Tibet Post International Newspaper

“Extremely grateful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his words of appreciation,” Shri Narendra Modi Vol. 03, Issue 110, Print Issue 34, 31 May 2014 Tibetan popular singer arrested after a cultural concert

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Monk named in Reporters Sans Frontieres information heroes list escapes Tibet

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Tibet’s cause is a just cause: His Holiness the Dalai Lama

By Becky Bargh: 13 May 2014

Undated photo of the Popular Tibetan singer Gebe. Photo: TPI

By Jake Thomas: 26 May 2014

Dharamshala: - Sources coming from Tibet say, a popular Tibetan singer has been arrested following a concert with performers from other regions of Tibet.

The 27-year- old Tibetan singer, known as Gepe, was arrested Saturday, May 24, 2014 by Chinese security forces after a concert that thousands of fans and music enthusiasts attended,’ Tashi, a monk who is currently living in exile in South India told The Tibet Post International.

Sources said that a group of Tibetan youngsters had organized the concert and received the proper permission from Chinese authorities. “local offices, including local Chinese police had given the concert organizers permit to have Gepe performing at the concert. But the Chinese security forces came and forcefully taken him away on the first day of concert while he was having dinner.

Sources added that the concert was held with the aim of creating awareness among Tibetan youth about the importance of the Tibetan language and culture. Gepe is currently in detention in Sichuan province. Chinese officials have not commented on the matter.

Gebe’s latest album release in 2012 contained, among popular songs, “Victorious Tibet,” Tashi further said.

Dhondupling Settlement to host the 20th Gold Cup

By Becky Bargh: 28 May 2014

Dharamshala: The Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) is organising the 20th Gyalyum Chemo Memorial Gold Cup (GCMGC) Football Tournament in Dhondupling Tibetan Settlement Clement Town from 4th to 15th June 2014.

‘Traditionally the tournament is held annually in loving memory of the Great late Mother of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. It started in the year 1981 and there on after has continued with great enthusiasm and passion within the Tibetan community,’ TNSA said in a statement.

Amongst the twenty seven clubs that have registered for GCMGC, twenty one clubs from India/Nepal are confirmed after succeeding through the qualification rounds within four regions for this year’s tournament; the tournament will be played through a league followed by a knockout system. The teams will be divided into seven pools, the tops of each pool and second best amongst the other teams will qualify for the quarter finals. As a minimum each team will have the chance to play two games.

The organising committee endear the chairmanship of Mr. Gompo Tsering, Acting President of Dhondupling Tibetan Settlement, Clement Town is formed. The committee comprises of Executive Committee Members from Tibetan National Sports Association including other members of Tibetan Non Governmental Organization based in Dhondupling Tibetan Settlement.

Through this medium the TNSA have thanked the Gaden Phodrang Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the continuous support of the event. Their thanks also have been expressed to Dhondupling Tibetan Settlement, TCV Head Office and both Tibetan SOS VTC and TCV School Selakui for providing support wherever it has been needed.

Uncle of Tibetan who stabbed in protest arrested

By Rajdip Ray: 21 May 2014

Dharamshala: - Local sources revealed that Jampa Choephel, the uncle of Phakpa Gyaltsen, who had jumped to death earlier this month in order to protest against Chinese mining works in the Tibetan county, has been detained by Chinese authorities.

Choephel was taken into custody on May 12 by police in Chamdo (in Chinese, Changdu, prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region), five days after his nephew committed suicide. In Chamdo County, eastern Tibet, he was looking after Phakpa Gyaltsen’s children and other children who were attending school in the town.

The Chinese authorities have cited no reason for his detention.

Frankfurt, Germany, 13 May 2014 – ‘Tibet’s cause is a just cause,’ The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, adding it also concerns our rich culture, the preservation of which is a priority for Tibetan people.

After driving from Amsterdam to Frankfurt, His Holiness was interviewed by ARD. Germany’s leading television broadcaster, correspondent, Cécile Schortmann’s opening question was: “You’ve been here before, why have you come this time?”

His Holiness responded: “I don’t come of my own accord; I come in response to invitations. I think that if you receive an invitation it’s only sensible to respond to it. On my first visit to Europe in 1973, which included Germany, I talked about our need for greater global responsibility. I remember that before I set out, the resident BBC correspondent in Delhi, Mark Tully, asked me why I wanted to travel abroad and I told him I consider myself to be a citizen of the world.

Wherever I go and whoever I meet I regard as human beings like me.

I feel it’s necessary to let people know about the importance of peace of mind, that we need inner peace to create peace in the world and that peace of mind is essential even for our physical health. More and more people seem to be interested in this. My additional commitment is to also encourage inter-religious harmony.”

When she asked His Holiness’s view of what is going on in Ukraine, he told her that Russia needs the West and the West needs Russia, to think only in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’ is unrealistic. We need each other as human brothers and sisters. He said he looks to the future and there is a need to remain optimistic. The two sides need to meet and talk. This is an example of how the 21st century should be a century of dialogue. Trying to solve the problem by force is a mistake. The goal and motivation may be good, but because of its unpredictable consequences the use of force is out of date. Observing that Germany is at the heart of Europe and its economy is the strongest in the EU, he recalled that even during the Cold War Willy Brandt maintained Brezhnev’s trust.

Ms. Schortmann asked why His Holiness keeps talking about inner peace and he replied that to create a peaceful world we first need inner peace. World peace cannot be built on the basis of anger and jealousy, nor on the basis that ‘we’ must win and ‘they’ must lose.

For dpa, Germany’s largest news agency, Jakob Blume posed a question about the pro-Shugden demonstrators who have been

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with members of the Norwegian Parliamentary Group for Tibet at the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo, Norway on May 9, 2014. Photo/Duy Anh Pham

dogging His Holiness’s steps round Europe on this visit. He answered: “I also used to propitiate this spirit, so I have experience of the ignorance they are labouring under. When I realized there was something wrong with it, I stopped doing it. More and more people came to know that and asked about it. It was necessary to tell the truth; it is my responsibility to tell the truth, to explain the reasons why I stopped that practice. Whether people listen or pay heed to what I say is up to them.”

Blume mentioned that last time he was here, His Holiness addressed the Parliament of the State of Hesse in Wiesbaden. He asked if he was disappointed not to do so this time. His Holiness said that similar questions had been raised in Oslo and clarified that his visit is entirely non-political and that his main concern is to talk to the public about human values and inter-religious harmony.

His Holiness drove to Tibet House, Germany, where he was

welcomed by Minister President Volker Bouffier, who told him: “Your Holiness, we are very happy to be meeting with you and to give you the opportunity to share your message with us. We have for decades admired you and your work for peace and freedom in Tibet.

In Germany we have a clear respect for self-determination, human rights and peaceful co-existence.”

In his reply His Holiness said: “I very much appreciate your words.

Tibet’s cause is a just cause; it also concerns our rich culture, the preservation of which is a priority for us. I appreciate your coming to meet me at this small Tibet House.

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10.000 signatures call for the release of prisoners

China vows to further cut off Tibet from rest of the world

10.000 signatures calling for the release of political prisoners in Tibet. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: 15 May 2014

Berlin, 14th May 2014. Tibet Initiative Germany e.V. (TID) has collected 10.000 signatures demanding the release of political prisoners in Tibet.

TID had advocated for the support of filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, who is scheduled to be released from prison on June 5th, six years after imprisonment. Additionally, the 10.000 signatories also requested the release of Runggye Adak and the Aids-activist Wangdu, who had received a life sentence in 2008.

“Arbitrary arrests are a daily routine in Tibet. We demand the release of all political prisoners in Tibet. The Chinese government tries to systematically silence all critical voices within Tibet. Many political prisoners are being physically abused in a way that leads to their death”, said Anna Momburg-Vanderpool, TID-Campaigner.

The TID advocates for the release of political prisoners in Tibet since 1989. Currently there are at least 850 documented political prisoners in Tibet, hundreds more are believed to be missing. Possessing a picture of the Dalai Lama or participating in a demonstration can lead to imprisonment.

Forced replacement of management at a monastery

By Tenzin Dawoe: 16 May 2014

By Tenzin Dawoe: 16 May 2014

Dharamshala: – Despite strong condemnation by the international community, including worldwide rights group, the Chinese communist regime in Tibet is imposing further controls on internet use and electronic publishing, in an effort to to crack down even harder on Tibetan writers, artists, intellectuals, and cultural advocates who criticized Chinese government failed policies.

At a meeting on May 12 of the State Council’s information office, Dong Yunhu, the Tibet Autonomous Region’s propaganda department head, vowed to “seal and stifle” the internet in an effort to defang separatist groups, reported Reuters May 14, citing China’s cabinet.

“We must bring down pressure from the sky, find and confiscate materials on the ground, and seal and stifle the internet – the holy trinity of supervision and control of the system,” Dong was quoted as saying. “(This is) to cut off Tibetan separatist propaganda from infiltrating and destroying all manner of communication.”

In Tibet today, Tibetan writers, intellectuals, musicians, artists, environmentalists, and religious figures are being arbitrary arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for merely posting an article to a blog, writing an essay, editing a magazine, sending information by text message, or singing songs that express the suffering of the Tibetan people.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent three-day official visit to France, the Paris based Reporters Without Borders labeled him as an internet enemy and strongly condemned China’s growing harassment of journalists and its mistreatment of cyber-dissidents and activists who try to expose the constant human rights violations and persecution of human rights defenders.

China is ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the press freedom index that Reporters Without Borders published in February and is more deserving than ever of inclusion in the Reporters Without Borders list of Enemies of the Internet, the latest version of which was issued earlier this month.

Dharamshala: - Chinese authorities have removed officials from Nyatso Zilkar monastery in Yulshul (in Chinese Yushu) prefecture’s Tridu (Chenduo) , eastern Tibet who they suspect of opposing Beijing’s rule and replaced them with monks of their own choosing, according to sources in the region.

According to a report by a report by U.S.-based news site RFA, the move is believed to be the first high-profile management change by Beijing of a monastery in Tibetan-populated areas in recent years. It has heightened local fears that the management wouild be functioning under exclusive Chinese control.

“This action has completely broken the tradition of the [monastery] managing its own discipline and activities,” sources said,”With this appointment of a new management committee for Zilkar monastery, the monks are worried about their future.”

Chinese authorities in recent months had increasingly interfered in the work of Nyatso Zilkar, “accusing the management team of the monastery in involvement in separatist activities and pressing for their removal from management positions,” a source added.

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Hidden torture in Tibet behind China’s economic scene 30 May 2014

Dharamshala: - The torture of Tibetan citizens has been a cause for widespread concern ever since the Chinese forcefully took over Tibet in the year 1959. Since then, the cases of torture and arbitrary detentions and arrests have been pretty common.

Recently, Golok Jigme, the Tibetan monk who escaped from Chinese authorities after being arrested for helping in the making of the film “Leaving Fear behind”, has also emphasized the widespread torture that is seen in the regions of Tibet, while talking about his own experiences.

The Chinese government has been torturing Tibetans in numerous ways for any dissent which has been shown towards the communist government, and for voicing their views for the cultural preservation of Tibetan identity, language and religion, as well as for claiming their allegiance to the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Torture is considered a crime against humanity. Article 1 of The United Nations Convention Against Torture defines torture as “Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.”

Despite international standards of human rights being set by the United Nations and other organizations, the rights of Tibetans have been continuously infringed upon. Even though the UN has been condemning the torture carried out by Chinese authorities, and the lack of free speech and expression in Tibet, no substantial steps have been taken by the UN. China, in fact, continues to be a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Apart from the UN, a lot of individual governments have expressed their sympathy for the plight of Tibetans exposed to torture at the hands of the Chinese, but no concrete actions have been taken by the governments either.

