25/07/2026
A Heartfelt Gratitude to Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji 🙏
As Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji concludes his remarkable tenure as the Union Minister of Education, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude, profound respect, and sincere admiration for a leader whose vision, dedication, and tireless service have transformed the educational landscape of our nation and empowered the aspirations of millions of young Indians.
Dharmendra Ji’s journey from the grassroots of student activism to leading one of India’s most important ministries reflects his unwavering commitment to public service. Throughout his tenure, he remained deeply connected to the hopes, challenges, and dreams of India’s youth. Under his dynamic leadership, the Ministry of Education ushered in a new era of transformative reforms aimed at making education more inclusive, innovative, accessible, and future-oriented. Guided by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, he worked relentlessly to strengthen educational institutions, promote academic excellence, and build an ecosystem that prepares our youth to lead India towards the goal of a Viksit Bharat.
For the people of Ladakh, however, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji’s contribution extends far beyond policy decisions. During the formative years of our Union Territory, he stood firmly beside our people with compassion, accessibility, and an unwavering willingness to support our educational aspirations. Whenever I approached him on behalf of the people of Ladakh, I found not merely a Union Minister, but a compassionate statesman who listened with patience, understood our unique challenges, and responded with sincerity, encouragement, and decisive action.
Among the many milestones achieved during his tenure, the establishment of the in Ladakh will forever remain one of the most historic and cherished gifts to our region. This visionary institution, established under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of the people of Ladakh and will undoubtedly emerge as a premier centre of higher learning, research, and innovation for the entire Himalayan region. It will continue to shape generations of students and contribute significantly to nation-building.
I also remain deeply grateful for his wholehearted support in extending the UGC Regulations to the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, thereby enabling it to function as a Deemed-to-be University under the UGC framework. This landmark step has opened new academic opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students while strengthening one of India’s most distinguished institutions dedicated to Buddhist and Himalayan studies.
His guidance and encouragement were equally instrumental in strengthening the University of Ladakh, expanding higher education infrastructure through the establishment of new Government Degree Colleges, and advancing several other educational initiatives that have significantly broadened opportunities for the youth of our region.
One of the most historic and emotionally significant decisions during his tenure was the inclusion of the Bhoti language in the CBSE curriculum and the approval of 246 Bhoti Language Teacher posts for Government Schools in the Union Territory of Ladakh under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, following my request. This landmark decision, taken under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and implemented under the stewardship of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji, represents far more than an educational reform. It is a lasting commitment to preserving our linguistic heritage, safeguarding our cultural identity, and ensuring that future generations remain connected to the rich civilizational legacy of the Himalayas. The people of Ladakh will forever remain grateful for this historic contribution.
On behalf of the people of Ladakh, I extend my deepest gratitude to Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji for his unwavering commitment to strengthening education in our region and for always treating Ladakh’s aspirations as his own. His constant support, encouragement, and personal guidance have left an enduring imprint on the educational journey of our Union Territory.
As Dharmendra Ji embarks upon a new chapter of public service, I offer my heartfelt thanks for his exceptional leadership, his unwavering faith in the youth of India, and his steadfast support for Ladakh. His legacy as Education Minister will not merely be remembered through institutions established or reforms introduced, but through the countless dreams he helped nurture, the opportunities he created, and the confidence he inspired among millions of young Indians.
I pray that the Almighty blesses him with good health, continued strength, and many more years of distinguished service to our nation. I am confident that, in whatever responsibility he undertakes in the future, he will continue serving Bharat with the same wisdom, humility, integrity, and dedication that have always defined his public life.
Thank you, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji, for believing in the limitless potential of India’s youth, for standing steadfastly with the people of Ladakh, and for laying the foundations of a brighter, stronger, and more enlightened educational future for generations to come. Your contributions will continue to inspire our nation for years to come.
With deepest respect and gratitude,
(Jamyang Tsering Namgyal)
Former Member of Parliament (17th Lok Sabha), Ladakh