Contact January 2016

འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

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Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XVIII Issue: 1 31 january 2016

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The New Normal In Tibet

China’s List of Living Buddhas

by Sam Ferguson China’s controversial surveillance campaign, Benefit the Masses, will continue indefinitely in all villages within the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).

In a report this month by Human Rights Watch (HRW), a New York based human rights group, China director

by Rohini Kejriwal China’s position on “Living Buddhas” or reincarnations of a Rinpoche or tulku - a monk who has gone through the confirmation process involving religious rituals, traditional conventions and government approval - has been causing controversy.

Continued on page 3

Continued on page 4

Language Ban Causes Outrage

Snow Leopards Under Threat

by Sam Ferguson A Chinese owned hotel has been shut down by authorities in Rebgong county, Qinghai Province, after a storm of online protest by local Tibetans. The outcry was sparked by a rule banning the Tibetan language in the workplace.

According to exiled Tibetan writer, Lobsang Choejor, workers faced a 500 yuan ($75 or £52) fine for non Continued on page 5

by Tenzin Samten Four poachers have been caught by Tibetan villagers who were assigned to guard wildlife in Dzoege County in Ngaba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.

This incident on January 9 was followed by another, reported on January 12, that five more Chinese nationals were taken into custody for alleged poaching near Hetita Continued on page 7

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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 16 years.

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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 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.

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news & issues

The New Normal In Tibet Continued from page 1

Sophie Richardson described the campaign as “nothing less than a continuous human rights violation”.

The surveillance began in 2011 when 21,000 communist cadres were sent to live in teams of four or more in every village within the TAR. Originally, the campaign was due to end in 2014.

Chen Quanguo, Party Leader of the TAR, described the team’s priority as

turning each village into “a fortress” in “the struggle against separatism”.

This was achieved by construction of communist party buildings in each village. Using the slogan All villages

become a fortress, and everyone is a watchman, local organisations and security schemes were established to gather information about the villagers.

Additional measures included political and ideological re-education for villagers. According to HRW, the original campaign cost more than 25% of the regional government’s budget.

The teams also act as dispute mediators, settling any disputes among villagers or families to lessen the chances of escalation. Another objective is to prevent Tibetans from petitioning higher level officials.

Despite the original 2014 end date of the surveillance campaign, the departure of a “fifth batch” of cadres was announced in November 2015 at a meeting to assign outstanding and progressive village and monasterybased cadres.

Sophie Richardson said “China’s surveillance scheme openly and massively infringes upon the basic rights of Tibetans protected under

Chinese and international law.”

Richardson urged China to end the scheme immediately.

Separate reports from official media detail construction plans in TAR villages. Over 32,000 buildings will be constructed by the end of 2016. The buildings will be used by the cadres

as offices and accommodation. Each village will receive on average six new buildings. This is the largest and most expensive construction project of its kind in the TAR, with costs running to 5.265 billion yuan (US$810 million or £573 million), with drastic changes planned for villages in the TAR.

New Regulations to Preserve Water in Tibet

by Dorji Kyi Authorities in the Tibet Autonomous Region have introduced ten new regulations to conserve local water resources and water ecosystems.

According to the Chinese news website .xinhuanet.com, these new regulations aim to strengthen control over pollutant discharge, manage water resources and develop new technologies to preserve water. They say that drinking water quality in major cities in the region is expected to meet national standards in 2020, and the ecosystems of local lakes, rivers and wetlands will be improved.

The Tibetan Plateau is often referred to as The Third Pole and The Water Tower of Asia: its mountains and glaciers are the sources of major rivers in ten downstream nations. Apart from the South Pole and North Pole, Tibet holds the largest ice mass on earth. According to studies by the United Nations and Contact

several prominent global environmental organisations, almost half of the world’s population depends on the watersheds of

rivers originating in Tibet.

Recent studies – including several by the Chinese Academy of Sciences – have documented serious environmental challenges to the quantity and quality of Tibet’s freshwater reserves, most of them caused by climate change and human activities. The Tibetan Plateau is warming at about three times the global average, causing glaciers to recede at 3

a rate faster than anywhere else in the world; this will impact on the provision of water to people living downstream.

In addition, an estimated 70 percent of China’s rivers are polluted, leaving an estimated 300 million people with limited access to clean water. The US$ 81 billion South-North Water Transfer Project is one effort to address the challenges ahead but there have been criticisms of this project.

Another approach is the manufacturing of bottled water.

China has become the world’s largest bottled water consumer and a major producer in the last two decades.

Tibet is perceived as a clean and pure source of water, precipitating an influx of Chinese companies cashing in on the region’s water resources. The provincial government in Tibet had approved licenses for 28 companies to produce bottled water by the end of 2014.

