Ladakh Culture Center:

The Tibetan Youth Congress in Ladakh had, some years ago discussed about the need for a Tibetan Cultural Centre in Ladakh. Considering the manpower and financial requirement for such a venture, the views expressed by the Tibetan Youth Congress there could not be put into a practical shape.

During the visit of the Men-Tsee-Khang Director August end, 1996, to inspect the clinics there, he had a meeting with the key settlement people, heads of the various organization etc. to explain Men-Tsee-Khang services and to seek material suggestions for improvements. Mr. Ngodup Wangdue, the Director of SOS Tibetan Children's Village explained the need for a Tibetan Cultural Centre in Ladakh. He explained that part from the Tibetan Children's Village, there is no Tibetan Centre in Ladakh. He explained that apart from the Tibetan Children's Village, there is no Tibetan Centre in Ladakh to promote our ancient culture. The scope for a Tibetan Cultural Centre is vast because many western tourists visit Ladakh every year for 5/6 months from April/May. Moreover, the Cultural Centre will be of great benefit to the local people there. The other key people who attended the meeting endorsed the idea of a cultural Centre there and had requested Men-Tsee-Khang to establish one unit there.

For the past many centuries, the Indian people of the Himalayan states had a strong religious and cultural contact with Tibet. Even in exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama strongly feels that we should render maximum help to the Himalayan states in religious and cultural matters.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama had blessed the idea of a Tibetan Cultural Centre in Leh and< said that such a Centre would be of great value in the region in the near future, provided Men-Tsee-Khang can take care of the financial requirements. He also advised that rather than going for rented premises in Le, it would be a good idea to raise constructions.

In late November 1996, Men-Tsee-Khang requested Dr. Daito Sadamitsu of Dana International Centre (DIC), Hiroshima, Japan to finance the project fully or partially. The DIC had earlier financed the construction of Bhandara Settlement Clinic and staff quarters. In May 1997, Dr. Daito Sadamitsu mentioned that the DIC might support the project entirely, but the members of the DIC will decide after the visit of Dr. Daito Sadamitsu to Ladakh.

As a special consideration for Men-Tsee-Khang, Tibetan Children Village (TCV) offered to sell the property for Rs. 1.5 millions. In June 1997, the Men-Tsee-Khang Governing Body discussed on the project as a whole, the offer given by TCV, future need for such a Centre etc. and had resolved to take the TCV property.

Scope of the C