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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།
Contact
A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XIX Issue: 1 JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
Widening Horizons for Women
“We Will Rise up Again and Again”
by Mary Trewartha The latest Women’s Empowerment Conference is taking place in Dharamshala from February 21 – 23. The first session has seen the announcement that March 12, traditionally known as Women’s Uprising Day will now be known as Tibetan Women’s Day. The conference was opened by Pema Tsering from Continued on page 8
by Ben Byrne Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Prime Minister of Tibet’s government-in-exile, arrived in Japan on February 4 for a two week diplomatic tour that included talks with Japanese parliamentarians, visits to educational and monastic institutions and public speeches on Tibet issues. In his speeches, Sikyong discussed the current situation Continued on page 3
Growth of Buddhism in China
“Our Target is Humanity”
by Sean Fitzpatrick The Chinese government is increasingly concerned over the rapid growth of Buddhism in China according to a recent report by Jayadeva Ranade, president of India’s Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, writing for Sunday Guardian Live. The ruling Communist Party fears any organisation large enough to challenge Continued on page 3
W www.contactmagazine.net
by Tenzin Samten His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a series of teachings and public talks to Indian audiences in New Delhi, India from February 3 – 6, organised by Vidyaloke – an Indian Wisdom initiative focusing on reviving ancient Indian tradition. On the first day, His Holiness was requested to give an Continued on page 6
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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
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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
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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 JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Continued from page 1
Growth of Buddhism in China
its authority, Ranade suggests, especially one which might hold sympathies for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. China has seen a sharp increase in Buddhist worship over the past 20 years, says Ranade, with adherents rising from 5% to 18% of the population by 2015. China’s Buddhist community now stands at over 300 million, dwarfing the Communist Party’s 88 millionstrong membership. Growing discomfort with the situation among Chinese officials has led to increased controls over Buddhist teaching and practice, an apparent reversal of policy after their relaxation of religious restrictions in 2007. Ranada cites government activities in Zhejiang province, a popular centre of Buddhist education and training. “The Buddhist Association of China (BAC) issued a six-point directive in November 2016 calling for the prevention and restriction of the ‘illegal’ propagation of Tibetan Buddhism in China’s Zhejiang province” he wrote. “While not
clarifying these ‘illegal’ activities, it prohibits monks practising Tibetan Buddhism from visiting Zhejiang province to give teachings, conduct empowerment rituals, and conduct other ceremonies without government approval. It states that approval is required for teaching of Tibetan Buddhist texts and scriptures or holding other related activities at Buddhist centres...in the province,” he continued. The directive goes on to reiterate an existing ban on religious activity outside approved venues and reminds Chinese Buddhist monks to restrict their practices to those of the official Chinese tradition, he concludes. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 2017 Kalachakra empowerment last month provoked another notable intervention as the government blocked Tibetans from travelling out of China to attend the ceremony, and forced those who had already left the country to return under threat of legal action. Temporary travel restrictions were followed by a blanket ban on the discussion or sharing of material relating to the event on WeChat (a
widely used Chinese government sponsored messaging app) and Chinese social media. Despite Chinese opposition, however, around 2,000 people travelled from Tibet and China to attend the event, just under half of them Han Chinese. A further 140 –160 ethnic Chinese people visit Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama’s home in exile, each year, many requesting an audience with the displaced spiritual leader. While the Chinese government offers a limited degree of tolerance to the growth of Buddhism in its heartlands, it is not uncommon for other religious groups to face open hostility. The Falungong faith (a Chinese spiritual practice incorporating elements of meditation, Qigong, Buddhism and moral philosophy) reached 100 million adherents before being all but wiped out by the Chinese administration, while the government continues to undermine the practice of Christianity, Catholicism and Islam through church closures and suppression of worship.
“We Will Rise up Again and Again” Continued from page 1
in Tibet, the way forward to resolve the issue of Tibet, why Tibet matters for Asia and the world, and the implications of Donald Trump’s election as United States president for the “Middle Way” approach, which has been pursued by the exiled government in Dharmshala, India, since the 1970s. Sikyong said that countries opposed to Chinese expansion could learn about Chinese methods by studying the situation in Tibet: “China’s scheme to expansion through building infrastructure, entertainment hubs and cooperating with leaders of other countries in recent days were used prior to and during their invasion of Tibet.” Contact
Sikyong expressed confidence that US support for Tibet would not falter under President Trump. He pointed to a statement from new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who recently encouraged dialogue between Beijing and representatives of Tibet’s government-in-exile. Referring to his administration’s five-fifty strategy, Sikyong called for a renewed effort in the Tibetan people’s struggle to seek genuine autonomy in the next five years whilst also working to strengthen and sustain the Tibetan movement over the next 50 years. Speaking of efforts to reconstruct Buddhist temples in Tibet destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, Sikyong said that all the major 3
monasteries had been rebuilt brick by brick, “That is the spirit of the Tibetan people”, he declared, “no matter how much you destroy us, we will rise up again and again”. In his talks Sikyong also covered the matter of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, stating that only Tibetans have the right to recognise this and that the Chinese government could in no way influence the succession process. This was Sikyong’s third visit to Japan, his previous trips were in 2012 and 2016. Before his election in 2012, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said “we want to help the Tibetan people and help create a Tibet in which people do not have to kill themselves in a quest for freedom”. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Recent Arrests and Releases Inside Tibet
Feb 20: Prisoner Freed Sherphel, a Tibetan man from Serthar county, has been released after more than four years in prison in Sichuan. He was charged with alleged links to self-immolation protests, on a day when a peaceful protest took place in his town, and has served his full prison term. He was released several months ago but the news has only now come through because of the communications clampdown in his area.
Feb 17: Disappeared Sonam Tashi, 20, who staged a solo protest in Serthar county in the Sichuan province last month and was seized by police, is still missing after more than 40 days in custody. The Chinese authorities have refused to give Tashi’s family any information about his present condition and whereabouts. News of his arrest did not get out of Tibet immediately due to a communication clampdown in the area. Feb 3: Monk Freed Yonten, a Tibetan monk from Thangkor Soktsang monastery aged around 37, who was jailed in 2013, has been released. He was linked to the selfimmolation protest by a n o t h e r monk from Thangkor Soktsang, Konchok Sonam, 18. Yonten had served his full term of three-and-half years. He is resting with his family before returning to his monastery. Contact
Feb 3: Singer Freed Amchok Phuljung, a popular singer jailed for four years for writing songs praising the Dalai Lama and highlighting the hardships of life under Beijing’s rule, has been released in the Sichuan province after serving his full term. Although his family was ordered not to come to prison to welcome him, there was a warm reception for him in his home town in Marthang county.
