Contact August 2016

Fr

ee

འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XVIII Issue: 8 31 AUGUST 2016

Suicides at Larung Gar

Celebrating Culture

by Tenzin Samten Three Buddhist nuns living at the Larung Gar Academy in Sichuan have committed suicide and a fourth who attempted suicide was prevented by her friends at the last minute, all in protest against the Chinese authorities’ destruction of large parts of the Tibetan Buddhist academy.

The first was Rinzin Dolma, a Tibetan nun from Larung Continued on page 3

by Sarah Gittleman The tenth annual Machu Grassland Festival and Gesar Horse Race took place this month in China’s Gansu province despite the heavy presence of armed paramilitary police and plain clothes security officers. The festival, named after a legendary warrior-king and Tibetan national hero, drew large crowds who were said to have been driven

More Restrictions in Ngaba

His Holiness in Ladakh

by Dorji Kyi The Chinese authorities in Ngaba county in Tibet have issued a handbook for Tibetan monasteries dated July 28 which contains a set of decrees criminalising all forms of peaceful protests, silent marches, self-immolation and the use of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait during protests,

Continued on page 5

by Tenzin Samten His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who turned 81 last month, is continuing his full schedule of teachings around the world on compassion, non-violence and general teachings on Buddhism.

His Holiness arrived in Ladakh in north India on July

Continued on page 4

W www.contactmagazine.net

Continued on page 6

Contact News

Contact News

about lha & contact Contact, a free monthly magazine published by Lha Charitable Trust, is a recognised and registered publication under the Registrar Office of the Newspaper, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. The registration number is HPENG/2013/51798.

Acknowledged by Lonely Planet and other international travel resources, Contact has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamshala community, for over 18 years.

700 - 1,000 copies are printed per issue and distributed in the Dharamshala area, Delhi, and various diplomatic missions of India. Copies are also sent to various Tibetan schools, settlements, offices and NGOs in India and abroad.

Please Note: The articles, stories and other material in Contact represent the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the Contact editing staff or Lha Social Work. All comments on this issue should be submitted by email to: editor@contactmagazine.net

Lha Charitable Trust

Institute for Social Work & Education Mission Statement:

Lha is a resource of education and knowledge that provides meaningful, multi-levelled social and educational services for the benefit of others.

Background:

Lha is a Tibetan grassroots nonprofit organisation based in Dharamshala, India. It is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population and people from the Himalayan regions.

Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programmes, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programmes and activities. Through rehabilitation resources and social and educational services, Lha facilitates an easy transition for the Tibetan refugee community to India. On a daily basis, Lha serves over 250 people, hosts between 15 and 25 volunteers and provides up to 20 different services, including on average 50 nutritious meals per day for financially disadvantaged people.

For more information about Lha, please visit: www.lhasocialwork.org Facebook: Lhasocialwork Twitter: Lhasocialwork

Lha Traveller Services and Volunteer Opportunities

Long or short-term, skilled or unskilled volunteers needed at Lha

• English conversation (Mon-Fri, 4-5pm) • English, French and Chinese teachers • Computer teachers • Web designers and IT professionals • Contributing writers • Environmental professionals • Medical and healthcare professionals • Fundraisers and grant writers • Project professionals • Chefs and cooks • And much more!

Share your knowledge and skills with the local Tibetan, Indian, and Himalayan communities whilst gaining hands-on experience working with a social work organisation.

TIBETAN HOME-STAY Lha arranges home-stays with refugee families giving visitors the chance to experience the Tibetan life style and a chance to connect and learn about each others’ cultures. Homestays include accommodation, breakfast, and dinner.

*All donations and fees from Lha classes and services directly benefit Lha community social work projects.

Contact

RECEPTION & ORIENTATION Our services help smooth your arrival in Delhi and your onward travel to Dharamshala. We also orientate you to the Tibetan community here. Avoid the scams at Delhi Airport! Highly recommended for people who want a stress-free arrival, especially if you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, and can be purchased online in advance of your travel to India.

TIBETAN COOKING CLASS Individuals and small groups can learn to prepare a variety of traditional and modern vegetarian Tibetan foods including momos, thukpa and Tibetan bread, with a qualified teacher.

For information on cost, times and/or registration, please visit: Lha office, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj-176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P. (Mon-Sat: 9am-1pm & 2-5pm) office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 1892-220992 Websites associated with Lha: www.lhasocialwork.org www.samdhongrinpoche.com www.tibetfairtrade.com www.tibetnature.net 2

Acknowledgement

This issue of Contact is sponsored by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). TFD’s kind contribution has made this publication possible.

We thank TFD for supporting the publication of Contact.

Can you Donate to Lha? Lha collects all kinds of donations in the form of clothing, shoes, books, and language resources, computer and medical supplies, as well as any other useful items.

Monetary donations are extremely helpful and are greatly appreciated, large or small.

Please contact the office: office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992 AUGUST 2016

Suicides at Larung Gar Continued from page 1

Gar who committed suicide on July 20.She left a note expressing how she could not bear the pain of Chinese harassment of the residents of Larung Gar. She was from the Dege region and lived in the academy as a regular student.

News of her death did not emerge until this month. Restrictions on communications are preventing information about events at Larung Gar getting out of Tibet, so news of what is happening at the academy may take weeks to reach the outside world. The authorities are monitoring phone calls and social media messages and in addition there are reports that they are looking for people who have already sent images or videos of the demolition to outside contacts.

This month, Tsering Dolma, aged about 20, hanged herself on August 17 a source living in the area told Radio Free Asia’s Tibetan Service, saying that“she could no longer bear the pain of seeing the destruction of Larung Gar”. The source said that Dolma left a note expressing her distress at the demolition and complaining that the Chinese will not let them live in peace.

Dolma was a native of Mewa township in Marthang county in Sichuan’s Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Before her death people had noted that she seemed “depressed and worried” about what was taking place at Larung Gar, said RFA’s source,“So she hanged herself”.

A third nun, Semga, who was a native of Dowa village in Ngaba’s Dzamthang county, is also believed

to have recently killed herself, though detailed information is not available at the time of going to press, while a fourth nun attempted suicide.

The demolition work at Larung Gar Buddhist institute is still hitting the news and causing international concern.

Despite protests by international human right groups as well as the publicity given by Tibetans around the world, the Chinese authorities are continuing with their demolition at the monastery.

United States State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau said, “We urge authorities to cease actions that may escalate tensions and to pursue forthright consultations with the institute’s leaders to address any

Nuns Tsering Dolm (left) and Rinzin Dolma Photo:Radio Free Asia

safety concerns in a way that does not infringe on the right of Tibetans to practice their religion freely”.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected leader of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, speaking to Asian News International, said the demolition shows a “double standard” by the Chinese government as theysay on the one hand that there is religious freedom, while on the other hand destroying the residences of nuns and monks studying at the Larung Gar Institute.

Early this month Tibetan nongovernment organisations (NGOs)

news & issues

in Dharamshala jointly participated in a solidarity vigil to condemn the ongoing demolition work at the institute and to express their solidarity with the first nun had who committed suicide at that time.

With the demolition work progressing, the authorities have started expelling nuns and monks. And in the neighbouring town Tibetan landowners have had their land requisitioned to make way for commercial development near the academy. RFA reports that a large area of the Nubsur township, which is located 20 miles from Serta county in Kardze, has been seized and the Tibetan owners given only token compensation. “The authorities are planning to develop the area as a tourist complex,” said RFA’s source.

This year’s annual ten-day ceremony at Larung Gar was banned by the Chinese authorities, a local source said that the ceremony was moved to another monastery which was permitted to conduct a one-day ceremony only.

Armed security forces are deployed at the site and surrounding areas to suppress any attempts to protest or to halt the work.

The BBC has reported that there has been no formal comment by Chinese authorities, although they claim they have concerns about overcrowding.

The BBC also reports that a Sertar county government official contacted by the Associated Press said the purpose of the work was to renovate rather than remove the buildings. It is understood the population of Larung Gur will be reduced by half to 5,000 residents.

Dam Burst Destroys Three Villages in Tibet

by Dorji Kyi A dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (the upper tributary of the Brahmaputra River) ruptured in Lhaze county, Tibet, on August 2, destroying three villages near Tashi Ghang town.

The Chinese state Xinhua news agency has confirmed that no one was hurt during the flood. However, it has Contact

been reported that water from the dam has damaged more than 100 hectares of crops and forest and many villagers were forced to leave their houses.

According to Xinhuanet.com the flood was caused by heavy rainfall in southwest Tibet.

Xinhuanet.com also reported that hundreds of people have died or gone 3

missing in China during the monsoon period of heavy rainfall since early June this year.

The Chinese authorities have used state media channels to notify people of the need to keep track of the unpredictable weather for their own safety and to report that they have sent teams to work on flood control in the damaged areas.

AUGUST 2016

news & issues

Arrests and Releases Inside Tibet this Month

Aug 21: Released After 9 Years Jamyang Kunkhen from Lithang was released after serving a nine-year prison sentence. Voice of Tibet reports that Kunkhen’s feet are badly d a m a g e d .

Kunkhen was arrested on August 22, 2007 along with Adrak Lopoe, another Tibetan. Both were linked with Ronggye Adak who publicly staged a solo protest against China’s regime. Adrak Lopoe is still in prison.

Aug 12: Released After 8 Years Sangga from Ngaba County in Amdo province was released after serving eight years in prison, reports Radio Free Asia. Sang Ga was arrested in August 2008, accused of sharing state information outside Tibet. His family members were not informed of the details of his charges at the time of his sentence. His family lives in Thewu Chung village in Ngaba County.

Aug 10: Monk Arrested Lobsang Sopa, a monk, was arrested following a solo protest against a land grab by local authorities in Shershul County, Kardze Prefecture, in eastern Tibet. The United Kingdom based Free Tibet has reported that Lobsang set up a tent in front of his local government offices and displayed a large handwritten cloth banner.

Lobsang has petitioned the authorities in the past regarding Tibetans’ rights to grassland.

Aug 5: Secret Trial Adrak, also known as Lobsang Drakpa, a monk from Ngaba Kirti monastery in Tibet, has been sentenced to three years in a secret trial.

Adrak was arrested on September 10, 2015 for protesting against the Chinese regime. He walked down the street calling for Tibet’s freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. Until now his family had no clue about his whereabouts.

