Celebrating International Mother Language Day, 17000 ft Foundation launched Bhoti Story Books at the Next Chapter, a Children’s Library setup by 17000 ft Foundation in Zangsti, Leh on February 21.

The books were translated by Dr. Jamyang Gyaltsan, State awardee for Literature on Republic Day 2021. Many of the story titles have also been contextualized for Ladakh through illustrations created by multiple Ladakhi illustrators.

The event was launched by Advocate Tashi Gyaltson, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh, Ladakh.

Dr. Jamyang Gyaltsan; Sonam Dorje Namgyal, Principal, HSS Khaltse representing the Chief Education Officer, Department of Education, Leh; Founding Directors of 17000 ft Foundation, Sonam Dawa; Sujata Sahu and the entire staff of 17000ft, Leh Officer were present.

Tashi Gyaltson spoke about the need to preserve Ladakhi culture through local language and also understanding Ladakhi heritage. He appreciated the work of 17000 ft Foundation, who he said, was one among the few NGOs who really worked at the grassroots level and in many remote villages. He expressed the hope that 17000ft would continue to work in close collaboration with the Council to improve education across Leh District.

Dr. Jamyang Gyaltsan stressed on the promotion of language as the first step to preserving Ladakhi culture. He expressed his confidence that these attractive stories and books would definitely inspire children to read more. Dr. Jamyang expressed his thanks and appreciation of 17000 ft Foundation for their contribution to Ladakhi society and culture.

Sonam Dawa, Director 17000 ft Foundation introduced the Foundation and spoke about 17000ft’s overall aim to preserve Ladakhi culture and enable children to have a good education in Govt. Schools. 

He appreciated Dr. Jamyang Gyaltsan’s contribution in ensuring a successful completion of this project and also thanked young Ladakhi illustrators who helped breathe new life to the story books.

Sujata Sahu, Founder 17000ft Foundation mentioned that the books will be distributed free of cost across all Govt. & Private Schools and other Institutes of Ladakh that teach Bhoti Language

17000 ft Foundation is an eight-year-old NGO in Ladakh that works to improve education in very remote schools of Ladakh and has adopted over 200 schools across Leh and Kargil districts where they have setup libraries, playgrounds, classroom furniture, provided paint and carpets, and trained teachers. They have  also Digitized 105 Schools with a specialized Digital Learning Solution called the DigiLab, created for villages with neither continuous electricity nor mobile connectivity. 17000 ft Foundation had previously also published, released and distributed 21 titles on Children’s Day 2015, bringing the total of Bhoti Story books by them to 36.