Jan 26: Doctor Freed Khedrup, 50, a Tibetan doctor who has been held by police since December 14, has been released. He was detained on suspicion of sharing pictures and videos online of the selfimmolation protest by Tashi Rabten on December 8, but has been released as the authorities could find no evidence against him. They warned him not to discuss his period in detention. He was beaten and tortured in prison. Jan 4: Villagers Beaten A group of 20 villagers in Tibet’s Chamdo prefecture who arrived late for a public lecture on the prevention of HIV/AIDS were beaten by Chinese officials, resulting in several being hospitalised, six others detained and their homes raided, reports Radio Free Asia. They also report that local residents say the authorities there are corrupt and misappropriate government aid for the village. A local police spokesman denied the attack. 4
Dec 30, 2016: Charged Tsegon Gyal, 53, who was detained on December 24, has been charged with “inciting to split the country”. T h e Tibetan Centre for H u m a n Rights and Democracy h a s reported that Tsegon Gyal has launched a “silent protest”, refusing to respond to the security officers who are holding and interrogating him. TCHRD also reports that following his arrest he was prevented from having access to a lawyer or his family. Dec 28, 2016: Hospitalised Jigme Gyatso, also known as Jigme Guri, a former political prisoner, has been admitted t o hospital in Sangchu County in Amdo in eastern Tibet. Jigme Guri is a former monk who has been detained and released four times and subjected to torture while in prison. His health has been a cause for concern and exacerbated by being subject to surveillance and restricted movement since his latest release. Dec 26, 2016: Man Arrested Jamyang Choephel, aged around 25, was reportedly detained on December 11 in Tsoe County, Gansu Province. It is assumed his detention is because of a connection with the self-immolation by Tashi Rabten on December 8. Jamyang is currently being held incommunicado at Machu County Detention Centre. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES China Appoints a Tibetan as the New TAR Governor by Lobsang Tsering Mr Che Dalha (Qi Zhalha in Chinese), 59, was appointed by the Chinese Communist Party as the new chairman of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) on January 16. This post is equivalent to that of governor. Mr Che Dalha replaced Losang Gyaltsan who is now chairman of the Standing Committee of the TAR People’s Congress. Chinese state media Xinhua announced Che Dalha’s appointment and included a statement by him: “I am faced with a tough task and huge responsibility.” He promises to “study and work hard” in the light of “great expectations” from President Xi Jinping and the central government toward “Tibet’s reform and development”. Mr Che Dhala is an ethnic Tibetan hailing from Shagri-la in the Yunnan Province. He has worked in various
capacities in the TAR, including Communist Party Chief of Lhasa and governor of Dechen Tibet autonomous prefecture (TAP). The Diplomat.com reports that according to a source
Lobsang Gyaltsen (right), the former Chairman congratulating Che Dhala Photo: Xinhua
with strong family ties to the area Che Dhala is well-regarded in Dechen for his successes in overseeing rapid economic development in the region, while also remaining an advocate for
the promotion of the Tibetan language and other facets of Tibetan culture. However, the Tibet Post reports that on a visit to the United States last year, Mr Dhala openly claimed that Tibet has always been part of China, and there is no basis for “Tibet issue”. There is some suggestion that the relative social and political calm in Dechen TAP marked Che Dhala out as capable and politically reliable. However, the same source who noted Che Dhala is well-regarded in Dechen also comments on his many years of training in Beijing, and states that in his opinion, he is extremely unlikely to take Tibetans’ concerns into special consideration just because he himself is Tibetan. The position of governor is not the most powerful position in Tibet, coming under the central government as well as the TAR Party secretary.
Trump Administration to Support Tibet?
by Sam Ferguson Newly confirmed Secretary of State for the United States of America Rex Tillerson confirmed his commitment to continued support for Tibet during his confirmation hearing. In response to written questions on Tibet from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr Tillerson confirmed his commitment to promoting human rights issues during US diplomatic engagements with China, including the cases of political prisoners. High priority issues for the new Secretary of State include the religious freedom of Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Uygyur Muslims and Falun Gong practitioners. Mr Tillerson emphasised that China was labelled a country of particular concern in the annually released International Religious Freedom report, and suggested that evaluations on the state of religious freedom should continue to be monitored in this way. Mr Tillerson said that while Contact
he recognised Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China, he would continue to encourage dialogue between Beijing and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile or representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This announcement has prompted an angry response from China. The Chinese state-run Global Times quoted Zhu Weiqun, head of the ethnic and religious affairs committee, as saying that dialogue between the two will never happen as China recognises the “Tibetan exile set-up” as illegal. In wider terms, Mr Tillerson encouraged the governments of all nations, including Beijing, to respect and preserve the distinct religious, linguistic, and cultural identity of Tibet. In response to questions Mr 5
Tillerson emphasised his commitment to receiving and meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He described the denial of visas and the restriction placed on reporters, civil society activists and diplomats in Tibet as “problematic”. On the question of limiting the number of visas allowed to executives from the Chinese state media or Chinese officials wanting to visit America, Mr Tillerson answered by committing to assessing what the best policy would be, while recognising that reciprocity in treatment is a principal in bilateral relations. Mr Tillerson was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exxon Mobil before he was nominated by President Trump as his choice for Secretary of State in the new Administration. Mr Tillerson was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with 11/10 votes, and confirmed as Secretary of State on February 1 by the full senate with 56 votes in favour, 43 against and one abstention. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Continued from page 1
inaugural teaching on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend; he included a praise he himself had composed to the 17 Nalanda masters. “Brothers and sisters, I consider this gathering not to be just about a teaching of the Buddha dharma, my hope is that it will lead to ensuring that the 21st century is a happier, more peaceful era than the last. That’s our main purpose,” said His Holiness, addressing the crowd of over four hundred Indian students and scholars. Speaking about India and Tibet’s spiritual relations, His Holiness said “You are the masters of the ancient Indian knowledge, particularly the Nalanda tradition. As Tibetan Buddhists, we are the messengers. On the level of messenger, we are making every effort. Now the Indians as masters should take an active role in promoting these human values; not through prayers, but rigorous study”. Sharing his personal experience as a follower of the Nalanda teachings, he said “For 60 years of my life,
Students from 80 schools in Delhi gathered to listen to His Holiness Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OOHHDL
through the most difficult period, I have shouldered that responsibility. With the knowledge of ancient India and Nalanda, my mind had remained calm. The teaching of the 17 great masters of Nalanda gives me immense strength. “Otherwise, without this Contact
“Our Target is Humanity” knowledge, I would not have been able to maintain peace of mind” added His Holiness. He also urged young Indians to study the wisdom and values of ancient India from a more secular point of view. His Holiness gave a public talk on February 5, Reviving Indian Wisdom
His Holiness lighting a lamp at the start of the Vidyaloke teachings Photo:Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