In his film Jigme, while recounting the events at the Chinese prison where he was taken after his arrest, talks about how he was brutally tortured, which has resulted in him having serious injuries including broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and damaged knees. “When I was

first arrested, my hands and feet were shackled and I was tied hanging for 10 hours. Later, I experienced similar torture seven times, which often lasted between 2 to 5 hours. Even today I continue to have severe pain on the backbone and ribs and my knee dislocates whenever my body gets cold,” he said.

This again raises the question as to China’s qualification to be a member nation of the United Nations Human Rights Council. After committing so many atrocities against Tibetan people, China fails on political and moral grounds. They have also failed to adhere to the clauses of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). To elect China as a member of the UN HRC is a failure on behalf of the international community as well.

The reason behind the election of China to the UN HRC is very apparent. China’s economic progress has been remarkable. To appease the Chinese government, many western nations have succumbed to their demands and requests, and have maintained neutrality on issues of human rights violations by China.

Some world leaders too are in an effort to appease the Chinese and suppress the Tibetans. For example, numerous world leaders have been approached by Tibetan individuals, government bodies, and nongovernmental organizations to advocate for their cause when they are meeting Chinese political leaders. However, after meetings with the Chinese authorities, these world leaders conclude by saying that Tibet is a part of China, and by rejecting all the claims of the oppressed Tibetans.

Despite most modern countries of the world having their own domestic legislation, apart from the international instruments, which emphasize upholding human rights and propagating free speech and media, they often go against the principles of their own laws and legislation, in order to side with the Chinese economic progress.

This one-sided view is morally and politically mistaken in the 21st century, and indeed it is a matter of great shame that these governments have decided to agree with China. It is clear that these moves are fueled by economic interests, and historically, such one sided views have only garnered a negative reputation and image for countries in the international community, and have had a negative influence on their own younger generations. One hopes that these countries will reconsider their views and policies, and adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in the coming years.

Progress in Class XII Board Results of Tibetans

By Rajdip Ray: 30 May 2014

Dolma (93%) & Lharong (90.6%), and Tenzin Tseyang

Dharanshala: - This year, the Tibetan students have shown

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

a remarkable progress in their results. Since 2010, there

declared class XII board examination results on May

has been a 150% increase in the number of students

29, 2014. TCV Selakui and CST Bylakuppe are the two

who have scored above 75 percent. Further, since the

schools which have achieved 100% result this year.

Department of Education introduced the scholarship

Out of the total 1535 Tibetan students who appeared

scheme in 2012, there has been an increase of 37%.

for the examination, 1331 have passed, 40 have failed,

In 213, the majority of the students who had

and 162 were put into compartment category after

scored more than 90 percent were from a Science

failing one subject. The overall pass rate from Tibetan

background. This year, there is uniformity between

schools stand at 86.71.

the toppers, indicating improvement in the

The Tibetan girls this year have outshone the boys.

Commerce and Arts streams.

Out of 704 boys who appeared in the examination, 594

The Gaden Phrodrang Award this year has been given

(84.38%) have passed whereas 665 girls (90.11%) out

to Sonam Sangmo (93.2%), Chemi Dorjee (90.8%),

of 738 have cleared the examination.

Tenzin Dadon (90.6%) for the Science stream; Tsering

The demographics of the results and a graphic

Dolma (93.2%), Lhamo Choedon (93%), Tamdin

representation of students who have scored above 75

Dolma (91.8%) from the Commerce stream; Kalsang

percent is given below.

180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

(90.4%) from the Arts stream.

• • •

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2010 - 2014 = 152.7% Increase 2012 - 2014 = 37.4% increase DOE Scholarship announced in 2012

STREAM SCIENCE ARTS COMMERCE

OPINION

The Tibet Post International

Bapa Phuntsok Wangyal and Xi Zhongxun

By Claude Arpi: 31 May 2014

Continued from previous issue......

“I reported this to you some time ago,” Yang said smoothly. “That report was so long I didn’t read it all. Can you tell me what happened?”

“As you know,” said Yang, “Phünwang has been accused of being one of three people harming the party’s work in Tibet. Then there were his comments about adding nationality clauses to the constitution, and finally there was the debate with Li Weihan.

For these reasons, I have withdrawn him from the coming National People’s Congress and instead have placed him as a candidate for membership on the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.”

“Why didn’t you discuss such an important thing with me first?” Xi said angrily. “And why did you bury an important decision like this under thousands of names on your endless list?” He paused, and continued, “You made a big mistake. Phünwang’s position should not be changed. I am going to report this to Hu Yaobang! You must reinstate Phünwang immediately. Do you understand?”

After the phone call, I had a serious talk with Xi. “Till now,” I said, “I have never asked for a personal favor. However, as you can plainly see, the people who attacked me before are attacking me again. I have a right to be a delegate for the Tibetan people to the National People’s Congress. You said just now that you will report this matter to Hu Yaobang.

I will also report this to Hu-and to Deng Xiaoping himself if necessary-and I will fight to represent the Tibetan people.”

After I left Xi, I did write letters, and so, I believe, did Xi. And before long, Hu Yaobang and Deng Xiaoping sent a message informing me that they had instructed Yang Jingren not to change my position as a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The decision meant a great deal to me, and soon my fortunes began to improve on another front.

My detailed criticisms of Li Weihan’s report posed a difficult problem for the party. Li had made his judgments on behalf of the Central Committee, which in a sense meant that he represented Deng Xiaoping.

Thus, if the Central Committee said I was right, it meant Li-and by extension Deng-was wrong. They came up with an interesting solution.

At the National People’s Congress, Xi Zhongxun, representing the Central Committee, made a speech introducing the members of the Standing Committee.

When he introduced me, he praised me as a party member who had done good revolutionary work for many years. “He has made a great contribution,” he said, and then he added, “In our party, there are different thoughts on ideology, and according to the party’s constitution, one has the right to hold different views.”

He didn’t mention my name, but what he was talking about was clear to those who knew of the dispute. And it was now clear to me what the Central Committee had done. Indirectly and cleverly they had declared that Li Weihan and I had the right to hold our different views. It was not necessary to decide whether one was right and one wrong. I wasn’t declared right, but in this battle of criticism and debate, I felt I had won a victory against enormous odds. Not only had the party leadership declined to support the attack on my views, but they also sent a message that people in the party like me were free to speak their minds.

I also had an impact on the constitution al front. I didn’t get the specific clauses I had suggested accepted, but I was able to persuade Peng Zhen, Politburo member and chairman of the National People’s Congress (and de facto head of the Constitution Revisions Committee), to phrase a section of the preamble so that the word “equality” preceded the words “unity” and “cooperation.” I thought this made a big difference in orientation because without equality first there cannot be unity. The final version approved on December 4, 1982, said, “The People’s Republic of China is a unitary multinational state created jointly by the people of all its nationalities. Socialist relations of equality, unit y, and mutual assistance have been established among the nationalities and will continue to be strengthened.”

[The previous 1978 constitution had said only, “The unit y between all nationalities of the country should be strengthened.”)

On the other main front-the “three enemies of the party” campaign against me-I also eventually was vindicated.

In spring 1984, a number of TAR officials (including Yin Fatang, Ragdi [later Executive Deputy Secretary of the Tibet Communist Party and the highest ranking Tibetan in the Tibet Autonomous Region in the1990’s], and Yangling Dorje) came to Beijing.

During this visit, Yangling Dorje met with Premier Zhao Ziyang, whom he knew well from their days together in Sichuan. At their meeting, Zhao asked him about Tibet, and Yangling Dorje told him

frankly, “After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party in 1978, the whole nation shifted its priority away from political struggle to issues concerning economic development.

However, Yin Fatang and others in Lhasa continued to proceed on the assumption that in Tibet the priority was political struggle. They have said that the primary targets of this political struggle are the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama, and Phünwang. They also criticized Phünwang’s views on nationality theory without even reading his response to Li Weihan.”

“What is going on in Tibet is wrong,” Zhao said.

“Economic development is the work priority for the nation-including Tibet. Phünwang and the Panchen Lama are both our people, and we are trying to win over the Dalai Lama. Therefore, it is wrong to make them objects of political attack.”

The next day, Yangling Dorje went to see Hu Yaobang, and when Hu heard what he had to say, he became angry. “Economic development is the priority of the whole nation,” he said. “Because of class struggle, our country has had very hard times.

If we do not pay attention to economic development in Tibet and improve the people’s living conditions there, we will never achieve the kinds of political results we want.” He also said that it was wrong to single out three people and make them targets of political struggle.

I didn’t know about any of this until one afternoon when there was a knock on my door. It was Yangling Dorje, and he was smiling broadly.

“A rag, he said [a rag is a term of greeting that means roughly “my friend” in Khampa dialects), “I no longer need to be afraid to visit.” (He meant, of course, that while I was under political attack, it was a risk for anyone to seem too close to me.)

“Today,” he continued, “I bring two swords in my hands. One is from Hu Yaobang, and the other is from Zhao Ziyang. They are the ones who have asked me to visit you.” He then proceeded to tell me about Hu’s and Zhao’s responses.

Not long after these events, the Central Committee actually criticized Yin Fatang publicly for his attack on the “three enemies,” and then one day in early April 1984, Yin Fatang, Ragdi, Yangling Dorje, and Dorje Tseden [a top Tibetan cadre in the TAR government] unexpectedly came to see me. They came to tell me that the Central Committee had told them their campaign against me was wrong. They

had visited the Panchen Lama yesterday, and today they had come to apologize to me. They admitted they had made a mistake!

It was more than I ever dreamed would happen.

Finally, in the fall of 1985, I also got closure on the status of our Tibetan Communist Party. When I had contacted the Chinese Communist Party in Yunnan in 1949, the local party leader agreed to accept me and the others in my party as members of the CCP but said that the date when our party membership should start would have to be decided later by the Central Committee. It was the mid-1980s now. Many of our members were close to retirement, and there was still confusion about the date at which their party membership had begun. Therefore, the United Front Work Department and the State Nationalities Affairs Commission conducted an investigation and reported their results to the Central Committee.

In a document that was signed by Xi Zhongxun, Hu Qili [from 1982 to 1987, director of General Office and a member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committees], and others, the Central Committee determined that after I met with Ye Jianying [Army general, Ye assisted Liu Bocheng in directing the crossing of the Yangtze River at Anshunchang and Luding Bridge during the Long March; he was appointed director of the offices that liaised with the KMT after 1936. Later he became Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress from 1978 to 1983] in Chongqing in 1940, I established a Communist Party in Tartsedo and Lhasa and enrolled many members. My revolutionary work therefore officially began in 1940. I thought that they should consider my relationship with the Chinese Communist Party to have started when I met with Ye Jianying in 1940, but they said that because Ye Jianying, who was then in his nineties, could not remember our meetings, they did not accept us as part of the CCP until 1949, when I arrived in Yunnan. I decided not to contest this. I was satisfied that they had officially recognized our Tibetan party as a Communist Party, and it did not matter to me whether it belonged to the Soviet Communist Party or the Chinese Communist Party or was its own Tibetan party.

And so events had finally come full circle. I had not only been rehabilitated, but now my revolutionary work since 1940 had been accepted. The terrible years in prison could not be wiped away, but the historical record was now clean.

By Becky Bargh: 29 May 2014

but moreover, for his tireless efforts in creating a world where people of all different backgrounds, religions, sex, caste and race co-existing in harmony.