Aug 10: Ex-Prisoner Dies Khenrab Tharchin, aged around 40, a Tibetan political prisoner and monk from Dingri Shelkar Choedhe monastery, who served a five year sentence for refusing to participate in a “patriotic reeducation campaign” has died. He had been beaten and tortured in prison and was released in 2013 in poor health.

Since then his health has deteriorated and he died on the way to hospital.

Aug 2: Three-Year Sentence Jampal Gyatso, 22, a monk from Kirti Monastery in Ngaba who has been detained since September last year, has been given a threeyear sentence for staging a solitary protest opposing Beijing’s rule. He has not been given the opportunity to hire a lawyer and his family were not allowed to attend the hearing. They know he is being held in a prison in Maowun county.

More Restrictions in Ngaba Continued from page 1

calling these acts of “disrupting social stability”. This is effectively a warning by the authorities to the monks of Kirti monastery in Ngaba, often seen as a hub for protests against Chinese rule, to prevent them from staging any form of peaceful protest or sending information within and outside Tibet through social media.

The new rule book is printed both in Tibetan and Chinese. Moreover, the handbook has been distributed to every monk in the monasteries, with strict instructions that they have to follow the new rules set out in the book.

According to tibet.net the Chinese Contact

authorities announced the new law at a meeting of representatives of all the monasteries in the Ngaba region.

Since 2009, 143 Tibetans have selfimmolated in Tibet. As they stage their self-immolation protest, nearly all call for freedom in Tibet, the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, protection of Tibet’s unique environment and the preservation of the Tibetan language and culture. According to data collected by the Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, India, 39 Tibetans have self-immolated in the Ngaba region, of whom 31 have died following their protests and the remaining eight are in a Chinese prison.

4

The Chinese authorities often target the protesters and detain their families, and they endure severe punishments while in prison.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of solo protests in Tibet, especially in the Ngaba region where large social gatherings are banned. In March this year, a 33 year-old woman named Mang Ga from Meruma Township, Ngaba County, was arrested in the main market for protesting by carrying a large portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, her solo demonstration had been preceded by many similar protests.

AUGUST 2016

news & issues

Continued from page 1

by a sense of Tibetan solidarity.

The festival also included polo matches and animal exhibitions, yet some said it felt more like a war zone due to the heavy security. Although the festival was approved by officials, there was an obvious effort to discourage any demonstrations or protests that might occur. China often touts its tolerance of traditional Tibetan festivals as a sign of stability and progress, but this does not stop authorities from sometimes closing down events for fear of spontaneous unrest. Other examples of “security” measures include the dramatic expansion of the powers of military and police backed by propaganda activities and electronic surveillance in Tibetan areas, as well as the barring of foreign visitors and media.

Just days before the Machu

Celebrating Culture Grassland Festival, Chinese officials banned another festival in Sichuan province. The gathering, in which villagers burn juniper branches in

Horse racing at Machu Grassland Festival and Gesar Horsse Race, Gansu Photo:Radio Free Asia

hopes of ensuring timely rainfall and a good harvest, was cancelled after the participants refused to fly the Chinese national flag at the event.

Despite the tense climate created

at traditional gatherings, there has been record attendance in recent years as Tibetans strive to assert their own national identity. The Monlam Chenmo Festival this past February which the International Campaign for Tibet praised as “a testimony to Tibetan resilience and the determination to express their religious identity, even in the face of an intimidating security presence and increasingly pervasive ‘grass roots’ surveillance measures” also saw record crowds.

As suggested, the growing attendance at such events is perceived by many as a hopeful sign, as Tibetans are continuing to preserve their culture both inside and outside of Tibet. By carrying out traditional activities in the face of an occupying force, Tibetans are persevering and are able to do so without sacrificing their commitment to nonviolence.

Another year, Another Flood of Abuse Accusations

by Charlotte Wigram-Evans and Tenzin Norzom China’s severe religious freedom violations showed no signs of slowing last year, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported, with Tibetan Buddhists remaining high on the list of persecuted groups.

The country has been labelled as one of nine nations of “particular concern” worldwide, and abuses are described in the document as “systematic, ongoing and egregious”, including torture, arbitrary detentions and disappearances.

One particular section of the document highlights how Tibetan Buddhists are being prevented from carrying out cultural and religious practices, with those monasteries still standing under constant surveillance from armed Chinese officials.

The 143 self-immolations to date – more than any other country – remain stark proof, according to USCIRF, of Contact

the Chinese government’s oppressive policies, as do the deaths in prison of high profile Tibetans such as revered spiritual leader Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.

Rinpoche died 20 years after having been incarcerated for separatism and terrorism, a charge he always

vehemently denied. With torture allegations already rife throughout the country, his body was then cremated against his family’s will, an act considered by many as proof of foul play.

The year 2015 saw many prominent dates for Tibetans including His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday, the 50th anniversary of Beijing’s control over the Tibet 5

Autonomous Region, and the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of the Panchen Lama. All events were used as excuses for the Chinese to ramp up their control over the country.

The Tibetan section of the report concluded with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s suggestion that he would not reincarnate, a statement the Chinese government described as “blasphemous,” while asserting its own authority to choose his successor.

USCIRF has urged the United States government to continue to raise religious freedom concerns with China as well as encourage officials “to refrain from conflating peaceful religious activity with terrorism or threats to state security”.

It has also recommended that the US push for the release of prisoners of conscience, impose penalties such as asset freezes on bureaucrats who abuse civil liberties and initiate a “whole-of-government” approach to human rights diplomacy with China.

AUGUST 2016

news & issues

His Holiness in Ladakh Continued from page 1

25 for a programme of events and teachings. His first was a visit to the Jokhang temple, and on his way there he stopped to bless a few elderly people in the crowd and also spoke to a tourist from Nice in France and expressed his condolences for the recent tragedy there. At Jokhang temple, His Holiness read prayers and advised people to use temples as centres of learning as well as a place of worship, saying that a knowledge of Buddhism is essential in order to be a true Buddhist. He then visited the Sunni and Shia Mosques where he explained the need for diversity of religion, saying “Different philosophies are necessary. For well over two thousand years, different ways of life developed…because of different environments. So there are different mental dispositions.

Therefore it is necessary to have different philosophical views.”

On August 5, His Holiness visited Ngagyur Dragthok Monastery where he inaugurated the new prayer hall.

In his address to the public he spoke about the importance of studying Buddhist texts and developing faith based on logic and reason as well as the need for warm-heartedness and compassion along with material development. “I have reached 81 but I still study and contemplate on texts from the Kagyur and Tengyur and others whenever I have spare time,” said His Holiness.

His Holiness then visited Zangdok Palri Monastery to take part in a conference celebrating Thonmi Sambhota, who is traditionally regarded as the inventor of the Tibetan script. Later, at SOS Tibetan Children’s Village School in Choglamsar he addressed a crowd of 5,000, speaking about Tibetan identity and the effort to preserve the unique Tibetan culture

His Holiness greeeting rettired members of the military in Stok Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

and language. He said that just as the Chinese people are proud of their ancient heritage, Tibetans too are proud to be Tibetans and should make efforts to preserve their rich heritage.

He said, “Unfortunately, some hardline Chinese officials see our Tibetan identity as a threat to separate Tibet from China. Therefore, they have tried to eliminate our Tibetan culture and language.”

On August 8, His Holiness participated in the opening ceremony of the Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics at Saboo in Ladakh and also visited a monastery and school in the villages of Saboo and Stok.

His Holiness inaugurated the fourth Great Summer Religious Council (Yarcho Chenmo) held from August 9 to 22 at Thiksey monastery which was attended by Buddhist monks and nuns from all traditions, as well as students from 20 schools and the public.

Thiksey Rinpoche presented an award to His Holiness in celebration of his 81st birthday.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s formal teachings in Ladakh began on August 10 with a teaching on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (Jangchup Lamdron) and Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta (Jangchup Semdrel), followed by a long life empowerment and offering of a long life prayer at Thiksey monastery.

His Holiness concluded his month-long Ladakh trip with the teaching on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life and Avalokiteshvara empowerment at Shewatsel teaching ground. On the last day of his teaching, he urged everyone to be more compassionate and sincere and to recognise that everyone is brother and sister belonging to one human family.

From August 29 to September 1, His Holiness will continue teaching on Nagarjuna’s The Precious Garland of the Middle Way (uma rinchen trengwa) in the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala at the request of a group from Asia including Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Preparations Underway for the 34th Kalachakra

by Dorji Kyi It has been confirmed that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will confer the 34th Kalachakra Initiation from January 3 to 14 next year at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. This initiation has been organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The Kalachakra Initiation or Wheels of Time Empowerment is considered the essence of all Buddhist teachings.

The CTA has guaranteed that there will be unprecedented security at the Contact

Kalachakra. At a press conference the organising committee said that preparations are going well to make the event a success, and to consider the needs of devotees. They also announced that they are working to ensure the safety of the public, the holy site and the person of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is always concerned about the welfare and health of the devotees that come to attend his talks and teachings.

6

He constantly enquires whether the devotees are taken care of properly or not. Therefore, we are placing extra importance to the security, welfare and the facilities to make the Kalachakra effortless and hassle-free for the public,” said Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok, Chairman of the organising committee.

Since 1954, His Holiness has given 33 Kalachakra initiations in different countries, the last one was held in Ladakh in 2014.

AUGUST 2016

news & issues

China Protests its Innocence

by Rohini Kejriwal China has responded to the accusations that the revered Tibetan monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who died in prison last year, was poisoned while in detention. Rinpoche’s niece Nyima Lhamo, 26, made the accusations last month in Dharamshala where she was staying after escaping from Tibet where she visited Rinpoche in prison shortly before his death.

China has denied the accusation in an interview with Reuters who quoted the Chinese foreign ministry as saying “China is a country ruled by law, during Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s sentence his legal rights were protected according to relevant laws”.China reiterated that he died due to heart complications and said that efforts to revive him were ineffective.

On July 12 last year, China announced that 65-year-old Tenzin Delek Rinpoche,who had been serving a life sentence for “crimes of terror and incitement of separatism,” had died of a heart attack while serving his life sentence

at Chaundong prison in Chengdu.