in Contemporary India at Talkatora Stadium which was packed with an audience of over three thousand. “The concept of Ahimsa and religious harmony is still alive in this country. Now, you should focus on your very own ancient knowledge and make efforts towards reviving these wisdoms in a secular way. This ancient Indian knowledge could be universal values,” said His Holiness at the talk. He praised Vidyaloke’s initiative in rekindling the intellectual wealth of ancient India and spoke about global responsibility and a sense of oneness that people should develop to create a happier and peaceful community. The talk was followed by questions from the audience and a meeting with Vidyaloke participants on how to move forward. His Holiness asserted that he was focusing on helping more people find out how to be happy on a daily basis. “Our target,” he said, “is 6
humanity not believers.” On February 6, His Holiness gave a talk, Compassion and Ethics: Source of Happiness, at the convent of Jesus and Mary to 1,300 students from 80 schools, and 300 delegates including educators, principals, historians and scholars. Speaking about treating all human beings as the same, His Holiness said that he has reasons for always greeting his audiences as “brothers and sisters”. “We are all human beings, part of the population of 7 billion [people] alive today. The way we are born and affectionately nurtured by our mothers is the same. This is how we survive. Later, we all die the same way. We are physically, mentally and emotionally the same. We share the same kind of feelings of pleasure and pain. And yet we neglect the oneness of human beings and forget that others are our brothers and sisters. Instead we emphasise the secondary differences between us of colour, race, faith and nationality. We view each other in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’, which inevitably provokes conflict,” he explained. His Holiness urged the young students to cultivate warmheartedness to create a happier and more peaceful world. He also stressed that education systems encourage only materialistic goals with little concern for universal human values. “Secular education should be included in modern education. The teachers must educate the values of warm heartedness, compassion, a sense of oneness of humanity in the current education system,” he added. “Be a kind and compassionate person. This is the inner beauty that is a key factor to making a better world,” said His Holiness to a student who asked what message she could take home with her. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
Women’s Empowerment: Revised CTA Policy
by Tenzin Samten Tibetan Prime Minister (Sikyong) Dr Lobsang Sangay, the head of Tibetan Government-in-exile, announced revisions to the Women’s Empowerment Policy on February 2. The revisions have been made by his office, the 15thKashag, or Cabinet, of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Dr Sangay acknowledged the previous Kashag’s policy on women’s empowerment as extremely helpful in facilitating an environment where men and women could equally take part in the Tibetan freedom struggle. Explaining the reason for the revision of the policy, Dr Sangay
said “It has been almost ten years since the women’s empowerment policy was introduced by a previous Kashag. Since then, there has been a lot of discourse in national and international forums, including within our community, about the need to relook and revise the policy”. Sikyong further emphasised the importance of women’s empowerment by quoting His Holiness the Dalai Lama: “Women make better leaders as they are inherently kind, compassionate and equipped with qualities to nurture and care”. The revised seven-point policy was drafted by senior women officials
of Tibetan Government-in-exile, also known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The seven points include: women and human rights; education; health; economy; governance and leadership; social issues and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Details of the revised policy can be found at Tibet.net. The current policy was introduced by the 13thKashag under the leadership of Professor Samdhong Rinpoche in October 2008. Please see also the lead article Widening Horizons for Women
Tibet at the United Nations
by Philomène Franssen The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) – the Tibetan Government-inExile – is instigating a programme tostrengthen human rights advocacy for Tibet in preparation for next month’s Human Rights Council at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva. The Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) – the CTA wing that handles international affairs and information – sent a delegation of three members to the UN mission in Geneva to engage in a week-long advocacy programme under the campaign framework Tibet at the United NationsStrengthening Advocacy for Human Rights in Tibet.The delegates were SonamNorbuDagpo who isSecretary of the DIIR,DhardonSharlingwho is Information Secretary at the DIIR and UN and Human Rights officer KaldenTsomo. Nyima Lhamo, who is Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s niece, was also in attendance. The advocacy programme was followed on January 29 by a twoday strategic planning meeting-cumtraining session with UN experts and also included representatives from the Office of Tibet Geneva, the International Campaign for Tibet, International Tibet Network, Tibet UN Advocacy Coalition and the Contact
European Member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The meeting aimed at reviewing CTA’s past UN advocacy and preparing for the upcoming 34th UN Human Rights Council.
“We are devising opportunities to seek UN engagement and subsequent addressing of the pressing human rights situation in Tibet” said delegation member SonamNorbuDagpo. DIIR highlighted the human rights violations in Tibet, in particular religious repression – as in the case of the large-scale demolitions and forced eviction of monks and nuns from Larung Gar, one of the world’s largest centres of Buddhist learning in Tibet. The CTA is asking the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to raise the critical human rights situation in Tibet in his opening statement at the forthcoming Human Rights Council Session. Other gross human rights 7
violations on the agenda included monitoring and surveillance; travel restrictions and passport confiscation; enforced disappearances as in the case of the Panchen Lama who was abducted 20 years ago; arrests and sentencings with particular reference to the case of imprisoned language rights advocate Tashi Wangchuk;torture and death in prison – looking at the case of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who died in custody in 2015 and self-immolation protests against China’s repressive policies. “This training proved to be very effective...to best make use of the UN mechanisms and its procedures to keep the issue of Tibet alive on the UN Human Rights agenda,” said Konchok, a participant from Zurich.
Stop Press
The New York Daily News has featured Nyima Lhamo, the activist and niece of the revered lama Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who died in custody 18 months ago, who was one of the speakers at the HR Council Summit in Geneva on February 21. Lhamo said she would “be there to provide a dissenting voice: a rare moment of truth about the tribulations of the people of Tibet”. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Continued from page 1
Widening Horizons for Women
Tibet TV. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, lit the ceremonial butter lamp and gave the keynote speech and nuns from Dolma Ling Nunnery performed the opening prayers. The conference is an undertaking of the Women’s Empowerment Desk at the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)’s Department of Home and is hosting around 350 participants of both genders from a wide spectrum of interests. The CTA is launching the revised Women’s Empowerment Policy at the conference which they say has been convened to “rake in intellectual and
public discourse on the understanding of the revised policy and to garner recommendations on the effective implementation of the clauses of the policy”. It aims to “widen the horizon of grassroots public engagement and action on gender issues and women’s empowerment initiatives and thereby strengthen the social foundations of both personal and public life”. Four plenary sessions are taking place: Governance and Leadership; Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives into the Development Process; Achieving Social Empowerment of Women and Tackling Sexual and Gender Based Violence. The afternoons
include working groups to discuss the issues raised and to provide feedback which will be taken up by the Drafting Committee who will report back at the final session. The majority of the conference participants have been invited, with 90 seats reserved for individuals wishing to register in their own right. Speakers include Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok, Lobsang Jinpa, Lynda Lepcha, Kalon Ngodup Tsering, Asha Ramesh, Kasur Rinchen Khando, Tashi Tsering the historian, Shrinja Dixon, Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, Kalon Karma Yeshi and Chisur Dr B Tsering.