His Holiness has received much recognition for his noble efforts by various governments and prestigious institutes, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

As the Dalai Lama continues to gain popularity and the situation in Tibet is to be exposed to the world, China will persist to view him as a threat to their illegal occupation of Tibet. Therefore, the Chinese government will join hands in cahoots with followers of the Dogyal-Shugden in order to fund their anti Dalai Lama activities.

Assertions made by the Dhogyal followers like the Dalai Lama not allowing religious freedom and calling him a ‘liar’ and a ‘false lama’. These are totally baseless and have no real grounds to show for. The Dalai Lama has never banned the following of Dorjee Shugden; the Dalai Lama has simply advised on the propitiation of the Dolgyal and if one chooses to follow this spirit then he or she is free to do so. Attacking the Dalai Lama with unsubstantiated claims will only provoke Tibetans who revere and unconditionally love their leader.

The Dolgyal issue has repeatedly been made very clear by His Holiness during several of his teachings.

The recent incidents in North America and Europe are troubling and Tibetans all over the world and those still in Tibet are concerned; Tibetans inside Tibet sacrifice their lives and self immolate are calling for the return of His Holiness back to his homeland.

TYC calls upon all Tibetans to remain vigilant, attentive and cautious; during visits to the Dalai Lama to other cities have urged the public to step up security and also partake in awareness raising campaigns. Thus, educating the people as well as the followers of the spirit as to what the truth is about His Holiness. Today, Tibetans in and outside of Tibet are more united than ever due to His Holiness’ leadership. The resilient spirit of the Tibetan people cannot be undermined and they refuse to be divided and continue to stand firm behind their leader, as well as rejecting any false attacks that are made against their leader. They pledge to remain united and work for the Tibet issue to be resolved soon.

Tibetan Youth Congress rejects allegations against His Holiness

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest of the Tibetan youth organizations and NGO in-exile has strongly condemned and rejected all allegations against the spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama by followers of Dolgyal.

In May 1996, TYC held a special conference, which followed with an adoption of a series of resolutions for policy directives to be pursued on this issue. Since then, TYC and their members worldwide have been actively involved in educating Tibetans and non-Tibetans on the issues surrounding the worship of the DolgyalShugden spirit.

The following year, the director of the Buddhist Dialectic Institute a close associate with the Dalai Lama, Venerable Lobsang Gyasto was murdered along with his two young disciples in Dharamshala, India.

The investigations undertaken by the Indian police concluded that the followers of Dolgyal-Shugden were behind the murders. TYC will hold once again a special session on this issue during the 45th Working Committee Meeting that will take place later this year.

The latest occurrences including violent assaults and confrontations on the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama during his trip to North America and Europe earlier this year have been a clear indication that DolgyalShugdun followers are increasing their propaganda.

Professor Robert Thurman of Columbia University and a renowned Buddhist Scholar, has recently written an article that was published in the Huffington Post that connects the Chinese government’s role in supporting Dogyal-Shugden activists.

He expressed his anger for the “so-called Panchen Lama” being sat on many occasions in front of large icons of Dolgyal-Shugden; this he calls, “a sign of aggressive defiance of the Dalai Lama.” The recent decision of the Norwegian government refusing to meet His Holiness due to ongoing pressure from China was applauded by the Dolgyal group; this ultimately indicates the major influence that the Chinese government has on the cult.

Tibetans and non-Tibetans all over the world have expressed their love for the Dalai Lama for his continuous messages of peace and compassion

Exile News 31 May 2014 3 Tibetan museum celebrates 37th International Museum Day

TPI NEWS

The Tibet Post International

CTA to mark ‘2014 as Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’

By Becky Bargh: 21 May 2014

Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary for DIIR and chairman of the organising committee (2nd R), Mr Topgyal Tsering, Secretary for Education and chairman of the organising committee (2nd L), Chime Rigzin, Additional Secretary for Home (1st L) and Mr Tenzin Lungtok, Additional Secretary for Religion and Culture (1st R) during the press conference on 23 May 2014/DIIR photo

By Jake Thomas: 26 May 2014

to mark the occasion,” he added.

Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration will

He said 25 events will be organised in Tibetan across the

observe 2014 as the “Year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”

world to celebrate the year from June to December. The

to express deep gratitude to his remarkable achievements

departments of the Central Tibetan Administration involved

for the cause of Tibet and promote his ideals of non-

in organising the events are Religion and Culture, Home,

violence, peace and human values.

Education, Department of Information & International

“The Kashag and the Central Tibetan Administration

Relations and Health.

have dedicated 2014 as the year of His Holiness the Dalai

He said Nobel Peace laureates would be invited to grace

Lama to celebrate, pay tribute and express gratitude of the

events in Dharamsala and Delhi on the occasion of the

Tibetan people for the all achievements and blessings that

birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2 October.

he has bestowed on us till now,” said Mr Tashi Phuntsok,

“These events will be organised on Gandhi Jayanti to

co-chairman of the organising committee and secretary for

express appreciation for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s

the Department of Information & International Relations,

commitment to promote non-violence and dialogue to

said at a press conference.

resolve conflicts,” he added.

“This declaration was made by the Sikyong in his statement

Another key event for the year is the celebration of the 25th

on 10 March this year and subsequently in the Parliament.

anniversary of the conferment of Nobel peace prize on His

The Kashag then formed a committee to organise events

Holiness the Dalai Lama on 10 December.

Sikyong congratulates BJP on election victory

Dharamshala: - In efforts to reach out to a wider audience, the Tibet Museum in Dharamshala joined the 37th International Museum Day on Sunday 18 May. The day also celebrated over 35,000 museums in 120 countries under the theme of ‘Museum collections make collections’.

Kalon Pema Chhinjor of the Department of Religion and Culture graced the occasion. He praised the Tibet Museum for its collection of photos that document the detailed story of Tibet’s history as well as the Tibetan people’s plight and non-violent struggle for the freedom of their country and the injustice that is forced upon them.

Addressing the event, Chhinjor said its “very opportune time for the Tibet Museum to reach out to wider audience by joining the international museum day”, he also added, “it will raise greater awareness and clear understanding of the history, culture and the suffering of Tibetans under the China’s repressive rule.”

He further said the media has the responsibility and plays a vital role in disseminating information on the Tibet issue truthfully and objectively.

A new website was also launched, www. tibetmusuem.org.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary for Information & International Relations, said that since its inception in 1998, the Tibet Museum has become a repository of information which enables the story of the Tibetan history, culture, religion to be told; as well as the plight that they have endured under the rule of the Chinese government.

‘Its collections have been collated in an institutionalised and scientific way. It engages

Celebration of the International Museum Day at Tibet Museum in Dharamshala, India, on 18 May 2014/DIIR Photo

the international community in issue of Tibet, and connects the younger generation of Tibetans to their roots, and sustains our struggle for freedom and justice.’

Mr Tashi Phuntsok, expressed his delight of the public’s response to the Museum, “The people have responded enthusiastically to this event.

We have witnessed highest number of people (over 1,400) visiting the museum in a single day till date.”

Mr Phuntsok, who is also the Director of the Tibet Museum said over 50,000 people visit the museum every year. “The new website of the museum would help people who can’t visit Dharamshala to learn and understand the issue

of Tibet. Its collections of photos and documents would also facilitate the Tibetan communities across the world to organise photo exhibitions in their locality.”

There have been many programmes organised at the Tibet Museum for the occasion which included guided tours of the exhibitions ‘A Long Look Homeward’. Talks but former Tibetan political prisoners, live demonstrations of thangka (scroll) painting and showcase of costumes of the three traditional Provinces of Tibet. Many schoolchildren also participated in the event, including, TCV Suja and TCV Chauntara, Sombhota school Chauntara, Mewoen PEton school, and Indian Government school.

Where is the 11th Pachen Lama: Tibetan NGOs ask China

By Becky Bargh: 20 May 2014

Sikyong, the political leader of Tibetan people addressing during the Tibetan National Uprising Day in Dharamshala, India, on 10 March 2013. Photo: TPI

By Yeshe Choesang: 16 May 2014 democratic rights by setting a new benchmark with

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan exile administration, which is based in Dharamshala, India on Friday (16 may) congratulated the BJP on its victory in the elections, and said ‘India is truly the largest democracy in the world.’

‘The Kashag [Cabinet] today congratulated the Indian leader Narendra Modi and Bharatya Janata Party for the landslide victory in the 16th Lok Sabha election,’Sikyong or the political leader of Tibetans, Dr. Lobsang Sangay said in a press statement released in Dharamshala.

Sikyong said: “I take this opportunity to thank the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for their unwavering support for the Tibetan people during its two full terms. I also congratulate the incoming National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led

by Bharatya Janata Party.”

The people of India have strongly affirmed their

highest-ever voter turnout of 66.4%. India is truly the largest democracy in the world. With unity in diversity as its core principles, India continues to practice vibrant democracy with development.

According to reports, more than 800 million voters.

Over 930,000 polling booths. And the battle to lead the world’s largest democracy.

The BJP, led by its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, looked set to win the Lok Sabha elections, with close to 272 seats on its own. The alliance it leads—National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—seemed set to cross the 330 mark.

Heads of government of Britain, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia and Israel also sent congratulatory messages to Mr Modi as the results were declared.

Parliament congratulates Modi on election victory

The newly constructed building of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. Photo: TPI/file

By Yeshe Choesang: 20 May 2014

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Parliament-inExile Monday [May 19, 2014] congratulated India’s Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party for their historic win in the recent national election.

“On behalf of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, I have the great pleasure and privilege to congratulate you and your party for this 2014 historic victory most heartily,” Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said in the congratulatory letter.

“During the course of electioneering, we have

noted with satisfaction how the democracy of India won above the regionalism and castism under your projection as the Prime Ministerial Candidate of BJP. We wish you success in your entire endeavor and we are sure that with your courage and wisdom, you will guide India to peace and prosperity,” the letter noted.

“We hope you will not only maintain the tradition of support for the cause of Tibet but give the much needed strength to resolve the issue of Tibet in the interest of all.”

In September 2013, a delegation from the Tibetan Parliament met with Narendra Modi to seek his support of the Tibetan cause.

As the chief minister of Gujarat state, Modi told the delegates about how much he knew about ‘Tibet and the Tibetan cause, and assured his solidarity with the Tibetans and vowed to do his utmost to help.’

When Modi went to Mt Kailash for pilgrimage, despite warning by the security people, he secretly took photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and offered them to Tibetans in Tibet as his gift. “The Tibetan people in Tibet were so delighted to receive the gift,” Modi told the delegates.

Dharamshala: - A procession took place in McLeod Ganj Main Square on 17 May in order to recognise the 19 years since the Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima was kidnapped at the tender age of 6 along with his family and caretaker.

It has been 19 years since the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama. On 17th May, 1995, the 6 year old Tibetan boy was imprisoned for no crime but purely for political reasons; that made him the world’s youngest political prisoner.

Students for a Free Tibet-India and the Dharamshala chapters of Tibetan Youth Congress, and Tibetan Women’s Association, were the organisations leading the campaign and have demanded the Chinese government to declare the 11th Panchen Lama’s status by 25th April, 2015.

The 10th Panchen Lama Choekyi Gyaltsen died on 28th January, 1989, his sudden death is also suspected to be a planned murder by the Chinese government.

The 11th Panchen Lama was born on April 25, 1989 at Lhari Zong of Nagchu District in Tibet.

He is the son of Kunchok Phuntsok and Dechen Choedon, on the 15th day of the third month of the Tibetan wood pig year (14th May, 1995). Gendun Choekyi Nyima was announced as the 11th Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and at that time he was only six years old and now he is 25.

Now, another boy occupies Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama that was handpicked

by Beijing.