JANUARY 2016

news & issues

China’s List of Living Buddhas Continued from page 1

To “help Buddhist followers to distinguish between real and fake lamas or tulkus”, China published an official online list of state-approved “Authentic Tibetan Buddhist Lamas” in China on January 18. Senior Communist Party official Zhu Weiqun explained this move, saying that “some fake Rinpoches have posed threats to national security as they use money they collect to sponsor illegal

government to control what happens after this Dalai Lama,” said Nicholas Bequelin of Amnesty International.

It is also being seen as a way to consolidate State control of future

Gedun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama Mr Zhu Weiqun, the Chairman of Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs of China

or even separatist activities in Tibet.”

With this in mind, Beijing released the names, photographs and locations of 870 “verified” Buddhas on the website of the State Administration for Religious Affairs.

Drukhang Thubten Khedrup, one of the 870 “Living Buddhas”, has given his approval to this system. “As a living Buddha, I feel genuinely happy about it,” he is quoted to have said.

But this spiritual cataloguing has not been received well by Tibetans in exile or the world at large, which

religious appointments, including that of the next Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.

According to Tibetan Buddhism, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th and current Dalai Lama, is a reincarnation of a past lama who decided to be reborn again to continue his work. He has been based in India since fleeing Tibet after the unsuccessful 1959 uprising.

Zhu has also said that “Whoever has the name of Dalai Lama will

Gyaltsen Norbu, the Chinese appointed 11th Panchen Lama

Drukhang Thubten Khedrup Photo: Getty Images

views it as a way to further tighten Chinese control of Tibetan affairs.

“This living Buddha database and the whole policy toward reincarnation is clearly a pre-emptive move by the Contact

control political power in Tibet.” This confirms the belief that Beijing sees the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a key to control Tibet.

China’s wish to control Tibet through control of its religious figureheads is illustrated by their actions regarding the Panchen Lama, the second most senior religious leader in Tibetan Buddhism. The Chinese government has denounced Gedun 4

Choekyi Nyima, who was recognised as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama following the traditional and religious procedure of appointing a reincarnation. The Chinese government abducted the boy at the age of six and in his place chose and appointed Gyaltsen Norbu, now known as the Chinese Panchen Lama, who is seen in the Tibetan world as a puppet in the State’s hands.

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), a pro-Tibet student campaigning group, mocked China’s list by carrying out a street protest in Dharamshala. SFT set up a pseudo enrolment booth where activists wore Chinese President Xi Jinping masks and held a list of

SFT’s campaign against the “Living Buddha List” Photo: SFT Facebook

conditions for enrolment, including “Anti-Dalai Lama”, “Pro-Chinese Communist Party”, and “Don’t even need to be a Buddhist”.

“The Chinese government may have claimed to eradicate the fake lamas. However, we see it as a politically motivated step to intervene with the reincarnation selection of the 14th Dalai Lama. This is a gross violation of religious freedom and a perverse interference in Tibetan Buddhism,” said Dorjee Tseten, SFT’s Asia Director.

SFT also organised a signature petition against the “Living Buddha list”, which will be sent to the respective offices of China and their Embassies. “China has no right in publishing such a list,” concludes Tenzin Tselha, SFT National Director (India).

JANUARY 2016

news

& issues

Language Ban Causes Outrage Continued from page 1

compliance, and even risked losing their jobs. Choejor added that such activities endangered minority identities and should be curbed. He also appealed for a boycott of the hotel. Choejor explained that the act of banning a minority language is a breach of the Chinese constitution.

Local authorities were quick to shut down the Chinese owned Shang Yon Hotel after complaints were issued on social media, according to sources on the WeChat platform. WeChat is a mobile text and voice messaging service widely used in China, where restrictions exist on other social media platforms.

The hotel has issued a public apology to the Tibetan community, admitting that its actions breached the cultural privileges guaranteed by China’s policy on minority nationality

groups.

The protest drew support from China’s Han majority. One internet user said “Tibetans should have the right to speak their own language, and

Shang Yon hotel in Rebgong, closed by the authorities Photo: TPI

this right should be protected”. Using the online name Shanshen Pelyun, the writer continued, “Whoever promoted this policy of using only Chinese should be held accountable for

violating human rights and damaging ethnic unity.”

Han Chinese residents of Qinghai province also voiced their support for the Shang Yon workers. Liu Benqi, a Han local, said “It is not too much to ask for ethnic groups to have equal rights and the freedom to use their own languages”, adding, “I don’t support the policy of promoting Mandarin Chinese [in ethnic minority areas]”.

Rebgong has already seen protest against the eroding traditions of Tibetan culture under Chinese rule.

In November 2012, thousands of students protested, demanding greater rights in Rebgong including the freedom to study in Tibetan. However, groups formed to promote the study and speaking of the Tibetan language have since been banned in Rebgong due to Chinese concerns over security issues.

