Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated Sherap Skitsal Ling Library and Learning Centre at Thiksey on June 28.

Sherap Skitsal Ling, which translates to a wisdom-growing pleasure grove, is one of the dream projects of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who laid the foundation stone on July 29 in 2018. The cost of the library, housing 6,622 books was ₹ 6 crores.

Terming the library and learning centre as rich, Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh shared that the Centre at Thiksay would benefit all the research scholars across the world. He said that the Centre would instil the hope to learn among people and stressed the need for the holistic development of the personality of every individual.

His Eminence Thiksey Rinpoche shared that HH the Dalai Lama, during a visit to Ladakh, expressed the wish to see a centre established in Ladakh that promotes all-inclusive teaching.

He added that more than 450 students from Class 8 to 10 were provided free winter tuition in 2019-20 and 2020-21 for more than a month. Thiksey Rinpoche shared that anybody can come and learn at the library cum learning centre.

A memento was presented to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Member of Parliament, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal expressed gratitude to HE Thiksey Rinpoche for the library and the learning centre. He also thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for his three-day visit to Ladakh.

MP Ladakh requested the UT Administration to take care of the maintenance of the library and the learning centre.

Tashi Tundup, Secretary of the Sherap Skitsal Ling Library and Learning Centre dedicated the Centre to the people of Ladakh. He said that the Centre endeavours to facilitating modern education and promotion of Himalayan art, culture, language and traditions, nurturing future generations through coaching facility for higher competitive examinations and career counselling, interfaith and diverse belief. The Centre also encourages confidence-building activities to promote communal harmony, promoting adult literacy programme to improve people's livelihood and promote ancient yoga and meditation.

Tashi highlighted that the Centre is an institution for comprehensive secular ethics-based learning and endeavours to revive the Nalanda tradition and promoting moral education.

Mehak Fatima one of the students at the free winter tuition classes, thanked Thiksey Rinpoche on behalf of students, who reaped the benefits from the 45-day long free tuition classes. She shared that the library and learning centre has a seminar hall that could be used to organise international-level seminars.

Local artists performed cultural performances highlighting the rich culture and heritage of Ladakh.