There has not been a singular bit of news about the wellbeing or the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama since Zhang Qingli, the former secretary of the Communist Party of the Tibet Autonomous Region made a brief statement on him. Zhang Qingli told the public that Tibetan boy is doing well; yet, they refuse anyone to access him.

Tenzin Dolker of the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association said: “The importance of the 25 year old Panchen Lama is that both the Panchen Lama and Dalai Lama play significant roles in giving recognition to each other’s reincarnation and also imparting important religious teachings. Therefore the Chinese government has been keeping absolute silence on the whereabouts of the present Panchen Lama in order to satisfy their vicious plans to manufacture their own Dalai Lama in the future.”

Many of the international media and his faithful followers doubt his survival and start debating on ‘what we have to do if 11th Panchen Gendun Choekyi Nyima is no longer alive?’ This enforced disappearance of the Panchen Lama for 19 years has saddened the hearts of all his followers.

The TWA expressed their demand for news of the Panchen Lama’s wellbeing, ‘We the Tibetan Women’s

Today [May 17th 2014 ]Tibetans and supporters marked 19 years since Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, was illegally kidnapped by the Chinese government in 1995. Photo: RYC/Dharamshala

Association encompassed of 17,000 members across the globe call on the Chinese leadership and the secretary of Tibet Autonomous Region, Chen Quanguo to disclose the whereabouts of the 25-year old Panchen Lama of Tibet. We demand you to declare Gendun Choekyi Nyima’s status by 25th April, 2015.’

Even two decades after the Chinese government abducted Gendun Choekyi Nyima it has in no way deterred the Tibetan people of their faith and belief in him, and Tibet’s continue to admire him as strong figure of their identity.

“In order to capture authority over religious leaders of the Tibetan people and thereby political power,

the Chinese government has appropriated the process of recognizing reincarnate Lamas” said Nyima Yangtso, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress. She further adds, “The PRC made amendments in their law and incorporated article 8 and 15 which reserves absolute authority over the recognizing of any lama in China and Tibet.”

On 12th November, 2013, China was re-elected into the United Nations Human Rights Council and this election brings obligation to China to improve the human right situation in both China and Tibet. ‘We remind China to implement its pledges to improve the human rights situation inside Tibet,’ said the TWA.

Home Kalon meets top officials of Himachal Pradesh

Home Kalon Dolma Gyari accompanied by Tibetan settlement officers of Shimla and Dharamshala meets HP officials, including Mr G.S Bali, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, in Shimla, India. Photo: CTA/DIIR

By Rajdip Ray: 20 May 2014

Dharamshala: - Dolma Gyari, the Kalon or minister for Home Department is visiting Shimla, Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai between the 15th and 25th of May. During her visit to Shimla, some of the people

that the Home Kalon met included Mr Kaul Singh Thakur, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Mr G.S Bali, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Mr Sudhir Sharma, Minister for Urban Development of the Government of Himachal Pradeshand Mr Prathasarthi Mitra, Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh.

At the meetings with the ministers and the Secretary, Kalom discussed certain issues which have been long standing and asked the State government’s intervention immediately to solve them. Some of the key issues involved were the rehabilitation of 125 Tibetan families in Shimla, issues involving Tibetan road side vendors in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj, and the eviction of 210 Tibetan families from TIPA Road and Bhagsu Road at McLeodganj, Dharamshala.

The Kalon also expressed her gratitude to the Himachal Pradesh government for bringing the Tibetan refugees under the purview of the Rajiv Gandhi Anna Yojna.

4

TPI NEWS

The Tibet Post International TIBET UK government urged to denounce China’s policy in Tibet Tibetan monk disappears after progress in bringing freedoms and rights to the moratorium on the death penalty and the release emailing protest writings of all imprisoned human rights defenders. people of China and Tibet?”

31 May 2014

By Yeshe Choesang: 16 May 2014

London: - With the crisis in Tibet deepening and with Tibetans facing increasing restrictions on their human rights and civil liberties, Tibet Society urges the UK government to use the upcoming UK-China Human Rights Dialogue (20-21 May) to stand up for Tibet and call on China to end its crackdown on human and civil rights in Tibet and peacefully resolve the grievances of the Tibetan people.

“William Hague has publicly stated the UK government should not be afraid to advocate universal human rights with China. Now is the time for the UK to act on this belief. Now is the time for the UK to stand up for Tibet,” Philippa Carrick, CEO of Tibet Society said in a statement issued on 16 May 2014 . “China’s actions in Tibet are unacceptable and this is the message the UK government must convey to China.”

Ms Carrick continued, “Tibetans in Tibet today face intolerable restrictions on religion, culture and language. This is on top of the routine denial of freedom of expression. In recent weeks, Tibetans have been tried and sentenced in secret, and jailed for up to 13 years for taking part in peaceful protests. World governments should not, and must not, allow China to continue to so blatantly disregard international norms both in rule of law or human rights. What purpose is there to bilateral human rights dialogue unless governments use the occasion to press for substantive and meaningful

On 20-21 May, the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue is due to resume after a hiatus of two years. The Dialogue was originally scheduled for 14-15 April but was called off unilaterally by China. Government sources told Tibet Society they understood China scrubbed the meeting over its objection to an intervention by the UK at the UN Human Rights Council. The UK had supported a motion for a minute’s silence in memory of Chinese human rights defender Cao Shunli, who died on 14 March whilst in custody.

The agenda for the April meeting was also a source of contention for China, which included issues such as freedom of expression and ethnic minority rights. The agenda for the rescheduled meeting is not known, but Tibet Society has been assured the basis of the agenda would not be compromised as there would be little point to talks if there was no possibility of anything substantive being discussed.

In April, Tibet Society, as part of a coalition of NGOs, submitted a briefing paper to the UK Foreign Office. The paper outlined key human rights concerns in China and Tibet and provided a series of recommendations for the UK government to urge the Chinese government to take.

Amongst the recommendations are the ratification and adherence to international human rights treaties, the abolition of arbitrary detention, a

In particular, Tibet Society is calling on the UK government to urge China to end their policies in Tibet which restrict religious, cultural and linguistic freedoms, and to press for full and open access to Tibet for media, diplomats and international observers.

In light of China’s recent acceptance of a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Tibet Society is calling on the UK government to urge China to provide a date for this visit and to guarantee Ms Pillay free and unfettered access to Tibet.

In April, news of a series of harsh prison sentences for Tibetans emerged, handed down to those involved in peaceful protests in October 2013. The sentences, meted out following trials held in secret and without due process, range from 10 to 13 years and stem from an initial rejection by Tibetans to official government orders to fly Chinese flags from their homes. In addition, a senior monk has been sentenced to 18 years in prison simply for the possession of photos and recordings of the Dalai Lama.

Tibet Society urges the UK government to call on China to not only release these Tibetans who were expressing themselves in a peaceful manner, but to give assurances that all future trials are held in an open and transparent manner and follow universally-accepted standards which allow due process.

By Rajdip Ray: 29 May 2014

of the People’s Republic of China, which came into force on 1 March 2014, did not incorporate public schools in its effort to discontinue PRC’s reliance on low paid temporary workers. This allowed the PRC to maintain its low rural education costs.

The role played by these substitute teachers is crucial and even the Chinese state run media has been critical of government policies aimed at them.

Despite the large degree of criticism of PRC’s policies towards substitute teachers, it is unlikely for the Chinese government to change its position on substitute teachers because they are keen to establish a ‘modern’ centralised Chinese education system with teachers who all hold college and university degrees.

In rural Tibetan regions, the shortage of qualified teachers coupled with the reluctance of many teachers to accept positions in underdeveloped regions means that the Chinese government’s current ambition to reduce the number of substitute teachers and maintain recent accomplishments in increased rural enrolment rates in primary and secondary education are unfeasible.

In addition, it is also unrealistic for the PRC’s Ministry

of Education to expect these “poor teachers (to) have to spend several years to acquire that ‘eligible education’,” and then still not offer them the same entitlements as public teacher until “they have to pass the employment test”. Hence, it is instead recommended that the PRC grant substitute teachers currently working in the education system the same legal status as public teachers, while introducing alternative measures to increase their skill base but, while also allowing them to continue to work. For instance, the PRC could provide both on and off the job training programmes in order to ensure substitute teachers meet the standards required by the Ministry of Education to teach in PRC. In conclusion, the PRC’s discrimination of substitute teachers and efforts to ‘modernise’ the education system place great risk upon the PRC’s ability to provide an education in areas such as Rebkong County. PRC should instead focus on maintaining the number of substitute teachers in rural Tibetan regions and focus upon providing them with the skills required to teach in the PRC’s modernising education system while continuing to allow them to teach.

Plight of Tibetan ‘substitute teachers’ in Rebkong County, Tibet

Dharamshala: - In the People’s Republic of China, a ‘substitute teacher’ is someone who is employed to teach in a primary or middle school but is not on the official payroll and in the vast majority of cases are “high school graduates who did not go to a university or college. In contrast, public teachers or ‘formal teachers’ are expected to have “at least a three year college education” to work as a primary school teacher or “should have four years of university education” to work as a middle school teacher.

Furthermore, unlike their substitute teacher colleagues, public teachers are on the official payroll. In regards to rural Tibetan regions, substitute teachers have played a fundamental role in increasing the availability of education. But they have never been granted the same degree of benefits as their public teacher counterparts.

On 30 April 2014, over 160 substitute teachers and staff from Rebkong (Ch: Tongren) County schools in Malho (Ch: Huangnan) TibetanAutonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province, took to the streets to demand the same legal status as public teachers. However, the authorities showed little interest in intervening to resolve the issues,’TCHRD said, citing with an exile report.

This failure to resolve the issues prompted the protestors to schedule another protest on 7 May 2014 in an effort to raise the matter of the terms of their employment with the provincial government authorities. The authorities promised to make Qinghai’s educational system more equitable for substitute teachers. After receiving these promises, the protestors abandoned their march to Xining.

However, since then no action has been taken by the government.

Both the protests were caused by substitute teachers’ unhappiness regarding inequalities between substitute teache rs and their public teacher counterparts, such as, inequalities in monthly wages and job security. Substitute teachers receive a mere 500 to 1,000 yuan per month compared to the 3,000 to 5,000 yuan per month that full-time public teachers earn; despite having the same workload. Substitute teachers are also not entitled to social welfare benefits such as medical care. Furthermore, the poor infrastructure of these rural schools leads to an increase in work load for these teachers, and they are given no job security; their services being eligible for termination at any time.

These inequalities are not, however, a new phenomenon.

Many of them stem from the minbanteacher era who were essentially the same as substitute teachers.

However, after PRC’s Ministry of Education banned minban teachers in Chinese schools in 2000, the profession was rebranded as substitute teacher. In 2001 there were an estimated 705,000 substitute teachers working in the PRC. In 2006, the Ministry of Education began similar efforts to remove substitute teachers from China’s education system, with the Ministry claiming that between 2006 and 2010 “all the remaining 448,000 substitute teachers in China would be laid off”.

However, substitute teachers still continue to play a major role within the education system in Tibetan areas, with nearly 310,000 substitute teachers working in the rural western regions of the PRC. The continued use of substitute teachers is largely due to the fact that the amendments to the Labour Contract Law

Monk named in Reporters Sans Frontieres information heroes list escapes Tibet

By Rajdip Ray: 16 May 2014

Undatred photo of Choeying Kalden. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: - A Tibetan monk has disappeared after sending emails to the mobile phones of Chinese cadres stationed at Tsenden Monastery in Sog (Ch: Suo) County in Nagchu (Ch: Naqu) Prefecture, in the Kham region of eastern Tibet.

The email contained some of his writings which criticized Chinese rule.

