The concluding session of the week-long basic course in Yige-the script used to write Purgi, Balti, and Ladakhi was held at Language Centre Kargil here today. Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan was the Chief Guest and Executive Councillor for Tourism and Culture Er Punchok Tashi was the Guest of Honour.Director CIBS Prof. Konchok Wangdus was the special guest on the occasion. The course was organized by Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh in collaboration with LAHDC, Kargil.Speaking on the occasion, the CEC appreciated CIBS Leh for having come forward to organize the seven-day programme in Kargil. He expressed hope that it will go a long way in reviving the lost glory of Purgi language through the adoption of its script, Yige.The CEC appreciated the step taken by Anayat Ali Shotopa, Copy Editor at All India Radio, Kargil to organize such a course in the district. He said that such courses will strengthen the intellectual community of Kargil in terms of better understanding of the nuances of the mother tongue.Feroz Khan further added that LAHDC, Kargil will create a new head under the District Plan for the development of Purgi and its script and ensure that there is no shortage of funds for such activities.
Feroz Khan said that the initiative should mark the beginning of an effort that should involve all stakeholders to promote the use of Purgi and asked participants to come up with new ideas in this regard. He declared that LAHDC, Kargil will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with CIBS in the near future which would be aimed to sustain this effort.The CEC said that this step will help the Education Department and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to develop a plan to strengthen the use of Purgi. The CEC also said that LAHDC, Kargil also intends to organize cultural exchange programmes to promote cultural awareness and dialogues among the cultural activists, writers, and artist from Kargil, Leh, and Baltistan. Er Punchok Tashi, while speaking on the occasion, expressed his thankfulness to Director CIBS Prof. Konchok Wangdus for responding so promptly to their request and also for extending the course from seven days to 10 days.Prof. Konchok Wangdus in his speech said that seeing the huge response and enthusiasm from the participants at Kargil CIBS will organize an advanced course at its campus during summer season this year for the students recommended by LAHDC, Kargil.He expressed his immense satisfaction at the successful conclusion of the course. “Before the course started, we expected about 40 to 50 participants, but in the end, more than 200 people who included students, teachers, officers, retired officers, and religious scholars enthusiastically participated,” he added.Meanwhile, the participants of the course expressed their gratitude to Instructor Dr Konchok Rigzin and Resource Person Skarma Junglay for their tireless efforts in imparting valuable knowledge and information during the training programme.