Jammu, September 17: Last time we had presented the case for marginalized Ladakh arguing that in-spite of being the largest province of the state it has faced gross political and developmental apathy since Independence keeping it away from any major developmental package even as Jammu and Kashmir fights it out with each other.
Since the Earth News believes in positive journalism and giving suggestions instead of sermons we have been analyzing how Ladakh can be compensated to remove the discrimination with this vast region that can turn into a real jewel in the crown of India.
While Kashmir and Jammu have been fighting to grab every new package announced by the central government be it AIIMS, IIT, IIM, Law University etc nobody seems considering Ladkah in this mêlée for development.
In this regard it would be imperative to look Ladakh with a compassionate prism and see what can be done by the government to placate Ladakhis.
The earth news believes that instead of adding yet another claimant to the already disputed package why an International Buddhist University cannot be established at Ladakh so that not only Ladkahis but students from all over the world converge there to study Buddhism at a palace that is recognized internationally for its beauty and landscape.
The step can bring Ladakh on international map of education hub besides promoting tourism for which Ladkah had huge potential still untapped by the concerned authorities.
India having ancient history of top class universities and Ladakh being the most sought after destination by international tourists it would be one of the best destinations for studies if consolidated with modern amenities to promote it as individual tourist and study destination.
Ladakh has also huge potential for solar energy and only needs right people at the helm to think positively and with compassion for the people of Ladakh.
As far as arguments in support of an International University on Buddhism is concerned Buddhists represent more than 8% of world population with many countries are dominated by Buddhists who can be potential students for the university.
The countries that can show interest in International University of Buddhism at Ladakh include Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Mongolia, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan where percentage of Buddhists range from 96.90% to 21.1% as per 2010 census records while countries like China, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, South Korea, India and Malaysia have significant percentage of Buddhists who can be targeted to make Ladkah the hub of education.
The students from Ladakh who have been camping at various places like Srinagar, Jammu, and other places of India for higher studies can have an international setup right in their vicinity and thus begin a new era of development for most deprived province of our state.
With this idea the earth News starts a series of new ideas and suggestions for this deprived land to highlight the issues concerning Ladakh to be raised at the highest quarters.
The Earth News also invites young Ladakhis to join the initiative and join hands with Earth News through write ups, suggestions, contributions etc to wake up the powers that be from their deep slumber to focus on the Moonland of India.