Dharamshala: Parliamentarians Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende and Phurpa Dorjee Gyaldhong after successfully concluding their official visitation program in Srinagar, Kargil, and Ladakh’s Leh-Jang areas, the Tibetan lawmakers on 18th Oct 2024, held a closed-door meeting at the hall of the Chief Representative Officer (CRO) attended by the Tibetan Local Justice Commissioner, Chair led members of the Local Tibetan Assembly, the TSO led staff of the settlement office, the President led members of the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, head of the local health care centre, head of the Men-Tsee-Khang, director of the TCV school, secretary of the Tibetan cooperative society, president of Ladakh Chorig association, leaders of the settlement’s camps, president of the regional Chu-Shi-Gangdruk, and representative of the drivers’ union. The meeting focused on two main agendas; Tibet advocacy on international platform and situation of Tibetans in Tibet, and current status and future sustainability of Tibetans under the Chief Representative Office of Ladakh.

In the morning of Oct 19th, they visited Kyabje Thiksey Rinpoche at Thiksey Monastery in Leh, Ladakh. The two parliamentarians presented Rinpoche with a souvenir from the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and briefed him on their official tour. They also thanked Rinpoche for his continued support to Tibetan refugees. Afterwards, they visited the monastery’s main hall, protector chapel, and the statue of Maitreya Buddha. Later, they visited and paid respects at Spituk Monastery (Gaden Tashi Choeling).

In the afternoon, they met with Mr. Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, who is responsible for Tibetan welfare issues in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. The two parliamentarians reported on their overall findings from their inspection of the nomadic areas in Jangthang. They acknowledged Indian government’s assistance to Tibetan nomads in the Changthang region of Ladakh, and requested joint effort from the Central Tibetan Administration and the Indian government on improving the overall situation of the area.

In the morning of the Oct 20th, Parliamentarian Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende and Parliamentarian Phurpa Dorje Gyaldong departed from Leh for Delhi. They were seen off by the Settlement Officer and staff of Sonamling, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Local Tibetan Assembly, and the local Justice Commissioner. They were received at the airport by Sonam Lhamo and Lobsang Nyendak. On the 21st, they returned to Dharamshala from Delhi, thus concluding this official regional tour.