Conference Report:
Negotiating Change in the Trans-Himalayas
The 19th Conference of the International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) was organised by IALS in collaboration with the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (Deemed to be University) in Choglamsar, Leh-Ladakh. The conference was held at the exquisite and spacious campus of CIBS, Choglamsar, from the afternoon of Saturday, August 31 through Wednesday, September 4, 2019.
The participants and paper presenters from across the countries arrived at the Acharya Nagarjuna Auditorium at CIBS for registration and the inaugural function on August 31, 2019, in order to avoid rush hour and fine-tune the agenda. The Vice-Chancellor of Ladakh University, Shri. C. Phunsog (IAS), was the Chief Guest and Additional District Development Commissioner, Leh Moses Kunzang, was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. At the outset, Prof. Geshe Konchok Wangdu, Director of CIBS, opened the inaugural function by welcoming the guests, scholars and participants from Ladakh and different parts of India and the world. This was followed by an introductory speech by IALS President Dr. Sonam Wangchok. Kaneez Fatima, former Director J&K Board of Education, delivered the keynote speech on the inaugural day. The nonagenarian Tashi Rabgaisthe, IALS Patron, was also present on the inaugural day. The Association honoured him with the Thangka of Amitayus Buddha (Tsepakmed) to wish him health and a long life. Geshe Dakpa Kalsang, Dean of Student’s Welfare, CIBS and John Bray, one of the most eminent senior members of IALS, were also present on the occasion. At the end, Khenpo Konchok Rigzen delivered a vote of thanks to the guests and all participants. After the programme, an exhibition of arts, books and stone collections was also displayed for participants.
The main theme of the 19th Conference of the International Association for Ladakh Studies was Negotiating Change in the Trans-Himalayas. In 13 different sessions, 52 presenters from Europe, the UK, Poland, Hong Kong, and South Asia presented their papers. However, owing to the recent political developments in J&K, many scholars from both India and abroad could not attend the conference despite their acceptance of abstracts. Approximately 100 participants from diverse fields registered for the conference. The participants were academicians, scholars, journalists, independent researchers and students from the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning and Government Degree College, Leh. Apart from Ladakhi scholars, nine foreign scholars and five scholars from different parts of India presented their papers. It also includes six papers in Bhoti and one paper in Urdu.
Day two began with the technical sessions on history (2), environment (2), heritage conservation, health, tourism, art, and architecture. A total of 18 presentations were successfully covered in four parallel sessions on day two.
On day three, we had sessions on culture (3), politics (2), natural resource management (2) and ethnography. It was very delightful to see many young scholars showcasing their research findings and results, followed by very constructive debates and discussions. In the evening, a documentary film, Shepherdess of Glaciers was also screened at Tendrel, Leh, as an informal session.
Day four included sessions on natural resource management (3), education (2), ethnography (2), history and literature (2), and gender. In the afternoon, the 19th Biennial General Meeting of the Association took place at the Acharya Nagarjuna Auditorium at CIBS. Secretary of IALS, Dr. Konchok Paldan, presented a brief summary of the conference before the participants, paper presenters, and IALS’s members. The GM was presided over by the present president, Dr. Sonam Wangchok and discussed in detail the membership, life membership, institutional membership, the association’s logo and the venue for the 20th IALS conference.
Following this, Rigzin Chodon Assistant Editor, Ladakh Studies as the in-charge Election Officer, initiated the election process and announced the nominations for the posts up for election. However, IALS’s incumbent presidents, Dr. Sonam Wangchok and Lauren Smyth, were elected unopposed as president and treasurer/membership secretary, respectively. The members presented in the General Body Meeting cast their vote in person for the posts of Secretary and Ladakh Liaison Officer.
However, the Executive Committee and Advisory Committee, in the spirit of IALS’s constitution, decided to give the members who could not attend the conference 15 days to cast their vote through mail for the positions that are currently up for election. The in-charge election officer also announced that the final result of the election will be declared when email votes are counted. In the end, the IALS also offered Khataks to its outgoing secretary and Ladakh Liaison Officer.
On day five, a field trip was organised to different contemporary art studios, including Shape Studio Shey, Spindle Workshop Choglamsar, and Traditional Sculpture Studio at Agling, followed by a screening of a documentary film Kharyogat Ladakh Media & Arts Organisation (LAMO) followed by a Heritage Walk led by Tashi Morup in Old Town. This was followed by a conference dinner hosted by the International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) in a picturesque setting at Mom’s Square restaurant, Saboo.
On the occasion, Dr.Sonam Wangchok offered Khataks to the Director of CIBS (received by the Dean of CIBS, Geshe Dakpa Kalsang) for providing the space and other facilities for a successful conference at CIBS. Without their support and collaboration, this conference would not have been possible. The Association is also highly indebted to members of the organising committee, both from IALS and CIBS for their relentless and judicious arrangements for the success of the conference. Last but not least, the association is grateful to all the individuals for making the 19th IALS conference a great success.
Dr. Konchok Paldan
Conference Update 24/08/2019:
Update Conference Programme & Contact and Transportation Information
Please find attached the final schedule of the IALS 2019 Conference,
including several changes and additions to the previous draft: IALS Conference Programme
We
also uploaded contacts and local transportation offers. Especially the
hired bus going from Leh to the conference location and back every day
might be of interest. Please find more details here: Contacts and Transportation
Conference Update 05/08/2019:
Conference Programme
IALS is pleased to present the programme for the upcoming 2019 conference. The program can be access here: IALS Conference 2019 Programme
We are looking forward to an interesting conference!
Conference Update 24/06/2019:
Accommodation at CIBS, Sponsors, Travel Funds
CIBS has agreed to allow IALS to use its guest house to host conference participants. This means we have ten double-sharing rooms available on campus. The organizing committee feels that this should be offered on a first-come first-served basis to students attending the conference from outside Leh. If there are such candidates who require accommodation in Leh, they are advised to get in touch with the organizing committee before 15 July. If there are rooms still available, then it can be offered to others.
Furthermore, if there are members who are willing to sponsor the fee or accommodation for students attending the conference, please get in touch with the organizing committee by 15 July. This will ensure that any such offers are allotted to deserving candidates.
We have not been able to raise funds to cover the travel costs to and from Ladakh. However, all conference-related travel to and from the venue and field trips will be covered by the conference fees.
CALL FOR PAPERS
“NEGOTIATING CHANGE IN THE TRANS-HIMALAYAS”
The 19thConference of the International Association for Ladakh Studies will be held in Leh at the Central Institute for Buddhist Studies, from the evening of 31 August to 4 September, 2019.
The main theme of the conference is “Negotiating Change in the Trans-Himalayas”. However, the Conference Organizing Committee has decided not to keep any sub-themes to encourage a wider participation from researchers.
We invite abstracts for papers for the conference. The abstracts should be between 250 to 350 words.
The last date for submission is 28 February, 2019.
The final decision on the abstracts will be communicated by 31 March, 2019.
Please send your queries and abstracts to: ialsconference2019@gmail.com.
The conference is open only to members of IALS.
Please ensure that your membership is updated and if not, you can pay it on the spot at the conference.
For all membership related queries, please get in touch with our Membership Secretary Andrea Butcher: andrea.in.ladakh@gmail.com.
Conference Registration Fees:
Participants (South Asian): INR 2000
Participants (Non-South Asian): USD 70
Students (South Asian) : INR 1000*
Students (Non-South Asian) : USD 50*
*Fee waiver on first-come first-served basis for deserving students.
Local transportation, lunch, refreshments, sightseeing and conference dinner is included in the conference fee.
International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) 