Equal Status for Tibetan? Update on the Language Ban Story

by Dorji Kyi Radio Free Asia (RFA) has reported that the Tibetan and Chinese languages will now be given equal status in Rebgong (in Chinese, Tongren) county in Qinghai’s Malho (Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. This government action follows the storm of protest which erupted earlier this month when the Shang Yon hotel in Rebgong banned Tibetan workers from speaking their native tongue while at work.

RFA have obtained a copy of a directive sent by the Chinese authorities in Rebgong county to government offices, schools, and state-owned businesses on January 11, instructing them to use both Tibetan and Chinese on official seals, signboards, letterhead, and other forms of

communication. The Tibetan language will be given prominence in some cases, for example when used on a signboard or official letter. The directive also instructs people to print Tibetan and Chinese

characters in the same size. However, it was not clear whether this new directive applies to private businesses or shops.

The Shang Yon hotel, which was

closed by the authorities following the protest, has apologised publicly, admitting that its actions had breached cultural privileges guaranteed by China’s policy on minority nationality groups.

Since the Chinese invasion of Tibet, Tibetans have been complaining about suppression of their religious, linguistic and cultural traditions, and language rights have become a focal point of campaigns. Tibetans regularly take to the streets in their thousands to demand improved rights, including the right to use Tibetan instead of Mandarin Chinese as their language of instruction in the schools. In recent years campaigning groups have promoted the study and speaking of Tibetan inside Tibet and in the exile Tibetan community.

March 20, 2016 is the election for Sikyong, leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, and members of the Parliament.

Campaigning is in full swing, building up to the elections! Keep up to date at our Election 2016 page: http://www.contactmagazine.net/category/election-2016/ Contact

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JANUARY 2016

news & issues

Reuters Exposes World-Wide Chinese Propaganda

by Rohini Kejriwal and corporations are permitted to hold agreements.

Radio transmissions with a pro-China up to 20 percent ownership directly in Reuter’s ground-breaking report slant are being sent out around the a station and up to 25 percent in the has revealed the existence of a possible world, backed by the Chinese state- US parent corporation of a station. covert radio network, claimed by the run broadcasting company China Interestingly, at WCRW, Beijing outlet as broadcasting “China-friendly Radio International (CRI) – a little- holds a direct financial interest in the news and programming” in more than seen power behind a global web of Washington station’s broadcasts. In a dozen American cities, including radio stations.

Boston, Houston, fact, records show a Beijing-based Philadelphia, In America, the Chinese subsidiary of the Chinese state- San Francisco and Washington, government controls a DC. Moreover, the majority of the content radio web is run by broadcast on WCRW, Chinese expatriate which is located outside businessmen, who are Washington DC and is CRI’s local partners. one of a growing number They run companies in of stations across the the host countries and world through which lease airtime or own Beijing is broadcasting stakes in the stations.

China-friendly news and The Reuters report programming.Reuters says that the 33 radio say in their report “The stations backed by CRI Chinese government broadcast in English, controls much of the Chinese or local content broadcast on a languages and offer a Chinese state-run China Radio International is the power behind a global web of radio stations station that is blanketing mix of news, music and Photo: Reuters the US capital with procultural programmes.

Beijing programming.” owned radio broadcaster owns 60% Newscasts are peppered with stories A Reuters investigation spanning of an American company that leases highlighting China’s development, four continents has identified at least almost all of the station’s airtime. The such as its space programme, and its 33 radio stations in 14 countries company, along with other subsidiaries contribution to humanitarian causes, that are part of a global radio web in the US, is being investigated by including earthquake relief in Nepal. structured in a way that obscures its the Justice Department and the FCC “We are not the evil empire that majority shareholder: CRI. Many for possible violations of foreign some Western media portray us to be. of these stations mainly broadcast ownership laws. Public records show content created or supplied by CRI that CRI’s US Chinese-American or by subsidiary media companies business partner and its companies that it controls in the United States of have not registered as foreign agents America, Australia and Europe. under the law, called the Foreign Chinese State-run media properties Agents Registration Act, or FARA. such as Xinhua are well-known To report this story, 39 Reuters for their propaganda. However, reporters pulled corporate and American officials charged with regulatory filings in 26 countries monitoring foreign media ownership to identify a web of radio stations and propaganda said that they were connected to three Chinese expatriates Al Jazeera’s New York newsroom opened in 2013 unaware of the Chinese-controlled and the CRI. The reporters monitored Photo:Reuters radio operation inside the US until broadcasts in many of these countries, Reuters contacted them. programming distributed primarily in Western media reports about China A United States law enforced by the English and Chinese, but also in local are too negative. We just want to Federal Communications Commission languages, including Thai, Italian improve our international image. It’s (FCC) prohibits foreign governments and Turkish. In the US, reporters self-protection,” said a person close or their representatives from holding reviewed scores of regulatory, zoning, to the Communist Party leadership in a radio license for a US broadcast property, tax, immigration and Beijing who is familiar with the CRI station. Under the Communications corporate records, including radio network.