A year later, Rinpoche’s suspicious death has been questioned by his niece who escaped Tibet, leaving behind her family and six-year-old daughter, and is now appealing for justice for her uncle. Shestated at a press conference that she believes that Rinpoche was tortured and murdered through poisoning.

“My uncle Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche suffered immensely and passed away in Chinese prison.

Likewise many Tibetans have suffered and continue to suffer under the repressive Chinese rule. My hope is that the Chinese allegation against Rinpoche be thoroughly investigated in accordance with Chinese and International law, and the Chinese authorities reveal the true circumstances that led to Rinpoche’s death,” Nyima said at the press conference.

Rinpoche was a senior supporter of the Dalai Lama. He was an important figure in the Tibetan resistance and one of the most prominent Tibetan

political prisoners. He will always be remembered for his efforts to protect the degradation of Tibetan culture and religion, developing social, medical,

Nyima Lhamo holds a book with her uncle Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s portrait Photo:Ashwini Bhatia /AP

educational and religious institutions for Tibetan nomads and his attempts to safeguard Tibet’s environment by fighting against illegal logging and mining projects.

Empowering Tibetan Women

by Tenzin Samten A three-day training programme for women’s empowerment has been held, organised by the Women’s Empower Desk at the Tibetan government-inexile’s Home Department.

Sixteen women from the Doeguling Tibetan settlement participated in the programme which took place at the Doeguling Tibetan settlement in Mungod in Karnataka state from August 12 – 14 and introduced them to the concept of the Women’s SelfHelp Group (SHG). The programme aims to empower economically and socially marginalised women by introducing them to the concept of SHG. Mrs Mohini Pooja, Director of Tribal Education and Environment Development, held training sessions on the concept, function, importance and practice of SHG and at the end of the training session two women’s SHG groups were formed: Lhamo-Chiphen Contact

SHG and Dolma-Chikdril SHG. The groups will be awarded seed money of one Lakh by the Home Department to start income-generating activities and an internal loaning system.

Ms Dechen Wangmo, Coordinator of Women’s Empowerment Desk, said that Self-Help Groups consist

Ms Dechen Wangmo with the course participants Photo:tibet.net

of a group of 10 to 20 like minded and economically insecure people.

She explained that the priority for 7

this programme is women who are either widowed or divorced and who are economically disadvantaged, and that they will be supported in starting income-generating activities.

She added that the women’s self-help groups will focus on creating a space for a group to come together to solve common problems by discussing issues and initiating incomegenerating activities.

The Women’s Empowerment Desk is looking forward to setting up SHGs in more Tibetan communities in exile in the coming years.

Ms Dechen also spoke of future training initiatives, saying that a workshop on entrepreneurship and women empowerment for the Institute for Small Traders and Learning in Neelamangala in Bangalore is planned for September, as well as a workshop on preventive measures for violence against women and children.

AUGUST 2016

news & issues

China’s Investment Bids Turned Down

by Maxwell Martyn Tensions between Australia and China have been on the rise as Australia declines offers of Chinese investment.

Half of the state owned electricity company, Ausgrid, was previously made eligible for sale by the New South Wales government on a 99 year lease. China State Grid, as well as Hong Kong based conglomerate Cheung Kong, offered the sum of US$7.7 (£5.9) billion for 50.4% of Ausgrid. The bid was initially placed on hold by Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison, a move which drew criticism from the Chinese.

After much deliberation this offer

by Tsering Wangdue The Communist Party of China (CPC) appointed Wu Yingjie as the new Chief of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) on August 28 at the annual Beidaihe meeting or Chinese “summer summit”.

Wu Yingjie, 59, is the longest serving Chinese officer in Tibet, having spent almost his entire career therespanning more than 40 years. His roles have included deputy governor and propaganda chief. Wu, like his predecessor Chen Quanguo, belongs to China’s majority Han Chinese ethnic group.Chen Quanguo, 61, is to become Party Secretary of the Xinjang Autonomous Region.

was officially rejected by Mr Morrison who said: “I have decided that the acquisition by foreign investors under the current proposed structure of the lease of 50.4% of Ausgrid… would be contrary to the national interest’’. He later added that “this is consistent with the recommendation of the Foreign Investment Review Board’’.

Last November Scott Morrison also blocked the sale of Kidman and Co, the world’s largest cattle farm, to a Chinese investor. The offer was, once again, rejected on the grounds of national security and national interest.

The Chinese have also found themselves at loggerheads with the United Kingdom. Chinese investors were

Tibet’s New Chief

Chinese President Xi Jinping is said to have “played safe” by appointing Wu to run Tibet as he is not a controversial

Wu Yingjie, the newly appointed Party Chief of TAR

figure and has the benefit of his long experience of working there.

The appointment of Wu Yingjie as the Chief of TAR means that two ethnic Tibetan leaders, Pema Choeling,

set to finance a third of the $23.6 (£18) billion Hinkley Point C nuclear power station project, but Prime Minister Theresa May delayed approval following concerns around China’s stake in the project.

Nick Timothy, previously the UK Prime Minister’s joint chief of staff, stated that “security experts… are worried that the Chinese could use their role to build weaknesses into computer systems which will allow them to shut down Britain’s energy production at will…’’ The delay, and the attitude of the UK Government, was condemned by China’s ambassador to the UK who warned that this would be a “crucial historical juncture’’.

Chairman of Regional Congress and Lobsang Gyaltsen, the head of Tibetan Autonomous Region’s government, have been overlooked. This is apparently in line with the CPC’s policy of not appointing a Tibetan to senior positions in the CPC. The Beidaihe meeting gathers China’s leaders and elders from earlier generations to meet in an informal setting for closed-door discussions that will set the tone for major domestic issues. It was initiated by Chairman Mao Zedung. This year’s meeting has seen President Xi reshuffle three top provincial-level Communist Party posts as well as discuss tactics for the G20 meeting next month in China.

Can China Influence India’s Policy for Tibetans?

by Harriet Taylor-Potts Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi to meet both Prime Minister Nerenda Modi and the Union Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, on a three day trip to discuss key bilateral issues. The meeting has evoked some concern within the Tibetan community with the Tibet Express speculating that a deal for India’s doors to be closed to Tibetan refugees has already been struck between the two nations.

Contact

Regarding other issues, Xinhua’s official statement claimed that

“individual problems [will] eventually be solved through strengthening of mutual trust and reduction of 8

unnecessary misunderstandings.”

China warned the Indian press that they should be wary of providing the West with the opportunity to drive a “wedge” between the two economies.

Despite this, the narrative provided by the Chinese suggested that India and China’s relationship was generally one of growing strength. And in India, the external affairs ministry spokesperson, Vikas Swarup, coined it as a “morning for neighbourly engagement” on Twitter.

AUGUST 2016

news & issues

Obama Asked to Give Tibet Priority

by Bridget Carter United States Congressman Jim McGovern led a group of 72 lawmakers calling on President Obama to redouble his efforts in support of the Tibetan people during his remaining months in office.

In a letter to President Obama dated August 17, the Congressman and lawmakers highlighted the importance of creating new strategies to “encourage meaningful dialogue, protect Tibetan rights, and preserve their unique cultural, religious and linguistic identity”.

The letter made six suggestions to the President in regard to Tibet, including the establishment of a consular office in Lhasa, to urge for the release of all Tibetan political prisoners held by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and publicly supporting the right of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to return

to Tibet.

Other suggestions include urging US government officials to invite the Dalai Lama to every event where

US Congressman Jim Mcgovern Photo:tibet.net

his knowledge would be helpful in addressing the world’s problems and to facilitate the involvement of His Holiness (or his representatives) in

the global debate on climate change, including the protection of the Himalayan glaciers and environment on the Tibetan plateau.

The letter also raised the suggestion that senior Chinese officials be denied eligibility to receive visas to enter the United States on the premise that these Chinese officials currently restrict the access of US officials, journalists, Tibetan-Americans and other citizens to Tibetan areas of China.

Congressman McGovern has been a leading figure in Congress calling on the United States to help strengthen human rights reforms in Tibet.

In November 2015 Congressman McGovern joined Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers on a trip to China and Tibet to urge Chinese Leaders to enact reforms to increase the freedom and autonomy of the Tibetan people.

UN Envoy’s Chilly Reception in China

by Harriet Taylor-Potts many of the people I contacted was civil society organisations and nonMr Philip Alston, the United that they had been advised that they government organisations (NGO)s Nations(UN) Special Rapporteur should be on vacation at this time”, he to protest. Alston’s report suggested on extreme poverty and human said. the need to “facilitate a discussion rights, has visited China, the first Mr Alston expressed positivity of government policies” as opposed UN representative to visit in over regarding China’s efforts to eliminate to “simply accepting what has been ten years. He condemned the way in poverty by 2020 but his report went determined from the top.” which he was treated, saying he China has publicly dismissed was impeded whilst attempting his statements as lies. to exercise his role there.

Within the context of his The UN’s growing concern visit, the Special Rapporteur for restricted civil liberties was defining extreme poverty within Chinese territories as involving a lack of income, a has been mirrored by other lack of access to basic services international organisations, and social exclusion, social with Freedom House, the United exclusion meaning where States based organisation people are excluded from dedicated to freedom and participating meaningfully in democracy, naming Tibet as the political process and are the second worst place in the denied justice for violations world for political rights and of their human rights. It is by UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, civil liberties. this definition that Mr Alston Philip Alston, speaking in Beijing, China on August 23.

Throughout the nine-day trip has used an international Photo:Ng Han Guan /AP Mr Alston was accompanied platform to criticise China’s by an entourage of Chinese officials on to assess the diminishing civil policies, renewing potential for global and security; he said that none of rights arena in China, coining it as speculation on the infringement of the meetings he was expecting was the “pincer movement” – limiting human rights in China, including arranged, “the message I got from the abilities of activists, lawyers, Tibet.

Contact

9

AUGUST 2016

news & ISSUES

Tibetan Athletes Compete in Olympics

by Dorji Kyi Choeyang Kyi, the Tibetan athlete who won a silver medal in the 2012 London Olympic Games, this year again represented China in the Rio Olympics 2016 where she achieved fifth place in the Women’s 20Km Walk with a time of 1:29:04.

