Late Venerable Lama Lobzang, the Founding Secretary General and Executive President of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), and President, Asoka Mission, India was awarded the Padma Shri 2025 (posthumously) on January 25, 2025 on the eve of the Republic Day. Venerable Lama Lobzang is a Buddhist monk, born in 1931 in Leh town of then Jammu and Kashmir, now Union Territory of Ladakh, the son of Late Norbu Tsering.
Ven. Lobzang belongs to the Boto community and has dedicated nearly 60 years of his life for the welfare of the people of Ladakh focusing on providing healthcare to those belonging to economically marginalised families and remotely located communities. As President of the Delhi based Asoka Mission, he has put in place an effective mechanism which, in his absence, continues to provide critical medical aid to the people of Ladakh.
His contribution in reviving Buddhism in India and world over has been significant, besides his role in revival of Buddhist heritage sites. Ven Lama Lobzang has held several distinguished posts in Buddhist organisations in India and abroad, including in Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Korea. His work has taken him to nearly 30 countries around the world meeting political, religious and civil society leaders.
This is indeed a proud moment for TEAM IBC and all members of the IBC (National and International). In the true spirit of the hard work put in by Ven Lama Lobzang in guiding, directing and nurturing the IBC, TEAM IBC continues to strive for excellence through dedication, commitment, resilience and persistence to keep the vision of Ven Lama Lobzang alive.
{Padma Shri : The Padma Shri, also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of "distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs". It is awarded by the Government of India every year on India’s Republic Day.}