Celebrating Buddhism at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

The three-day Boudh Mahotsav/ Buddhist Festival at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology which started on 16 September concluded on Thursday. Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Ugen T Gyatso was the chief guest at the valedictory function here at the NIT. The function was also attended by Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department.
The festival was a learning experience and a success that managed to attract quite a large number of tourists and locals on most days. Visitors were very appreciative of the various exhibits which introduced them to tangible aspects of Buddhism according to NIT officials.
As a tourist from Chennai, Badal Devi said, “I particularly loved the sand mandala. It's superb! I enjoyed the festival as a whole and don't feel like going back home”.
The Buddhist chams/ dances as well as the folk dances by troupes from various Zonal Cultural Centres of India added much flair and vivid pageantry to the proceedings. The dance repertoire was bulked up on the second and third days with the inclusion of Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali and Tibetan dances by local clubs.
Minister, Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department was the chief guest at the inaugural function where he released the festival brochure. The Governor of Sikkim, Sriniwas Patil who is also the President of the NIT attended the second day of the festival.
NIT has especially thanked the Sowa Rigpa doctors led by Professor (Dr) Lobsang Samten who provided great yeoman service by examining over 200 patients during the three-day festival and providing one month’s medicines free of cost.
Organised by NIT under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the festival intended to showcase some of the tangible aspects of Buddhism and promote the values of peace, non-violence, compassion and loving kindness practiced by the Buddha.

The Torma offerings or butter sculpture crafted by monks of Karma Thupten Tashi Choeling Monastery, North Sikkim.

Kunrig or Vairocana sand mandala depicting the celestial mansion of the Vairocana deity made by monks of Sa-Ngor Chotshog Centre, Rongyek, East Sikkim.

Medicinal plants used in Sowa Rigpa or Ancient Tibetan Science of Healing on display. 

‘Basic Buddhist Teachings’ made accessible

NAMGYAL INSTITUTE OF TIBETOLOGY RELEASES HANDBOOK ON BASIC BUDDHIST PRACTICES
GANGTOK, 28 June: The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok, recently published a handbook titled ‘Basic Buddhist Teachings’ for those looking to familiarise themselves with basic Buddhist practices, but lacking the time or training to wade through theosophical texts. The book has been produced in two versions – one, a simple black & white title priced at no-profit price of Rs. 10 and available exclusively at the Tibetology bookshop in its complex in Deorali, and the other, a better produced book with a colour cover making it an apt gift. The latter is already available at Rachna Books at Development Area and Tibetology has invited interested bookshops to approach its office to place bulk copies.
As for the book itself, it has been compiled by Ani Karma Sonam Palmo, an Acharya at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and edited by Tenzing C Tashi of NIT.
The Editor’s Note explains Ani Karma Sonam Palmo was given a simple brief by the NIT Director – keep it simple. She was commissioned by NIT exclusively to compile a book on basic Buddhist practices and allied teachings as simply as she could for the lay people. Even a quick perusal of the book establishes that the Ani delivered on the brief and the editor cleaned up text to keep things consistent, and more importantly, accessible.
The Editor introduces the book as, “a simple, unpretentious book that we hope will be useful for the lay Buddhist anywhere”, and this thread is sustained through the six chapters which make up this title. The book aims to answer basic questions revolving around everyday Buddhist rituals and practices, including their significance, and should come as a welcome publication for parents who frequently find themselves grasping for explanations for rituals and practices they have always taken for granted, but the young need more explaining to accept and respect.
The book opens with a chapter dedicated to common daily routines and occasional practices and concludes with a chapter on basic Buddhist teachings.
Everyday rituals like the lighting of butter lamps, incense offerings, prostrations are explained along with the significance of each activity. Important dates on the Tibetan astrological almanac are also explained together with notes on basic Buddhist teachings. Also included are notes from the editor wherever additional information was felt necessary.
The editor explains: “The Director of the Institute was keenly aware that a lot of youngsters keep coming to the Institute to enquire about the basic aspects of Buddhism, as opposed to the generations above them that just took their religion for granted. He wanted to publish a very concise and precise book that would answer all the little questions that make Buddhism the wonderful living religion and philosophy it is.”
The team deserves credit for having delivered so well, putting together a ready-reckoner of sorts for lay Buddhists.