Choeyang Kyi, who was the first Tibetan woman to take part and win a medal in the Olympics, was born in Tsochang, Amdo in eastern Tibet.

She won the bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympic Games in race walking but was later announced as the silver medalist when the Russian athlete Olga Kaniskina, who won the silver medal in the race, was

disqualified following a failed drug test.

Another Tibetan athlete named Topgyal, 22, a distance runner, participated in the Men’s Marathon final in Rio, his first time participating in the Olympic Games. According to freetibet.org Topgyal was trained at the Tibet Sport Academy from the age of 15 and later went for training in Africa. He has participated in the Asian Games, Asian Championships, Beijing Track and Field World Championships, and the IAAF Diamond League. His coach and mentor, Mr Kelsang Tsering, attributes Topgyal’s well-being to his special Tibetan diet. “No matter where my

athletes go, I will always bring plateau yak meat for them to eat, as well as tsampa and butter tea. After I feed them some boiled yak meat, their faces quickly recover,” Kelsang Tsering told Free Tibet.

Although Choeyang Kyi and Topgyal are both from Tibet, they represent China at the Olympics and had they won any medals these would have been considered wins for China.

Tibetans are reportedly ineligible to join the newly-created Refugees team which competed for the first time in Rio with ten refugees from countries which included Syria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tibet Represented in Miss Asia Contest

by Tenzin Samten Lobsang Kyizom, 22, a Tibetan woman living in Nepal, represented Tibet in the Manappuram Miss Asia 2016 pageant held at Kochi, Kerala, from August 12 -18.

“I gained so much experience by taking part in this pageant. Representing Tibet was my main priority.

Participating in this competition as [the] representative of Tibet shows Tibet as a separate country rather than a part of China which made me feel very satisfied,” said Kyizom, speaking to Radio Free Asia.

During the pageant, Kyizom performed the famous traditional Tibetan Relpa dance and also walked the catwalk in traditional Tibetan costume. “As I sashayed the runway in our Tibetan national costume, I almost broke into tears and that feeling is the achievement with which I set my step forward into the competition and I believe, as I grow older, this one particular moment will never fail to fill my chest with pride,” she posted on Facebook.

Kyizom, a first runner-up in last year’s Miss Tibet 2015 pageant,

competed with 18 young women from Asian and Eurasian countries for the Miss Asia 2016 title.

The pageant aims to create a platform for young women to showcase their looks and talent with a view to launching themselves in the coveted careers of fashion, film and advertising.

Trixia Marie Marana from the Philippines was crowned Miss Asia 2016. The first runner-up was Yauheniya Vasilyeva of Belarus, with Ankita Kharat of India declared the second runner-up.

The TWA Plans Tactics at its Annual Meeting

by Dorji Kyi The Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) held its 12th Working Committee Meeting from August 8 – 13 at Hunsur Rabgayling Tibetan Settlement in Karnataka State, India.

105 members participated from 30 regional chapters in India and Nepal.

The meeting focused on solidarity campaigns for the current critical situations in Tibet as well as work for the security of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, fulfilling His Holiness’s wishes, promoting and spreading awareness of the Middle Contact

Way Approach, increasing the fertility rate in the exile Tibetan community, educational support for Tibetan children, the preservation of Tibetan culture and language, the conservation of Tibet’s environment through campaigns, as well as reviewing and improving the working and administration of the TWA. Mrs Dolma Yangchen, President of the TWA, said “the opening ceremony was attended by our Chief Guest Mrs Gyari Dolma (Former Home Minister), Lobsang Phendey Rinpoche (Gyurme Monastery), Settlement Officer Mr Gelek Jugney, 10

along with a few former MPs, settlement leaders, local assembly members, and members of Tibetan Youth Congress.” She added, “Mrs Gyari Dolma encouraged us to do more for our community”.

The Tibetan Women’s Association was originally founded on March 12, 1959 in Tibet on what became known as Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day, with women protesting against the illegal occupation of Tibet by Communist China. Today, the nongovernment organisation (NGO) has over 17,000 members and 58 branches worldwide.

AUGUST 2016

news & issues

Tibetan Headlines Aug 29: His Holiness’s Teaching His Holiness the Dalai Lama has started a teaching on Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland of the Middle Way in Tsugla Khan, the main temple in Dharamshala. The three-day teaching, which is at the request of a group from Asia, is being broadcast live at www. dalailama.com/live-english.

Aug 24: Tibetan Nurses Approved The Indian Nursing Council has approved the registration of Tibetan nurses who have acquired a nursing qualification from recognised institutions. This move is in response to the registration problems faced by Tibetan nurses in Uttrakhand who are not in posession of birth certificates.

Aug 29: Billboard Campaign Free Tibet, the United Kingdom based pressure group, is erecting huge billboards in Times Square in New York and in London in their Land of the Unfree campaign. The billboards show a map of Tibet made up of faces of people living in occupied Tibet, many of whom have carried out protests or other acts of resistance.

Aug 23: No Verdict Tenzin Tsundue, the activist and writer, appeared in court in Bangalore, hoping to be acquitted of his “crime” there 11 years ago. He climbed a building at the Indian Institute of Science to display a huge banner and Tibet flag during the visit there by then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

However the court could not deliver the judgement. “The Judge told me to come again, two weeks later” said Tsundue.

Aug 27: Tibetan Search Engine The world’s first Tibetan-language search engine has been launched in the Qinghai province. Yongzin (Tibetan for “teacher” or “master”) has been developed by the Tibetan Information Technology Research Centre with Chinese state funding. It is highly restricted and closely monitored, for use by China as a surveillance tool.

Aug 26: Condolences to Italy The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, on behalf of Tibetans in and outside Tibet, has expressed profound condolences to victims of the earthquake that hit Italy on Wednesday. “We pray for the departed souls and for the victims and their families,” said Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel.

Aug 24: Flood in Tibetan Areas Tibetan-populated regions in northwestern China’s Qinghai and Gansu province were struck by hailstorms and heavy rainfall causing massive flooding and extensive damage. Nomad herders caught in the open grassland with their animals had to be rescued by boat. The flooding affected the area around Labrang monastery in Gansu.

Contact

Aug 22: Young Tibetan Leaders 150 Tibetan youths from around the world gathered in New York for the Young Tibetan Leaders Summit 2016, organised by the Office of Tibet in Washington DC and the Tibet Corps.

It was the first of its kind and the primary aim was to create a platform for young Tibetans to come together to learn, be inspired and to connect.

Aug 21: Tibet should be Free Mr Indresh Kumar, a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader and a long time Tibet supporter has said publicly that Tibet should be free, be it through the Middle Way or through complete independence.

He spoke at a press conference about the historical independence of Tibet and Tibet’s role as a peaceful buffer between China and India.

Aug 20: Tibet Balloon The world’s largest Tibetan flag, a hot air balloon, has been flying at the International Balloon Festival in Barneveld, Netherlands. The balloon received an enthusiastic reception from Tibetans and supporters.

11

Aug 15: India’s Independence Day The Tibetan government-in-exile, on behalf of the Tibetan community, held a ceremony to greet the people of India on their 70th Independence Day and to thank them for their support. The Indian national anthem was sung and the Indian flag was raised by Ven Karma GelekYuthok who was officiating.

Aug 15: Flag at Rio! The Tibetan flag is flying at the Rio Olympics despite the fact that the Tibetan competitors there have to represent China and not Tibet. The flag is flying at a stall in the food park, with speakers playing Tibetan music. The stallholder, Romero, spent 40 days in a Chinese prison after protesting about China’s human rights record at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Aug 13: New Campaign Free Tibet has launched its Grand Theft Tibet campaign aimed at stopping London’s transport authority from buying more buses from the Chinese company BYD. BYD, which operates in Tibet, produces electric vehicles and the lithium batteries needed to run them. Tibet has large reserves of lithium and its extraction is causing environmental damage in Tibet with no benefit to resident Tibetans there.

Aug 12: More Support A new chapter of the India Tibet Friendship Society has opened in Calicut, Kerala. The Society is a prominent Indian Tibet support group with chapters across India.

Aug 1: Lobbying Group The Tibet Advocacy Coalition has met members of the Indian Parliament to “raise concerns about the impact of China building dams affecting India’s water security”.

The coalition is made up of Tibetan activist NGOs in collaboration with the International Tibet Network.

AUGUST 2016

news & ISSUES

International Headlines

Aug 27: Concert for Mao Glory and Dream, a concert to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the death of Mao Zedong, the former head of the Chinese Communist Party, is to go ahead in Australia despite a campaign to prevent it taking place. A petition on change.org was presented to the Mayor of Sydney, accusing Mao of responsibility for 70 million deaths, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Aug 26: New Home?

A new planet outside our solar system has been discovered. It is Earth-like, close enough to its sun to be habitable and able to support liquid water. It is likely to have surface temperatures similar to Earth and it would be possible to send a craft to it within a lifetime. “It feels like history in the making,” said English scientist Richard Nelson.

Aug 25: Natural Disaster An earthquake has devastated many mountain towns in central Italy, killing at least 247 people and leaving thousands homeless. It struck when most residents were asleep and was felt 220 km away. The army has been mobilised for the rescue work.

Aug 24: War on Drugs More than 1,900 people have been killed in the Philippines during a crackdown on drugs in the past seven weeks. President Rodrigo Duterte’s methods have been labelled a “crime” by the United Nations, he has urged citizens to shoot dealers who resist arrest and has reiterated that killing suspects is lawful if police act in selfdefence.

Aug 23: Olympics The Rio Olympics ended with a carnival-inspired closing ceremony celebrating Brazil’s arts, and the official handover to 2020 hosts Tokyo.

However, the Paralympic Games next month are facing major cuts and 10 countries may be unable to get teams to Rio. Only 12% of available Contact

tickets have been sold. The situation is exacerbated by Brazil’s struggling economy.

Aug 22: Child Bomber A boy of 12 was responsible for a suicide bombing that killed 51 people and injured 69 more in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. Islamic State (IS) was behind the attack which targeted a Kurdish wedding party. Gaziantep, near the Syrian border is known to have several IS cells and the city was attacked in May.

Aug 18: Zika Baby A baby in Guatemala is believed to be the first baby born there with microcephaly caused by the Zika virus. Children with microcephaly are born with underdeveloped brains and abnormally small heads, and face lifelong difficulties including intellectual impairment. It is generally believed that the Zika virus, if contracted by the mother while she is pregnant, will cause microcephaly.

