𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐡𝐢 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐤𝐡’𝐬 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐬.

𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐡𝐢 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐤𝐡’𝐬 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐬.
Leh: The staff members, students, grandparents, and members of MIMC Devachan Family, gathered this morning in solemn unity to offer prayers in memory of two distinguished sons of Ladakh— 𝗖𝗼𝗹. 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸, 𝗠𝗩𝗖 (𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗱.) and 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗣. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗱𝗮𝗻. Their passing this month has created a deep sense of loss across Ladakh and the nation.
The prayer ceremony, led by Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, was held in an atmosphere of reverence, reflection, and heartfelt gratitude for the exemplary lives and lasting contributions of the departed.
Col. Sonam Wangchuk, a recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra, served the nation with exceptional courage and dedication in the Indian Army. He stood as a symbol of discipline, patriotism, and selfless service. Known for his humility and strong connection with the people, he continued to inspire generations of youth in Ladakh to uphold values of integrity, resilience, and commitment to the nation.
Ambassador P. Stobdan was a respected diplomat, scholar, and strategic thinker whose work significantly contributed to India’s foreign policy and the understanding of Himalayan geopolitics. Through his intellectual clarity and deep insight, he brought attention to the aspirations and identity of Ladakh at both national and international levels. He remained deeply rooted in his homeland and was a steadfast advocate for its people.
Paying tribute, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena described them as “two luminous pillars of Ladakh,” noting that although their paths were different—one in military service and the other in diplomacy—their shared commitment to the nation and to the welfare of their people united them in purpose.
On this occasion, he also announced that two Buddha statues will be dedicated in their honour at the Buddha Park for World Peace, as part of the ongoing installation of 1,000 Buddha statues at the MIMC.
Shri Phonsok Ladakhi attended the prayer ceremony and offered a moving rendition of a Buddhist hymn in memory of the two departed souls, adding a deeply spiritual and reflective dimension to the gathering.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the eternal peace of the departed ones and a collective resolve by the MIMC community to carry forward their enduring legacy of service, wisdom, and compassion.