blessed.”

The Chams also includes a dance by Aphi-Maymay (Grandmother and grandfather). The second day also has Chams and Storma (an officering to gods and goddesses) which will conclude the festival.

Source: http://reachladakh.com/

Leh shuts down over Bodh Gaya attacks

Tarun Upadhyay , Hindustan Times  Jammu, July 08, 2013

A complete bandh was observed in Leh and adjoining towns to protest against terrorist attack at Bodh Gaya on Sunday. The bandh was observed in the Buddhist-dominated Zanskar area of Kargil district. All commercial and educational institutions were closed and people took out a protest march. The bandh was supported by people of different communities and political ideologies. "The bandh was complete and peaceful. There was no report of any untoward incident. The administration had beefed up security at important religious sites," Leh deputy commissioner Simrandeep Singh told HT.

The protest was held on Sunday and a candlelight procession was also taken out. The protesters, after walking through the main street of Leh town, assembled at Polo ground. People from Muslim community and representatives of Hindu and Christian organisations also attended the meeting at Polo ground. "People were angry that if intelligence reports were available of a possible attack why enough security measures were not taken? They threatened to start a hunger strike and long-drawn protests in Leh if the Centre doesn't show seriousness towards this attack," said ex-MP Thupstan Chewang.

In a coordinated terror attack, nine serial blasts rocked Buddhist pilgrimage town of Bodh Gaya and its famed Mahabodhi temple on Sunday, injuring two monks. Protests were also held in all nine blocks of the Leh district. "Bodh Gaya is like Mecca for every Buddhist. We are shocked and anguished over this attack. People not only strongly condemn it but want a thorough and fair probe into it," said N Namgyal, MLA, Nubra.

Leh is the only Buddhist majority district of the state with about 1.5 lakh population. Zanskar in neighbouring Muslim-dominated Kargil district has an additional 25,000 Buddhist population. The bandh affected tourists as well as all commercial establishments were closed and vehicles movement was not allowed. The administration has made special arrangements to take back passengers from Leh airport as flights from Delhi could not land because of bad weather. Till now about 50,000 tourists had visited Leh, which is the only part the state unaffected by terrorism.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/

Chinese trio held by troops near LAC in Leh

LEH, June 30 (Agencies): After dealing with the PLA incursion last month, army personnel have now apprehended three persons of Chinese origin along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) carrying political maps in Arabic language in the same area.

The three men, identified as Adil, Salamo and Abdul Khaliq, were nabbed inside the Indian territory on June 12 near Sultanchku and it took nearly 10 days for the authorities to make them give their name, official sources said. All the three men are Sunni Muslims aged between 18 and 23 with fair complexion but their language was not comprehensible, they said. The three men -- one of whom is one-eyed -- were at present in the custody at Murgo post and efforts were on to comprehend their language which did not have any similarity with either Chinese or Balti spoken in Pakistan-Administered-Kashmir's Baltistan.

It was also not clear where from they had come as the nearest habitation across the LAC was in North of Karakoram range. Authorities are working on the possibility that they could have entered through either Raki Nallah, Jeevan Nallah or North of Daulat Beig Oldie, where Indian and Chinese troops had a face-off for nearly 21 days from April 15 to May five. The three men, who are well built, cannot be interrogated until they are brought to Leh town where translators could be used to understand their language, the sources said. There was a possibility that the language could be Yarkandi spoken in Xinjiang province, close to Pakistan-Administered-Kashmir and touches DBO tip in north of Ladakh. The area has a huge Uyghur population.

Both summer and winter road connectivity to this post were cut off due to bad weather in Ladakh region this year. Now the authorities have sought permission to airlift the trio to Ladakh for a detailed questioning.

The Home Ministry had written to the Defence Ministry seeking clearance for a helicopter to ferry the trio, the sources said, adding that it was still awaited.

The three men were carrying a big political map and two smaller versions of the document with Arabic script on it. Besides this, they were carrying improvised swords and knives, tinned food including egg powder (useful in higher region), Chinese currency of over 900 Yuan and Chinese leather jackets. According to the laid down procedure along the LAC, the custody of any accused apprehended in the area has to be with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and interrogation can be carried out by central security agencies.