Zika is transmitted through mosquitoes or sexual contact.

Aug 17 Sexual violence One in four women living in Rustenburg, a key platinum mining area in South Africa, has been raped in her lifetime, and about half of the women there have been subject to sexual violence or intimate partner violence. The medical charity MSF says that most of these women were unaware of how to prevent HIV transmission or pregnancy.

Aug 13: Stolen Babies In Pakistan, police have arrested hospital workers in Peshawar involved in selling newborn babies to childless couples. The gang swapped newborn babies with the bodies of dead infants in hospitals and maternity homes, telling the parents their child had died, and then selling on the babies for between 70,000-300,000 rupees (£500-2,200; $650-$2,850).

12

Aug 12: Elephant Rescue An elephant that had been washed away in the flooded Brahmaputra river in north east India and had become weakened and exhausted has been rescued across the border in neighbouring Bangladesh. Hundreds of villagers came to the rescue. She will be given a home in a safari park.

Aug 9: Military Rule A referendum in Thailand has approved a military-backed constitution which was condemned by human rights groups and by the two largest political parties. The government will be overseen by an unelected military senate and could lead to an unelected prime minister. In the run-up to the referendum all campaigning was banned and activists were detained.

Aug 6: Historic Rally More than 10,000 people attended the first ever pro-independence rally in Hong Kong. Chan Ho-Tin, the convenor of the Hong Kong National Party, estimated that 10,000 people were present and called for supporters to “infiltrate” different sectors of the government and police force to gain intelligence “for the sake of the movement”.

Aug 5: Venezuela Crisis Venezuela’s central bank has only $11.9 (£9) billion in reserves. The country is facing deep economic, political and humanitarian crises with citizens suffering food shortages and poor basic health care. An expert on Venezuela’s debt said that the country is going to run out of money within a year.

Aug 4: Political Charade Amnesty International has responded to the latest in the series of trials of Chinese human rights lawyers and activists calling them “a political charade” and saying that “The Chinese authorities must end their relentless suppression of human rights lawyers and activists”.

AUGUST 2016

news & ISSUES

Professor Samdhong Rinpoche Interview His Eminence Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, the former Kalon Tripa (Leader of the Tibetan Government-in-exile) who has worked tirelessly for the Tibetan community throughout his life, spoke to Lobsang Wangyal of the Tibet Sun about the recent elections.

Extracts from the interview are reproduced below by kind permission of the Tibet Sun. The full interview, including Rinpoche’s views on Tibetans taking Indian citizenship, is available on the interview page of the Tibet Sun website www.tibetsun.com

Q.There are reports that you didn’t vote in the last Tibetan elections. Why not?

A. As a citizen of Tibet, I had a responsibility to take part in the election of the leadership. But it was entirely different [from] what we thought in the beginning.

Particularly His Holiness’s vision of Tibetan democracy — which was not the same as a Western concept of democracy.

His Holiness used to say “genuine democracy”. Genuine democracy means that the people must have the last word, and people should have the free will to choose their leadership.

The system of the “campaign” is not in Tibetan culture. It is entirely Western, modern culture, saying that “I am the best, I must be elected!” Tibetan culture is “I cannot do, I am not very capable, the other is better,” something like that.

Actually this is the difference between cooperation and competition. Tibetan culture is based on cooperation — not only Tibetan culture, the ancient cultures, are based on cooperation — and modern cultures are based on competition.

Competition means one wins and the other loses.

The Western style, competition, uses the demerits of the other candidate. Of course they can differ on the policy matters, but they cannot disrespect the person. They can oppose the policy, but the individual person is equal, everybody is equal.

And I was hurt, His Holiness’ name had been repeatedly used in the campaigns.

That was unthinkable for me.

Q. Did you go to vote?.

A.I did not go. I thought I would do it very quietly, I never had any intention to publicise it. Unfortunately one small conversation with a journalist was shared and it came out.

Q. So what changes do you suggest in the Tibetan election process?

A.The truly democratic system: First choosing the candidates without indoctrination or brainwashing through campaigning. Then it is not a competition, it is free choice. The people are not being indoctrinated, not being pressured, not using their emotions about religion or region, just about whosoever is the Contact

candidate.

And then the final vote also, let the people choose. Not by indoctrination, brainwashing or exploiting the emotions of people – that way the vote can be carried away and becomes ungenuine.

So my wish is, just have a two-tier election with the Election Commission choosing two, three or four candidates and then let the people vote.

Q.Are you suggesting that the Election Commission should make the policies of the candidates known to the people?

A.Yes. And the candidate must not contact the people nor should there be campaigning before the election, people can support, or oppose by making their vote. The campaign system arouses a lot

of negative emotions which is a cause of division. And that is most important particularly for a nation like us, in crisis.

We are a small community and we are in exile. And therefore if our mind is divided, it is very dangerous and very damaging to the cause of the Tibetan issue.

Q. After the last session of Parliament, the Sikyong, Speaker, and members of Parliament consulted the two state oracles. How do you read the Nechung and Tsering Che-nga’s pronouncements and behaviours towards Sikyong and the Speaker?

A.[Laughs] I don’t know, I was not there. I only read the predictions given by them.

Tema [Tsering Che-nga] and Nechung are very much connected with His Holiness — these two deities are the basic protectors, and also there to serve, to help His Holiness’ works. Since the Fifth Dalai Lama, both of these have become also protectors of the Tibetan government.

During the election, the campaign process, His Holiness was quite sad about the way it was going on. And that was noticed by these two deities, the oracles.

13

And I think it is their duty to tell the people what is happening, and therefore the oracles told their experience to the people. And then came the process of apologising and doing things better.

So I think the two oracles have done their inevitable responsibility - what they should do, they have done.

Q. How relevant is it to consult oracles, considering that the leaders have been elected by the people?

A.There is no connection between these two concepts. The oracles are when you are not able to decide something, reach some decision, by your own rational mind, because there are many things in the future unknown. The oracles are considered to know all the three times, the past, the present and the future, and therefore we consult them, and in the consultation, it is also our limitation, that sometimes we understand what they are saying, and sometimes we do not understand.

In my life experience consulting the oracles has never gone wrong. Even elected people can consult them.

Q. It is said that some former kalons, including yourself as the KalonTripa, had a meeting with the Dalai Lama after the elections. Can you tell us a bit about that meeting?

A.We were quite worried and we felt a sense of urgency. The oracles had given very drastic messages and His Holiness was keeping a distance from the Kashag [Tibetan cabinet] and we could see the unhappiness of His Holiness, we thought His Holiness must be approached so that people could correct their mistakes.

So that was our mission: We asked His Holiness’ forgiveness, and His Holiness told us the reasons for his unhappiness, and then we went to the Kashag and Chitue to tell them they must see His Holiness, and apologise. So this was a kind of liaison between His Holiness and the people in the administration.

And I think that helped a little bit.

Q.What did the Dalai Lama say during that meeting?

A.His Holiness said that this throat-cutting competition, accusing each other, is not good and that many statements were not based on truth.

AUGUST 2016

DHARAMSHALA VOICES

by Charlotte Wigram-Evans Tenzin Tsundue always knew he was different. He was marked, his teachers told him, branded with a huge red R on his forehead. R for refugee.

“I felt like superman. Only we Tibetans had it and it meant that our lives were not for ourselves but for a greater cause, a huge cause; we were there for Tibet.”

It is a feeling that has never left him. And the imaginary R has become a red bandana that Tsundue refuses to remove until Tibet is free.

He grew up in a tiny boarding school in Himachal listening to tales of an idyllic homeland.

From the playground he could even see the snow-capped mountains behind which Tibet lies.

“It became a kind of secret dream,” he says wistfully, “a romantic ideal that even though I have been to Tibet I still have now. I was 22 when I made the journey, a fresh college graduate.

I had a degree in English Literature from Loyola College in Chennai and a job teaching in a Tibetan school.

But I was tired. Tired of protesting against the Chinese on an Indian roadside, tired of sloganeering. I wanted to do something, to face the real enemy. I think at that age you are your own hero. You feel so very brave, invincible almost. So at a time when a huge number of people were escaping the country I did the reverse.

And I did it alone.”

Tsundue walked 400km across the Himalayas. He survived for five days in the Tibetan desert without food or water, and then, after encountering the Chinese, endured a further three months in a prison cell with little more.

R stands for…

“I was suspected of a spy mission, starved, interrogated and tortured,” he recounts. “I thought it was the end. I lived in constant fear that I would die there and nobody would know.”

That was Tsundue’s first time in prison. He has been detained 17 times since and describes the experiences sardonically as “educational.”

At 28, a young and restless activist, he scaled a building and unfurled a 50ft banner emblazoned with the words: “Free Tibet: China, Get Out”

Tenzin Tsundue

It hung defiantly opposite the hotel where the Chinese Prime Minister, Zhu Rongji, was staying in Mumbai.

Despite an arrest and a travel ban he staged a similar, equally spectacular demonstration a few years later, this time in Bangalore.

His solo protests have secured him columns in newspapers - a privilege, he states bitterly, that his countrymen barely even achieve by burning themselves alive. For Tsundue, however, equally important to the freedom struggle is art.

“People trust art where they don’t trust politics. So I write. When I am writing I am a poet. But when I publish I am an activist. I write because I have to, because my hands are small and my voice goes hoarse. Writing to me

is not luxury; it is a necessity. The writer and the activist live together in me, hand in hand.”

Tsundue’s pen is never idle, and with three books already under his belt he is soon to release a fourth. The first, Crossing the Border, was only made possible by contributions from university classmates and earned him the prestigious Outlook-Picador Award for Non-Fiction in 2001.

Kora, a collection of poems and short stories is in its eighth edition and his new venture, he says excitedly, will intertwine the inspirational stories of those around him into a web of Tibetan lives.

He describes himself proudly as a minstrel: a travelling entertainer which is an ancient tradition in Tibet. With the money made through book sales Tsundue tours universities, teaching students about the idea of exile, how refugees cope and how having no home shapes your identity.

