On 13th of July 2019, Sowa-Rigpa Delegation, consisting of members from Central Council of Tibetan Medicine, Men-Tsee-Khang, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Chagpori Tibetan Medical Institution, Menri Ling Sorig Bumshi Medical College, member from Non-Tibetan Sowa-Rigpa Medical practitioners and Additional Secretary of Dept. of Health, Central Tibetan Administration have met with Hon. Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State, Ministry of AYUSH. Members have approached the Minister with an application requesting the Ministry of AYUSH to review and make few amendments in the nomination form submitted by Government of India to UNESCO for inclusion of Sowa-Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine) under the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. CCTM being an important stakeholder of Sowa-Rigpa in exile, have appealed the Ministry of AYUSH to kindly consider its request and make amendments on the following points that were misrepresented in the nomination dossier.
- Origin of Sowa-Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine) system
- Origin of Sowa-Rigpa study and practice
- The original language in which the fundamental text of Sowa-Rigpa was composed
- Geographical location and range/coverage of Sowa-Rigpa
- The primary stakeholders of Sowa-Rigpa not being consulted during the preparation of the dossier.
LETTER FROM KASHAG, Central Tibetan Administration
After meeting with the Minister, Members have also approached and met with Ms. Manju Sharma, Sr. Principal Secretary to Secretary, Ministry of Culture and the Dr. Amit Telang, Director EA, Ministry of External Affairs at their office on 24th July 2019. Detail report of the meetings have been filed for CCTM official record.