Bhuppur, Paonta Sahib : On May 25, 2018, the workshop entitled ‘Workshop on Strengthening of Democracy at Grass-root Level to the Members of Local Tibetan Assembly’ as afoot in Paonta Cholsum Tibetan settlement, Bhuppur, Paonta Sahib (HP) led by its resource persons, members of the 16th Tibetan Parlaiemnt-in-Exile, Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok and Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tsetan from MAy 21 to 25, 2018 concluded successfully.

A total of 64 participants (members of Local Tibetan Assembly and the respective Tibetan Setlement Officers) from the nearby Tibetan settlements viz., Dekyiling Tibetan Settlement, Dehradun; Yangchen Gatseling Tibetan Settlement, Shimla; Sakya Tibetan Settlement, Puruwala; Sataun Kathok Tibetan Settlement, Sataun; Tibetan Bhonpo Settlement, Dolanji; Doegu Yugyaling Tibetan Settlement, Herbertpur and Kamrao Tibetan Settlement, Kamrao and People Representative of Tsering Dhondhen Tibetan settlement under the jurisdiction of Dehradun Tibetan Settlement including the members of Local Tibetan Assembly and Tibetan Settlement Officer of the host settlement Poanta Chulsum Tibetan Settlement attended this workshop.

 

The first two days of the workshop were dedicated to the introduction of the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile, CTA’s annual budget and its numerous aspects as per the rules and clauses enshrined in the Charter  while the third day of workshop was consumed with the allocation of certain tasks among the participants such as preparation of star questions and other documents including the preparation of  annual report, Rules amendments, Budget estimation etc for the mock session. And the mock session was duly held on its last two days, i.e., May 24 and 25.

 

The mock session began with the simulation of an actual session by offering of Tibetan butter tea and Tibetan ceremonial sweet rice (drey-sil) to the participants and singing of Tibetan national anthem. A total of 1 Motion was passed along with 7 Starred Questions and respective answers, six Calling Attention Motions, one Annual Report, seven Resolutions , one Annual Budget, one Amendment of law and Legislation as well as respective speeches by the Speakers.

 

As the Chair-men and Vice-Chairmen of different settlements took turn as the Speaker of the mock session, the resource persons duly made note of the mistakes they made and were later notified as they wind-up their time and role.

 

The mock session was positively charged with an absolute realness of an actual session as everyone actively participated in the simulation. The age differences among the participants ranged from the eldest being 74 years old and the youngest at just 17 years old.

A humble farewell dinner gathering was organized on May 24 for the participants and the local dignitaries belonging to both the governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The final hour of the scheduled workshop on its last day was left open for the participants to discuss the boon and bane of the workshop. The respective resource persons then expressed their gratitude for the participants and the host settlement for their active participation and rendering the necessary assistance during the workshop respective.