According to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), an NGO based out of India, 20 year old Choeying Kalden, a monk at Tsenden Monastery, hailing from Yeggu Village of Yagla (Ch: Yala) Township in Sog County was detained on 16th March 2014. The monk had shared his writings among his friends as well as Chinese ‘work team’ members through emails. His location remains unknown.

Kalden used to write essays and poems on Tibetan culture and identity under the pseudonym Sog Thug (Eng: ‘Mongolian Child’); some of which have now become available outside Tibet.

Some of the his writings include pieces where he condemns the new repressive campaigns implemented by the Chinese authorities in recent years; such as the ongoing campaign of forcing Tibetans to fly the redstarred Chinese flags on rooftops.

Recently, Sog County has witnessed a wave of arbitrary arrests and random searches. A considerable number of both monastic and lay Tibetans have been detained and disappeared. The neighbouring Diru County too has been subjected to repressive campaigns by the Chinese authorities all through 2013.

On 14 March 2014, Gedun Drakpa, a 20 year old monk at Sog Tsenden Monastery was detained after red-starred Chinese flags were set on fire and graffiti on Tibetan independence were scrawled over the walls of the houses where the permanent Chinese work teams were stationed.

On the night of 17 March 2014, four monks including Tsangyang Gyatso, the umze (chant master) of Drilda Monastery were detained. The three other monks are identified as Tsewang, Atse and Gyaltsen. They continue to be detained incommunicado. To petition for their release, six monks of the monastery approached the Trido (Ch: Chiduo) Township government office but they were detained. Although they were released on 20th March, the monks had been severely beaten up during their brief detention. Due to extreme restrictions on communication channels, TCHRD cannot immediately identify the monks.

Drilda monks continue to become targets of arbitrary detention and interrogation because the authorities suspect their involvement in pasting leaflets carrying Tibetan freedom messages on a nearby iron bridge. Drilda Monastery is under lockdown after the arrival of paramilitary officers who keep a watch on the movements of the monks.

In Trido Township, paramilitary and police forces have been deployed to intensify restrictions, with a

I Jigme Gyatso during a meeting with some former Tibetan political prisoners in Dharamshala, India. Photo: Media File

By Tenzin Dawoe: 19 May 2014

Dharamshala:- Born in 1969 at Golog Serta of eastern Tibet, Jigme Gyatso, the Tibetan monk who helped Dhondup Wangchen film ‘Leaving Fear Behind’- a film featuring Tibetans talking about the situation in Tibet- safely arrived in Dharamshala, India on 18th May. Jigme, a Buddhist monk and human rights activist has been honoured recently by an international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF)based in Paris as an information hero.

He was welcomed by friends and various NGOs upon arrival at the reception centre. He was not available for comments at the moment, but will be holding a press conference in the next few days.

The RSF list includes media (information) activists (aged from 25 to 75) from 65 countries who have helped to promote the freedom enshrined in article

19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through their courageous work or activism.

Jigme was imprisoned in 2008 for helping Dhondup Wangchen in the filming of the movie and has escaped to India upon release.

In 2007/2008, Jigme Gyatso assisted Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen in the filming of ‘Leaving Fear Behind’, a powerful documentary film featuring interviews with 108 ordinary Tibetans, discussing various topics. Jigme, a monk at Labrang monastery, was born in 1969 in the village of Ragtham in Golog Serthar (Chinese: Seda), eastern Tibet.

He is also known as a social activist, teaching children about Tibetan culture, advocating for Tibetan language, and assisting in relief efforts after a magnitute 4.9 earthquake struck Yushu, Kham, in April 2010. Jigme is described by local Tibetans as a “monk of moral integrity and a sincere social worker”.

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couple of police checkposts between every village.

The crackdown has spread to the ten villages located in Trido Township where local Tibetans are subjected to random searches and questioning.

On 28 March 2014, two Tibetan laymen Rinchen Wangdue and Phurtse were detained in Village No. 4 of Trido Township for sharing news related to the crackdown through email. The same day, Adey, a monk of Drilda Monastery was also detained.

On 6 March 2014, Chinese security forces arrested five Tibetans, including two monks from Drilda Monasteryand three laymen from Dowa Village for allegedly providing pictures and information related to Tibetan protests to the outside world.

On 14 March 2014, two Tibetan youths Tsering Samphel, 18, and Drakpa, were arrested and taken away to an unknown location from Triru Village in Sog County for sharing songs of famous Tibetan singer, Sherten, through mobile phones.

On 13 March 2014, Chinese security forces arrested two monks from Drilda monastery - Lobsang Dhargay, 19 and Lungtok Gyaltsen, 18, while they were returning from Chunpa Village, where they had gone to buy provisions for the monastery, to celebrate the Buddhist holy month. They were arrested on the suspicion that they were involved in writing the graffiti on a boulder near the iron bridge.

On 3 February 2014, five Tibetan youths from Village No. 3 in Trido Township were arrested as police expanded its search for those responsible for writing the graffiti. Of them, three – Sisum Dorje, Lhakpa and Jamyang Gyatso – were released and ordered to report daily to the Trido Township government office. The location and status of the other two - Asang and Margong – remain unknown despite persistent efforts by family members and local Tibetans.

Additionally, four monks from Shartsa Monastery in Dowa Village, who were arrested on 4 February 2014, in connection with the message written on a boulder, remain missing.

A Tibetan man, Gawa Sangpo from Yeggu Village of Yagla Township has been in police detention since January 2013 without being charged with a crime. He has been held in Sog County Detention Centre since his arrest. Gawa Sangpo was arrested for penning a ‘three-point note on Tibet.’ The issues he raised in the note are: 1. Expressing his faith in the Dalai Lama, whom he considers as the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people 2. Recognition of Lobsang Sangay as the political leader of the Tibetan people and thus follow his words 3. Tibet is an independent nation, so we want independence.

According to sources, Gawa Sangpo had expressed three principal regrets: the Chinese police arresting him before he was able to commit self immolation, not being allowed to raise the Tibetan flag at the Potala Palace in Lhasa and not being able to set fire to the Chinese flag.

Chinese law requires that a detainee be charged or released within a week of being detained or up to 30 days if the case involves multiple crimes in different places. Gawa Sangpo has now been detained for over 16 months without being charged.

While in detention, he has suffered severe beating and torture at the hands of security forces. It has taken a year for friends and family to find out about Gawa Sangpo’s detention during which he suffered beatings and torture, according to sources.

Sangpo’s detention, like the detention of the other Tibetans from Sog, violates basic human rights standards that prohibit arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture.

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Former speaker of South Tyrol, Italy A software engineer, Austria A professional graphic designer, India A Tibetan writer, India

Editor in Chief Mr Yeshe Choesang Chinese Editor Miss Keary Huang Tibetan Editor Mr Choneyi Sangpo Tibet Political Analyst Mr James Dunn Photographer Mr Artemas Liu Layout & Design Mr Yeshe Choesang Circulation Mr Tashi Contributors to this editon Keary Huang Taiwan Becky Bargh UK Jane Cook UK NJ Thakuria India Rajdip Ray India Layne Mayard France Cameron Hecker US Claude Arpi India Yeshe Choesang India Choenyi Sangpo India Yangchen Dolma India Himalayan Literacy Trust (Head Office) Room #1 Top Floor, New Varuni House Temple Road, McLeod Ganj: 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P., India

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H.H THE DALAI LAMA 5 TPI NEWS His Holiness the Dalai Lama His Holiness commends media for keeping public informed congratulates Narendra Modi The Tibet Post International

31 May 2014

By Becky Bargh:

Shri Narendra Modi meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a Seminar in January 2010. Photo: Media File

By Yeshe Choesang: 19 May 2014

Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday [17 May 2014] congratulated Shri Narendra Modi on his party’s decisive victory in the national elections and said India was the ‘world’s largest democratic nation’ with ‘a deep tradition of Ahimsa.’

In a letter to the Prime Minister-elect, His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated that India was the world’s largest democratic nation and the most stable country in South Asia with a deep tradition of Ahimsa. He said that he took pride in citing India as a living example of unity in diversity, an ancient country in which all the major world’s religious traditions flourish and from which other countries could learn.

His Holiness wrote that just as he had brought development and prosperity to Gujarat, under his leadership India would continue to flourish and prosper.

His Holiness wished him every success in meeting the many challenges that lay ahead and in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of this great nation.

In September 2013, a Tibetan delegation visited Gujarat

State and urged Shri Narendra Modi to raise the issue of Tibet and render his support for early resolution of the Tibet crisis. The delegation briefed him about the ongoing crisis in Tibet especially the unprecedented spate of self-immolations as a result of Chinese repression.

In response, Shri Modi assured them of his strong ‘solidarity’ with Tibetan people and ‘vowed to do his utmost in future.’

Shri Modi told the delegation to foward his heartfelt greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

As Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Modi met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the International Buddhist Heritage Seminar at Baroda in January 2010. He said that a centre for religion studies will be started at M S University.

He also announced that a Buddhist temple will be constructed in the state. ‘This will not just be a place of worship or a revenue generation exercise to attract tourists, but also be developed as a centre of research on Buddhist philosophy,’ he added.

On his twitter page, Narendra Modi on 17 May said he was “extremely grateful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his wishes and words of appreciation.”

8 May 2014

Frankfurt, Germany: – In the early part of his second day in Frankfurt, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 14 May 2014 held a meeting with the media; afterwards he met with the Board of Tibet house.

When addressing the crowded press, he outlined his three commitments, as well as commending the media and their role in keeping the public informed.

Elisabetta Schadt, a young girl reporting for a children’s channel asked what he likes and dislikes about being Dalai Lama. He told her that when he was in Tibet there was too much ceremony and formality, whereas, he prefers things to be practical and straightforward.

“Ultimately, although you’re young and I’m old, you’re a girl and I’m a man, we are the same as human beings.”

When asked whether he could resolve controversy regarding Shugden he briefly summarized the history of the issue, saying that his responsibility is to make clear that the practice involves worshipping an evil spirit. He reiterated that whether people choose to listen to him is entirely up to them. He drew attention to a book ‘The Dalai Lama and the King Demon’ written by Italian journalist Raimondo Bultrini that gives a thorough account of the affair.

To a final enquiry about a rumour that he had been invited to celebrate his 80th birthday in Wiesbaden next year, he said that his life-style as a Buddhist monk who gets up at 3am and goes to bed at 6.30pm doesn’t leave much room for parties.

In his meeting with the Tibet House board his emphasis was on the role Tibet House has as a centre of learning focused on the mind and emotions.

“To help develop compassion we need to have better knowledge of the mind,” he said. “I’d like to see the science of the mind as an academic subject made available here.”

After lunch he drove to the Farport Arena where he spoke to an audience of 4800 about the importance of cultivating inner values in the pursuit of a happy life. He said: “The purpose of our life is to be happy. Our life is based on hope, the prospect of something good. Once you lose hope it can shorten your life; therefore our purpose is to be happy.”

He conceded that while we are all motivated to some extent by self-interest, it needs to be wise rather than foolish self-interest. The more we are concerned for the well-being of others, the closer we will feel to each other, enforcing trust which is the basis of friendship; he also added the importance of having friends.

“When you are motivated by compassion, your

Public Audience for Indians and Foreigners in Dharamshala

Tibetan civilization originated from Tibet, not China: His Holiness the Dalai Lama

By Becky Bargh 16 May 2014

A view of the Paulskirche (St John’s Church) venue for the afternoon panel discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s on ‘Ethics Beyond Religion’ in Frankfurt, Germany on May 15, 2014. Photo/Manuel Bauer

Frankfurt, Germany, 15 May 2014 –In the morning, His Holiness was welcomed and introduced by the Lord Mayor of Frankfurt, Peter Feldmann, who explained that Frankfurt is a tolerant, multi-cultural society of many faiths and many languages. Within such an environment Tibet House makes a prominent constructive contribution to the life of the city. His Holiness responded: “Respected older brother and younger brothers and sisters, as a human being I am extremely happy to be here.”