Source: http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=19122

Drukpa Buddhists Rejoice in the Colourful Annual Hemis Festival

NEW DELHI and LEH, India, June 28, 2013

The two-day annual Hemis Festival by the Drukpa Buddhists was celebrated at the Hemis Monastery in Leh, with a roaring attendance of more than 75,000 guests from all over the world and blessed by Ladakh’s spiritual head, His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa. Celebrated on the 10th and 11th day of the 5th lunar month, the Hemis Festival marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, the 8th century Indian guru revered for spreading Tantrayana Buddhism throughout the entire Himalayas. The courtyard of Hemis Monastery, the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, is the permanent venue for the celebrations.

Drukpa Buddhists celebrated the legendary Hemis Festival with great enthusiasm. The festival duration is marked as a local public holiday, and involves the entire city. Locals dressed up in their finest traditional garb for the occasion and thronged the festival venue.

People from a cross section of societies and countries jostled with each other to watch monks perform splendid masked dances and sacred plays called ‘Cham’ to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. Sacred plays accompanied by cymbals, long horns and drums were also performed. This series of mask dances, performed by the monks, demonstrated good prevailing over evil. The monks put on elaborate and colourful costumes and brightly painted masks, the most vital part of the dance. The dance movements are slow, and the expressions grotesque. Healing scent of herbal incense filled the atmosphere.

On the first day of the Hemis Festival, the first dance was setting limit or 13 black hat dancers, followed by sixteen dancers wearing copper gilded masks. Then there was the eight different forms of Padmasambhava followed by Guru Padma Vajra. On the second day, the monks will continue their traditional performances on various instruments, put on exhibition the thangka-painting of silk patwork of great Gyelsey Rinpoche. The monks afterwards assembled in hall and started the worship of Maharaja Pehara, a protector of Buddhist teaching. At 11 am the eleven senior monks came out in the retinue of Maharaja Pehara.

About Drukpa Buddhists

The Drukpa Buddhists follow the Mahayana Buddhist tradition in philosophy, i.e. the philosophy of “getting enlightened for the benefit of others” and the methods are based on the Tantrayana teachings passed down from the great Indian saint Naropa, born in 1016. “Druk” in means “Dragon” and it also refers to the sound of thunder. In 1206, the first Gyalwang Drukpa saw nine dragons fly up into the sky from the ground of Namdruk, and he named his lineage “Drukpa” or “lineage of the Dragons” after this auspicious event.

Source: http://www.drukpa.org

Leh-Ladakh

Silk Route Festival concluded

June 26, 2013 Nubra: Two days Silk Route Festival 2013 concluded at Sand dune Leisure Park Sumoor, Nubra on 24th June. Rigzin Spalbar, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC),LAHDC was Chief Guest and other guest of Honours included Dr.Sonam Wangchuk, EC, Health, LAHDC Leh, Tsetan Namgyal, MLA Nubra, Gyurmet Dorjey, EC, Tourism, LAHDC Leh and P.Namgyal Former Union Minister.  Recognizing the potential of Sumoor (the model village of Nubra) village in playing central role in economic development through cultural tourism, the villagers started an annual village festival two years back. To make the festival more beneficial the villagers requested Dr Sonam Wangchok, founder/secretary Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) for collaboration and guidance.

In a meeting held in Sumoor on 1st June 2013, it was agreed that this year the festival will be organized by Samstan Otsal Tsogspa in collaboration with Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) to complement the newly discovered Sand Dune and Camel Safari in Sumoor. Accepting the proposal of Dr Sonam Wangchok the villagers agreed to name the festival as “Silk Route Festival".

The CEC congratulated the Samstan Otzer Tsogspa and Himalayan Culture Heritage Foundation to start the festival with a vision to promote the cultural heritage in the area and expressed hope that they will also work to strengthen the identity of Ladakh through its cultural preservation. CEC said that this festival should be promoted to attract more tourists to Nubra valley which in turn will result in the economic development of the region. He also suggested the Samstan Otzer Tsogspa to prepare a policy project for necessary financial assistance from centre as well as state govt. to execute developmental works in the area as per the need of the people.

Gyurmet Dorjey said that the main reason behind the growing tourist in Ladakh is its rich cultural heritages and urged upon the people to promote the rich cultural heritage. He assured that LAHDC would extend financial help for conservation and promotion of cultural values and is also taking necessary measure for protection of bacterian camel in Nubra through Animal Husbandry Department.

