Parliamentarians Geshe Atuk Tseten and Baro Tsewang Tashi with Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche
Dharamsala: As per the Tibetan settlements visitation/assessment program by the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Parliamentarians Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tsetan and Bara Tsewang Tashi successfully concluded their official visitation program to Tibetan settlements in Ladakh and Srinagar from 20th July to 5th August 2019.
The visitation program commenced with visit to Tibetan Public School of Srinagar on 21 July 2019 and subsequently a meeting with the President, Vice President, coordinator, leaders and students. Parliamentarian Geshe Atuk Tsetan addressed on objectives of the visitation program and the guidelines of 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. He also answered questions and clarified the doubts of the public.
Parliamentarian Geshe Atuk with students of Tibetan Public School Srinagar
On the same day, he also visited Tibetan colonies of Eidgah, which has more than 70 families; Hawal, which has 143 families and Gulshan Mohalla, which has more than 40 families.
Continuing the visitation program, Parliamentarian Geshe Atuk Tsetan visited and addressed the Tibetan sweater sellers in Kargil, and answered questions asked by them on 22 July 2019.
Parliamentarians Geshe Atuk Tseten and Bara Tsewang Tashi were warmly received at Leh on 24th July. Later they spoke to a gathering of Settlement Officer, Chairman of Local Tibetan Assembly, Local Tibetan Justice Commissioner, Abbot (Khenpo) of Bon Monastery, Administrator (Chakzoe) of Ruthok Monastery, President and Vice President of Local Tibetan Freedom Movement, Heads of TCV Ladakh, Tibetan Cooperative, Men-Tse-Khang, health care center, etc. and camp leaders. They also visited Triktsey Rinpoche later in the evening.
Parliamentarians received at Leh Tibetan Settlement
They visited Ruthok Monastery, Bon Monastery, Karma Dukgyu Choeling Monastery, Triktse Monastery and Sherkhar Monastery on 25 July. They discussed important matters related to Monasteries. Later in the evening, they visited six different Tibetan markets and had thorough discussion with the President and Vice President of Tibetan garment sellers’ Association.
Parliamentarians Geshe Atuk Tsetan and Bara Tsewang Tashi along with the nomads of Jangthang
For the next five days, Parliamentarians visited Tibetans living in Jangthang viz. Numa, Gyoyul, Makyu, Hanley, Kagshung, Sumdho, Chumur, and Samedh. During their visit in Jangthang, they addressed the people on political stand of Central Tibetan Administration and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to resolve the issue of Tibet, international situation and status of Tibet and China.
Parliamentarians at TCV branch of Sumdho Jangthang, Ladhak
They answered questions asked by public and listened to their opinions, and grievances. In Sumdho Jangthang, they visited TCV School, Kagyu Temple, and solar plant. They also met sponsors and professionals of the solar plant from France. Parliamentarians thanked them with traditional Tibetan scarfs and urged them to provide solar power to nomads of Jangthang as they do not have electricity.
Parliamentarians at Sumdho Jangthang, Ladakh
On 1st August, Parliamentarians visited office, classrooms, hostels, old age home, hospital, classroom and hostel of special needs children, library, etc. of Tibetan Children’s Village School, Ladakh. In the school hall, Parliamentarians address the teachers, staff and students on the importance of education, responsibilities of students and teachers, morality, and unity. They answered questions asked by the students and listened to their opinions. Later they visited Tibetan Cooperative, Health care center and Men-Tse-Khang branch at Choklamsar.
On 2nd August, they visited Local Tibetan Assembly Hall and briefed on the proceedings of Parliamentary session to the members of Local Tibetan Assembly. They also visited the office of Local Tibetan Justice Commissioner and the Tibetan Freedom Movement. They answered questions asked by the members of the Tibetan Freedom Movement regarding the working of BRDL.
Parliamentarian Geshe Atuk Tsetan with some kids at Jangthang
They further addressed on the political stand of Central Tibetan Administration and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to resolve the issue of Tibet, international situation, and status of Tibet and China at a general public meeting in Leh. They also presented souvenir and traditional scarfs to MOST Sponsors for their consistent support at the general public meeting. Later they visited 12 camps of the settlement.
Parliamentarians meeting with an official of Ladakh
The Parliamentarians met Shri Sachin Kumar Vaishya, District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner of Leh; Shri P.T. Kunzang, Chairman of Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA); Shri Gyal P. Wangyal, Chairman of Hill council; Ven Shedup Jampa, President of All Ladakh Gompa Association and Shri Saugat Biswas, Divisional Commissioner. Parliamentarians thanked all the officials for their support to the Tibetans residing there and urged them to continue their support with an application containing five points from the Settlement Officer.
On 4th August, they attended the birthday ceremony of the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and concluded the visitation program with a meeting with Settlement Officer, Chairman of Local Tibetan Assembly, Local Tibetan Justice Commissioner, Abbot (Khenpo) of Bon Monastery, Administrator (Chakzoe) of Ruthok Monastery, President and Vice President of Local Tibetan Freedom Movement, Heads of TCV Ladakh, Tibetan Cooperative, Men-Tse-Khang, health care center, etc. and camp leaders.