On Thursday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama held a meeting with local Tibetans in the iconic Museum of Modern Art, which, because of its triangular shape, is called a ‘piece of cake’. He opened in characteristically upbeat mood: His Holiness began with the history of the Tibetan origination, and described evidence that it had not originated from China. “A Chinese archaeologist I met quietly at Harvard University many years back showed me evidence that contradicted the official Chinese line that Tibetan civilization originated from China. His findings showed that it arose in Tibet.”

His Holiness said that during the 7th century Thonmi Sambhota developed the current Tibetan script and is said to have composed up to eight books of Tibetan grammar. He said that the Tibetan language evolved as Tibetans began to translate Buddhist literature from Sanskrit. These often involved inventing new terms for specific purposes, which means the translations are especially precise and accurate.

He referred to the rich knowledge of the mind and emotions to be found in the Buddhist tradition that derives from the University of Nalanda and the crucial importance of the study of logic and epistemology

which have provided tools for study and investigation.

The two remaining events His Holiness attended at the behest of Tibet House Germany took place in St Paul’s Church - Paulskirche, a building of symbolic significance. It was started as a Lutheran church in 1789. By 1849, it had become the seat of the Frankfurt Parliament, the first publicly and freely-elected German legislative body. His Holiness met young students in the morning and a bishop and philosopher in the afternoon with which he discussed secular ethics.

In answering questions from students, His Holiness referred to human beings as social creatures who are equipped from birth with the potential for affection.

This natural capacity for affection and compassion tends to diminish because the modern education system is geared to materialistic goals rather that the enhancement of inner values.

A student asked His Holiness for his most beautiful moment and he said that as a human being, developing warm-warmheartedness was best, while as a Buddhist working to develop infinite altruism provided him the greatest satisfaction.

When he was asked about how to resolve the difficulties in Ukraine, His Holiness said he was insufficiently informed to comment. However, he said: “Violence and its unpredictable consequences spell trouble. You might think to only use a little force, but it escalates. Violence may exert control over people physically, but doesn’t win over hearts and minds, leaving fear, anger and hatred in its wake.”

In the afternoon, His Holiness participated in a panel discussion on the theme ‘Ethics Beyond Religion’ that was introduced by Dr Eskanderi-Grunberg, Head of the Integration Department of the state government.

Fellow participants were philosopher Rainer Forst and Bishop of Trier, Stephan Ackermann. While the discussion wended this way and that into the thickets of philosophy and theology, His Holiness remarked: “On a practical level, what I’ve observed in 55 years living in India, the world’s most populous democratic country is that despite being a multi-religious, multi-cultural society, because of its commitment to secular values, embodied in its constitution, it has been remarkably stable since independence. Nobody suggests that India’s secularism is anti-religious. My approach is to look to scientific findings and common sense.”

After a short talk on Friday morning, His Holiness will journey back to India, after a very successful trip through Latvia, Norway, the Netherlands and Germany.

mind is relaxed and at ease. Fear and suspicion make us anxious so that even if we’re well-off we’re unhappy. [...] In our materialistic way of life we put our emphasis on material things to be happy. What we need to do is to introduce a sense of inner values, compassion and affection, into our education system based on secular ethics.”

When a couple who had lost their son in a traffic accident asked how to deal with grief and loss he said: “That’s very sad, I’m sorry to hear that. But, it’s happened and such things happen to millions of other people. Worrying about it now won’t help.”

He suggested engaging in compassionate activities, helping other people in trouble, and consoling those who have suffered a similar loss would be an effective way to deal with their grief.

He quoted the loss of his Senior Tutor, his rock.

Then he realised he had to make greater efforts to fulfill his tutor’s wishes.

Answering a question about rebirth, His Holiness said that if we lead a compassionate life without doing others harm, it is almost a guarantee of finding a good life next time. When a member of the audience stepped forward to ask what makes the Dalai Lama happy. He thought for a moment and said: “At the moment, I’m happy to be here with all of you,” and everyone cheered.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public audience at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, India on May 28, 2014. Photo/ Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

By Becky Bargh: 29 May 2014

Dharamshala: - It was a warm day in McLeod Ganj on Wednesday 28 May 2014 when His Holiness the Dalai Lama the spiritual leader of Tibet gave the

second public audience in recent weeks, attended by approximately 1500 people from 62 countries, including 300 Indians nationals.

His Holiness arrived at 10am and walked from his office down to the Tsuglagkhang courtyard where

Tibet’s cause is a just cause: His Holiness...... continued from pape 1......

“Soon after arriving in India in 1959, we set up a Tibet House in New Delhi and later another one in New York. Dagyab Rinpoche here was the Director of Tibet House, New Delhi from 1964 to 1966, and then he came to Germany to work at Bonn University. When he proposed establishing a Tibet House here, I agreed with a view to its preserving Tibetan culture and Buddhist knowledge.”

He added that Tibetan culture is a Buddhist culture and that while the Buddhist part is largely of interest to Buddhists on a personal level, culture relates to the community. He pointed out that Tibet’s Muslims maintained their own faith purely, while at the same time absorbing much from Tibetan culture. He mentioned that a part of the Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca involves animal sacrifice. He recalled an old Tibetan Muslim telling him about it, folding his hands and apologizing in clear reflection of the common Tibetan concern for the lives of animals. As a culture of peace and compassion, His Holiness said, Tibetan culture is worth preserving. He added that he is also very concerned about the state of the delicate natural environment of the Land of Snow that has been referred to for its significance to climate change as the Third Pole.

Explaining the source of Tibetan Buddhism as Nalanda University in India, His Holiness said ‘As a consequence Tibetan Buddhist traditions possess a rich knowledge of the mind and emotions, which for the last 30 years or so has featured in discussions between modern and Buddhist scientists.’ His Holiness added: ‘The Mind & Life Institute that has been established in the USA as part of this dialogue is now becoming active in Europe. Even a small place like this Tibet House could be a venue for such meetings.’

Turning to Mr Volker he joked: “Politicians too should know more about the mind and human psychology.”

He expressed that the Buddhist literature contained in the Kangyur and Tengyur collections can also be categorised as dealing with Buddhist science and philosophy on the one hand and Buddhist religious practice on the other. Seeing that the science and philosophy sections can be of interest from an independent academic point of view work is going on to extract material about Buddhist science and Buddhist philosophy with the intention of making it available in separate books. The first, a volume dealing with science from Buddhist sources, is complete and a translation into English has already begun.

Among questions His Holiness was asked was an enquiry about what has happened to dialogue between Tibetans and Chinese. He explained that when Deng Xiaoping indicated in 1979 that he was open to talk, Tibetans were prepared, having decided as early as 1974 that they would eventually have to talk to the Chinese and that they would not seek independence.

“We were hopeful of positive developments under Hu Yaobang in the 1980s, but then the Tiananmen incident occurred and hardliners took control. Contacts resumed during Jiang Zemin’s leadership in 1993 and were resumed again in 2002. Kelsang Gyaltsen here was one of the delegates to the meetings. However, there was no result. The Chinese continue to accuse us of separatism. The last meeting took place in 2010.”

His Holiness also took the opportunity to mention the need to support human rights activist and Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo.

Recently he has heard of a petition submitted by intellectuals in China seeking Liu Xiaobo’s release from prison. His Holiness feels that just as Aung San Suu Kyi benefited from

people had been organised in to national groups, he then posed for pictures, shook hands and exchanged greetings with well-wishers.

Once photographs had been taken His Holiness went into the Tsuglagkhang to pay his respects while the busy crowds settled and rearranged themselves in order to listen to him. Firstly, he began by expressing his decision to revive his custom of periodically meeting with the pubic and those foreigners who travel many miles to come and visit Dharamshala.

“We are all the same,” he said, “physically, mentally and emotionally. We all want to lead a happy life and we have a right to do so.”

He spoke about how people depend on sensory objects and experiences to be happy in a materialistic world, but these experiences are short lived. He said that by developing inner peace can be more effective in the search for happiness; he conceded that each of us are driven by self-interest he said: “The key is to follow self-interest wisely by developing concern for others rather than foolishly being only concerned for ourselves.”

In Tibetan Buddhist traditions the knowledge involved in mental training derives from the traditions that have flourished from the Nalanda University in India. His Holiness expressed gratitude to the ancient Indians who he regards as Tibet’s gurus, while urging contemporary Indians to keep up their longstanding practice of ahimsa, a non-violent approach and the inter-religious harmony the exists throughout the country, that derives from a respectful secular approach to each other’s spiritual traditions.

When answering several questions from the audience he affirmed that no matter how troublesome the world around us may be, it is always wiser to resolve conflict through non-violence and dialogue. When asked how friends can support Tibetans he said the Tibetan cause is a just cause, so to support it is to support justice.

He said he sometimes characterises the situation as a struggle between the power of the gun and the power of truth. In the short term, the gun seems stronger and more effective, but in the long term it is the power of truth that will prevail. He expressed optimism that the present younger generation, who belong to the 21st century, will be able to shape a happier, more peaceful world.

Rajdip Ray, from Pune attended the public talk with His Holiness, he said, “The speech from his Holiness was very enlightening and inspiring,” he added, “I thought it was great that His Holiness reached out to the foreigners and Indians who come to Dharamshala and I feel very privileged to have seen him speak.” international support during her detention, the same should be provided to Liu Xiaobo.

Asked what Germans can do to help the Tibetan people, His Holiness suggested they visit Tibet, see the situation for themselves and let people know what they find. The Minister-President made a gift of a watch to His Holiness on behalf of himself and his colleagues. Professor Dr Klaus Jork, Honorary President of Tibet House expressed appreciation for His Holiness’s visit.

His Holiness ended the meeting saying: “I appreciate your warm feelings and expressions of support. I look forward to Tibet House’s flourishing as a centre of learning, contributing to the study of the mind.”

6

TPI NEWS

31 May 2014

Horoscopes for the month of June, 2014 Sorces: Always Astrology

(Mar. 21- April 20) Travel will stimulate your need to experience exciting new things. Losses are likely if you get involved with uncertain individuals. You may want to tell someone how you really feel. You need a change and you need to earn more cash. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Expect your workload to be heavy. You will have the getup and go to contribute a great deal to groups of interest. It’s time to get yourself back on track. Empty promises could be likely where work is concerned.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Avoid disputes with family; their complaints can’t change anything anyway. Don’t push your luck with authority. Take action. Children may cause limitations.

Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Dream a little this month. You are best not to say too much to colleagues. Don’t let any money slip through your fingers this month. Added knowledge will give you the edge when dealing with peers. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Stick to your work and avoid emotional confrontations.

Social events should be the highlight of your day. You may find that purchases or entertainment could be expensive. You will enjoy socializing and unusual forms of entertainment. Take time to relax. Stress and pressure at home may have worn you ragged. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your intellectual charm will entice mates who have common interests. You need to keep everyone on your domestic scene too busy to complain. You’ll have problems with authority figures if you don’t play by the rules. Financial investments that deal with joint money can be extremely prosperous. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

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SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Turn your present relationship around or start a new one. Don’t expect romantic encounters to be lasting.

