Dharamshala - A Tibetan scholar was among the recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri, an award conferred by the Government of India to its citizens in recognition of their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity, including arts, education, literature, science, sports and social service.

Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.

Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten, the vice-chancellor of the Central University of Tibetan Studies based in Sarnath, India, was honoured with the Padma Shri in literature on 26 January, the 60th Republic Day of India.

The Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS), earlier known as the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), was established in 1967 with the efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The new name was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his recent visit to the institute on 15 January.

CIHTS was established to preserve the Tibetan culture, tradition and to keep ancient Indian sciences and literature preserved in the Tibetan language, but lost in the original. It aims to accomplish gains of teaching and scope of research in traditional subjects in a framework of the modern, university system of education with the provision for award of degrees in Tibetan studies.

Prof Geshe Ngawang Samten, born on 7 July 1956 in Dokhar, Central Tibet, had his school education at the Central Schools for Tibetans, Chandragiri, Orissa, India, from 1963-1970.

He earned his Shastri (Undergraduate), Acharya (Graduate), Master of Philosophy and PhD from CIHTS.

Geshe Samten completed his monastic education at Gaden Shastse Monastery in India, during whihc he received Rabjampa degree (BA equivalent) in 1994, Geshe Dhorampa degree (MA equivalent) in 1995 and Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest degree in traditional Tibetan Buddhist educational system equivalent to Doctorate in Literature in modern system in 1997.

Prior to taking charge as the vice-chancellor of CIHTS in 2001, Geshe Samten served as the institute's research assistant and editor, visiting professor and professor at Tilak Maharashtra Vidhyapeeth.

Geshe Samten has held visiting professorships at Hampshire College, Massechusettes, US, University of Tasmania, Amherst College and Smith College, MA, US, from 1996-2000.

He is editor of the Tibetan critical edition of Nagarjuna's Ratnavali (CIHTS Press) and is co-translator with Prof. Jay Garfield of Tsong Khapa's "Ocean of Reasoning" (Oxford University Press). He wrote “Catalogue of Rare Thankas (Tibetan scroll paintings)”, co-edited the translation of the Abhidhammathasamgaho and the critical edition of Sanskrit and Tibetan versions of the Pindikrit and Panchakrama of Nagarjuna .

Apart from participating in various conferences, seminars, workshops in India and abroad, he has delivered talks in various universities, colleges and institutions in United States, Europe, Australia, Russia and India.