City of Human Rights?
by Sean Fitzpatrick The Swiss government has drawn criticism after clamping down on protests by Tibet supporters during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent tour of the country and its United Nations (UN) offices in Geneva. The trip was the first of its kind since the Chinese administration’s visit to the country in 1999. The visit then was marked by vigorous protest and the near-egging of the then president Jiang Zemin. Thirty-two Tibetan and Swiss activists were arrested in the city of Bern after overstaying a two hour government permit to protest there on Sunday January 15. A further 14 were detained following a demonstration outside the Swiss parliament building later that day. Around 800 people attended the Bern protests which were organised by the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe (TYAE), alongside other Tibetan groups in the region. According to a statement from the Swiss police, the protesters were detained in order to “secure safety” and were later released without charge. Police also prevented a Tibetan man from setting himself alight during the demonstrations, before handing him over to doctors for treatment. Voice of America Tibet (VOAT) Contact
reported a further obstruction when the Swiss government contacted Tenzin Nyingpo, the president of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland, asking him to withdraw a permit application for a planned demonstration on the understanding that his group would be permitted to protest outside the UN
Photo: Jigme Ugen/facebook
offices during President Xi’s visit to the complex later that week. However, VOAT reports that once the application had been withdrawn the government once again contacted Nyingpo, instructing him that the demonstration planned to take place outside the UN offices would no longer be permitted to coincide with the president’s tour. Five Tibetan activists were arrested for protesting during the president’s UN visit in defiance of Swiss bureaucracy. Four of those detained were members of TYAE who were taken by police after standing outside the UN offices with banners reading “Arrest Xitler” 8
and “Free Tibet” during Xi’s tour of the facility. “This has just happened in Geneva, in the city of human rights, in the city of freedom, and this is very shameful,” said Migmar Dhakyel, a spokeswoman for the group. Dorjee Dhakyel, a Tibetan resident of Zurich, was also disappointed with the behaviour of the Swiss government. “We have always been peaceful in Switzerland,” she said. “They say that we have human rights but today I have seen that they are submitting to the Chinese.” News of the protests and arrests hit the international media. swissinfo.ch, the news and information platform in ten languages produced by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, said, “With protestors banned and accredited media barred from covering his final speech, Swiss media were left wondering if Switzerland kowtowed to China.” China signed a free trade agreement with Switzerland in 2014, and is a significant trading partner to many of Switzerland’s largest corporations. The state visit was planned to coincide with China’s first attendance of the annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos, an international conference of business and political leaders who meet to discuss globalisation and the pressing matters of the period. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Rinpoche’s Address at Indian Universities Conference
by Sean Fitzpatrick His Eminence Professor Samdhong Rinpoche delivered the opening address at the 91st Annual Meeting of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) earlier this month, also speaking at a seminar celebrating achievements in higher education, which was scheduled to coincide with the event. The conference, which took place at Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, was attended by 320 directors and vice chancellors from universities across India. Rinpoche held the AIU presidency from 1999-2000, before being elected as the first Prime Minister of the Tibetan Governmentin-Exile in 2001. During the opening speech, Prof Rinpoche laid out his priorities for the period, naming religious intolerance, economic division, environmental degradation and psychological poverty as his greatest causes for
concern. Commenting on a of “civilisational remembered the late King, who said that
growing sense conflict”, he Martin Luther life is always
Rinpoche lighting a lamp at the event’s opening ceremony
a choice between non-violence or non-existence. Rinpoche told the audience that men and women must turn away from the path of violence to assure the continued existence of all mankind. Finally, he expressed sadness at a perceived loss of “national
consciousness”, observing that “real Indianness” had become obscured as a result of Western colonialism and the rise of modernity. “India was once reckoned ‘Jagadguru’ (guru of the world), due to its capacity to awaken the inner intelligence of humanity. I appeal to universities to bring back the hallowed status”, he said. Professor Samdhong Lobsang Tenzin is the former Tibetan Prime Minister who still works closely with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Prof Rinpoche currently presides over the University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, Madhya Pradesh, where he was appointed Chancellor in April, 2013. A full biography can be found on the Rinpoche’s website www. samdhongrinpoche.com which is managed by Lha Charitable Trust under their initiative to preserve and promote Tibetan language and culture.
Celebrating the Tibetan Proclamation of Independence
by Dorji Kyi Tibetans and supporters around the world joined Dharamshala for celebrations to mark the 104th anniversary of the Tibetan Proclamation of Independence in 1913 by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. Student’s for a Free Tibet (SFT) held a panel discussion in Dharamshala on the Potala Palace in Lhasa and its historical significance, its symbolism in the current Tibetan freedom struggle and the hope of returning to a free Tibet that the monument instills in exiled Tibetans. Speakers included members of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, the President of GU-Chu-Sum movement for Tibet, Asia Director of SFT and writeractivist Tenzin Tsudue. Ascreening of a short video clip followed in which exiled Tibetans were asked Contact
what the Potala Palace meant to them as well as a screening of the rare documentary Potala Palace. A photo exhibition was on display for participants and observers. The Tibetan Cultural Festival in New Delhi included performances
SFT Dharamshala’s panel discussion on the Potala Palace in Lhasa
of cultural dance, a photo exhibition, screening of documentary films depicting the status of Tibet prior to 1949, a talk show by prominent 9
scholars on Tibet, Tibetan food stalls, sale of Tibetan related books and distribution of information on Tibet. Tibetan Independence Day marks the day His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso declared independence from China on February 13, 1913. The day is marked every year to counter China’s claim that Tibet was historically a part of China. On February 12, in a separate celebration, Tibetan Day was observed in a celebration organised by the Student Council of Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) Youth Hostel in New Delhi, with assistance from New Delhi-based Tibet House and Dharamshala-based Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of International and Information Relations. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
Demand for the Release of Tashi Wangchuk
by Lauren Chaplin Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) held a worldwide awareness day for imprisoned Tibetan language activist Tashi Wangchuk on January 27, the anniversary of his arrest. Wangchuk was detained in January 2016 for allegedly “inciting separatism” following his appearance in a New York Times documentary, A Tibetan’s Journey for Justice, which saw him calling for Tibetan language education. Wangchuk, a 31-year-old blogger and entrepreneur from eastern Tibet, is shown in the New York Times video trying to lodge an official complaint with the Beijing authorities over the teaching – or lack thereof – of the Tibetan language. Although China officially maintains a bilingual education system in regions where minority languages are spoken, in reality Chinese dominates the curriculum, despite promises to safeguard Tibetan cultural autonomy.
The Chinese government detained him in January 2016. He is soon due to face trial, now that Chinese state prosecutors have concluded a second investigation into his actions. He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty - a likely result considering that 99.9% of defendants tried in China are convicted. Despite Chinese government claims that he was “inciting separatism”, Wangchuk does not espouse Tibetan independence. He told the New York Times that his goal was to “preserve some of our nation’s culture”, and also stated that he views Chinese President Xi Jinping as having “promoted a democratic and law-abiding country”. SFT have reacted with protests, social media campaigns and a petition
calling for Wangchuk’s“immediate and unconditional release”. Their demands have been heard by numerous international political representatives, including the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary and the United States Secretary of State. Other human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, have also called for his release. A protest was held outside the Chinese Embassy in London and messages sent to the Foreign Ministers of 18 countries. SFT National Director Tenzin Tselha said that his case is “an example of the severity of the persecution Tibetans face for simply calling for their rights that are perceived as a threat by the Chinese government, despite the fact that they are protected by the international human rights laws and under the Chinese constitution.”
