Dharamshala, 5th February 2025: Tibetan Parliamentarians Karma Gelek and Lobsang Thupten Pontsang visited the Tibetan communities in Pondicherry, Auroville, and Varkala from February 2nd to 4th, 2025, as part of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s periodic visitation program. During their visit to Auroville, the MPs also held a meeting with renowned Tibetologist Claude Arpi.

Upon their arrival at the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture in Auroville on February 2nd, 2025, the MPs were warmly welcomed by Kelsang Dolma, the Pavilion’s coordinator. The Tibetan Pavilion was founded by Claude Arpi, with the foundation stone laid by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on December 24th, 1993. One of the bricks used in the foundation was brought from Gyantse, Tibet, by Arpi.

In 1996, His Holiness blessed the Pavilion with a contribution of $3000 as seed money for raising the necessary funds to complete the project. Upon its completion in 2009, His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated and consecrated the Tibetan Pavilion.

The Pavilion typically hosts workshops, Tibetan festivals, student exchange programs, cultural events, art education initiatives, and exhibitions. Every Wednesday, it offers Tibetan cuisine for sale, with all proceeds donated to the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV). Additionally, the Pavilion provides a safe space for Tibetan children who have nowhere to go during school breaks.

A meeting was held with the Tibetan community in Pondicherry and Auroville, where the Members of Parliament (MPs) highlighted the objectives of their visit and discussed the status of the Central Tibetan Administration as well as the current situation in Tibet.

On February 3rd, the MPs traveled to Varkala, making stops in Chennai, Bangalore, and Trivandrum before arriving late that night. They were welcomed by Karma Wangmo, a resident of Varkala.

The following day, the MPs met with the local Tibetan community to address key topics, including the global status of Tibet, the situation of the Central Tibetan Administration, and the ongoing crisis in Tibet. The meeting was attended by seven individuals who run businesses in the area year-round. Afterward, the MPs continued their periodic visitation program, departing for Mysore.