Leh, Apr 17: A message centred on compassion, mental wellbeing and shared humanity resonated across Eliezer Joldan Memorial College on Thursday as noted Tibetan scholar Geshe Lhakdor addressed students and faculty during a special event marking the Year of Compassion and the 90th birth anniversary of 14th Dalai Lama.
Organised jointly by the Ladakh Sonamling Tibetan Settlement Committee and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the college, the programme brought together academicians, students and community representatives for a reflection on the role of compassion in contemporary society.
In his keynote address, Geshe Lhakdor underscored that mental health extends beyond clinical definitions and must include the cultivation of love and compassion. He described these qualities not as passive emotions but as deliberate choices that shape both individual wellbeing and social harmony. Stressing interconnectedness, he urged participants to recognise shared humanity as the foundation for meaningful coexistence.
“Compassion and love must be practised consistently,” he observed, adding that patience, kindness and understanding remain essential even amid differences. His remarks drew close attention from students, particularly during an interactive question-and-answer session that followed.
The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting and a welcome song by students, setting a reflective tone for the proceedings. Principal In-Charge AP Zuhoor Hussain and IQAC Convener AP Raziya Parveen formally received the guest with traditional khatas, while Mr. Kunzang Deachan of the organising committee outlined the broader relevance of compassion in promoting peace.
Faculty members, including AP Hajira Bano, who conducted the proceedings, emphasised the importance of integrating such values within academic spaces. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and a felicitation ceremony honouring Geshe Lhakdor’s visit.
Held against the backdrop of the Dalai Lama’s milestone anniversary, the gathering served as a reminder of enduring ethical principles rooted in compassion, with organisers expressing hope that students would carry these lessons beyond the classroom.