Tibet: No Respite from Repression
by Dhriti Agarwal The latest report of Human Rights Watch,a New York-based human rights group, highlights the increasing violations of human rights occurring under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rule and affecting Tibetans and other minority groups living in China, including the Muslim Uyghur population in East Turkestan or Xinjiang. In its press release for their World Report 2017, an annual review of human rights, HRW says, “The Chinese government aggressively stepped up its campaign against civil society activists and online speech in 2016...This widening attack on rights…began when President Xi Jinping took office in March 2013”. The introduction to the Chinese section of the report states, “China remains a one-party authoritarian state that systematically curbs fundamental rights. Since President Xi Jinping assumed power, the government has Contact
detained and prosecuted hundreds of activists and human rights defenders…The government has moved to tighten control over nongovernmental organisations, activists, and the media through a slew of new laws that cast activism and peaceful criticism of the government as state security threats. The ‘Great Firewall’ used to censor the Internet has been expanded. Despite legislation to curb torture in custody, police and interrogators have found ways to evade legal protections.” People in East Turkestan are subject to the same repressions as those in Tibet, the report continues,“In terms of national security,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said in 2014, “the approaches to Tibet and Xinjiang are the same, and the objectives are also the same.” Chen Quanguo, who was party secretary of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR)is now leader of Xinjiang, and the new leader of TAR, Wu Yingjie, has stated his 10
wish to study and emulate the methods of Chen. The report goes on to explain that these abusive policies have curbed almost all forms of freedom of speech, political activity, assembly and movement, forbidding many TAR residents from foreign travel. Any form of dissent is treated as a national threat and any public criticisms as criminal challenges to the state. Strict surveillance includes high-tech police posts, close monitoring of religious activity and curtailing peaceful expressions of ethnic and religious identity in both Xinjiang and Tibet. Peaceful protests are continuing in both regions, with Tibetans resorting to self-immolation while in Xinjiang some violent acts of protest have taken place leading to the Chinese designating the predominantly peaceful movement there as “terrorism” and promoting their “antisplittism” and “stability maintenance” campaigns. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
“There will be change in Tibet” Announces the Dalai Lama
by Lauren Chaplin The 34th Kalachakra initiation, performed in Bodh Gaya by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, concluded on January 14. During the teaching His Holiness spread messages of hope, declaring “there will be change in Tibet”, as well as the importance of self-development, saying that the purpose of the Kalachakra initiation is to “make a profound transformation within the self… even though you are returning in the same body, your mind should be transformed”. On the first day of the teachings he focused on the need to cultivate a Bodhichitta motivation and suggested that Tibetan Buddhists use dream yoga or lucid dreaming in order to access the subtler states of their mind. On the second and third days he gave the seven empowerments and also a call to action: “While sitting comfortably on your cushion it is easy to say, ‘May all beings be free
from suffering’, but you will only make a difference if you actually do something for them.” During the Long Life Offering that followed the Kalachakra, His Holiness said he had dreamt he could
His Holiness thanking Richard Gere Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
live to be 113. “You are making this Long Life Offering to me and praying ‘May you live 10,000 years’, but we know that’s not possible,” he said, and joked that if he lives for millions of years he will be the last man on earth. His Holiness also mentioned the “kindness and warm-heartedness”
of Tibetans saying, “We must… continue expressing these values for the people of the world.” “Be happy, be at ease,” he concluded, drawing a huge applause from the audience. At the closing ceremony Hollywood actor and long-term Tibet supporter Richard Gere delivered a speech to a packed crowd of 200,000, reaffirming his support for the Tibetan struggle. The Dalai Lama thanked all involved with the event. He has written to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government saying, “I am writing to convey my deep gratitude…for the personal attention and generous assistance in providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities for the two-week Kalachakra empowerment.” He also praised Nitish Kumar for his decision to transform Bihar into a dry state by banning alcohol. Shri Kumar had used his personal initiative – and money – to help facilitate the event.
Is China Starting to Control American Universities? by Charlotte Wigram-Evans Chinese students studying at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) are rallying. The issue —an upcoming visit from His Holiness the Dalai Lama who is due to make a keynote speech at the university in June. Almost immediately after the news was announced, the San Diego branch of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) protested, demanding a meeting with the university chancellor and claiming that it had already been in touch with the Chinese consulate. John Li, a UCSD student and key member of the CSSA maintained that they will not ask the chancellor to disinvite His Holiness. They will, however, urge him to “send out statements clarifying the content of Dalai Lama’s speech”, “make sure it has nothing to do with politics”, and “stop using words like ‘spiritual leader’ and ‘exile’”. They assert that the presence of His Holiness will contravene the university’s commitment to diversity Contact
and political correctness. In their statement, released on messaging app WeChat, the CSSA claimed that the invitation “contravened the spirit of respect, tolerance, equality and earnestness” so integral to the
university — rhetoric that reflects that of mainland China’s Communist Party. The Washington-based Tibet support group the International Campaign for Tibet lodged a complaint objecting to China’s interference with academic freedom in the United States. The University Chancellor has since made it clear that the Dalai Lama’s visit will take place, and has said that the Dalai Lama’s speech would be apolitical. 11
Dr Tsering Topgyal is a Tibetan native who received his master’s degree at UCSD and lived with Chinese students there in the early 2000s. He believes that inviting the Dalai Lama a decade ago would not have stirred up such controversy. “While many Chinese students would have felt discomfort privately, they were not as organised as they are today, or [as emboldened] on account of their country’s rise in the global hierarchy,” he said. China is increasingly trying to influence American educational institutes. Following these recent protests, for example, Global Times, a state-run Chinese newspaper, urged the University to correct the “misconception on the history of Tibet”. The CSSA represents students at dozens of universities, and its seemingly close links with the Chinese government could be taken as a sign that the country’s foothold in American universities is growing. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES Feb 18: Singer Banned Amchok Phuljung, the popular Tibetan singer who was released from jail earlier this month, has been told by the Chinese authorities that he is barred from leaving his home and from singing in public or releasing recordings of his music for one year. He has a lifetime ban on singing illegal or politically sensitive songs. Feb 16: Kun-ngoNarkyi Narkyi Ngawang Dhondup, 86, the Tibetan language and literature expert and the person who founded the modern Tibetan language typewriter, has died at his home in Delhi. Narkyi wrote the Narkyi Tibetan dictionary and the Charter of Tibetans in Exile as well as biographies of previous Dalai Lamas. He was a former Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations in the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Feb 15: Festival Security An overt police presence has been intimidating pilgrims during the Chotrul Monlam, a major religious festival at Kumbum Monastery in the Qinghai province in Tibet. Radio Free Asia reports that Chinese visitors are being allowed in to see the displays of butter sculptures without waiting, “while Tibetan pilgrims…have to wait in long lines”. Feb 13: Welcome Back! His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived home to his residence in Dharamshala after attending events in Delhi, Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Tibetans, devotees and locals welcomed him with traditional Tibetan scarves. Feb 12: Pilgrims Stopped Tibetans traveling by car to attend a large religious gathering at Kirti Monastry in Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture are being stopped at the border between Gansu and Sichuan. Radio Free Asia reported that pilgrims were told that no cars were allowed over the border Contact
Tibetan Headlines
