"UnderstandingLadakhthrough itsHistory, Geography, and Culture"

The inauguration of the one-week (2 nd to 7th September 2024) certificate course "UnderstandingLadakhthrough itsHistory, Geography, and Culture" was held today at the University Leh campus, Taru.The event was graced by Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding, Fir and Fury Corps, and Honorable Vice Chancellor, Prof. S.K. Mehta. The course is organized by the Centre for Himalayan and Trans￾Himalayan Studies, the Department of History, and Department of Political Science. Twenty-three officers from the army and ITBP are participating in this course. The course is a unique and important initiative by both the University of Ladakh and the Army. It is designed to impart a holistic understanding of the various aspects of Ladakh to the serving army officers in the region of Ladakh. The entire course is categorized into three themes Geography and Environment, History and Socio-Cultural Heritage of Ladakh. The main objective behind designing this course is to give necessary information and knowledge of the region to the stakeholders serving in Ladakh, which would in turn help in forming a better bond and ties with the local people and their traditions. This understanding will also help in facilitating the execution of various developmental policies, which will lead to strengthening the symbiotic ties, particularlybetween the army and natives. In his welcome address, Prof. S.K. Mehta welcomes participantsfrom the army,faculty members and media persons. Prof Mehta has also spoken about the objectives of the course and said that the course will give necessary knowledge about the Ladakh region to the army officers serving in Ladakh. Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding, Fir and Fury Corps in his speech spoke about the benefit to the army personnel through course from the distinguished faculty members and resource persons. He also talked about the historical aspects of Ladakh and the importance of Ladakh. He thanks the Department of History and Centre for Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan Studies and the Department of Political Science for this informative course to the army personnel. Other guests included Brig. Vinod, DGS, Intelligence,Col. Ravi Prakash, Dr. Sonam Joldan, Dean, Academic Affairs, Deans, coordinators,and faculty members of the Department of History and Political Science. At the end, Dr. Phuntsog Angmo, Dean, colleges, UOL presented the vote of thanks.