Act foreign individuals, governments station purchase contracts and lease Contact

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JANUARY 2016

news & issues

Snow Leopards Under Threat endangered wild animals. Police are still investigating the case. village in Qinghai’s Tsonub Mongol The Tibetan Plateau, also known and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is Radio Free Asia (RFA) has home to more than 70 protected reported that the four Chinese wild animals and home to poachers caught in Dzoege world’s largest population of County were immediately snow leopards. handed over to local officials.

China is one of the world’s RFA’s source said “Tibetans largest consumers of wildlife confiscated two rifles and a products, especially snow jeep, along with the carcasses leopards which are highly of 12 animals the poachers had prized for their fur. In addition, hunted.” According to photos their bones and other body parts circulated on Weibo, a Chinese are reportedly used in making microblogging service, the animals killed in the protected Hunting gear and animal carcasses seized from poacher shown in traditional Asian medicines.

Experts say that despite region included musk deer, a screen grab from Weibo China’s central government wild sheep, wolves and rabbits. urging protection of the vulnerable one golden eagle, both top on the The detention of the poachers was environment of the Tibetan plateau, country’s protection list.

Police also later confirmed by the provincial exploitation continues at a local level. seized the bodies of six bharals, six government website of Sichuan goitred gazelles and three argali Xinhua stated that under Chinese province.

Xinhua, the Chinese government sheep from the detainees’ houses, law, a person convicted of poaching controlled news agency, reported these are also protected species. or killing endangered animals can that another five Chinese nationals The report also stated that the five receive a life sentence. were arrested in a separate incident men have confessed to poaching in Qinghai’s Tsonub Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture for killing two snow leopards and

Continued from page 1

Health Check for His Holiness

by Meghna Prakash His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Dharamshala for the United States on January 19 in order to undergo prostate treatment and a medical checkup.

He is being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and is expected to make a full recovery.

A Mayo spokeswoman said in a statement, “His physicians report no major concerns, and anticipate he will respond well to treatment and make a full recovery. He is being treated for a prostate condition that is common for men of his age”.

His Holiness has been visiting the Mayo Clinic for an annual health check-up for the past nine years. In September last year he cancelled a series of appearances Contact

for his trip to the United States, on recommendation of rest by doctors at the clinic.

The Dalai Lama made a statement that the first day in hospital would merely be

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

a complete health check-up followed by any treatment the doctors deem necessary.

He told reporters at Dharamshala airport, 7

“if they find any problems, they can carry out the treatment”. However, apart from a significant swelling in the right eye, he stated that he has no specific health complaints. He was accompanied to the airport by the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay.

Following his check-up at the Mayo, His Holiness is scheduled to meet scientists fromWisconsinUniversity.He will return during the second week of March to continue his regular engagement schedule.

His representative in New Delhi, Mr Tempa Tsering, stated that His Holiness is in excellent health and has recently finished a month long teaching of Buddhist practices in the Tibetan settlements of Bylakuppe, South India.

JANUARY 2016

news & issues

Celebrating 80 Years

by Vanshika Tripathi His Holiness the Dalai Lama was honoured with an event “Celebrating His Holiness”, India’s celebration of His Holiness’s 80th birthday which fell in July last year.The event was

held at the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi on January 4, the earliest that it could be organised due to His Holiness’s very demanding schedule.

During his birthday celebration, His Holiness greeted the audience saying, “Some of you are among my oldest friends. I have spent the major portion of my life in India. Under difficult circumstances I have really come to value India’s freedom and I appreciate your warm feelings towards me.”

His Holiness emphasised the importance of dialogue as a means to resolve conflict. He additionally denounced religious violence, stating, “killing in the name of religion and in national interest is unthinkable… we should solve conflicts through talks and respect other peoples’ interests.” His Holiness said that India is an example of a country in which religious harmony exists between many different faiths. “India should take a more active role to show that different religions can survive together,” he said.

The event drew people from many Indian spheres, including politicians, scholars, diplomats and leading lawyers as well as Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi and actor Sharmila Tagore.

Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, spoke about His Holiness during the celebration, saying, “My encounters with him have always left me more at peace with my life […] Ours is a land of rishis and he is one of them, helping guide the country on a righteous path.

In these turbulent times, he teaches us

to combine our spiritual values with our use of science and technology for material development. I can only pray that he lives long so the people

His Holiness was presented the National Emblem of India Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

of India, of Asia and the world may benefit from his blessings.” Dr Singh later went on to present His Holiness with the National Emblem of India, with its four lions signifying power, courage, pride, and confidence.

The classical Sarod virtuoso Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, with his two sons, also graced this celebration and dedicated a musical performance to His Holiness.

