Celebrating Losar, a Cultural and Literary Festival was organised by the Ladakh Academy of Culture and Languages (LAACL) at Language Centre New Academy Complex, Kargil on January 7.

Acting Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Kargil Er Phunchok Tashi, who was the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the festival. Executive Councilor Health, LAHDC, Kargil, Mohsin Ali; Chairman Haj Committee Mohd Ali Majaz; Councilor Karsha, Zanskar Stanzin Jigmet and District Social Welfare & Tribal Affair Welfare Officer Kargil, Aga Sayed Jamal were present at the occasion.  

EC extended his greetings and wishes to the people of Ladakh at Losar Festival. He expressed optimism that the New Year will bring peace, prosperity, health, well-being, happiness, and joy.
He said 2022 was a very good year as compared to the previous years of the COVID-19 period in terms of development progress in Kargil and the whole Ladakh region.

Tashi expressed happiness over the participation of young writers, historians, poets, and artists of district Kargil in promoting the culture and heritage of Kargil. He added that it is encouraging to see them drawing inspiration from intellectuals which is the need of the hour.

He also applauded the role of LAACL in promoting cultural activities and providing writers and poets a continued platform to showcase their creativity and share their literary and cultural endeavors at the UT and national levels.

EC Mohsin also extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Ladakh for Losar. He said that Kargil has unique multi-ethnic cultural and linguistic traditions on account of which people across the globe visit to witness and adore this great culture.

He stressed the revival of culture and heritage and urged the local clubs, organizations, and volunteers to come forward and work for the promotion and preservation of art, culture, and languages. 

“We should be focused to revive our heritage and culture and the LAACL has a foremost role to play in it. Losar is not just confined to Ladakh only as the region's cultural resonance spreads across Tibet to Baltistan,” he said.

Deputy Secretary, LAACL Kargil, Nazir Hussain said the department’s effort has always remained to promote and revive the heritage and culture of Kargil and the Traditional Kargil Losar Festival is among such events. He said LAACL Kargil is going to organize a 15-day traditional music workshop and cultural program during the upcoming Mamani Food Festival.

The paper reading on different ways of Losar celebration in different rural areas and tribes especially, on Purgi ethnic tribes, Balti ethnic tribes, Dardi ethnic Tribes were presented by Skarma Junglay, Hadi Balti, Zahid Mukhtar Budgami.

A colourful traditional cultural dance was showcased during the celebration by the cultural teams of areas including Kukshow, Mulbeck, Shargole, Drachik Aryan Valley and Dard-Sheen presented Balti and Purgi folk songs.