In Vikas Nagar, Dehradun, Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation in collaborate with the Balti Welfare Association of Uttarakhand organized ‘Confluence of Balti Community in India’. Notable Balti community members and renowned folk singers discussed the Balti culture and history of migration of Balti community in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and their connection with Ladakh and Baltistan. The confluence was attended by academics, community leaders and Baltis living in and around Uttarakhand. The Speakers from Turtuk, Kargil, Jammu, Kashmir and Uttarakhand presented papers on the topic ‘Balti culture and history of migration of Balti community in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and their connection with Ladakh and Baltistan’.
Speaking on the occasion founder, HCHF Dr Sonam Wangchok has urged the entire Balti community to work through various initiatives to preserve and promote the rich Balti language, literature, tradition, and culture as the legacy of mountain people in Ladakh, Baltistan, Uttarakhand, J&K, and other regions and countries. He has highlighted the importance of preservation and promotion of Balti culture as it is the source of many other cultures and traditions that support social coexistence and communal harmony.
A cultural programme was also organized and renowned Folk singer of Ladakh Dorjay Stakmo and Dechen Chuskit sang Balti folk songs and Gazal.
Notable Personalities Ferooz khan, Safdar Ali Balti, Iftikhar Hussain Maqpoon, Abdul Karim (Turtuk), Mohd Ali Ashoor (Kargil), Shujaat Husain, Gulzar Hussain Zubdavi, Agga Mehboob (Kabi Haripur), Shujat Ali Shah and Mohd Sadiq Hardassi have read papers on the occasion.
On the second day, a round table discussion was held and a resolution was passed highlighting the importance of Balti culture and it’s preservation through different initiatives.
Meanwhile on this occasion All India Balti Association was also formed and Kacho Shujat Ali Shah was appointed as the 1st president of the Assocation.
