Vikram Singh Malik, Administrative Secretary of Tourism and Culture, inaugurated a week-long certificate program on Yige writing and reading. The program, organized by the Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (LAACL) Kargil, in collaboration with the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF), was held at the Academy Hall.

In his address, Secretary Malik expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural traditions and values. He congratulated the participants for their dedication to learning the Yige script, which he described as a gateway to the vast knowledge and wisdom of Ladakh.

He also noted with satisfaction that Yige experts within the community are committed to passing this valuable skill to the next generation. The Secretary was pleased with the strong turnout, highlighting the keen interest of the Kargil community in learning the script. He further instructed the concerned officers to coordinate with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) regarding land requirements for constructing an auditorium.

Former bureaucrat and author Kacho Asfandyar Khan Faridoon shared his experiences with learning the Yige script, encouraging the local community to engage in the process, as their familiarity with the language makes it more accessible. Former Director of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Leh, Geshe Kuncjok Wangdan, stressed the importance of prioritizing mother tongues in education and called for more efforts toward their preservation.

Nazir Hussain, Deputy Secretary of LAACL Kargil, delivered the welcome address, explaining that the training program is designed for those eager to learn Yige at the basic and intermediate levels.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Sonam Wangchok, Director of HCHF, followed by the resumption of the training session. The inaugural session was well-attended by literary enthusiasts, writers, poets, and participants. The program proceedings were conducted by Sajjad Ali Shujat.