Be aware of deception when it comes to your position, and be sure not to jump to conclusions. The knowledge you have will enhance your reputation. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Spend some time with people who can shed some light on your personal situation. Travel will be fun, but expect it to cost you. Any financial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. Try not to be too emotional with those around you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Don’t evade issues or twist the truth around. Think about starting your own small business, You should be looking into making changes around the house. Don’t let children or elders put demands on your time. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Lack of funds may add stress to your already uncertain situation. Dream a little this month. Get involved in sports events that will benefit your physical appearance.

Do not sign your life away. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Family responsibilities are mounting. You can expand your circle of friends if you get out and socialize. You should socialize with clients or upper echelons of your industry if possible. Direct your energy into physical exertion. Residential moves will be favorable. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

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And yet this is not sufficient to explain what happened- there must be a cause.

We seem to cal “luck” that factor which overrides external conditions to bring about a positive situation. But that too is a cause; it is an inner cause, which we call “merit.”-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from “Answers: Discussions with Western Buddhists”

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Public schedule of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Month Of June, 2014 Teachings in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India from May 30 to June 2: His Holiness will give four days of Introductory Teachings on Buddhism at the request of Nalanda Shiksha. Contact Email: nalandashiksha@gmail.com Teaching in Livorno, Italy on June 14 & 15: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give teachings on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend (shetring) on June 14 and also confer an Avalokiteshvera Empowerment (chenresig wang – jigten wangchuk) on June 15 morning at Modigliani Forum organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. Contact Website: www.dalailama.it/en Public Talk in Livorno, Italy on June 15: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a public talk on Compassionate Ethics in the afternoon at Modigliani Forum organized by Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. Contact Website: www.dalailama.it/en Kalachakra in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India from July 3 to 14: His Holiness will be giving the Kalachakra at the request of the two main organizers, the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gonpa Association. The Tibetan Kongpo Association and the Tibetan Jonang Association are co-sponsors. During the first three days of the Kalachakra, from July 3 to 5, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other rituals. From July 6 to 8, His Holiness will give preliminary teachings on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend (shetring). On July 9, the Kalachakra Ritual Dance will be performed by the monks of Namgyal Monastery. His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from July 10 to 13. On July 14, a long life empowerment (tsewang) and a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be performed. Contact Website: www.ladakhkalachakra2014.com Discussion in Hamburg, Germany on August 23: His Holiness will lead a discussion on Secular Ethics - Human Values In Our Lives. Contact Website: www.dalailama-hamburg.de Teaching in Hamburg, Germany from August 24 to 26: His Holiness will give teachings on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) on August 24 and 25. He will confer an Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wang jigten wangchuk) on the morning of August 26. Contact Website: www.dalailama-hamburg.de Sources: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

31 May 2014 International 7 Sikyong visits Europe, meets officials Danish parliamentarians support non-violent struggle for Tibet from Danish Foreign Affairs

The Tibet Post International

TPI NEWS

By Rajdip Ray: 22 May 2014

Honorable Dr Sangay meeting officials from Danish Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen, on 20 May, 2014. Photo: TPI

By Rajdip Ray: 20 May 2014

Dharamshala: - Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of Tibetans is visiting Denmark and Norway from the 18th to the 23rd of this month. The Sikyong is scheduled to visit government officials, members of Parliament, think tanks, and members of the Tibetan community in exile.

From the 18th to the 20th of May, he was visiting Copenhagen to meet government officials and discuss educational projects.

He is also to meet members of the Danish parliament and speak to Tibetans living in the country.

On the 20th, Dr Sangay met spokespersons from Danish Foreign Affairs, including Mr. Christian Juhl, member of The Unity list, Foreign Affairs Committee and Foreign Policy Committee; Mr. Holger K. Nielsen of the Socialist People’s Party who was the former Foreign Minister, foreign affairs spokesperson, member of Foreign Affairs Committee and Foreign Policy Committee; and Ms. Mette Bock who is the foreign affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Alliance and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Foreign Policy Committee.

Sikyong is then scheduled to visit Norway from 22nd -23rd May. He will also meet top officials of the government run charity in Oslo. He will participate in symposiums organized by think tanks and meet the members of the Norwegian parliament. He will then address the members of the Tibetan community based in Norway.

Sikyong visits Norway, adresses Tibetan community members

By Becky Bargh: 27 May 2014

Oslo, Norway: - On the 21st of May Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay arrived in Oslo accompanied by Representative Thubten Samdup.

Sikyong was received at the airport by Mrs Ngawang, the Tibetan Community President of Norway and many Tibetans.

To start the proceedings Sikyong had an interview at NRK-TV Urix which aired later that night.

On the second day, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay was invited to a prestigious Breakfast Meeting by Civita, a liberal think tank, in Oslo. He spoke on the current situation in Tibet and the recent visit of His Holiness to Norway followed by a Q&A period in front of a packed audience, this was the first time Sikyong was given a standing ovation after addressing an audience.

There were many Tibetans who later came to congratulate Sikyong and expressed that they felt very proud to be Tibetan.

Sikyong also met with the leader of the Tibetan Parliamentary Friends Mr. Ketil Kjenseth and Michael Tetzschner and with Youth Party Leaders.

Later in the day, he also met with the Amnesty International Secretary General of Norway, Mr. John Peder Egenaes and Mr. Bjorn Engesland Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.

A public talk was organised by the Norwegian Tibet Committee for Sikyong at the Literature House and he spoke on “Tibet Past, Present and Future:How can you help the cause of Tibet”.

On his final day, a meeting was held with the board members of the Norwegian Tibet Committee, Tibetan Community of Norway, Voice of Tibet and members of the Norwegian Youth Committee.

And later, Sikyong and the Representative gave a speech to the Tibetan community members followed by a dinner that was hosted by the community.

The following day they both left Oslo in the early morning to travel to London and then onto Delhi.

Red China get out of Vietnam now: Vietnam - Tibet Alliance

A meeting organized by the “ VietNam- Tibet Alliance Fighting for Freedom”, in Dharamshala, on May 25 th, 2014.

Photo: TPI

By Rajdip Ray: 29 May 2014

Dharamshala: - A meeting titled ‘Red China, Get Out of Vietnam” was organized by the “ VietNam- Tibet Alliance Fighting for Freedom “ in Dharamshala, India, on 25 May, 2014.

The participants included people concerned for the state of affairs in Tibet and Vietnam, as well as others suffering under communist regimes.

Mr. Thupten Tenzin - Vice-President of the VietNam Tibet Alliance was the one who gave the opening speech, introducing all the events.

This was followed by a heartwarming speech

by Mr. Ven Bagdo who spoke of atrocities committed by the communist government.

Then there was a report by Mrs. Tsewang

Dolma, the International Relations and Information Secretary for the Tibetan Youth Congress. She spoke about the workings and fuctionings of the organization and its efforts to bring about a better life for Tibetans.

The VietNam- Tibet Alliance Fighting for Freedom is an organization which was founded in Dharamsala in 2011 by the founder of the “ Movement of the Vietnamese Women fighting for Freedom “ and co-operated with a group of Tibetans who wanted to fight for the Freedom of Tibet.

A lot of rallies and political meetings has been organized by this group to propagate the ideas of freedom and democracy.

Dharamshala: - During their meeting with the Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of Tibetan people, a group of Danish parliamentarians unanimously expressed their support for the Tibetan people in their just and non-violent struggle for genuine self-rule.

Dr Lobsang Sangay who is visiting Denmark to advocate the cause of Tibet was invited to the Danish People’s Party Group Room as a guest, with a massive Tibetan national flag adorning one of the walls.

Dr. Sangay met representatives in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, on 20 May from five of the eight parties in the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) on 19 and 20 May. All 22 Members of the Danish People’s Party invited Sikyong Sangay to address their meeting, where he was given a warm and enthusiastic welcome.

The opposition party of Denmark is keen to extend their support to Tibet, as was expressly mentioned by Peter Skaarup, a member of DF and Chairman of the parliamentary group.

“You would imagine that because of China’s vast size and resources, the support of a smaller country like Denmark might not mean much.

But contrary to beliefs, it does. Any resolution that shows support for the plight of Tibetans is a huge help for us,” said the Sikyong, after giving a brief outline of the situation in Tibet, including the numerous cases of self immolation that have taken place.

The Sikyong warned the governments of the

Sikyong meets Mr. Christian Juhl, representative of The Unity List, foreign affairs spokesperson, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Foreign Policy Committee, in Denmark on 20 May 2014. Photo: CTA/DIIR

world from giving in to Chinese demands, for example, those that prevent from meeting Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. He fears that giving in to such demands will only lead to new demands for concession from the Chinese government.

“We Tibetans know the Chinese. We aren’t afraid of them. But we know that if we offer them a finger, they will grab on to the whole hand,” said the Sikyong. He also added “It is well known that the Chinese government call up the US government every time the Dalai Lama is supposed to visit the US. But the US government does as it pleases, without paying heed to China’s

demands. European governments too should follow the footsteps of the US government.”

The parliamentarians unanimously expressed their support for the Tibetan people in their just and non-violent struggle for genuine self-rule.

They also found inspiration in the moderate Middle-Way approach in the face of severe repression and pledged themselves to raise the Tibetan issue in the Parliament.

The Sikyong’s visit was covered by the Danish press through articles in two of the three major newspapers, Global, a radio interview and an interview for the 24-hour national tv news channel, TV2 News.

oriented support from the governments and parliamentarians in their respective countries.

(6) The statement issued by the German Buddhist Monastic Association condemning disinformation and baseless allegations against His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration being carried by people linked with cult associated with Dolgyal, a perfidious spirit.

As this day also marks suspicious disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima after His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognized him as the reincarnation of his predecessor on 14 May 1995, the International Tibet Network and various other Tibet Support

Groups have launched campaigns for the release of the Panchen Lama. We appeal to the international community to sustain a concerted effort to press China to release him and other prisoners of conscience.

“The support from the international community and Tibet supporters play a vital role in putting the spotlight on the issue of Tibet on the world stage. I would like to thank governments, parliaments, Tibet Support Groups, human rights organisations, environmental groups, Tibetan Associations and Buddhist Centres for their support and solidarity. We appeal for their continued support for the Tibetan cause,” Sikyong added.

Tibetans all over the world observe Int’l Tibet Solidarity Day

By Jake Thomas: 20 May 2014

Dharamshala: - Tibetans and supporters all over the world on 17 May 2014 observed the “International Tibet Solidarity Day,” to express their solidarity with the Tibetan people inside Tibet.

‘This day also marks suspicious disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima,’ Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said, adding” ‘It is a day to renew our efforts and dedication to show our support for their struggle for freedom and justice.’

The number of Tibetans who have set themselves on fire to protest against the Chinese government’s repression has risen to 130. The cycle of self-immolation protests reflect the Tibetan people’s clear rejection of the People’s Republic of China’s policies in Tibet which have led to political repression, cultural assimilation, environmental destruction and economic marginalization.

The issue of Tibet gained international atten tio n d ue to the u nw av er ing and overwhelming support from diverse quarters of the international community, including governments, parliaments, Tibet Support Groups, human rights organizations and Buddhist centres. Some of the key solidarity campaigns and support for Tibet in the recent past include: (1) The visit of Mr Henri Malosse, the president of the European Union’s European Economic and Social Committee, to Dharamshala in March this year. He expressed support for the Tibetan people’s efforts to seek genuine autonomy for Tibet through dialogue with the Chinese government.

(2) The annual report by the US governmentcommissioned United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), released this month. It said the Chinese government continues to perpetrate particularly severe violations of religious freedom and for Tibetan Buddhists, conditions are worse now than at any time in the past decade.

(3) The report titled “Under China’s Shadow: Mistreatment of Tibetans in Nepal” by the Human Rights Watch on the Tibetans suffering political and cultural repression in Nepal under the pressure of the Chinese government.

