Parliamentarians Geshe Monlam Tharchin and Ratsa Sonam Norbu at the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education
Dharamsala: As per the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Tibetan settlements visitation/assessment program, Parliamentarians Geshe Monlam Tharchin and Ratsa Sonam Norbu successfully concluded their visitation program from 23rd August to 5th September 2019 to Tibetan communities of Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, and Lugsam Tibetan Settlement Bylakuppe.
The Parliamentarians reached Bangalore on 24th August and started their visitation program on next day by visiting Chief Representative Office of South Zone, Office of TCV Tibetan Youth Hostel and hostels of TCV Youth Hostel. The Parliamentarians further addressed students and public gathered at a hall of TCV Youth Hostel and answered questions asked by them.
They also visited and met with Physicians of Men-Tse-Khang at koramangala and Mahalakshimi. They discussed the present condition of Sowa-Riga (Tibetan Medicine) and its preservation. The Parliamentarians also visited Tibetan shop owners at Tibet Bazaar in Dubai Plaza, Bangalore.
On 26 August, they visited Tibetan woolen garment sellers of Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore and listened to their grievances. Later on the same day, they visited Tibet Mall, Bangalore.
Thereafter on 27th August, Parliamentarians Geshe Monlam Tharchin and Ratsa Sonam Norbu visited the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education (DLIHE) and then left for Mysore. They met with the President and Vice President of Mysore Tibetan Students Association.
Later in the evening they addressed Tibetan students studying in Mysore and clarified their doubts by answering questions asked by them.
Parliamentarian Ratsa Sonam Norbu addressing Tibetan college students
Continuing the visitation program, on 28th August Parliamentarians accompanied by office secretary of Lugsam Tibetan Settlement reached Lugsam Settlement. They visited Settlement Office, Tibetan Cooperative Office, Sera Thekchenling Lachi Monastery, Sera Mey, Sera Jey, Thekchok Namdroling Monastery, Tsogyaling Nunnery, old age home, Local Justice Commissioner’s office and Tso Jhe Hospital. They later addressed monks and nuns at Namdroling and Sera Jey respectively. They also answered questions asked by them.
On 29th August, they visited settlement monastery Thekchenling at camp 2, office of Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement (BRDL), Sambhota Tibetan day school, Sakya Tsechen Chokhorling, and Karma Shri Nalanda Monastery.
Parliamentarians addressed teachers, staff and students of Sambhota Tibetan Day School and TCV Bylakuppe and they also addressed monks of Sera Mey Thoesam Norling Monastery.
Later they also visited primary school and baby crèche of Kialashpura and ARlikumari.
Parliamentarians interacting with an old woman at old age home
Likewise, on 30th August they visited Dukar Thoesamling Monastery, baby crèche and primary school at Golathala, chikhang (community hall) of camp 5 and 6, Mani Dungdup Lhakang, karuna Home, Tibetan cooperative Society and its various departments, camp 7 (which was build for the new arrivals from Tibet), animal husbandry project, agricultural projects and other projects.
Later in the evening, they held a general meeting with the Settlement Officer, Chairman of Local Tibetan Assembly, President and Secretary of Tibetan Cooperative Society, Heads of organizations, and camp leaders.
On 31st August, the Parliamentarians visited His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Palace at Lugsam, Drikung Kagyu Monastery, Sera Jey Middle School, etc.
Following the visit, the Parliamentarians addressed general public in lugsam cooperative hall, responded to their quires and clarified their doubts.
On Tibetan Democracy Day, i.e. on 2nd September, the Parliamentarians addressed Tibetan college students studying in Managlore in NITTE Nursing Institute. Later in the evening, they addressed Tibetan college students in an official ceremony Tibetan Democracy Day and answered questions asked by the students.
Finally on 3rd September, the Parliamentarians addressed teachers, staff and students of the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education (DLIHE) and successfully concluded their visitation program.
During the visitation program, 1 general meeting with the local authorities of Tibetan communities was conducted and a total of 11 public addresses were given.
The visitation program concluded successfully with their comprehensive inquiry about the conditions of general public, monasteries, and schools. The grievances as per chronicled by the parliamentarian will be forwarded to the related departments of the Central Tibetan Administration under the Cabinet for effective grievances redress.
Parliamentaraisns with Tibetan college students
Parliamentarian Geshe Monlam Tharchin presenting souvenir to a guest
