Fellowship programme announced at Naropa festival

To "encourage and shape the next generation of leaders in policy and entrepreneurship", the Naropa Fellowship program was formally launched here at the opening of the Naropa Festival.

"We want them to be good human beings by educating them," Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche said about the programme for post-graduate candidates.

The Naropa festival, also known as the 'Kumbh Mela of the Himalayas' is celebrated every 12 years of the Tibetan calendar at the Hemis monastery here.

It was last organised in 2016.

This year, organisers said, was a "special case" as several devotees were unable to attend the earlier edition.

The festival, which celebrates the legacy of Naropa, a 12th century Buddhist monk, aims at showcasing the rich heritage of the Himalayan region, with special teaching sessions, and cultural programs including Bollywood concerts.

"The main idea is to give an opportunity to all young and talented artistes to share the platform with the best artistes of the country.

"I hope this will instil confidence in our upcoming artistes, and open a window of opportunity for them to connect with the best people of Bollywood," Khamtak Rinpoche, chairperson of the organising committee, said.

According to Thuksey Rinpoche, the one-year residential fellowship will help students to not only become better people, but also educate them about preserving the Himalayan heritage.

"With one year of teaching, knowledge and experience about love, compassion, peace, in a place like Ladakh, I'm sure people will become mentally and physically stronger," he said.

The founding class of the programme commenced on September 1 with of 50 fellows.

The opening day of the festival also saw cultural programmes by local artistes.

"Musings from the Heart", a book on Gyawlang Drukpa, the honorific title of the head of the Drukpa Lineage, along with the first EDM (electronic dance-music) album of Ladakh, "Return of the Stars", were also launched.