By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, FEB 12: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Men-Tsee-Khang (Sowa Rigpa) and Manipur International University (MIU) on Wednesday at Men-Tsee-Khang College Hall. MIU has donated the 2,500 acres of land to Sowa-Rigpa for furthering the growth of ancient Tibetan medicine in India.
The Chancellor of MIU, Dr. Harikumar Pallathadka, signed the MoU with the Director of Men-Tsee-Khang, Tashi Tsering Phuri. During the press conference, they announced their joint venture “where the MIU finances and Men-Tsee-Khang fully mans human capital needs”. 2,500 acres of land allotted by MIU will include degree courses in Sowa-Rigpa; Kachupa Degree, Research, Pharmacology, Astro-Science and in other fields where Men-Tsee-Khang expertise.
The agreement marks an important day for both parties where the knowledge of Sowa-Rigpa will be exchanged with financial help from the university. The mega project is a poignant marker in the history of Men-Tsee-Khang, “In nearly sixty years of Men-Tsee-Khang’s existence in India, collaborations are taking place, not only with groups in India but several abroad. But, the offers from our parents have never been like that of the MIU. Therefore, the signing of MoU today is historic.”
“Your university will fulfill an important need not just in Manipur but also throughout the northeast region and beyond,” said the Dalai Lama in May last year. The initiative will take some years (2-3) to start but the Sowa-Rigpa team has already visited the site with approval. Chancellor of MIU expressed their support for Men-Tsee-Khang and their attempt at preserving the “endangered system of medicine”. Since the university is an Autonomous State Statutory International University, the institute does not have to depend on the central government for finance, hence creating greater flexibility in employment and research.
Emphasizing the unique convergence of the two institutes, both the speakers at the conference urged to support the preservation of Sowa-Rigpa in a manner never done before. The director of Men-Tsee-Khang visited Imphal, Manipur on Nov 20-21 last year with the MIU Administration whereas the chancellor of MIU visited Men-Tsee-Khang on Feb 11-12, 2020. Men-Tsee-Khang will start a branch clinic at MIU headquarter in Imphal on Mar 1, 2020.
One Response
But, the offers from (our parents) have never been like that of the MIU. Therefore, the signing of MoU today is historic.” Do you mean to say “our partners?”