“It makes you strong,” he states, “able to bend with the wind and not break. For me, my activism is a different kind of struggle. I don’t have to kill anyone but it is a big thing for a refugee to try and transform people’s outlook. Through my poems and stories, I attempt to change minds, to teach the public about what is happening in my country. Only when they know will the policies of government change.

That is my role. But I think that whoever you are, whether you are a monk, a teacher or a banker, as Tibetans, we all must play our part.”

R may stand for refugee but Tsundue knows that what it truly means is responsibility. A duty to hope, a duty to fight, a duty to never give up on Tibet.

Every month we feature somebody from the Tibetan community on our Dharamshala Voices page.

You can read more Dharamshala Voices stories on the Contact website: http://www.contactmagazine.net/dharamasla-life/ The People stories on the Dharamshala Voices page online tell the stories of the people who make up the Tibetan exile community in Dharamshala and elsewhere, as well as the stories of Lha students and volunteers, told in their own words.

Contact

14

AUGUST 2016

lha news and projects Lha could not provide the services we do without the support of our wonderful volunteers who help in so many ways and inspire us with their enthusiasm. Every month we ask a volunteer to share their story.

This month Ignaty Dyakovs from Russia tells us his story.

Many Thanks From a Half-Tongued Language Teacher Name: Ignaty Dyakov Volunteer Job at Lha:English Teacher In summer 2015 I was diagnosed with tongue cancer. Well it is a misfortune one would say, but not so rare nowadays with millions of people diagnosed with various cancers every year. My major issue and concern, however, was the fact that my tongue is my working tool - as for the past 15 years (alongside other activities) I have been teaching languages, mostly specialising in teaching Russian to foreign learners in London and all over the world.

Fast forward half a year.

By winter 2015 I had had two operations which had part of my tongue and three dozen of my lymph nodes removed, six weeks’ radiotherapy and associated treatment. I boarded my campervan and travelled around Europe to have the quiet opportunity to relearn speaking, gradually building up the number of sounds in English and Russian I could pronounce. By spring 2016 I got back to teaching, yet my confidence in my ability to teach was shattered and I frequently felt useless. I thought I’d need to finish my teaching career and move forward. That’s when it struck me that it would be great to use the last weeks of my teaching for a good cause.

I went online and googled… Lha.

For some time I corresponded with Rabsel, the volunteer coordinator, who was welcoming and said I would be of use as an English language tutor when I arrived.

One early June day, just before lunch, I climbed a steep narrow staircase leading from the Temple Road, stepped over a Buddhist calm red dog curled up on the threshold she did not even care to open her eyes to look at me - and then proceeded to

Mr Ignaty with his students at Lha

find Rabsel in his office. Rabsel and a volunteer Paul were busy answering emails, yet dedicated sufficient time and a number of smiles and jokes to make me feel comfortable and reassured me that I had come to the right place. As it happened they were in need of a teacher to take over the Intermediate English class the

following week - something I did not feel particularly at ease with given I am not a native speaker. Yet, they were so nicely persistent that I agreed.

I also offered my services as a one-toone tutor for a couple of students and off I went.

I taught at Lha for three weeks, my afternoons busy teaching and preparing for classes, as well as talking to other volunteers about their experiences. The number of students in my Intermediate class nearly doubled in these three weeks, so I humbly believe I did something right. It was a magnificent experience, challenging, but enjoyable and some moments – I am sure – will stay with me for years: like coming up with funny examples of the present continuous tense but used for the future, and the colourful clothes of my monk and lay students sitting on the floor, deeply involved in translating English texts.

It is a year since my diagnosis and thanks to the wonderful and inspiring students at Lha I have decided against leaving my teaching work, but rather I am going to invest in CELTA training (training in teaching English as a second or foreign language) to be able to help others in their English language learning journeys.

Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust Lha Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots, non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work Institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has been striving to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for over 18 years. Lha was registered as a charitable trust by the Indian Government in 2005.

For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org To keep up to date with news of what’s happening in Tibet and in the Tibetan exile community, follow Contact magazine online at www.contactmagazine.net Facebook: Contact News Twitter: Contact News Contact

15

AUGUST 2016

around town

Charities and Organisations

Central Tibetan Administration

The CTA serves in Dharamshala as the government in exile of Tibet. It is democratic with judiciary, legislative, and executive branches.

Within the Executive branch there is the Kashag, consisting of the departments of Religion and Culture, Home, Education, Finance, Security, Information and International Relations and Health, and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.

WEB: www.tibet.net LOCATION: Near Library PHONE: 01892-222218 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm EMAIL: kashag@tibet.net

The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL)

OHHDL is the personal office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The office organises his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.

WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221210 EMAIL: ohhdl@dalailama.com

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)

The TYC is an advocacy and political action organisation with chapters around the world.

The TYC organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities.

WEB: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 PHONE: 01892-221554 EMAIL:president@tibetanyouthcongress.org, tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org

Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA)

The TWA conducts workshops on gender sensitization and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships, and connects women with international sponsors.

WEB: www. tibetanwomen.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221527 EMAIL: tibwomen@gmail.com

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education. There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamshala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India.

WEB: www.tcv.org.in LOCATION: Dharamshala Cantt.176216 PHONE: 01892-221354 / 221348 EMAIL: headoffice@tcv.org.in

Men-Tsee-Khang: Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute

Men-Tsee-Khang is a facility for research, training and practice of traditional Tibetan medicine.

Patients may seek treatment at Men-TseeKhang for both acute and chronic conditions.

The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.

Contact

WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org

Tibetan Library (LTWA) (Centre for Tibetan Studies)

The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives has the purpose to restore, protect, preserve, and promote Tibetan culture in all its aspects. They offer courses in Tibetan and Hindi language and Buddhist philosophy and can provide affordable accommodation for those enrolled in two or more courses.

WEB: ltwa.net, tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 98822-55047 EMAIL: ltwa1970@gmail.com

Delek Hospital

Delek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamshala. It has 45 inpatient beds, holds outpatient hours from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday, and can handle most small procedures. Patients are responsible for a 10 Rupees registration fee. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.

WEB:www.delekhospital.org LOCATION: Kharadanda Rd, Dharamshala; Delek Clinic, Bhagsu Rd, Dharamshala HOURS: Outpatient, Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm; Emergencies, 24 hours daily PHONE: 01892-222053 / 223381 EMAIL: delek@bsnl.in hospitaldelek@yahoo.com

Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society

The society was established in 1999 to provide educational and administrative guidance to all Tibetan schools in remote areas of India and Bhutan that do not fall under the guidance of Tibetan Childrens Village. Today there are 12 schools under this organisation.

WEB: www.sambhota.org LOCATION: Session Rd, Dharamshala176215 PHONE: 01892 - 228877 | 226877 EMAIL: stss1999@gmail.com

Tong-Len Charitable Trust

Tong-Len’s mission is to help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future. Tong-Len projects include educational and health programs, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Volunteer opportunities available.

WEB: www. tong-len.org LOCATION: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala-176215 PHONE: 01892-223930 EMAIL: jamyang@tong-len.org

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)

SFT is an international NGO that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community.

The organisation attempts to build international solidarity by advocating for a free Tibet through chapter organisations at Universities around the world.

WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 9882786875

16

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)

TCHRD advocates for human rights and provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet. The centre publishes journals and articles, as well as conducting workshops and campaigns.

WEB: www.tchrd.org LOCATION: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-223363 EMAIL: office@tchrd.org

Lha Charitable Trust (Lha)

Lha, a Tibetan grassroots NGO based in Dharamshala, is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. (see page 2) WEB:www.lhasocialwork.org LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India PHONE: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 EMAIL: office@lhasocialwork.org

The Kangra Distt. Red Cross Society

The Kangra District Red Cross Society renders its humanitarian services, projects and activities with the help and the co-operation of people at all levels of society by donation.

WEB: www.redcrosskangra.org LOCATION: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 EMAIL: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com

Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Association of Tibet is an organisation of former political

prisoners of Tibet and former activists currently in exile that engages in their complete assistance from medical, financial, basic education and vocational training. It also organises lobby and advocacies about human rights abuses in Tibet.

WEB: www.guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679 EMAIL: guchusum1991@gmail.com

Tibet Charity

Tibet Charity provides programs including English and computer classes, an animal care program, and a variety of medical and educational financial support programs.

WEB: www.tibetcharity.in LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877 EMAIL: director@tibetcharity.in

Norbulingka Institue

Centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work.

Temple, tour guides of the workshops, and gardens.

L O C AT I O N : S i d h p u r, Dharamshala PHONE:9882144210 EMAIL: info@norbulingka.org WEB:www.norbulingka.org

AUGUST 2016

around town

Charities and Organisations

Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)

Established in 1959, under the vision of HH the Dalai Lama, TIPA strives to preserve and promote Tibetan theatrical tradition. The Insitute imparts comprehensive training and lessons on Tibetan folk dance, folk song, traditional instruments and tradition of Tibetan opera.

TIPA also hosts a beautiful theatrical museum which remains open during working days. We organise a special group tour of our campus every Wednesday (10 am).

WEB: www.tibetanarts.org LOCATION: TIPA Road, McLeod Ganj Dharamshala-176219 PHONE: 01892-221478 EMAIL: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT)

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT) is a nongovernment, non-profit adult education centre in Dharamshala, North India. LIT provides Free Education, Health Care and Skills Training to Tibetan Refugees to help eradicate poverty and illiteracy amongst the Tibetan population.

WEB: www.learningandideasfortibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala 176219 PHONE: 01892-220690 EMAIL: learningandideasfortibet@gmail.com

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR)

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a nonprofit, educational organisation dedicated to the non-violent management of conflicts in the Tibetan Community and the world as a whole.

They work to promote the approaches and tools of non-violent conflict resolution and democratic processes in the Tibetan community in exile and elsewhere.

WEB: http://tccr.org LOCATION: Session Road, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-226627 EMAIL: tccrteam@gmail.com

Rogpa Baby Care Centre

The Rogpa Baby Care Centre helps low-income Tibetan families to become self-sufficient by providing free child care for infants so that their parents can work. The centre needs volunteers to help with art, games, singing and other tasks including diaper changing.

WEB: www.tibetrogpa.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala- 176219 PHONE: 9857973026 EMAIL: rogpa2004@yahoo.com

Gamru Village School

Gamru Village School is a successful NGO that provides free high-quality education to any children who encounter serious barriers to education and who have a low standard of living.

