Former MP JTN urges Ladakh Administration to strengthen institutional support for Bhoti language

Leh, September 10:

A delegation led by former Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal met with Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Wednesday and submitted a Joint Resolution-cum-Memorandum seeking the preservation, promotion and institutional development of Bhoti language and literature.

The delegation also discussed important matters regarding mother tongue and knowing language options of ongoing census process.

The delegation comprised prominent representatives from academic, cultural and social organisations, including Dr. Sonam Wangchuk, President, Ladakh Cultural Forum (LCF); Dr. Urgen Dadul, Chairman, Language and Culture Committee, Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA); Dr. Sonam Paldan, President, Culture and Language Welfare Society, Ladakh, CIBS, Leh; Dr. Tsewang Gyaltsen, General Secretary, LCF; and Dr. Tsewang Yangjor, Representative, Himalayan Buddhist Culture Association (HBCA).

The resolution was unanimously adopted following detailed deliberations during the two-day National Seminar on “The History of the Bhoti Language and its Role in the Preservation and Promotion of Himalayan Buddhist Culture”, organised at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh.

The seminar brought together senior scholars, academicians, language experts and Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA), LCF, Culture and Language Welfare Society, Department of Bhoti, CIBS, and Ladakh Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages, and many others.

The memorandum highlighted several key measures for strengthening Bhoti language education and its institutional ecosystem, including:

• Creation and filling of adequate Bhoti TGT and PGT posts in schools.
• Strengthening the Ladakh Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages and filling its vacant posts.
• Establishment of a UT-level Bhoti Language Development Board/Authority.
• Formulation of a comprehensive Ladakh Language Policy in accordance with the objectives of NEP 2020.
• Establishment of appropriate regional branches/centres of the Ladakh Academy under the LAHDCs.
• Taking up the ongoing Census language-related issue with the concerned authorities.

During the meeting, the delegation emphasised that Bhoti is not only a language of communication but also an important vehicle for preserving Ladakh’s literary heritage, cultural identity and Himalayan Buddhist traditions. The delegation urged the UT Administration to adopt a long-term institutional framework for its preservation, development and wider use in education and public life.

The Chief Secretary gave a positive response and assured the delegation that necessary steps would be taken at the earliest regarding the Census language issue.

The delegation expressed appreciation to Chief Secretary Shri Ashish Kundra for giving the matter due consideration and for his assurance, while acknowledging the collective efforts of scholars, academicians, cultural organisations and community representatives in bringing the concerns relating to Bhoti language to the forefront.

The initiative reflects a collective and institutional effort to safeguard, strengthen and promote Bhoti language and literature for future generations.