Tibetans Pray for The Dalai Lama’s Health

by Tenzin Samten The news of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Mayor Clinic, Rochester, in the United States, has worried Tibetans and His Holiness’s followers worldwide.

According to pictures and information circulating on social media platforms, Tibetans inside Tibet have defied Chinese directives and openly displayed their devotion and loyalty to their leader by holding mass prayers for his health.

A huge crowd of Tibetans, including nuns and monks, gathered in front of a monastery in Tehor region in Kham province to pray for His Holiness’s speedy recovery, and a large portrait of the Dalai Lama was placed at the monastery entrance, reported Phayul.

His Holiness is undergoing prostate treatment in the US. Under the initiation of the Department Contact

of Home and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration(CTA), Tibetans in exile have also started mass prayers.

On January 27, thousands of Tibetans

Tibetans praying for His Holiness Photo: tibet.net

residing in Dharamshala gathered at Tsugla-Khang, the main temple, to pray for His Holiness’s health. Tibetans from all walks of life gathered there with the staff of the CTA. Sikyong (Tibetan Prime Minister) Lobsang Sangay, 8

while addressing the prayer service, urged Tibetans to be calm and not to be panicked at the news of His Holiness’s treatment. tibet.net, the CTA’s website, quoted Lobsang Sangay as saying “there are no major concerns with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s health and he will fully recover after treatment. This has been confirmed by His Holiness himself as well as the doctors who are looking after His Holiness”.

He also assured the public that his office is in constant touch with the Mayo Clinic. “Therefore, I urge Tibetans inside and outside Tibet to remain calm and not to worry,” added Dr Sangay. dalailama.com, the official website of His Holiness, has published a notice that he will resume his regular engagements from March following a month’s rest.

JANUARY 2016

news & issues

Visit by US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues

by Tenzin Samten United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Sarah Sewall, accompanied by an eight-member US delegation has visited Dharamshala to discuss issues important to the Tibetan refugee community living there.

The two-day official visit reached Dharamshala on January 15. Sarah

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay with Sarah Sewall at Gaggal airport Photo: tibet.net

Sewall and her team were welcomed at Kangra airport by members of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA): Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, Secretary of the Kashag(Cabinet), Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations and Ngodup Dorjee, Secretary of Social and

by Dorji Kyi A new website which aims to strengthen Tibetan communities in Europe, The Future of Tibet, www.future-of-tibet.org, was launched on January13. As well as strengthening Tibetan communities in Europe, the website aims to build up the ongoing Tibet movement and its activities in Europe. It was created by two members of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, Ven Thubten Wangchen and Mr Wangpo Tethong.

A feature of the website is a petition addressed to the Kashag and the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) regarding the need to build a Tibetan community in the west that can meet the challenges of the 21st century. The core objective of this petition is to preserve Tibetan culture and its identity as a community, and the petition urges the CTA to take responsibility for Contact

Resource Development, together with other CTA representatives.

Regarding her visit to Dharamshala, the US State Department issued a press release saying, “Under Secretary Sewall, in her role as Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues, travels to India and meets Tibetans from all walks of life to discuss ways to preserve Tibetan culture and promote educational opportunities for all Tibetans.”

During her two-day visit, Ms Sewall held a meeting with the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile, Dr Lobsang Sangay, and received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She also met individuals and representatives of various Tibetan non-government organisations to learn about issues relating to the Tibetan community such as gender equality, women’s empowerment and the role of Tibetan youngsters in the Tibetan struggle.

Members of the delegation also visited Upper Tibetan Children’s Village school and interacted there with staff and students.

Before coming to Dharamshala, Ms

The Future of Tibet

the preservation of Tibetan culture in the west and develop policies to further this aim.To achieve these aims, the petition is calling for a combined effort of young

Chitues Ven Thubten Wangchen and Wangpo Tethong Photo: Screen Grab

people, parents and Tibetan communities in the west,in addition to more leadership from the CTA. The petition draws attention to the need for Tibetan community centres including temples, and suggests a 9

Sewall led the US delegation to the US-India Global Issues Forum in New Delhi to review and expand areas of regional and global cooperation. She also met civil society representatives to strengthen cooperation around

Sarah Sewall, US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights arriving at New Delhi Photo: Reuters

mutual interests, including countering violent extremism, religious freedom, people-trafficking and transparency and governance.

Sarah Sewall is the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights and the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. This is her second visit since her appointment to the post on February 20, 2014.

combination of training/courses, restaurants/entertainment, exchanges on business opportunities/skills, libraries, meeting rooms and offices, which could all play an important role in keeping the Tibetan community together.

Speaking to Voice of America, Chitue Ven Thupten Wangchen said: “We are not asking for full financial support from the CTA but their contribution will clearly show their support for this initiative and that will mean a lot to us.