WEB: www.gamruschool.com LOCATION: Village Gamru, P.O Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala, Distt Kangra 176215 PHONE: 9816105554 EMAIL: tashu72004@yahoo.com

Contact

Clean Upper Dharamshala Project

Founded in 1994 to provide a waste management system in and around McLeod Ganj, the Green Workers, the Handmade Recycled Paper Factory, the Green Shop and the Environmental Education Centre are part of the Clean Upper Dharamshala Project. Weekly guided tours are offered on Wednesdays at 3 pm.

WEB: www.tsodhasa.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - 176219 PHONE: 01892-221059 EMAIL: cudpswm@gmail.com

Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage)

Nyingtob Ling supports Tibetan children from disadvantaged families. The children make handicrafts and paintings. They are so friendly and love to have visitors.

WEB: www.nyingtobling.org LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur PHONE:01892 211042 / 9816028149 EMAIL: nyingtob_ling@hotmail.com

Women’s Team

Volunteers needed to teach English to Indian women and children in the village of Kaniyara near Dharamshala. Contact Jitender.

EMAIL: jitenderje@gmail.com PHONE: 7831956680 / 08894435595

The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC)

ANEC facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on nonviolent strategies to help resolve disagreements and differences at all levels of human society. ANEC welcomes volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas of regional and global peace and nonviolent strategies. Free lunch and tea and many more benefits for volunteers.

LOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 9882077708 / 9882921477 EMAIL: wangduemiddleway@gmail.com Website: www.anec-india.net Facebook: www/facebook.com/anecpeace

National Democratic Party of Tibet

The NDPT is currently the only Tibetan political party. With 5000 members in 36 regional chapters throughout the world, the main aim and objectives of the NDPT are to prepare for the establishment of a political party in a future Tibet, to promote democracy, to educate the Tibetan people about the significance of political parties and to create awareness among the people about Tibetan issues.

WEB: www.ndp4tibet.org LOCATION: Dharamshala–176219 EMAIL: tibetparty4@gmail.com PHONE: 9882787633 / 9882673330

BUS SCHEDULE

* Times and prices may vary.

Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

Leaving from the McLeod Ganj bus stand, unless otherwise stated: Delhi: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs524) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs544) , Full Deluxe Bus: (Rs683) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1121) AC TATA: 4pm (Rs830) Amritsar: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs245) *from Dharamshala Dehradun: Ordinary Bus: 8pm (Rs524); AC Deluxe: 2pm (Rs664) Manali: Ordinary Bus: 7:10am (Rs676) *from Dharamshala Pathankot: Ordinary Bus: 10am, 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm(Rs150) Shimla: Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs360) *from Dharamshala, Semi-Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs450) *from Dharamshala FOR BOOKINGS: Location: Ticket stand under McLLo’s, McLeod Ganj Main square Hours: 10am-5pm, daily Phone: 220026 (McLeod bus stand), 224903 (Dharamshala) For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TAXIS

A private taxi to Lower Dharamshala will cost you Rs 200. Cram into a jeep (from the bus stand), and it’ll only cost you Rs15.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189

Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, CTA Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, MonSat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Wed only; Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily.

Phone: 222 053,223 381

Police Contact Information Location: Past St.John’s Church on the road to Dharamshala in Cantt. area.

Phone: 221 483

Kangra Airport: 01892-232374 Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892-221034 Tourism Office: 01892-224430 , 223325 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892-265026

17

McLeod Ganj Post Office Location: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace Cafe Hours: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-noon, Sat. Parcels and money orders can be sent in the mornings only.

Phone: 01892-221 924

AUGUST 2016

activities and information Upcoming Events August 29 - Sept 1 : His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching at Dharamshala September 2 : Tibetan Democracy Day September 9 to 11 :His Holiness will be at Brussels, Belgium October 2 : Gandhi Jayanti

BUDDHIST PHILoSOPHY Library of Tibetan Works and Archives WEB: www.ltwa.net/library LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9-10 am, 11-12noon PHONE: 921-842-2467

Public Audience with HH Karmapa WEB: www.kagyuoffice.org LOCATION: Sidhpur HOURS: Wed & Sat: 2:30pm PHONE: 01892-235307

yoga and reiki Om Yoga, Meditation and Reiki Centre LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel, on Jogiwara Rd HOURS: 8:00am-5:30pm PHONE: 980-569-3514

Sunita Singh Yoga Class

LOCATION: Singh Corner, nr Magic Tree Upper Bhagsu PHONE: 98058-89060 WEB: www.maashakktiyoga.com

Siddhartha Retreat and Yoga Centre LOCATION: Upper Bhagsu PHONE: 098165-65138 WEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.org

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu massage LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road PHONE: 941-813-0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Men-Tsee-Khang

LOCATION: Mcleod Ganj Branch Clinic, 1st floor, TIPA Road (2 mins from Main Square) PHONE: 98828-60505 EMAIL: therapycenter@men-tsee-khang.org

Om Massage Centre

LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, Opposite the Green Hotel, Mcleod Ganj PHONE:9857999373/9805895574 EMAIL: kunsangdolma75@gmail.com

Contact

MEDITATION Ocean of Harmony

Taught by an experienced and qualified coach WEB: www.oceanofharmony.org PHONE: (+91) 99798-94585 EMAIL: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com

Tushita Meditation Center WEB: www.tushita.info LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30am PHONE: 0898-816-0988 EMAIL: spc@tushita.info

Siddhartha Retreat Centre

WEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky PHONE: 09816565138 EMAIL: yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in

Taxi services Rinku Taxi Services

LOCATION: Opposite Club House, near Tourist Information Office, Hotel Surya Road PHONE: (+91) 9418687343, 9857030707 WEB: www.rinkutaxihimachal.com

COOKING Lha Tibetan Cooking Classes - for groups LOCATION: Lha Soup Kitchen, Temple Rd, Just below the Dalai Lama’s temple HOURS: Registration, 9:00-11:00am PHONE: 01892-220992

LANGUAGES Tibetan Language Courses

WEB: www.thosamling.com LOCATION: Thosamling Institute, Sidhpur (near Norbulingka) PHONE: 9882455065 EMAIL: thosamling@gmail.com *see ad on opp. page for more information

LRZTP Tibetan Language Program LOCATION: near Mentsekhang, VOT building EMAIL: Lrztp108@gmail.com WEB: www.LRZTP.org *see ad on pg 23

Rita Thakur Hindi Classes

LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd, beside the Korean Restaurant PHONE: 981-649-4732

Hindi Lessons with Sunil

LOCATION: Kunga Guesthouse, Bhagsu Rd and in Dharamkot PHONE: 01892-21942, 98055-96741 EMAIL: sunilsharma81in@yahoo.co.in

Tibetan Language

LOCATION: The Tibetan Library *see Buddhist Philosophy Listing

Hindi Lessons with Kailash

LOCATION: At Bhimsen’s Indian Cooking Class PHONE: 01892-20063, 941-816-1947

Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses and Tibetan Immersion Spoken Location:Tilak Ray Building, Bhagsu Rd PHONE: 8679502538 / 98820-04965 EMAIL: contact@esukhia.org

art and museums

Indian Cooking and Knitting with Ms Rita Kapoor

Tibet Museum

Indian Cooking Classes

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

LOCATION: Old German Bakery, 1st Floor, Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag PHONE: 94592-06586 LOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 941-813-0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes

LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop HOURS: 8:00am-9:00pm PHONE: 981-646-8719

Nisha’s Indian Cooking Class

LOCATION: The flourishing flora, Opp. TIPA, Dharamkot road, Mcleodganj HOURS: 4:00-6:00pm PHONE: 9882599093 EMAIL: nishaanilsarin@hotmail.com

Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional Tibetan Cooking Classes

LOCATION: Lung-ta Restaurant, below the Tashi Choeling Monastery on Jogiwara Road HOURS:10:00am - 4:00pm PHONE: 981-616-4540 EMAIL: sangyla_tashi@yahoo.co.in

18

LOCATION:Near the Main Temple and Namgyal Monastery gate, McLeod Ganj HOURS: Tue-Sun: 9:00am-5:00pm

LOCATION: Gu-Chu-Sum hall, Jogiwara Rd HOURS: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00pm-5:00pm

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)

WEB: www.tibetanarts.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 1892-221478 EMAIL: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com

Kangra Art Museum

LOCATION: Near Bus Stand, Kotwali Bazaar PHONE: 01892 224214 HOURS: Tue-Sun: 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum

LOCATION: Near CTA, Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org HOURS: 9am-5pm. Closed on Sun, 2 and 4th Sat

Form Gallery

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd. near Oasis Cafe PHONE: 8894-060602 HOURS: Daily, 12:00pm-6:00pm

AUGUST 2016

activities and information HEALTH SERVICES Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra LOCATION: Near Hotel Mount View, Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 09218742046 EMAIL: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com Tibetan Physiotherapy Clinic Specialised in Muscle and Joint Pain LOCATION: Near Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 HOURS: 10am - 5pm (Appointment Bases) PHONE: 9882322783 / 9882321532 EMAIL: jigten17@yahoo.co.in WEBSITE : tibetanphysiotherapy.com Tibetan Delek Hospital LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-22053 / 223381 HOURS: Outpatient services, Mon-Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00-4:30pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily Maanav Health Clinic LOCATION: Main Square HOURS: 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-5:00pm PHONE: 941-815-5795 EMAIL: maanavcare@yahoo.co.in Men-Tsee-Khang LOCATION: Below Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org Primary Health Centre LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main market HOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat Nature Cure Health Club LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm PHONE: 7833047078 / 9882320136 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com Dr Tandon Advanced Dental Orthodontic & Implant Centre Location: Opp. AP Travels, Mcleod Ganj Phone:9418462936 Email: dr.rahultandon@gmail.com

Tibet-Related Websites

News:

rfa.org/english/news/tibet - Radio Free Asia’s mission is to provide accurate and timely news and information to Asian countries whose governments prohibit access to a free press voatibetanenglish.com - Voice of America’s Tibet pages - VOA is an international multimedia broadcasting service funded by the US government contactmagazine.net - Contact magazine online phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,also has opinion, reviews, photos, etc guardian.co.uk/world/tibet - the UK Guardian newspaper’s Tibet pages scmp.com/news/china - the South China Morning Post – one of the more independent news sources in China thetibetpost.com and tibetexpress.net are both sources of news and information

News, information and campaigning:

tibet.net - official website of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile dalailama.com - for broadcasts of His Holiness’s teachings, his schedule and information about Tibet and the Dalai Lama tchrd.org - Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - a nongovernmental organisation and a research centre to protect the human rights of Tibetan people and promote the principles of democracy tibetanyouthcongress.org - an international non-governmental organisation that advocates full independence for Tibet from China studentsforafreetibet.org - a global grass roots group campaigning for full Tibetan independence tibetanreview.net - news, opinions, reviews and information freetibet.org: - UK-based campaigning organisation, also a good news source savetibet.org - international campaign for Tibet and a good resource for news, campaigns, fundraising and projects tibetnetwork.org/home - a coalition of more than 190 Tibet organisations dedicated to campaigning to end human rights violations in Tibet and restoring rights to the Tibetan people

Writings:

highpeakspureearth.com/category/woeser - occasional translations of Woeser’s enormously popular blog – Woeser lives in Beijing and is continually harassed by the Chinese government for her courageous writings.

