Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile with Shri Shanta Kumar, former Chief Minister of H.P and Former convener of All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT)
Dharamsala: Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile attended the celebration of gratitude marking 15 years of Tong-Len Charitable Trust, held on 19th November 2019 at Tong-Len School, situated at Chakban Sarah, 8.6 km from Dharamsala as a Special Guest.
The Chief Guest of the program was Shri Shanta Kumar, Former Chief Minister of H.P and Former convener of All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT) and other Special Guests were Tibetan Supreme Justice Commissioner Dagpo Sonam Norbu, Finance Kalon Karma Yeshi, Tong-Len Director Lobsang Jamyang, and Professor Ajai Srivastava from Himachal Pradesh University. The program was also attended by sponsors, school staff, students and their family members.
The event started with the inauguration of the newly constructed school building by the Chief Guest, followed by a tour of the school by the Guests and presentation of the vibrant cultural dances from different states of India and Nepal by the students.
The Chief Guest Shri Shanta Kumar, Tong-Len Director Lobsang Jamyang, and Professor Ajai Srivastava addressed the event and the Chief Guest presented Tong–Len social appreciation awards to College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah (CHTS) and other two.
Tong-Len was established in 2004 to support displaced Indian communities in the area around Dharamsala. Most families live in a state of desperation within slum camps. The main focus is to break the cycle of deprivation through education. To this end, Tong-Len has established its own school and provides hostel accommodation for those children in most need.
Tong-Len today is providing education to more than 300 school students and more than 20 university students. The Dalai Lama Trust, Tong-Len France, and the UK, and some other international organizations are providing funds to enhance overall development of the Tong-Len Charitable Trust.