JAMMU, Aug 6: In a significant step towards strengthening its academic and intellectual outreach across institutions of higher education, the Intellectual Forum of the Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch (BTSM) has announced the appointment of Conveners and Co-Conveners in several universities across India. The initiative aims to promote research, academic dialogue, and greater awareness of India–Tibet civilizational relations, Himalayan studies, Buddhist philosophy, national integration, and India’s rich cultural heritage.
The appointments have been made under the leadership of Dr. Vivek Sharma, National Co-Convenor of the Intellectual Forum of Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch and President of J&K and Ladakh UT. Addressing the occasion, Dr. Sharma emphasized that universities play a pivotal role in shaping intellectual discourse, fostering critical thinking, and nurturing future scholars. He expressed confidence that the newly appointed office-bearers would actively contribute to expanding the Forum’s academic activities through seminars, lectures, conferences, research collaborations, workshops, publications, faculty interactions, and student engagement programmes.
At Central Sanskrit University, Ekalavya Campus, Lembuchera, Agartala (Tripura), Dr. Tashi Namgyal has been appointed as the Convenor of the Intellectual Forum. An Assistant Professor in the Department of Buddhist Studies, Dr. Namgyal has made significant contributions to the study of Buddhist philosophy, Himalayan culture, and Indo-Tibetan intellectual traditions.
Dr. Rohit Sharma, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the same university, has been appointed as the Co-Convenor. His expertise in political science, governance, and public affairs is expected to strengthen the Forum’s interdisciplinary academic initiatives and promote meaningful engagement on issues of national importance.
At the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Dr. Bali Bahadur has been appointed as the Convenor of the University’s Intellectual Forum. An Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, he is widely recognized for his scholarly contributions to sociology, social development, and community studies. His appointment is expected to encourage greater intellectual participation and collaborative research among faculty members and students.
Similarly, Dr. Thuktan Negi has been appointed as the Convenor at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala. Serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of History, Dr. Negi has undertaken extensive research on Himalayan history, Buddhist heritage, and the cultural traditions of the Trans-Himalayan region. Under his leadership, the Forum is expected to promote deeper academic engagement with the historical, cultural, and civilizational ties between India and Tibet.
At the University of Ladakh, Leh Campus, Dr. Sonam Joldan has been appointed as the Convenor of the Intellectual Forum. He serves as an Associate Professor at the Centre for Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan Studies and is well known for his research in Himalayan studies, regional history, Buddhist culture, and borderland societies. His appointment is expected to further strengthen the Forum’s academic initiatives in the strategically significant Himalayan region.
Welcoming the newly appointed office-bearers, Dr. Vivek Sharma stated that the expansion of the Intellectual Forum reflects the growing commitment of the Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch to building a vibrant national network of scholars, researchers, educators, and students dedicated to the study of India’s civilizational heritage and the enduring cultural, spiritual, and historical ties between India and Tibet.
The Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch expressed confidence that these appointments would facilitate stronger academic collaboration among universities across the country, encourage interdisciplinary research, and create new opportunities for scholarly dialogue on Buddhist studies, Himalayan research, India’s cultural heritage, and issues concerning Tibet. Through these initiatives, the Forum seeks to cultivate an informed academic community committed to preserving and promoting India’s intellectual traditions while strengthening awareness of the historic India–Tibet relationship.