and they should abandon their cars and proceed on foot. Feb 10: His Holiness Donates His Holiness the Dalai Lama has donated nearly INR 17 lakh (US$ 25,000 / £20,000) to an American homeless initiative and a children’s hospital, as well as to the Utah Tibet Foundation. This fund represents the proceeds from His Holiness’s visit last year to the University of Utah’s Huntsman Centre. Feb 10: Conference in EP The Office of Tibet Brussels held a conference in the European Parliament (EP), Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama: Why it Matters to China. The 60 participants included MEPs and politicians and was co-hosted by the European People’s Party, Socialists and Democrats, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, and the Greens/European Free Alliance. Feb 9: Forest Fire “Uncounted numbers” of wildlife and livestock were lost in a forest fire that escalated out of control for three days in Dzoge county in Ngaba prefecture. Hundreds of firefighters and volunteers battled to minimise the damage. No human casualties have been reported. The cause of the fire is unknown. Feb 7: Flags Banned Hun Sen, the Cambodian Prime Minister, has banned Tibetan and Taiwanese national flags in Cambodia to demonstrate its allegiance to China. “We shall not do anything that harms the sovereignty and independence of China because of Taiwan,” said Hun Sen. Feb 6: Prof Elliot Sperling Tributes are pouring in from all over the world for the noted American Tibetologist and human-rights activist Elliot Sperling, 66, who died recently in New York. A memorial was held at Norbu House in McLeod Ganj, jointly 12
organised by Amnye Machen, Tibetan Youth Congress, TibetWrites, Gu Chu Sum and Students For a Free Tibet. Feb 4: Cycling for Tibet A group of nearly 30 cyclists made a tour of Taipei to raise awareness of the Tibetan issue ahead of Tibetan National Uprising Day next month. They shouted slogans for a Free Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. They will cycle every Wednesday until March 10. The rally was organised jointly by Tibet support groups in Taiwan. Feb 4: Tibetan Councillor Dawa Rinchen, the current Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Officer, has been nominated as a Dharamshala Municipal Corporation Councillor - the first Tibetan councillor ever. Dawa is a member of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society and is known for playing a vital role in maintaining harmony between the two communities. Jan 26: Indian Republic Day Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile raised the Indian national flag and congratulated India on its 68th Republic Day anniversary. Greeting the people of India, Sikyong said, “India is a role model for the world in ensuring that economic development and democratic rights of the people are maintained on an equal footing.” He thanked the people and government of India for hosting Tibetans. Jan 18: Demolition Halted Demolition work at the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Sichuan has been temporarily halted for the winter. However, Radio Free Asia reports the destruction of monastic dwellings is scheduled to resume in April and is expected to be “more aggressive and widespread”. Thousands of monks and nuns have been expelled from the monastery. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
NEWS & ISSUES
International Headlines
Feb 17: HR Deterioration The Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD)’s annual report draws attention to a deterioration in human rights in China. CHRD is a coalition of Chinese and international rights groups; they say that China has moved further away from political openness and rule of law reform, with new laws specifically formulated to target human rights defenders. Feb 16: Eurovision Upheaval The team of people organising this year’s Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Ukraine has quit en masse saying their new boss “completely blocked” them from making decisions about the show. The European Broadcasting Union says the event will go ahead as planned in Kiev this May. Feb 15: Erratic Drivers In Iceland, police are stopping suspected drunk drivers only to find they are perfectly sober, but distracted by the spectacle of the northern lights. Police are warning tourists not to look at the northern lights while driving. Feb 14: Wearing Headscarves A row has broken out over the Swedish government’s decision that its female officials should wear headscarves during their trip to Iran last week to discuss trade. Not wearing a headscarf is to break the law in Iran. Sweden says its only other option would have been to send a male only team. Feb 13: Missile Tests Ballistic missile tests carried out by North Korea have been condemned worldwide. Korea is banned by the United Nations from carrying out missile tests. South Korea said it was an armed provocation to test the response of US President Donald Trump. Feb 10: Origin of Language The science research journal Nature Human Behaviour has published findings which show that orangutans combine purse-lipped, “consonantContact
like” calls or “kiss squeaks” to convey messages and this can help us understand the origin of human language.
Feb 9: China Blocks US China has blocked a United States move for the United Nations to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, the Pakistani who masterminded an attack on India in Pathankot, as a global terrorist. China blocked India’s attempt to get him banned by the UN two months ago. Feb 8: AI Report Amnesty International, the human rights pressure group, has published a new report which alleges that mass hangings took place every week at a Syrian prison between 2011 and 2015. Up to 13,000 executions took place and were authorised at the highest levels of the Syrian government. Feb 7: Child Abuse The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, which has conducted an inquiry in Australia, has found that 7% of the nation’s Catholic priests were allegedly abusing children between 1940 and 2010, with over 4,440 people claiming to have been abused. Feb 6: IS Suspects Detained 445 people have been detained in Turkey, suspected of links to Islamic State. Most are foreigners and nine were allegedly planning a terrorist attack. Raids were carried out in 18 provinces. This is in response to the recent IS shooting in an Istanbul nightclub which left 39 people dead. Feb 4: Attack Averted A single man wielding two machetes attempted to make an assumed terrorist attack in the Louvre museum in Paris but was prevented by security officers who shot and critically wounded him. He is believed to be a 29-year-old Egyptian who travelled to Paris from Dubai on a tourist visa. 13
Feb 3: Ukraine Emergency A humanitarian aid point in Avdiivka in Ukraine was hit during shelling in the current fighting. Ukrainian officials have warned of a possible major humanitarian crisis and declared a state of emergency. The fighting in eastern Ukraine is reported to be the worst for weeks. Feb 2: Vote Counting Votes in the Netherlands parliamentary elections next month will be counted by hand to avert the risk of hacking amid fears that software normally used to tally results may not be secure. This follows concerns about Russia’s alleged interference in the recent United States presidential election. Feb 1: Student Charged Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, a FrenchCanadian student has been charged over the fatal shooting of six Muslim worshippers at a mosque in Quebec, Canada on January 29. More than 50 people were in the mosque when he started shooting. Bissonnette was known for his far-right views. Jan 31: Auschwitz Remembered Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance has published online information about nearly 9,000 Nazi SS commanders and guards, nearly all German, who worked at AuschwitzBirkenau in German-occupied Poland during the second world war. The INR hopes to prove that Auschwitz, where nearly a million people died, was not a Polish-run camp. Jan 22: Global Protests Hundreds of thousands of protestors across the world, led in America by a “Women’s March on Washington”, have turned out in the streets to demonstrate against new United States President Donald Trump, supported by more than 600 rallies worldwide. In Washington, more people attended the rally than the President’s inaugural speech the previous day. JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
DHARAMSHALA VOICES by Jenny James Dolma Yangchen is an inspiration to Tibetan women everywhere. A campaigner and an activist, she has proven herself fearless in a man’s world, undaunted by bureaucracy and irrepressible in the face of reluctance. She is proud to have served her fellow Tibetans for 35 years. What drove her to step aside from a successful and well-paid career to put the needs of her community before her own? While at university in Bangalore, Yangchen found herself liaising between Tibetan students and university authorities. It led her to volunteer with a Tibetan rehabilitation programme organised through the Indian non-government organisation (NGO), MYRADA. The charity works to improve living conditions in rural, drought-prone areas of southern India and was set up by a retired Indian Army officer– a great friend to the Tibetan nation. The people she met at MYRADA became a lifelong influence, and despite the opportunity of a lucrative banking job, she happily accepted a permanent post with the NGO. Dolma Yangchen recalls liaising with government officials at the start of her career. “It was very much a man’s world,” she says, “but it was great experience and they were very willing to help Tibetans.” She established self-help groups in remote villages, promoting the idea that if women worked together they could achieve more. “Working alone, you only have one brain” says Yangchen, “in a group one can be more forceful and build confidence”. It changed lives; elderly visitors still call by to reminisce and thank her. In 1983 Yangchen married, and although she left MYRADA to work with her husband, she always made sure to keep close ties with communities she had worked with.