Even with a community hall, we can do a lot of activities to preserve and cultivate Tibetan culture and religion in Europe.

More than 30,000 Tibetans have migrated to the west, changing the balance of the Tibetan exile community within a few years. This is a challenge as well as a huge potential for building a strong Tibetan community in the west.

JANUARY 2016

news

& issues Shideling Monastery Renovation

by Tsering Wangdue A 1,200-year-old monastery in Lhasa is to be restored to its original layout and style.

Shideling Monastery was once an important monastery located in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, under the Regent Reting Rinpoche. It was destroyed and

This photo shows Shideling monastery in 1940s before the ruins Photo: High Peaks Pure Earth

looted during the invasion of Tibet in the 1950s and again during the Cultural Revolution in the 1980s. It is now to be repaired and restored by the Chinese government at a cost of $2.28 million (£1.6 million).

Xinhua, the Chinese state-run news agency, has reported that the work will be outsourced to a specialist local architectural company and that the restoration will be based on old

photographs. A specialist will be assigned to protect the wall paintings during the repair. An official of the region’s Cultural Relics Bureau is quoted as saying that the work is expected to start at the end of March this year.

The Shideling monastery was founded in the ninth century and later renovated and expanded by the second Reting Rinpoche in the 18th century.

It became one of the main residencies of successive Reting Rinpoches in Lhasa until the death of the fifth Reting Rinpoche in 1947.

Chinese Communist Party propaganda has claimed that the monastery was damaged and burnt down during a political dispute between Reting Rinpoche and Taktra Rinpoche [who took over the Regent’s position in 1941] over political and religious affairs in the wake of the death of the 13th Dalai Lama and before what the Chinese call their “Peaceful liberation of Tibet”.

Tsering Woeser, the influential Tibetan activist, blogger, poet and essayist in China, has revealed in her blog [translated

by High Peaks Pure Earth] that historical events show how Shideling monastery was turned into a battle ground by the

Chinese red guards during the Chinese invasion of Lhasa in 1959. She quotes a well-known ethnologist who is a former student red guard from the 1960’s and who has said that Shideling became a battleground where hand grenades and

This photo of Shideling monastery was taken in 2012 Photo:High Peaks Pure Earth

machine gun bullets reduced the fivestorey Buddhist palace to a ruin. He said he saw monks arrested or murdered and empty rooms there occupied by the People’s Liberation Army.

Shideling monastery was one of thousands of monasteries destroyed and looted during the Cultural Revolution, which came after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Many have since been renovated voluntarily by the general public and devotees of Tibetan Buddhism, but many remain destroyed.

Tibetan Writers Meeting

by Tenzin Samten The Tibetan Writers Abroad PEN Centre held its fifth International PEN Tibet conference in Dharamshala to discuss writings from Tibet, the freedom of Tibetan writers inside Tibet and writings of Tibetans in general. The two day conference, held from January 9, was attended by around 50 aspiring writers and researchers including members of Tibetan Writers Abroad. The chief guests were Tashi Tsering, Director of Amnye Machen Research Centre, and Thupten Samphel, Director of the Central Tibetan Administration’s Tibet’s (CTA) Policy Institute.

Tashi Tsering addressed the gathering by speaking about the challenges and difficulties faced by Tibetan writers in the early days Contact

of exile life, with authors being pressurised by both the community and the government. He urged the

members of PEN to research the work and current circumstances of writers inside Tibet.

The CTA Policy Institute’s director Thupten Samphel spoke on making writing an integral part of Tibet’s struggle; he reiterated the saying “The pen is mightier than the sword” and said “Tibet’s struggle is a non-violent 10

struggle and we often debate about whether a pen is mightier or sword.

So to make the pen the mightiest, it is the responsibility of all writers.”

To coincide with the gathering, PEN published a report on imprisoned Tibetan writers which documents the works of those currently serving prison terms. The members of PEN then read works of literature in the form of songs, poems and writings written by writers who are currently in prison to honour and remember them.

The Tibetan Writers Abroad PEN Centre was founded in 1999 in Dharamshala. The members meet every third year and also elect their new executive members for the term.

Currently, it has 68 members.

JANUARY 2016

news & issues

Taiwanese Election Result Sends a Strong Message

by Sam Ferguson Tsai Ing-wen has been elected President of Taiwan following a significant victory for her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The DPP are a pro-independence party. The ousted Kuomintang (KMT) Party favour stronger ties with mainland China and commentators have suggested that this election result may spell the end of China’s hopes for reunification with Taiwan by means other than war. Taiwan has been independent from China since 1949.

China views eventual reunification as the basis for any future negotiations and has continued to threaten invasion despite outgoing President Ma Yingjeou’s efforts to strengthen relations with the mainland.

