DELHI: Following a massive outbreak of fire at Lal Qila Tibetan winter market in Delhi on 8 November, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel paid a visit to the accident site on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile to console the hapless traders on 10 November 2016. The fire has caused extensive damage to the goods which have been brought in by the Tibetan traders for sale. Even the tin sheets of the makeshift stalls were burnt down.

Consoling the grief-stricken Tibetans, the Speaker offered his profound solace and expressed the Tibetan parliament’s full support to rebuild the market. He said: “We as human beings cannot do much to prevent such unforeseeable calamities. However, instead of worrying, we can face the situation and rise up to reconstruct our lives from the destruction and damage caused by the accident.”

The Speaker said that the annual winter sweater business has been one of the major sources of income for most of the Tibetans in India, calling the accident as no less than a misfortune caused by droughts during harvest time for farmers.

As a token of solidarity, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile offered a sum of RS 70,000/ from the Chairman Relief Fund. Speaker further appealed the government of India, the Central Tibetan Administration and Tibetans residing in India and abroad to make voluntary contributions to assist the Tibetans to recover from the huge financial loss.

He also suggested all the Tibetans engaging in sweater businesses to be careful and secure their goods from such unforeseeable mishaps. He also urged them to maintain cordial relationship with the local Indian brothers and sisters. He reiterated that such mishaps not only bring personal losses but also create disruptions in society.

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel was accompanied by Health Kalon Mr Choekyong Wangchuk, Mr Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Secretary of Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at New Delhi, Delhi Tibetan Settlement Officer, concerned staff members, members of Tibetan Sweater Business Association and camp leader of Samyeling Delhi Tibetan camp during his visit.