Dharamsala: As per the pre-defined schedule of the 16th Tibetan Parliamentarians to visit Tibetan Settlements, Parliamentarians Ven. Khenpo Kada Ngodup Sonam and Mr. Tsewang Tashi Bara’s official visit to Siliguri and all the Tibetan areas under the jurisdiction of Kalimpong Tibetan settlement office, Gangtok Tibetan settlement office and Ravangla Tibetan settlement, Sikkim from 17th Oct to 4th Nov were successfully completed with their arrival at their respective residences on 6 th Nov.

Upon their arrival at the Salugara, they were warmly received by the Tibetan settlement officer of Kalimpong. They were received with equal exuberance by the Tibetan settlement officer, Chairman of Local Tibetan Assemblies, President of Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement and the public during their visit to the scattered Tibetan communities at Gangtok, Kalimpong and Ravangla Tibetan settlement.

On 20th Oct, with the commencement of their official program, the parliamentarians addressed the Tibetan public at Sed-Gyued monastery in Salugura and inspected the construction site of the public hall next day. Following the program, they visited Odalabari, Jaigaon, Tharpa Choling monastery, museum, branch Mentsekhang, old people home, Tibetan schools in Kalimpong and scattered villages under the jurisdiction of Gangtok Tibetan settlement office. They also visited the offices of the Government and Non-government organizations, branch Mentsekhang of Ravangla Tibetan settlement. Moreover, they paid homage to the monasteries in the Kalimpong, Gangtok and Ravangla Tibetan settlement.

 

 

A general meeting was conducted and 19 public addresses were given during the visit. At the public gathering, Ven. Khenpo Kada Ngodup Sonam highlighted the achievement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the mutually beneficial Middle Way policy of Central Tibetan Administration, while Mr. Tsewang Tashi Bhara spoke on the political situation inside Tibet and China as well as its relative international global scenario and on the 4th parliamentary session.

The parliamentarians also addressed the students on the significance of teachers, value of education and expressed their sadness on the shutdown of schools hindering the syllabus coverage due to regional political instability. They also elucidated on extra efforts needed in the future from both the teachers and students to conform to the rules and laws of ourhost country, India and to keep good virtues every day. During this visit, they were able to get audience with Nyenpa Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche at Rumtek monastery and Ralang Monastery respectively.

 

 

This itinerary of 19 days concluded successfully with their comprehensive inquiry and assessment on the conditions of destitute and recording of the grievances of public, schools and monasteries concerning their welfare and administration.

The grievances as per chronicled by the two parliamentarians will be forwarded to the concerned departments of the Central Tibetan Administration under the Cabinet for effective grievance redressal through the standing committee administration of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.