A Wise Woman
Then, in 1995, came the offer of a job as Project Officer at Lugsung Samdupling Tibetan settlement in Bylaguppe. It was another big decision for her – again with financial implications– but with her husband’s blessing, she took the post. Dolma Yangchen worked with the Tibetan farmers at Lugsung settlement for 14 years. Maize was their livelihood – one crop each year on their tiny holdings, and in this drought-prone region, if it failed, poverty took hold. Back then people’s hopes of returning to Tibet made them reluctant to invest too much in their livelihoods in India. “I remember my mother saying that planting a coconut tree was pointless, they would be gone before it bore fruit”, she recalls. Alongside other settlement officers, Yangchen worked tirelessly to set up a pilot irrigation system and despite setbacks, it was a huge success. The land produced bananas, other fruits, vegetables, chillies, ginger – crops that people had only dreamed of. The team went on to irrigate 75 acres of land in three years, introducing the first ever irrigation project in a Tibetan settlement that was powered by solar energy. Every expectation was exceeded. She was invited to join the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), later becoming a group leader for her local community and it was here she found a new battle to fight. “At least as many men as women came to the TWA meetings,” she says. “The women felt unable to leave their homes and farms and even if they did come, they would mostly drift off when it was time to milk the cows.” Yangchen realised that the prevailing mindset was that men were better in meetings and at campaigning.Women lacked confidence in their ability to contribute. “But you don’t need to be educated”, she insists, “what matters is that your heart is in it.”
It is a problem still ingrained in society, and while there are now educated women they are reluctant to take influential jobs because of home and family commitments. Negative perceptions of successful women persist. “This represents a big loss to the community,” she says. In 2001 Dolma Yangchen was elected President of her Regional TWA Chapter, serving two three year terms, and later a three year term as Central Executive member in Bylaguppe. She set about renovating the Regional TWA office and tailoring centre, and soon they opened a shop selling clothes and handicrafts. All this Yangchen did alongside her job at Lugsung Settlement as well as a very personal project she undertook with her husband: informal evening classes for local children. “People had to give priority to the daily needs of home and fields over education”, she says, “They needed the children to work with them on the land”. Despite having retired; in the face of negative attitudes and government red tape, Dolma Yangchen keeps on campaigning. When she was elected President of TWA, she knew that even three years up in “cold McLeod Ganj” could not deter her. Her husband is, as ever, entirely supportive, staying down south to take care of their business and home. Of the Tibetan situation, Yangchen still feels hopeful of returning. “It is up to the younger generation now,” she says. “Yes they go abroad, but this does not mean a loss of hope. They raise awareness in different countries where they settle, and as the Tibetan communities overseas grow, they are able to make new initiatives and campaign for Tibet around the world.” Dolma Yangchen speculates that maybe China will collapse. “Their own people want democracy,” she says. “Like everybody, they want peace and freedom. Many Chinese people are living and working across the world and experiencing democracy. If we are patient, sooner or later, the people of China will prevail in their own country.”
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/ Contact
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LHA NEWS AND PROJECTS We Need YOU!
Our support for the local community is only possible with the help of our generous sponsors and donors, and on behalf of all who benefit from our services we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks. Every donation is valued, however small. Your donation WILL make a difference to someone! If you or your organisation is interested in becoming a sponsor or donor, whether annually or as a one-off, please contact us with your questions and ideas on director@ lhasocialwork.org Lha Soup Kitchen: US $14,400 ($1,200 a month) The Soup Kitchen provides 50-60 healthy lunches daily for Tibetan refugees in need. Funds are needed to purchase food as well as to provide nutritional education workshops. Commercial Oven for the Lha Soup Kitchen: US $7,800 To be used for vocational training on preparing food and making pastries. Pastries made will be sold as a fundraising endeavour for Lha. Commercial Coffee Machine: US $47,00 To be used in vocational training programmes in making coffee. Coffee will be sold along with the pastries as a fundraising tool. Clean Water Programme: US $5,300 Annual maintenance and new filters for the 24 water filtration systems Lha has previously installed in both Tibetan and Indian communities throughout northern India. Clear Vision Programme: US $3,000 Provides free eye care and glasses for community members in need. Tibetan Smiles Programme: US $7,000 Provides free dental care for community members in need. Medical Assistance Programme (MAP) : US $4,000 Provides free medical care for community members in need. Solar Energy Programme: US $4,700 Provides a solar energy system for a school or monastery. Solar Powered Hot Water Programme: US $3,300 Sets up a solar powered hot water system for a school or monastery. The more of these grants we receive, the more institutions we can support.
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 Graham and Kristy Henderson from Canada tell us their story.
Volunteering With Young Children Volunteer Job at Lha:Transcriptions of teachings for the website and Contact writer
The children still talk about the Chinese government. At first, they asked why the Chinese government was so mean to the Tibetans, why didn’t they like Tibetans. As their understanding grew, they incorporated the story into their games. Sitting in our hotel room one night, they dressed up in “monk and nun costumes” and played Tibetan refugees. They sombrely hiked over the Himalaya, from Tibet to India -- it was cold. Then they were orphans who were forced to work in a restaurant to make ends meet. Our stay near to Mcleod Ganj lasted two months and over that period our family (myself, my wife our two children, aged four and six) learned a lot. We decided to stay in Himachal Pradesh because of its stunning beauty and Mcleod Ganj provides an excellent opportunity for immersion in cultural fusion, something we lack in rural Canada. In this remote part of India, one can find Indians from all over the country from Rajasthan to Kashmir; shepherds who have been walking these mountains for hundreds of years; travelers from all over the world and a large population of Tibetan refugees. This dynamic mix, and the volunteer opportunity we found with Lha, drew my wife and myself in; the kids were along for the ride. Our experience volunteering with Lha was fantastic. The flexibility and warmth of the organisation allowed for a schedule that we could make work. On a regular day, I’d go into the office for half the day
while Kristy stayed with the kids; then we’d switch. We’d often bring the kids into the office and they attended a couple of tutoring sessions. Seeing the office, and meeting people first hand, made the experience real for the kids; this wasn’t a story dad told or something on TV. They came to Saturday volunteers lunches at Ahimsa house,
experiencing the sense of community that goes along with a volunteer organisation. They saw people from all over the world coming together to help with a cause they find worthy. They also wrestled with the big questions we all do when we see systematic oppression and the destruction of culture up close. They are learning the true meaning of perseverance and courage. Our time in Mcleod Ganj was further enriched by attending the Dalai Lama’s teachings over the course of four days. Their exposure to the Tibetan Museum, the stories of cruelty and bravery surrounding Tibet’s struggle will have a lasting impact on our entire family. Our overall experience was rich and rewarding. Oh, and we had fun too. Graham and Kristy volunteered for two months in 2016.