The two-day-long extravaganza was in keeping with the essence of the Ladakhi festival; marked by feasts, dances, games and music, all in full measure while taking measures not to disturb the ecological sensitivity of the region.

The Silk Route Festival offered a unique tourism product through provision of the Ladakhi village cultural and traditional lifestyle in aspects of accommodation and hospitality, entertainment, arts and crafts. Handicraft items made by hands by locals were displayed, which included gift & souvenir articles, office-ware, furniture and furnishings, accessories, decorative items, tableware, house ware and traditional dresses. The villagers also utilised the occasion to promote traditional food by putting up stalls to sensitize visitors relating to indigenous local foods. The stalls were designed to emulate a typical village household where the visitors could sit on the floor and enjoy the food items in a traditional way.

Traditional dances, folk songs and folk music added to the aura. The dances were performed in groups. The beauty of the dances is raised by the colourful costumes, gold, silver, brass and precious stone ornaments etc. To spread awareness particularly among the younger generation and to review the centuries old famous sports of Ladakh, the traditional Archery was also organised. The MLA, Nubra Tsetan Namgyal while speaking on the occasion expressed thanks to CEC and ECs and other guests for participating in the festival and said that through this festival they intend to publicize the Sumoor sand dune as a tourist destination. Councilor Tigar Rigzin Wangdus also spoke on the occasion.

Source: http://reachladakh.com/

Ladakh Scouts celebrate golden jubilee

UDHAMPUR, June 2: Ladakh Scouts Regiment celebrated its Golden Jubilee with traditional zest and fervor on Saturday. The Regiment was raised on June 1, 1963 and has the unique distinction of participating in all post independence wars. The Regiment has being bestowed with Battle Honours ‘Turtuk – 1971’, ‘Batalik – 1999’, Theatre Honour ‘Kargil – 1999’, Chief of Army Staff Banner and Unit Citation in addition to 520 honours and awards for exceptional valour and acts of gallantry in various operations.

A wreath laying ceremony was held at the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) War Memorial where wreaths were laid by Lt Gen Sandeep Singh AVSM, SM, VSM, Colonel of JAK RIF & LADAKH SCOUTS, Ex Colonels of the Regiment, Col SS Patil, Commandant LSRC, veterans and serving soldiers. A Special Sainik Sammelan was organized on the occasion which was attended by senior serving and retired officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks. Speaking on the occasion, the Colonel of the Regiment extolled the bravery, courage and sacrifices of all ranks of the Regiment and commended Col SS Patil for achieving outstanding standards in training of recruits. All ranks observed a two minute silence in memory of the martyrs.

On this occasion a special ‘First Day Cover’ was released and Golden Jubilee Mountaineering Expedition to a virgin peak situated at an altitude of 7769 meters was also flagged off. The Colonel of the Regiment Banner for displaying outstanding performance in various Inter Battalion professional and sports competitions was presented to Col SK Sharma, Commanding Officer 5 Ladakh Scouts.

http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=17815

लद्दाख में जुटने लगी सैलानियों की भीड़

Tue, 14 May 2013

  जागरण ब्यूरो, जम्मू : दौलत बाग ओल्डी इलाके से चीन के सैनिकों की वापसी के साथ ही लद्दाख क्षेत्र में पर्यटन से जुड़े लोगों की चिंता भी दूर हो गई। अप्रैल के दूसरे पखवाड़े में चीन सैनिकों की भारतीय क्षेत्र में मौजूदगी के कारण लेह के होटलों में टूरिस्ट की बुकिंग रद होने से क्षेत्र की अर्थ व्यवस्था के लिए संकट पैदा हो गया था। वहीं, मई के पहले सप्ताह में चीन की सेना की वापसी के साथ पर्यटक लौटने लगे हैं।

लेह में इस समय अढ़ाई हजार के करीब पर्यटकों की मौजूदगी के कारण पर्यटक आश्रित उद्योग पटरी पर लौटने लगे हैं। पर्यटकों में अधिकतर विश्व के अन्य हिस्सों से आए विदेशी पर्यटक हैं। हालांकि, पिछले साल के मुकाबले पर्यटन सीजन के पहले महीने अप्रैल में पर्यटकों की आमद में चालीस फीसद कमी आई है, लेकिन मई में टूरिस्ट बुकिंग में तेजी से उम्मीद जगी है। बीस मई के आस पास लेह मनाली सड़क के खुलने व देश के अन्य हिस्सों में गर्मियों की छुट्टियां पड़ने से पर्यटकों की संख्या बढ़ना तय है।

