A meeting was held in Lotsava Auditorium Hall on 21 April to condole the death of Chhimet Namgyal, veteran Journalist and Editor of ‘Ladags Sargyur’, a vernacular (Bhoti) language newspaper. He died in Srinagar Hospital after a brief illness on 20th April. 

The condolence meeting was organised by the Cultural Academy, Leh.

The literary and media fraternity of Ladakh under the chairmanship of eminent scholar Tashi Rabgias expressed great shock and sorrow over the demise of Editor, Chhimet Namgyal.

To pay tribute to the departed soul, 2-minutes silence was observed. The meeting was attended by a large number of scholars, intellectuals, writer, journalist and artists.

Chhimet have authored five books on different subjects of Ladakh. In the year 1997, the J&K board of School Education selected him as a language expert. He along with other scholar members prepared Bhoti textbooks for class 1st and 2nd and from 9th to 12 standards. He has played an active role in cultural and literary activities and had written dramas, short stories, poems and articles on varied subjects. 

Highlighting his lifetime services and contributions towards cultural and literary activities the speakers termed his death as a great loss to the society. He has been a member of many organisations and also served as a Councilor of Leh Hill Council.

Tsewang Paljor, Special officer for said, “The beautiful thing about him was whatever work we give him he complete it on time and never say no to any work. He was always ready to work without any excuses and on a timely basis. He was very bold and direct in his opinions.” 

Geshe Konchok Namgyal ;President Ladakh Gonpa Association, Tsering Norbu Martse, President Ladakh Cultural Forum, Gen Tsering Chosphel Editor of Culture Academy Leh and General Secretary of Press Club Leh,  Rinchen Angmo Chumikchan threw lights on his life and contribution and said that the demise of Chhimet Namgial is an irreparable loss to the literary field of Ladakh.

Tashi Rabgias told that 'Ladakh Phonya' which was published in the year 1904, was the first news journal of Ladakh published by a Society, 'Yargyas Kongphel' was the first newsletter published in Ladakh by a Govt. Department and the 'Ladags Sargyur' was the first Bhoti Newsletter started by an individual. 

Morup Stanzin, President, Press Club Leh said, “We, the media fraternity of are saddened by the death of one of the journalist and we offer our sincere condolences. He was one of the great promoters of Bhoti Language and his death is a great loss to the society.”

Tashi Rabgais, Scholar said that it should continue and Ladags Sargyur was run solely by Chhimet Namgyal with hard efforts bearing monetary expense from his own pocket with the aim to contribute to the society.