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
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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
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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
JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
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
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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
JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
activities and information UPCOMING EVENTS Feb 27- Mar 1: Three days of Losar (Tibetan New Year) Mar 10: Tibetan National Uprising Day Mar 12 : Choe-trul Due-chen (Day of offferings) Mar 12- 14: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give teaching at Dharamshala
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
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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
JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
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 news phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,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
Kalachakra 2017:
kalachakra2017.net or www.kalachakra2017.org - Official website. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will confer Kalachakra Initiation at Bodh Gaya from January 3 - 14. The website provides information on facilities for the event including tents, medical and sanitation and registration.
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
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JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
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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#25
Mobile no: 988222502 - Surinder
Phone: (+91) 9979894585 Email: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com
Address: Jogiwara Road, Green View House after Youngling Schoo Mcleod Ganj, Opposite Pink House www.himalayanyogacentre.com / Email:surinderlala@yahoo.in
BLACK TENT CAFE
RINKU TAXI SERVICE
Best taxi & car rental services in Himachal, Tour Packages Free high-speed Wi-fi Pick-up & Drop-in to Airports, Rail station, Bus stop 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
Jogiwara Road (near post office), McLeod Ganj – Map #5
CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA
Opp. Club House, near Tourist Information Office Hotel Surya Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - Map#16 PHONE: (+91) 94186-87343, 98570-30707
www.rinkutaxihimachal.com
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 Tel: 98826-04215 • Everything washed with sterilized water • Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere & Japanese-style seating • Live music every Sunday - Map#6 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!”
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
DrYourMobile Shop Communication Partner
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
Nature Cure Health Club
Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #23 Mobile: 07833047078 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com,
Mobile Sales, Mobile Repair, Sim Cards, Purchase and Recharge Phone Service
18+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses &
Black Magic Building (underground), Jogiwara Road, Map #4 McLeod Ganj Phone: 9857011101 Contact
8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL
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treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more! JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
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Contact
21
JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
advertisements Map not to scale
Map of McLeod Ganj showing locations of places of interest
BHAGSU NAG
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
MAIN SQUARE
3
Cantt Police Post
23
4
20
1 Lha Main Bazaar
27
5
28
6
16
24
2
12
11
10
29 14
13
Road to Dharamshala
1. Lha Headquarters and Tibet Fair Trade 2. Namgyal Cafe (at Om Hotel) 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dr Mobile, Woeser Bakery 5. Black Tent Cafe 6. Carpe Diem Restaurant 10. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture 12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 13. Ahimsa House and 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. Marleen’s Thankas & Gifts 29. Dorjee Spa
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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#4
Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 3)
NEED A DENTIST?
To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj
For all your dental requirements under one roof, in a sterile and state of the art clinic
Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #10 Call: 09218742046 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com
Tibetan Buddhist Walking Guide
New to the town? Local guide at Mcleod Ganj /Dharamshala. I can tour you around Mcleod Ganj, Gangkyi, Library, Norbulingka, sight-seeing etc Can speak Tibetan, English, Hindi and Nepali
Name : Dawa Tsering /Mobile no: 8352868671
Contact
22
Lhamo’s Croissant
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
JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
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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 #28 Email: thankas_inn@yahoo.com
May all beings be happy.
HOTEL D’S CASA Club House Road, Near Liaison Office, Mcleodgan, Himachal Pradesh 176219
D’s CASA
McLeodganj
Jai Guru Ji
Tel: +91-9857118523 / 9857118380 Email:dscaste;1234@gmail.com :dscasa6@gmail.com Web: www.dscastle.com
Tour & Travel (A Complete Travel House)
Mobile: 98058-75922 93186-75922 98163-68680
Contact for: All types of Transportation Trekking, Paragliding, Hotels etc ... Address: Club House Road, Mcleodganj, H.P -176219
To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj
བོད་རྒྱལ་ལོ་་༢༡༤༤རབ་གནས་མེ ་ བྱ་ལོའི ་ གནམ་ལོ་གསར་ཚེ ས ་ལ་ འཚམས་འདྲིའི་བཀྲིས་བདེ་ལེགས་ཞུ་རྒྱུ་དང་འབྲེལ་ལོ་གསར་དགའ་སྐྱིད་དཔལ་ ལ་རོལ་ཞིང་། ལོ་གསར་པའི་ནང་ཚེ་བསོད་རླུང་རྟ་དར་ཞིང་སྐུ་གཟུགས་གསལ་ ཐང་ངང་བྱ་གཞག་ཐམས་ཅད་ལེགས་གྲུབ་ཡོང་བའི་སྨོན་ལམ་གྲངས་མེད་ཞུ།
Lha Charitable Trust and the Contact team wish you a very happy LOSAR (Tibetan New Year). May the Fire-Bird year of 2144 bring you prosperity and peace. Tashi Delek!
Contact
23
JAN 1 - FEB 21, 2017
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
SHREE HARI YOGA SCHOOL Website:- www.shreehariyoga.com Email:- hariji@shreehariyoga.com Contact:- +91 835 106 8174/ or whatsapp Address:- Under Unity Bistro VPO Upper Bhagasu, kangra, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219 Upcoming 200 hrs YTTC Batches 10th Apr -6th May 2017 8th May -3rd Jun 2017 5th Jun - 1st Jul 2017 3rd Jul -29th Jul 2017 31st Jul - 26th Aug 2017 28th Aug - 23rd Sep 2017
300 Hours YTTC 3rd Apr - 7th May 2017 10th May -13th June 2017 19th Jun - 23rd Jul 2017 31st Jul - 3rd Sep 2017 11th Sep - 15th Oct 2017 23rd Oct - 26th Nov 2017
DAILY YOGA CLASS TIMINGS IN UPPER BHAGSU
9 am - 10:30 am : Traditional Hatha Yoga 10:45 am -12 pm : Yoga For Beginners 1 pm - 2:30 pm : Traditional Hatha Yoga 4 pm - 5:30 pm : Ashtanga Yoga Mysore 6 pm - 7:30 pm : Yin Yoga
Lha Tibet Fair Trade 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 Dorji Kyi Circulation Manager Lobsang Rabsel Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web: www.lhasocialwork.org www.contactmagazine.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: @ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com