लेह में बारह हजार पर्यटकों के ठहरने की व्यवस्था है। इसके साथ पर्यटकों के लिए हर प्रकार के चार हजार वाहन हैं। ऐसे में अगर पर्यटक न आएं तो पर्यटक पर निर्भर लोगों के लिए बड़ी मुश्किल हो जाएगी। अब पर्यटकों के आने से कुछ राहत मिली है। यह कहना है लद्दाख टूरिस्ट ट्रेड एसोसिएशन के चेयरमैन पीटी कुंजाग का। कुजांग का कहना है कि चीन की चुनौती तो टल गई है लेकिन महंगे हवाई सफर व लगातार कम हो रही उड़ाने लद्दाख के पर्यटन के लिए खतरा हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि किंगफिशर ने अपनी सेवा रद कर दी है, इसके साथ जेट ने भी एक उड़ान कम कर दी है। ऐसे में लेह तक का हवाई सफर महंगा हो जाने से पर्यटन पर असर पड़ना तय है। कुजांग का कहना है कि अच्छी बात है कि पर्यटक आने लगे हैं लेकिन यह तय है कि इस बार पिछले महीने के मुकाबले कम पर्यटक आएंगे।

वर्ष 2012 में पर्यटन सीजन के पांच महीनों के दौरान लद्दाख में पौने दो लाख के करीब पर्यटक आए थे। इस साल अप्रैल के दूसरे पखवाड़े में लेह के होटलों में हुई खासी एडवांस बुकिंग रद हुई है। इसके साथ पर्यटन सीजन का एक महीना भी कम हो गया है। वहीं, दूसरी ओर लेह ऑटोनोमस हिल डेवलपमेंट काउंसिल के मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी रिगजिन स्पालबार का कहना है कि पूरे प्रयास किए जा रहे हैं कि क्षेत्र में पर्यटन बढ़े। टूर ऑपरेटरों की सहायता से देश, विदेशी पर्यटकों को लद्दाख आने के लिए प्रेरित किया जा रहा है।

Source: http://www.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-10389957.html

China expects ‘quick’ resolution to Ladakh standoff

China on Thursday said it believed the on-going stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh could be resolved “quickly”, but reiterated its position that its troops had not crossed over into Indian territory. A third flag meeting between both sides held on Tuesday failed to defuse the stand-off, with recent reports saying China had reinforced its position by setting up a fifth tent and sending across supplies to its troops. China, however, said on Thursday it believed on-going consultations between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Chinese Foreign Ministry through the joint mechanism on border affairs could bring about a quick resolution to the stand-off.

The Foreign Ministry also called on the media to “give more time and be more patient”, saying “the issue will be properly resolved soon through negotiation”. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters at a regular briefing "the relevant negotiation mechanism is conducive to solving the relevant issue quickly". Ms. Hua did not directly reply to a question about when the Chinese troops would withdraw from their position. “This is a very specific question, but I want to reiterate that Chinese troops carry out normal patrols along the Chinese side of the LAC between China and India, and China and India are talking about the issue for a complete and appropriate settlement,” she said.

While officials say perceptions of the LAC are differing, neither side had taken the step of setting up tents in areas where claim-lines are overlapping - a move seen as escalating tensions. Ms. Hua did not go into specifics regarding the outcome of Tuesday’s flag-meeting. To a question about reported Chinese demands for India to remove certain fortifications in Ladakh, Ms. Hua said “China is firmly opposed to any action that crosses the LAC.” When asked if China believed that any Indian fortification had trespassed what it saw as the LAC, Ms. Hua only said both countries had “reached consensus [on maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas] and we are firmly opposed to any action that violates that consensus”.

Ms. Hua stressed that the issue would not affect overall ties, when asked if the on-going tensions would cast a shadow on the expected visit of new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to India on May  20. “China and India are neighbours. The border has not been delineated. Therefore it is natural for problems to crop up from time to time. What is important is for both sides to solve this issue as soon as possible through dialogue and negotiation,” Ms. Hua said.

