Ladakh Cultural forum convened a meeting and unanimously appointed Mipham Otsal, Director, Ladakh Theater Organization (LTO) as the new president on November 6.

 Dr. Sonam Wangchok, Founder/secretary, Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) was appointed General Secretary along with many other members in executive and advisory committees. To revive and preserve Ladakh rich culture based on the ten sciences or fields of study categorized into two groups, major and minor fields, secretaries for each science were also appointed. The five major fields of study are Philosophy (nang don rigpa), Logic and epistemology (tshadma rigpa), Grammar and Literature (sgra rigpa), medicine (gsowa rigpa), and arts and Crafts (gzo rigpa). The five minor fields of study are astronomy and astrology (skar rtsis rigpa), poetry (snyan ngag rigpa), rhetroric (sdeb sbayor rigpa), lexicography (mngon brjod rigpa) and drama and dance (zlos gar rigpa).

With an aim to revive, preserve, and promote the rich cultural heritage, Ladakh Cultural Forum one of Ladakh’s oldest civil societies founded in 1976 by scholars and artists of Ladakh was reformed on September 11.

 General Secretary, Dr. Sonam Wangchok while highlighting different initiatives undertaken by Ladakh Cultural Forum since 1976, termed it as Ladakh’s largest association consisting of scholars, artists, NGOs, village societies, students, and individuals working in the field of cultural preservation in Ladakh.

“Strengthening Ladakh Cultural Forum by involving all local stakeholders is the need of the hour to protect Ladakh’s cultural heritage from all kinds of threats and challenges,” said Dr. Wangchok. 

President Mipham Otsal said that it has become important for all the cultural societies of Ladakh to work unitedly for the cause of protecting Ladakh’s cultural identity. He said the indigenous language is the root of the culture and that needs to be strengthened by inculcating interest in youth for their mother tongue.

Otsal assured that Ladakh Cultural Forum will lead from the front to make sure that Ladakh’s rich culture will be preserved and handed over to the coming generation.  

Secretary, Grammar and Literature (sgra rigpa), Dr. Thupstan Nurboo also addressed the representative of cultural societies of different villages and stressed on feeling pride of once own language. He suggested several ways forward for Ladakh Cultural Forum and cultural societies of Ladakh to attract children to learn their indigenous language and feel the pride of it.

Advisor, Ladakh Cultural Forum, Ven. Thupstan Paldan has shown concern about the changing behavior of local people due to a selfish and self-centered mindset. He advised the audience to revive traditional values and systems to ensure sustainable development.

Chairman of the meeting, Padmashree awardee Morup Namgyal in his speech highlighted the values of traditional folk songs and music and advised cultural societies of Ladakh to work closely with Ladakh Cultural Forum to organize workshops and awareness programmes to educate people about the importance of culture and heritage.

Tsewang Nubroo from Lamdon Society and Hashi Malo from Women Wing of Moin-ul-Islam also spoke on the importance of preserving Ladakh’s culture and assured to work with Ladakh Cultural Forum.