New Delhi: An existing and acknowledged void in understanding the Chinese psyche has prompted fast-tracking of initiating Tibetology courses for Army officers, official sources have told ETV Bharat.
“With there are a lot of Mandarin language courses, there is an urgent need to understand the Chinese psyche better and our positions on Tibet. There is a definite void there in comprehending Chinese behavioural patterns. The courses will include Tibet’s culture, traditions and institutions,” said one of the sources.
“The proposal, initiated by the Shimla-based Army Training Command (ARTRAC), is being fast-tracked and approval is expected soon. While Army Headquarters is finalizing the proposal, the defence ministry will have to approve it as financial implications are there,” the source added.
One of ARTRAC’s core mandates is to lay down warfare concepts and doctrines in the fields of strategy, operational art, tactics, logistics, training and human resource development stimulating a real-time scenario.
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Amid the ensuing tension with China, sparked by a border row in eastern Ladakh, the effort has a lot of significance.
India has also fast-tracked its infrastructure in the border areas with China from the west in Ladakh to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
Seven institutions have been identified to teach the ‘Tibetology’ courses where Army officers will be enrolled.
The institutions include the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education in Bangalore, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Sikkim’s Gangtok, the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies in Arunachal Pradesh, the Department of Buddhist Studies under Delhi University, the Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Varanasi, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara in Bihar, and the Visva Bharati University in West Bengal.