Interested in a Tibetan Homestay?

Is Arriving in India a Nightmare?

Thinking about Volunteering?

Lha Charitable Trust can arrange homestays of one month with a Tibetan refugee family. By sharing day-to-day life with a Tibetan family you will have an opportunity to experience Tibetan culture at first hand as well as making friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Accommodation, breakfast and dinner included.

Next time you come, use the Lha Reception service at Delhi airport.

We will meet you at the airport, look after you in Delhi and give you a safe place to stay while you wait for your overnight bus to McLeod. We’ll put you on the bus and make sure you are on the right seat! Use our service especially when you are arriving late at night or early morning.

Lha offers you the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills while gaining practical experience with a social work organisation – good for your CV as well as being fun and interesting! Lha volunteers develop friendships as well as learning at first handabout the issues facing the Tibetan refugee community.

Find out more! Call into the Lha office, see Map # 1 Contact

19

AUGUST 2016

advertisements

DR TANDON’S ADVANCED

Ocean of Harmony

Programmes for Wellbeing

Meditation Intensives Meditation Therapies Intensive Yoga Courses/Retreats Stress Management Integrated Healing Therapies Wellness Retreats

DENTAL

ORTHODONTIC & IMPLANT CENTRE Mcleod Add: Downstairs Opp. AB Travels Temple Road Mcleod Ganj Dharamshala Add: Opp. Canara Bank Kotwali Bazaar Dharamshala

A centre with multispeiciality dental treatment facility since 2000. Map#24 website: www.himachaldentist.com Email: dr.rahultandon@gmail.com Appointment/Emergency call: 9418462936

For upcoming events, visit

www.oceanofharmony.org

For intensive trainings around the world (any country) contact: Shalu Patel (experienced & qualified life and wellness coach for international trainings)

HIMALAYAN YOGA RETREAT Yoga Time: 8:30 am to 9:30 am 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Drop-in Classes/ Weekly Courses/ Reiki Course & Treatment Teacher Training Course (200 hours) Map#

Mobile no: 988222502 - Surinder Address: Jogiwara Road, Green View House after Youngling Schoo Mcleod Ganj, Opposite Pink House

Phone: (+91) 9979894585 Email: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com

BLACK TENT CAFE

RINKU TAXI SERVICE

Free high-speed Wi-fi

Delicious coffee, authentic homemade Tibetan and western cuisine All food washed in clean filtered water

Free movies on Saturdays at 7.30pm Live Tibetan music every Wednesday at 6.30pm

Best taxi & car rental services in Himachal, Tour Packages Pick-up & Drop-in to Airports, Rail station, Bus stop Opp. Club House, near Tourist Information Office Hotel Surya Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - Map#16 PHONE: (+91) 94186-87343, 98570-30707

www.rinkutaxihimachal.com

Jogiwara Road (near post office), McLeod Ganj – Map # 8

CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA

Chapri Handicrafts

Visit Sunanda to see her beautiful shawls, fabrics, gifts, papier-mache, handicrafts, thankas and so much more!

MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, Shop no 9, Next Alley to State Bank of India ATM, CONTINENTAL, & THAI FOOD, No MSG Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj Map#27 • Everything washed with sterilized water Tel: 98826-04215 • Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere & Japanese-style seating • Live music every Sunday - Map#9 Bhagsu Road, Opp. Green Hotel Mcleod Ganj - Map#26 Located on Jogiwara Road, Email: kunsangdolma75@gmail.com across from the Tibetan Reception Center Contact: 9857999373 /9805895574 (down from Post Office) - Map # 9

Om massage centre

HOTEL LADIES’ VENTURE

“The most suitable place for foreigners, holidaymakers, honeymooners, trekkers, and those who wish to commune with nature!”

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

We offer: Affordable dormitories, well-appointed rooms, boarding, and McLeod Ganj’s FINEST hospitality!

Jogiwara Road - Map #11 Mobile - 981 623 5648 Hotel - 01892 22 1559

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

Phone: 01892-220567 Cell: 9418236603 Jogiwara Rd (Map #12) Email: tseringd@aushimview.com

Your Communication Partner

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #23 Mobile: 07833047078 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com,

Dr Mobile Shop

Mobile Sales, Mobile Repair, Sim Cards, Purchase and Recharge Phone Service

18+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses &

treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!

Black Magic Building (underground), Jogiwara Road, Map # 7 McLeod Ganj Phone: 9857011101 Contact

Nature Cure Health Club

20

AUGUST 2016

advertisements

Contact

21

AUGUST 2016

advertisements Map of McLeod Ganj showing locations of places of interest

BHAGSU NAG

Map not to scale

See Advertisement Pages for details of advertisers TIPA

21

DHARAMKOT

26

25 Vipassana Centre

Naddi Village Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

15

Tushita Centre

McLEOD GANJ

22

Cantt Police Post

4

5 MAIN SQUARE

3

6

7

20

23

1 Lha Main Bazaar

24

27

29

8

16

9

10

11

12

28

30 14

2

13

Road to Dharamshala

1. Lha Headquarters 2. Namgyal Cafe 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dream Holidays Travel 5. Shangrila Hotel 6. Shambala Coffee Meal 7. Dr Mobile, Woeser Bakery 8. Black Tent Cafe 9. Carpe Diem Restaurant 10. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture 12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 13. Ahimsa House & Lha Soup Kitchen 14. Chonor House 15. Lhamo’s Croissant, Dolma Therapy 16. Rinku Taxi Service 17. Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan

Parliament-in-exile, Tibetan Library 18. LRZTP Tibetan Language Programme 19. Tibetan Museum and Temple 20. Tibetan Handicraft Centre 21. Taste of India 22. SnowLion Custom Tattoo 23. Nature Cure Health Club 24. Dr Tandon’s Advanced Dental 25. Himalayan Yoga Retreat 26. Om Massage Centre 27. Chapri Handicrafts 28. Tibetan Online School 29. Marleen’s Thankas & Gifts 30. Dorjee Spa

19

17 18

Road to Dharamshala

Our specialty: Chocolate Vegan cake, Gluten free cake, Fresh Coffee Beans, cappaccino, Chocolate chilli lollipop 9am to 7pm - Closed on Monday

Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#7

Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 3)

Shambala Coffee Meal Jogiwara Roadd, next to Tibet Kitchen Map#6

NEED A DENTIST?

For all your dental requirements under one roof, in a sterile and state of the art clinic

A vegetarian restaurant specialising in variety of Japanese meals: Sushi Rolls, Special noodle Udon, Omthai Rice Coffee / Free Wifi Open every day from 7am to 8pm Mobile: +91 (0) 9882611796

Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #10 Call: 09218742046 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com

Lhamo’s Croissant

To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj

Vegetarian and Vegan Food Bakery, Coffee shop, French Restaurant Gluten Free and Fresh seasonal juices and salads

Roof top terrace with stunning views Bhagsu Road, just before Kunga Hotel Map#15

Contact

22

AUGUST 2016

advertisements

Contact

23

AUGUST 2016

ལྷ་བོད་ཀྱི་ལུགས་མཐུན་བཟོ་ཚོང་ལས་ཁང་།

Lha Tibet Fair Trade Regd No.U74140HP2013PTC000540 IEC No. 2213006741 TIN: 02060101641 CST: 02060101641 PAN: AACCL5897M

What’s LTFT?

Lha Tibet Fair Trade (LTFT) is a certified Fair Trade company which supports Lha’s charitable work through the sale of traditional Tibetan goods made by local craftspeople.

What we have?

Hand-made woollen carpets, singing bowls, jewellery, goods made from recycled paper, Tibetan home decor pieces and many more!

Why LTFT?

Your shopping and support will contribute to Lha’s numerous social projects and help Lha become more sustainable and self-sufficient.

What we do?

Retail outlet, manufacture, wholesale, import & export, support local artisans, tours and travel.The LTFT is pleased to welcome any businesses wishing to form partnerships and set up exhibition tours.

Drop-in at our store at LHA office, Mon-Sat Phone: +91 (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992

W www.tibetfairtrade.com

Lha Tibet Fair Trade

Marleen’s Thankas & Gifts We are happy to provide high quality Tibetan thangkas and gifts for all budgets; working with 18 artists we are able to take orders.

Jogiwara Road, 50m down from post office, opposite Tibetan gas office Mc Leod Ganj Map #29 Email: thankas_inn@yahoo.com

May all beings be happy.

Snowlion Custom Tattoo

snowlion custom tattoo : facebook

Artist Passang Location: near Hotel Tibet Professional Tattto Artist / Traditionally Trained Tibetan Thangka Painter 100% Safe & Hygienic Contact: 9459160626 / 9805286528

To advertise call Lha office: 01892-220992 or visit Lha office at Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj Map #1

Follow Contact website using the QR code!

Tibet Fair Trade འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact Newsletter

Managing Director Ngawang Rabgyal Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Tenzin Samten Assistant Editor Tsering Wangdue Reporter Dorji Kyi Layout Design Tamdin Yangzom Circulation Manager Lobsang Rabsel Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web: www.lhasocialwork.org www.contactmagazine.net Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: @ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com