Separately on Thursday, the Communist Party-run Global Times, a widely-read tabloid known for its nationalistic views, in an editorial called on the Indian government to do more “to clarify the so-called "intrusion" in a timely way and assume the responsibility of maintaining a good atmosphere”. “However, it hasn't done so,” the newspaper said. “It has remained silent and ambiguous, which indulges Indian media habits.”  The editorial said Indian officials had clarified the official position to the Chinese side and told them to not pay attention to “radical voices among some Indian media which sensationalise news”. “Indian media have continuously created trouble for the Sino-Indian relationship,” the newspaper said. “Either the Indian government should stand up to report true information to Indian society, or it should let Chinese public opinion contend with India's.” “The Indian public has been informed about Chinese troops' "intrusion" while provocative words uttered by Indian media and politicians can be read by Chinese people online. However, the reality is that communication over border issues between China and India has usually been smooth. Officials from both sides speak highly about the peaceful state of border areas,” the editorial said.

“China should firmly maintain its friendly policy toward India,” the newspaper added. “However, this doesn't mean that China will ignore provocations. Otherwise, the unhealthy tendency of hyping up China will keep happening.”

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/

चीनी पर भारत सख्‍त, आर्मी चीफ ने सुझाए 5 उपाए

नई दिल्ली, चीनी घुसपैठ के मसले पर बातचीत के लिए प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह ने थल सेनाध्यक्ष बिक्रम सिंह को बुलाया है. बिक्रम सिंह इस वक्त सुरक्षा पर कैबिनेट कमेटी को मसले की जानकारी दे रहे हैं. दूसरी तरफ चीनी घुसपैठ पर सेना ने अपनी अंतरिम रिपोर्ट रक्षा मंत्री एंटनी को सौंप दी है. रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि घुसपैठ चीन की सोची-समझी चाल है. आज तक को मिली एक्सक्लूसिव जानकारी के अनुसार सेना ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में कहा है कि चीन ने 2 स्निफर डॉग के अलावा तीन गाड़ियों के साथ घुसपैठ की. इसके साथ मामले का निपटारा करने के लिए 6 उपाय भी सुझाए.

अंतरिम रिपोर्ट के अहम बिंदू

पूर्वी लद्दाख क्षेत्र में चीन की घुसपैठ एक सामरिक स्तर का ऑपरेशन नहीं बल्कि सोची-समझी रणनीतिक चाल है. 1. 10 दिन पहले पीएलए के 30 सैनिकों ने भारतीय सीमा में घुसपैठ की. चीनी सैनिक अपने साथ कई दिनों का राशन लेकर आए थे. चीनी सैनिकों के पास तीन वाहन होने की संभावना है.

2. 16,300 फीट की ऊंचाई पर एक सैनिक को प्रतिदिन 2-3 किलो राशन और 5-6 लीटर पानी की जरूरत पड़ती है. चीनी वहां पर 10 दिन से बने हुए हैं. इस दौरान चीन की तरफ से किसी तरह की सप्लाई मुहैया नहीं कराई गई है जो बताता है कि वे पूरी तैयारी के साथ आए थे.

3. PLA सैनिकों के दो स्निफर कुत्ते भी हैं. हालांकि अभी तक उन्होंने किसी तरह आक्रामक व्यवहार नहीं दिखाया है. सेना इन घुसपैठियों पर कड़ी नजर रख रही है. घुसपैठियों की संख्या बढ़ने की स्थिति में उसका जवाब दिया जाएगा.

सूत्रों की मानें तो सेना ने इस मामले के निपटारे के लिए 5-6 उपाय भी सुझाएं है. जिसमें एक उपाय सैन्य कार्रवाई का है. हालांकि सरकार ने मसले का बातचीत के जरिए हल निकालने पर जोर दिया है.

Source: आज तक ब्यूरो

घुसपैठ मामला : चीन ने अपने सैनिकों को हटाने की तिथि बताने से किया इनकार

बीजिंग: चीन ने लद्दाख की देपसांग घाटी से अपने सैनिकों को हटाने के सम्बंध में कोई निश्चित तिथि बताने से इनकार कर दिया है, लेकिन साथ ही कहा कि दोनों देशों के द्विपक्षीय संबंधों में नए तनाव को संभवत: ‘जल्दी ही बातचीत के जरिये सुलझा’ लिया जाएगा। चीन के विदेश मंत्रालय की प्रवक्ता हुआ चुनयिंग ने मीडिया से कहा, ‘‘आपने बहुत विशेष प्रश्न किया है और मैं दोहराना चाहता हूं कि चीनी सेना भारत और चीन की सीमा पर वास्तविक नियंत्रण रेखा के पास चीनी सीमा में सामान्य गश्त करती रहती है।’’ उनसे पूछा गया था कि लद्दाख घाटी के दौलत बेग ओल्डी (डीबीओ) से चीनी सेना कब तक हटने की योजना बना रही है। चीनी सेना ने इस क्षेत्र में अपने खेमे लगाए हुए हैं।