In response, Tsai Ing-wen has stated categorically that the basis of Taiwan’s relationship with China will be the will of the Taiwanese people, saying “I also want to emphasise that both sides of the Taiwanese Strait

have a responsibility to find mutually acceptable means of interaction that are based on dignity and reciprocity…

We must ensure that no provocations or accidents take place”.

Chinese Facebook users have defied the “Great Firewall of China”, which blocks use of the social media

Ms Tsai Ing-wen, the newly elected President of Taiwan

website, to troll the newly elected Tsai Ing-wen with vicious messages.

According to reports, Chinese authorities have blocked Tsai Ingwen’s account on Sina Weibo, which

is the Chinese version of Twitter.

Searches for Tsai Ing-wen’s name on Weibo, China’s biggest search engine, have also been blocked.

The Taiwanese election result has been celebrated by the Tibetan community in exile. The International Tibet Network Coordinator, Tenzin Jigdal, said “This is once again a victory for the people of Taiwan.

As a comparatively young country and a democracy, Taiwan continues to remain a significant example and the victory today delivers a strong message to its neighbouring nations”.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who met Tsai Ing-wen in 2009, spoke of his happiness at the result, saying “It is indeed encouraging to see how firmly rooted democracy has become in Taiwan. It is a model and source of inspiration to those who aspire for freedom and accountable leadership.

As someone dedicated to promoting democracy, I salute what the people of Taiwan have accomplished”.

Soldier of Peace

by Tom Hayes A comic book, Dalai Lama- The soldier of peace, which chronicles the story of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, has been launched. The book has been available since late 2013 in English and has now been published in Tibetan for the first time. The launch took place at Hotel Tibet in Dharamshala on January 1.

The book was written by Mr Vijay Kranti, a journalist who has published several books on Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama - The soldier of peace tells the story of how His Holiness escaped from Tibet and how monks found him and recognised him as the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, as well as how the country was occupied by the Chinese.

Pema Chhinjor, Tibetan Minister of Religion and Culture (Kalon), speaking at the launch said that young Tibetan people spread throughout Contact

many different countries would find this book a great benefit. He added that Mr Kranti is planning to use money raised from the sale of 4,000

Vijay Kranti poses with the comic book Photo: Tibet Sun

copies of the comic to donate to the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) in recognition of their assistance with the translation of the book, and to support the organisation.

Referring to the TYC, Mr Vijay said, “People may hold some reservation 11

against the organisation. I believe TYC is among the most genuine and committed organisation for the Tibetan cause. It is also the most patriotic as well. TYC is an organisation which deserves support not just from the exile Tibetan community but from the whole world”.

The book is dedicated to the 1.2 million Tibetans who have been killed since the Chinese invasion in 1959, and to the people who have helped the Tibetan cause since. In a conference held in Delhi in December last year at the Tibetan Colony, Majnu-kaTilla, Mr Kranti said the comic book is “Simply a story book, to communicate their case, their story in a very convincing and simple manner to the rest of the world.”

Vijay Kranti plans on releasing a second installment, leading on from where Dalai Lama - The soldier of peace finishes.

JANUARY 2016

news & ISSUES

Tibetan Headlines Jan 29: Worst Place Tibet is at the bottom of the Freedom House annual Freedom in the World Report which assesses levels of political freedoms and civil liberties.

Only Syria comes below Tibet as the “worst of the worst” places in the world. Tibet scored seven, the lowest score, for both political rights and civil liberties, and an overall “Not free” rating. Freedom House is an influential American human rights and democracy organisation.

Jan 14: Gold Medal Tenzin Yullo, a student at SRM University in Tamil Nadu has topped her batch of MSc students and won a gold medal for her excellence in Mathematics. According to Phayul, Tenzin said “I recall people saying that maths is not in Tibetan genes, which is completely untrue. When you show interest and a required patience, anyone can achieve success.” Tenzin is a former student of Tibetan Children’s Village.

Jan 28: Tibetan Classes Tibetan classes have been taking place in Tawu county in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, taught by university-affiliated instructors. Radio Free Asia has reported on this apparent breakthrough, with state approval for the course of lessons. Around 200 students attended the 20-day course.

Tibetan language courses have been deemed “illegal” and usually prompt tightened security measures with many people taking classes in secret.

Jan 13: Critical Condition Kalsang Tsering, a former Tibetan political prisoner, has been flown from Lhasa to Sichuan for medical treatment. He was imprisoned for seven years for taking part in the March 2008 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule and released last year.

During his term in prison, he sustained a large open wound on his back, a result of continuous torture while in detention. Sources say there is very little hope for his recovery.

Jan 22: Study Restriction Restrictions on the study of the Tibetan language in Tibet have been reported by Radio Free Asia who say that in many area residents are taking classes in secret. They describe a heightened Chinese police presence with public workshops shut down in Pema county in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Many believe that study groups are deemed “illegal associations” leading to fears of detention or arrest.

