Central Institute of Buddhist Studies celebrated its 64th Foundation Day on 23 October at Arya Nagarjuna Auditorium, CIBS, Leh.

Chief Guest of the occasion, Tashi Gyalson, CEC Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh paid his heartfelt tribute to the founder of the institute Kushok Bakula Rinpoche who started this institute with only 10 students and now it has flourished on a wide scale. He stated that CIBS is a premier institute where Buddhist philosophy is taught and in the coming days, it has the potential to become a prestigious central Buddhist institute at the national level.

He informed that under Samaghara Shiksha Yojana, 246 posts for Bhoti Teacher in Ladakh have been advertised on a contractual basis. He also emphasised the persistent efforts and contribution of MP Ladakh in strengthening Bhoti language, especially through the introduction of the Private Member Bill in the Parliament last year to include the Bhoti language in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal stated that the government has approved to enhance the stipend of CIBS students from class first to Ph.D. level. Further, he also addressed that under the second finance meeting held on 16 October, the government has approved providing a science laboratory and smart class at Leh Senior Secondary School and a school at Duzing Photang, Padum, Zanskar.

Further, he gave an estimated cost discussed in a meeting with the government which includes, 5 crores for expanding high secondary school, 15 crores for the construction of quarters for employees, and 13 crores for the construction of residential quarters for the vice chancellor, finance officer, examination controller etc. Hence, excluding scholarships, the total expenditure is 40 crores.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajesh Ranjan presented an overview of the institution and its progress reports and further informed the gathering of various developmental signs of progress made so far at the Deemed-to-be university to date.

Prize distribution sessions for students and staff were also held on the occasion. 
Ven. Konchok Tsepal, nominated councillor; Ven. Tsering Wangdus, President, All Ladakh Gonpa Association; C Phuntsog, IAS, Former Chief secretary of the erstwhile J&K state and Ex–Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Leh; Dr Tsering Phuntsog, General Secretary and  Tsering Palden, Director of School Education also spoke on the occasion.