National workshop in Leh examines the future of Sowa Rigpa after recognition

Experts and practitioners deliberate on education, research, healthcare, documentation and standardisation.

LEH: The National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), Leh, on Thursday concluded a three-day national workshop examining the challenges and opportunities before Sowa Rigpa following its recognition as a system of medicine, with experts, practitioners, researchers and students discussing issues ranging from education and healthcare to research, documentation and standardisation.

The valedictory session of the workshop on “Scope and Challenges of Sowa Rigpa Post-Recognition” was chaired by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, at the NISR’s New Academic Building at Saboo.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from across the Himalayan region to deliberate on the institutional and professional development of Sowa Rigpa and the preservation of its traditional knowledge while expanding its contemporary applications.

Addressing the gathering, Kotecha highlighted the growing scope of traditional systems of medicine and the opportunities available for their development and wider recognition. Referring to Sowa Rigpa, he said greater attention could be given to education, research, healthcare, documentation and standardisation, as well as its recognition at the national and international levels.

He also acknowledged the challenges associated with expanding traditional systems of medicine and called upon students and young scholars of Sowa Rigpa to approach them with dedication, confidence and innovation.

Kotecha urged the younger generation to explore emerging possibilities and contribute to the further development of Sowa Rigpa.

The technical sessions during the three-day workshop examined institutional development, education, research, healthcare practices, preservation of traditional knowledge, standardisation and emerging opportunities and challenges in the post-recognition period.

Dr Padma Gurmet, Director, NISR, welcomed the Secretary and thanked the Ministry of Ayush for its continued support towards the preservation and promotion of Sowa Rigpa.

The programme was also organised as part of the observance of National Ayurveda Day, providing a platform to discuss the contemporary relevance and future scope of traditional systems of medicine.

Among those present at the valedictory function were Dr Tenzin Künphel, Chairman, Central Council of Tibetan Medicine, Dharamsala; Dr Dorje Damdul, Associate Professor and Dean, Faculty of Sowa Rigpa and Philosophy, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi; and Dr Phunsok Wangchuk, former Director, Health and Ayush, UT Ladakh.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for interaction among academics, practitioners, administrators and students, with discussions aimed at strengthening the academic, professional and institutional framework surrounding Sowa Rigpa.

After the valedictory session, participants visited the Trans-Himalayan Herbal Garden at Phey, where they were introduced to medicinal plants cultivated and conserved at the facility. The visit provided practical exposure to the region’s medicinal plant diversity and complemented the academic discussions during the workshop.