Jammu/Leh,December 16 (Scoop News) –Extending warm greetings on Losar (Ladakhi New year) to the people, especially Buddhist community, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora hoped that the New Year would bring harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity for the State and its people.
Minister for CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Addressing a function in connection with Losar celebrations organized by All Ladakh Students Association, Jammu, here, Jora highlighted the rich traditions of amity and brotherhood prevailing in Ladakh region since times immemorial and said that co existence of different faiths and cultures in the region symbolizes the high values of humanism. “We have to uphold the values of communal harmony and strive to conserve our rich cultural and heritage under all circumstances”, Jora added.
Urging upon students to take keen interest in studies to achieve excellence, the Minister said that the government has expanded the opportunities of higher and professional education across the State. He advised students to take full benefit of congenial academic atmosphere and achieve excellence in their streams of interest. He said “Youth are the future builders of a nation and they have to prepare themselves fully to face the future challenges”.
He said that the government is committed to ensure equitable development of all the three regions of the State and in this direction numerous innovative steps have already been taken by the Coalition Government during last four years.
Minister for CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon also congratulated the people on Losar and hoped that the New Year would bring peace, progress and prosperity for the people of the State.
ALSAJ President Tsewang Norbu presented a memorandum of demands in relation to Ladakhi students.
Earlier, the function commenced by lighting the traditional lamp by the Ministers. The students of Ladakh presented a colourful cultural programme depicting the rich cultural ethos of the region.
Prizes were also distributed among the meritorious students by the Ministers.
A large number of Ladakhi students, social , political personalities and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
It may mention here that Losar is a festival celebrated in Ladakh in December.Losar, a Tibetan word for New Year is made of "Lo" means year and "sar" means new. People in the snow clad Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir, came out on streets, swinging huge fireballs known as "Metho" to celebrate the festival, traditionally celebrated as the dawn of the New Year.At the start of the festival, two or three persons from every household will come holding burning incense. The burning sticks are then piled into a bonfire. Buddhists celebrate Losar with gaiety and fervour, which include illuminations, dancing, singing and general merry-making.They believe celebrating Losar will bid them of sufferings and miseries of the past years and bring happiness and prosperity in their lives in the coming years.
Being the most elaborate of all the socio-religious events of Ladakh, it is celebrated in accordance with the new year of the Buddhists. It occurs on the first day of the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar. Several the rites and rituals, which are a mixture of Buddhist and the pre-Buddhist religious practices, are conducted during this occasion. One popular custom is that images of Ibex and other auspicious symbols are made on the door and the walls of the kitchen.
Meanwhile N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, has extended warm greetings to the people of Ladakh on the auspicious occasion of Losar, the Ladakhi New Year.
In his message of felicitations, the Governor observed that the festival of Losar symbolizes the high traditions of love, tolerance, amity, communal harmony and brotherhood, which the people of Ladakh have cherished and nurtured over the centuries.
The Governor wished the people a Happy Losar and prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in the State.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has greeted people of Ladakh on Mela Losar wishing them well being and happiness.
In his message on Mela Losar, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the festival will be herald of peace and prosperity for the State and the country.
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