(4) Appeal from South African parliamentarians to mark June 20 as the International Day for Tibet. Members of the Parliament from different political parties of South Africa, wearing Khatag (Tibetan ceremonial scarves) made the appeal in the Parliament in 2012. (5) Tibet Support Groups’ campaigns to lobby action-

Tibetan “information hero” finally free: Reporters Without Borders

By RSF: 26 May 2014

Golog Jigme Gyatso in Dharamsala, 28 May 2014. Photo: TPI

Paris: - Reporters Without Borders is extremely relieved to learn that Jigme Gyatso, a Tibetan monk who disappeared nearly two years ago in Tibet, has resurfaced safe and sound in the northern Indian city Dharamsala.

There had been no news of Gyatso – who helped Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen to secretly film the documentary Leaving Fear Behind in 2008 – since his arbitrary arrest by the Chinese authorities in September 2012.

“It is wonderful to learn that an information hero who had been missing for nearly two years has resurfaced safely and in relative good health,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of the Reporters Without Borders AsiaPacific desk. “This is excellent news.”

“But our delight can only be partial because

we are still very concerned about Dhondup Wangchen, who remains in prison. We urge the Chinese authorities to free him and all others whose only crime has been to enable a discriminated people to use its voice.”

Contacted by Reporters Without Borders, Yeshe Choesang, editor for the Tibet Post International, an online newspaper based in Dharamsala, said : “I am very happy to hear about Jigme’s escape to India, a free country, where he is free to express the Sufferings of the Tibetans inside Tibet without fear of arrest, imprisonment or any other form of punishment, including torture”.

Leaving Fear Behind, which consists of interviews with 108 Tibetans, was screened clandestinely in Beijing as the 2008 Olympic Games got under way. Gyatso was immediately arrested and was sentenced to seven months in prison, during which he was beaten and tortured. Released in October 2008, he was detained arbitrarily again in 2012.

New measures restricting the flow of information have meanwhile just been announced by the authorities in Golog, a prefecture with a mainly Tibetan population in Qinghai province. According to an official document, all of the prefecture’s monks are required to sign an undertaking to support the Communist Party and to demonstrate this support in their behaviour.

The document also says that using a telephone or the Internet to send information outside the region is strictly forbidden, as is “listening to external sources of information.” The monks must also undertake not to leave the region during the next four years.

China is ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

8

TPI NEWS

The Tibet Post International Back Page Focus Glaciers in Tibet Plateau melting rapidly due to global warming Sikyong attends swearing-in ceremony Dharamshala: - Glaciers in the Amdo region of the “More and bigger cracks have appeared in ice at of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tibetan Plateau, the source of many rivers that sustain regions of an altitude above 6,300 metres in Mount

31 May 2014

By Yeshe Choesang: 22 May 2014

Asian subcontinent are melting faster than those in any other part of the world.

According to reports, ‘the glaciers in Tibet have shrunk by 15 per cent over the past three decades and the situation could worsen in future due to global warming.’

The Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in its report said that glaciers on the plateau and surrounding areas in Amdho region of eastern Tibet (Chinese: QinghaiTibet Plateau in western China) have shrunk by 15 per cent from 53,000 to 45,000 square kilometres in the past three decades.

As the highest place in the world’s mid-latitude regions, the plateau is more likely to be affected by global warming, they said. Tibet is the home of several Himalayan rivers including the Brahmaputra.

Kang Shichang, a state laboratory director with the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute of CAS claimed that ‘glaciers in the plateau have been shrinking since the 20th century and sped up since the 1990s.’

Chomolangma(Mt Everest), a sign of rapidly melting glaciers,” he added.

According to the report, there are nearly 46,000 glaciers in the Tibet Plateau. They are a reliable indicator of climate change, and easy for scientists to observe, state-controlled Xinhua news agency reported.

Kang said retreating glaciers have impacted melt-water rivers and led to more glacier-lake outbursts. “It can increase water flow of major rivers in the short term, but in the long run, a continuation of the retreat will eventually deplete the glacial ice and substantially reduce or eliminate runoff,” he added.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has strongly voiced concerns that the glaciers of Tibet are retreating faster than those in any other part of the world and he called for special attention to be paid to ecology in Tibet and “it’s something very, very essential.”

Explaining recent studies by Chinese environmental experts, His Holiness has said repeatedly ‘the glaciers are considered to be vital lifelines for Asian rivers, including the Indus and the Ganges. Once they vanish,

water supplies in those regions will be in peril.’

‘Most studies on the Tibetan Plateau glaciers point out that global warming is causing glaciers to melt faster; these perennial sources of melt water are expected to be exhausted within several decades,’ said Tibet Third Pole, an initiative of members of International Tibet Support Network.

‘The trends of burgeoning economic development and excessive dam construction and water diversion on the Yangtze are causing severe strains on the watershed’s ecological integrity and resilience to disturbance such that one Chinese scholar has predicted that, like the Yellow River to the north after only twenty years.’

It was reported in 2011 that around ‘5.3 per cent, or 70 sq.km., of the glaciers in the Yangtze river’s headwaters had melted in the past three decades.’

The plateau of Amdo Tibet region is a vast, elevated plateau in Central Asia and East Asia covering most of the central Tibet as well as highland parts of traditional provinces.

China imposes new measures to control monasteries in Tibet

By Rajdip Ray: 19 May 2014

Dharamshala: - Emerging reports from Tibet state that the Chinese government has started introducing new repressive measures ever since late 2011 in order to directly control and manage Buddhist institutions in Tibet.

According to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, these reforms have been introduced in Yulshul County (Chinese: Yushu county, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) in the traditional province of Kham, eastern Tibet.

‘Chinese officials have been visiting Kyegudo and giving orders to Tibetan monasteries, particularly those located in Trindu (Ch: Chenduo) County, to replace all the monastic staff and management committee members with government and party appointees by 7 June 2014,’ the Tibetan rights group said, citing with chinese official sources.

At Nyatso Zilkar Monastery located in Dzatoe (Ch: Zaduo) Township in Trindu County, a government appointed Monastery Management Committee (MMC) has already replaced the previous Democratic Management Committee (DMC) even though the DMC’s five year term had not expired, the group said, adding: ‘The authorities accused the previous management committee of failing to maintain stability since numerous protests, including self-immolation, had occurred at the monastery in recent years; notably in 2012 when Nyatso Zilkar monks were arbitrarily detained,

beaten up, and sentenced, including Tsultrim Kalsang, 25, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.’

Citing new regulations, initially the authorities had stated that the government would appoint a Chinese official to head the MMC while the village heads of Zatoe Township would elect the rest of the members. However, the village heads had little or no say when it came to electing these members, with most of them being chosen by the township.

The Chinese appointed MMC head now wields the administrative power and authority hitherto held by the abbot of the monastery.

Under the new rules and regulations, officials appointed from the Chinese government supervise the operations ad administration of the Tibetan monestaries. The aim of the MMCs is to create politically stable ‘harmonious monasteries’ and ‘advanced, law-abiding monks and nuns’. In the earlier system of DMKs, party officials nominated representatives who were ulti mately elected by the monks. Under the new system, monks have no role in the appointment of MMC officials.

Since November 2011, Chinese authorities have established MMCs in 1787 monasteries in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) under the mission of establishing harmonious monasteries. In late 2012, the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) passed a regulation that gives the government and Party organs at multiple levels the authority and power to appoint religious instructors in

Tsultrim Kalsang, 25, one of the exceptional scholar at Nyatso Zilkar Monastery. Photo: TCHRDyears’ imprisonment. Photo: TCHRD

Tibetan Buddhist institutions. Subsequently, in March 2013, TAR authorities reported that the new religious measures have proved effective in stemming unrest at religious institutions in TAR. Official Chinese state controlled media reports had quoted the TAR religious bureau and United Front Work Department officials as saying that the goal of the new policy was to ‘instill love and patriotism towards the Motherland in the minds of monks and nuns and destroy the forces of separatism.’ Political education classes have since been intensified and monks and nuns are subjected to frequent political study sessions.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visits Gopalpur TCV school

By Jake Thomas: 16 May 2014

Dharamshala: - His Holiness the Dalai Lama on April 29, 2014 visited Gopalpur TCV school after inaugurating Zabsang Choekorling monastery in Chauntra.

His Holiness was welcomed at the school with ceremonial Tibetan scarves by students and staff of the school including Mr Tsewang Yeshi, Executive Director of TCV head office.

His Holiness talked about love, peace, warm heartedness and development of inner values. “Even though there were a lot of material developments, the 20th century was fraught with war and man made tragedies. That’s why I call the 20th century, a century of war and bloodshed. But you are the new generation of the 21st century. So, it is up to you to make this 21st century, a century of love, peace and equality,” His Holiness said.

Speaking about education, His Holiness said: “Modern education is important but it alone is not sufficient to provide us a happy life. Modern education focusses solely on material development and pay little attention to study basic human emotions like love, compassion and affection. So, its important to retain our age-old cultural and traditional education as well as modern education to lead a happy and balanced life.”

“The younger generation of Tibetan people should focus on education as they will be the ones who have to shape the future of Tibet. He also urged the Tibetan children to work towards creating a nonviolent and peaceful world for the benefit of all sentient beings,” Holiness added.

This was His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s first visit to the school since its inauguration in 1997. Spread over a thirty-acre area surrounded by lush green tea estates, the school is home to over a thousand Tibetan students mostly from Tibet and Tibetan communities in India.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama looking at one of the projects made by students on exhibit as part of Tibet our Country Day at Tibetan Children’s Village School (TCV) in Gopalpur, H.P., India on April 29, 2014. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

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Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an honored guest at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, 26 May 2014

By Jake

Thomas: 27 May 2014

Dharamsala : Cyberspace was abuzz Tuesday [27 May] with gratitude to the government for inviting Tibetan prime minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay to the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Tsering Dorjee, a Facebook friend and Sangay’s admirer, wrote: “wow for the first time India did something. Thank you BJP”.

“Thank you Modi-ji in the BJP for your respect to exile Tibetan government,” wrote another friend Tashi Dorjee.

Sangay, the democratically elected leader and the political successor to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, was specially invited to attend the impressive swearing-in ceremony, his aide told IANS. India is home to the Dalai Lama and some 100,000 Tibetan exiles. The Dalai Lama is based in this northern hill town.

“Honorable Sikyong (political leader) attended the swearing in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an honored guest of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” says Sangay’s Facebook page.

Tenzin Gompo wrote: “I saw Sikyong on TV. He just sat behind Mr L.K. Advani and beside to Mr Akhilash Yadav, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Sikyong was also a honoured guest.”

“Wow it’s great honour to our Sikyong and Tibetan government in exile Jai Tibet, Jai Hind,” said Pema Cescten.

Tashi Stobgyas wrote: “Thank you India for your respect towards Tibet.”

“Yes, for a very short fleeting moment I saw someone like our Sikyong among the guests, but the clip was not repeated. So I was not sure. Now I am convinced,” said Dawa Dhargye.

Sangay took over the reins of the exile government in August 2011 from 74-yearold monk scholar Samdhong Rinpoche, who held the post for the past 10 years.

With the Dalai Lama stepping down from diplomacy and active politics, the elected leader of Tibetan people has acquired added stature.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by leaders of all the SAARC countries including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, President Mahinda Rajapakse of Sri Lanka, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Prime Minister Sushil Koiraila of Nepal.

The ceremony also provided good opportunity for the Tibetan leaders to meet other dignitaries and exchange greetings. It is observed that this is the first time that Political leaders of Central Tibetan Administration made their presence along with other dignitaries in the Swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister of India.

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