Process begins to establish NIT at Khamdong

GANGTOK, 24 June: Khamdong in East Sikkim will soon have a National Institute of Technology [NIT] to be developed on a 300 acre plot of land. Consultation meetings have already begun in the area and the land compensation rates reportedly agreement upon as well. 
A meeting in this regard was called by the HRDD Minister NK Pradhan on 22 June at Khamdong which was also attended by the area MLA, Am Prasad Sharma, Secretary Human Resource Development, Director Technical Education, Joint Director Information Technology, District Collector, East and the affected land owners.
A press release from the land owners informs that during the meeting, land compensation was fixed at Rs. 12 lakh per acre, plus 30 percent solatium amounting to a total of Rs. 15.60 lakh per acre with compensation for standing properties to be added as per government norms.
The first meeting to discuss the land acquisition was held last year at Dungdung in Upper Khamdong chaired by Tularam Dhakal followed by a public hearing at Khamdong BAC organized by HRDD, the release informs.
A committee was then instituted to supervise the construction of NIT infrastructure and other related issues. The HRD Department will acquire 100 acres in the first phase and acquire the remaining 200 acres in due time, the release further informs.
The locals have expressed confidence that the institute will not only boost the educational environment in the area but also help to promote tourism, the release adds.

NIT Sikkim organizes an evening with the Mohan Veena

BALUTAR, 20 May: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Sikkim, organized a Spic-Macay Programme here at NHPC Auditorium hall at Balutar, Singtam, on 18 May. Padma Shree and Grammy Award winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt presented an Indian classical musical performance on the ‘Mohan Veena’ – created by Mr Bhatt that combines features of the sitar and the guitar.
Prior to his performance, Mr. Bhatt speaking on the significance of Indian culture, underlined that society and culture were interrelated. “This music has the power to transform you into a better human being,” he remarked, highlighting the spiritual aspect of the Mohan Veena.
This special evening of music had AK Choudhary (Chief Engineer, NHPC) as the chief guest, who, in his address, said, “It is our privilege and honor to have Panditji amongst us and perform for us”. He also thanked NIT for organizing such a programme.
The chief guest also distributed prizes to the participants of the quiz and sports competitions which were held earlier.
Later while speaking to NOW! Director NIT Sikkim, AB Sammaddar said that the Institute not only seeks to provide education but also play a role in community development. Expressing his gratitude to the Government of Sikkim for extending support he further informed that the NIT will also establish its centre at Khamdong in the coming days where 300 acres of land has already been acquired.
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt attracted international attention with his successful indianisation of the western Hawaiian guitar with perfect assimilation of sitar, sarod and veena techniques, giving it an evolutionary design and shape. By adding 14 more strings he created the Mohan Veena. With blinding speed and faultless legato, Bhatt is undoubtedly one of the most expressive, versatile and greatest slide players in the world.
Vishwa Mohan has performed extensively in the USA, USSR, Canada, the Great Britain, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland, Switzerland, Denmark, the Gulf of Dubai, Al-Sharjah, Bahrain, Muscat, Abu Dhabi etc. and throughout India.

National Institute of Technology to be established at Khamdong

GANGTOK, 14 Sept [IPR]: The Government of Sikkim had approved a proposal of the Human Resource Development Department to establish a National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Khamdong in East Sikkim.
On 24 August,  MLA, Singtam Khamdong constituency, Am Prasad Sharma, accompanied by Director, NIT Calicut (Mentor, NIT Sikkim), Prof. Sandeep Sancheti,  Deputy Secretary (NIT), MHRD, Government of India, Rajesh Singh, Director (Higher Education), HRDD, TN Kazi,  Joint Director, HRDD, OP Sapkota, Member Zilla Panchayat, Khamdong, Member Panchayat, Dung Dung (Ward), District Officials and local land owners conducted a spot visit in Khamdong, to identify about 300 acres of contiguous land for the establishment of the NIT there.