दोनों देशों के सैन्य अधिकारियों के बीच हुई वार्ता और पिछले वर्ष दोनों देशों के बीच किसी भी सीमा विवाद को निपटाने के लिए तय नयी प्रक्रिया का हवाला देते हुए विदेश मंत्रालय की प्रवक्ता ने कहा, ‘‘चीन और भारत इस मुद्दे के पूर्ण और समुचित समाधान के लिए इस पर बातचीत कर रहे हैं।’’ यह पूछने पर कि क्या चीन भारतीय सेना द्वारा बंकरों और खंदकों के निर्माण का विरोध करती है? प्रवक्ता ने कहा, ‘‘चीन की सेना नियंत्रण रेखा का उल्लंघन करने वाले किसी भी निर्माण का कड़ा विरोध करती है।’’ चीन का मानना है कि सीमा क्षेत्र में शांति और स्थायित्व ‘दोनों पक्षों के हितों का ख्याल’ रखता है। इस मुद्दे पर कई सवालों का जवाब देते हुए विदेश मंत्रालय की प्रवक्ता हुआ चुनयिंग ने कहा, ‘‘हमें आशा है कि मीडिया इसे कुछ और समय देगा और थोड़ा धैर्य रखेगा। इस मुद्दे को जल्दी ही बातचीत के जरिये सुलझा लिया जाएगा।’’ उन्होंने कहा कि दोनों पक्ष उचित प्रक्रिया के तहत एक दूसरे के साथ संपर्क में हैं और गंभीरता से बातचीत कर रहे हैं।

चुनयिंग ने कहा, ‘‘हम एक-दूसरे की स्थिति को और बेहतर समक्ष रहे हैं। दोनों पक्ष इस मुद्दे को मित्रवत बातचीत के जरिए सुलझाने के इच्छुक और समर्थ हैं। सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रों में शांति और स्थायित्व बनाए रखने तथा चीन-भारत के संबंधों के बेहतर विकास को भी दोनों पक्ष इच्छुक और समर्थ हैं।’’ उन्होंने कहा कि वर्तमान प्रक्रिया ‘इस मुद्दे को जल्दी सुलझाने में सक्षम’ है। प्रवक्ता ने कहा, ‘‘सीमा विवाद इतिहास से जुड़ा मुद्दा है। हमारे बीच एक महत्वपूर्ण सहमति बनी है कि सीमा विवाद का द्विपक्षीय सम्बंधों पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव नहीं पड़ना चाहिए।’’ उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘चीन और भारत सीमा क्षेत्र में शांति और स्थायित्व बनाए रखते हुए दोनों पक्षों के बीच के विवादों और मतभेदों को सुलझाने पर भी राजी हैं।’’

पूछने पर कि क्या वह भारतीय विदेश मंत्री सलमान खुर्शीद की बीजिंग यात्रा की पुष्टि कर सकती हैं चुनयिंग ने कहा कि यात्रा के सम्बंध में सूचना उचित समय आने पर जारी की जाएगी। खुर्शीद ने कहा था कि वह 9 मई को बीजिंग की यात्रा पर जा रहे हैं लेकिन अटकलें लगाई जा रही हैं कि लद्दाख ‘घुसपैठ’ मामला नहीं सुलझने की स्थिति में भी क्या यह यात्रा होगी। आशा है कि खुर्शीद की बीजिंग यात्रा के बाद इस महीने के अंत में चीन के नवनियुक्त प्रधानमंत्री ली क्विंग नई दिल्ली की यात्रा पर आएंगे। घुसपैठ मामले से दोनों यात्राओं पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पड़ेगा या नहीं इस संबंध में किए गए सवालों को चुनयिंग टाल गईं।

Source: http://khabar.ndtv.com/news/show/