Dharamshala: Dr. Gyalo, a Tibetan activist, educational sociologist, and a leading expert on China’s assimilation and education policies in Tibet, visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and met with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang on 7th January 2025.

During the meeting, Dr. Gyalo shared how His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s encouragement motivated him to work harder and speak out about the true situation in Tibet. He discussed key insights from his research on Tibetan society, emphasizing how monastic seats in the U-Tsang province historically served to connect monastic branches across the Dotoe and Domey provinces in Tibet.

Dr. Gyalo also highlighted the threats to this ancient connection caused by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) restrictive policies on religious practices, including severing ties between central monasteries and their branches. Additionally, the meeting addressed pressing issues such as the proliferation of colonial-style boarding schools in Tibet, the closure of the Ragya Sherig Norling Educational Institute, and other significant concerns.

Prior to their meeting, Dr. Gyalo was taken on a tour of the parliament hall and briefed on the evolution, functioning, and composition of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile by Secretary-General Sonam Dorjee.