Leh: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday reviewed the implementation of social welfare schemes in Ladakh, assured support for the proposed establishment of a Buddhist University in the Union Territory and visited the Mahabodhi Devachan Campus, where he pledged assistance for its humanitarian initiatives.
Athawale, who is on an official visit to Ladakh, was received by Secretary, Social and Tribal Welfare Nidhi Malik, the Director of Social and Tribal Affairs and other senior officials.
Chairing a review meeting of the Department of Social and Tribal Affairs, the Minister assessed the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and welfare programmes across the Union Territory.
According to an official statement, the Director of Social and Tribal Affairs presented the status of major schemes, including the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), SMILE Scheme, NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem), initiatives of the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The presentation also covered fund utilisation, departmental action plans and welfare interventions for vulnerable sections.
Athawale reviewed the functioning of old-age homes in Leh and Kargil under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana and sought details on the demographic profile of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, pension beneficiaries and the coverage of social security schemes in Ladakh.
He also reviewed the distribution of assistive devices through ALIMCO and directed officials to ensure timely availability of wheelchairs and other aids for persons with disabilities.
The Minister further assessed the functioning of District De-Addiction Centres in Leh and Kargil, reviewing issues relating to staffing, salaries, operational requirements and measures to strengthen drug demand reduction programmes.
Calling for a more responsive social welfare system, Athawale directed the department to strengthen institutional infrastructure, augment manpower, ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes in the newly created districts and closely monitor programme outcomes to ensure timely assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Social and Tribal Welfare Nidhi Malik, the Director of Social and Tribal Affairs, the Chief Welfare and Probation Officer and other senior officers.
Later, addressing a state-level meeting of the Buddhist Society of India, Ladakh State Branch, at Yangtse Yar Gya Tsogspa Community Hall in Leh, Athawale assured support for a proposal to establish a Buddhist University in Ladakh after representatives of Buddhist organisations submitted a memorandum seeking the institution’s establishment.
The meeting, chaired by BSI Trustee Chairman Dr. Chandrabhan (Modi) Patil, was attended by BSI National Trustee and President Rattan Somkuwar, Ladakh Buddhist Association (Leh) President Tsering Dorjey Lakruk, BSI Trustee Tsering Samphel, Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Rigzin Spalbar, besides monks, scholars, social activists and members of the public.
The memorandum urged the Government of India to establish a Buddhist University in Ladakh and strengthen Buddhist educational and cultural institutions, highlighting the region’s historical and spiritual importance as a centre of Buddhist learning.
Addressing the gathering, Athawale recalled the contribution of B. R. Ambedkar in establishing the Buddhist Society of India in 1954 to promote the teachings of Lord Buddha and the values of equality, peace and social justice.
The Minister said the Government of India has been promoting the country’s Buddhist heritage and described Buddhism as an important cultural link between India and the world. Referring to the proposal for a Buddhist University, he said he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities, acknowledging Ladakh’s significance as a centre of Buddhist learning.
Former Chief Executive Councillor Rigzin Spalbar urged the Centre to establish the university on the lines of the ancient Nalanda and Takshashila universities, saying it would promote higher learning, research and preservation of Ladakh’s Buddhist heritage.
Rattan Somkuwar said the proposed institution could become a landmark centre for Buddhist education and philosophy, while Tsering Samphel expressed hope that more national-level programmes of the Buddhist Society of India would be organised in Ladakh.
Representatives of the Buddhist Sangha paid tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for his role in reviving Buddhism in India and thanked the Union Minister for assuring support to the community’s long-pending demand. Tsering Dorjey Lakruk also appealed for the early establishment of the proposed university.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Chandrabhan Patil reiterated the Buddhist Society of India’s commitment to promoting the teachings of Lord Buddha and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and called for collective efforts to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage.
During his visit to Leh, Athawale also visited the Mahabodhi Devachan Campus, where he was received by Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder president and spiritual director of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), along with monks, nuns, students and members of the institution.
According to a separate statement, Bhikkhu Sanghasena briefed the Minister on MIMC’s humanitarian, educational, healthcare and spiritual initiatives in Ladakh and the Himalayan region. He sought the Ministry’s support for the Maitri Geriatric Home, which provides care to senior citizens, and for the proposed Ambedkar Memorial Park within the MIMC Buddha Park for World Peace.
Athawale appreciated the institution’s humanitarian work and assured all possible support from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and other concerned ministries for its welfare initiatives.
The Minister later visited the Buddha Park for World Peace, where he paid floral tributes at the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and appreciated the park’s efforts to promote peace, compassion, social justice and universal brotherhood, the statement added.