Jan 11: Tibetan Search Engine According to Xinhua, the Chinese state-run news agency, China’s first Tibetan language search engine test has begun. It is planned to release “Cloud Tibet” in the second half of this year. A team of around 150 people from a Tibetan language research centre in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai province has led the project which was launched in April 2013.

Jan 20: Google Tibet!

Google, the global search engine, has a newly built-in font that supports the Tibetan alphabet in its latest Operating System, Marshmallow 6.0. The Tibet Action Institute has been pushing for Tibetan script on android-based phones and says the development could prove a lifeline for Tibetans.

Previously only the Apple i-phone supported Tibetan script Contact

Jan 7: Detained and Warned Lu Kunchok Gyatso, a monk from Lamo Dechen monastery in Qinghai province in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was arrested on December 18 and taken to Chentsa county detention centre. He was interrogated for hours about his book Fifty Four Days which documents his experiences of escape to India in 1994.

He was later released but warned against publication or distribution of the book. Gyatso studied at Depung 12

Domang monastery in South India before returning to Tibet in 2000.

Jan 6: Tenzin Tenzin, a former Tibetan political prisoner, died in Lhasa, aged 79, according to a report in Phayul. He had been imprisoned twice by the Chinese authorities and underwent extreme torture resulting in the loss of his eyesight and deterioration of his health following his release. The charge against him was not clear; his release was prompted by his poor health.

Jan 5: Released Kelsang Khedrup, a Tibetan political prisoner has been released after completing his seven year sentence in Mianyang prison in Sichuan. He was arrested in 2009 for “inciting ethnic division” and “disrupting peace” and held incommunicado for a year. His sister has said he contracted asthma while in detention. Kelsang is originally from Rabkar Township in Kardze; he has been reunited with his wife and two children.

Jan 1: 34th Kalachakra At the conclusion of Jangchup Lamrim teaching at Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka state, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave his followers New Year greetings and announced that the 34th Kalachakra will be held in January 2017 at Bodh Gaya, India.

Dec 31: Chatral Rinpoche His Eminence Chatral Sangye Dorje, commonly known as Chatral Rinpoche and one of the most prominent Dzongchen masters of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, passed away at the age of 102 in Nepal. Rinpoche was born in the Kham region of Tibet. He was a staunch advocate of vegetarianism and lived his life as a wandering yogi on retreat in remote areas of India and Nepal.

JANUARY 2016

news & issues

International Headlines

Jan 22: Russian Spy Murder A British inquiry has found that the murder of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 in the United Kingdom was “probably” approved

by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with polonium-210. Home Secretary Theresa May said the murder was a “blatant and unacceptable” breach of international law while the Russian Foreign Ministry said the public inquiry had “politicised” a purely criminal case.

Jan 21: Stock Markets Crash Stock markets worldwide have fallen due to the drop in oil prices and fears about its impact on global growth. In Europe the FTSE 100 sank 3.46%, or 203.2 points, to 5,673.58 while in America, the Dow Jones was close to 3% down. Many markets have sustained a fall of 20% or more from their most recent peak. Japan shares fell to their lowest level since October 2014.

Jan 20: Deported Norway is sending migrants back to Russia; it is expected that about 5,500 people will be transported from Norway to Russia. Most came originally from Syria, many crossing the Arctic border by bicycle having discovered a loophole in the law enabling them to gain entry to Norway.

However Norway has announced it will immediately deport people arriving from a country deemed safe.

Jan 19: Weakest Growth China’s gross domestic product growth of 2015 showed 6.9%, the weakest annual rate in 25 years.

China’s performance as the world’s second largest economy is of crucial concern to global investors. 2015’s figure was the slowest since the 3.8% of 1990, a year after the Tiananmen Square massacre which rocked the country and prompted international isolation.

Contact

Jan 15: $31 Million Donation Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg is donating $31 million (£22 million) in Facebook stock to charity through her Philanthrophy Fund. Recode.net reported that the majority of the money will go to women’s empowerment groups and Lean In, a nonprofit organisation founded by Sandberg to help support women in the workplace. She also plans to give money to education groups and anti-poverty efforts.

Jan 10: Four-country Talk Representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the United States will meet on Monday at Islamabad to plan peace talks to end the 14 years of bloodshed fighting Taliban insurgents. A Peace process planned last year was cancelled after the Taliban announced that its founder, Mullah Omar had been dead for two years leaving the militant groups in disarray. Afghan witnessed one of its bloodiest years in 2015.

Jan 14: South China Sea China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea has drawn warnings from the United States that Beijing is seeking to deploy control over one of the world’s most important sea lanes. China claims ownership of the South China Sea which is a gas-rich area. The once peaceful and friendly South China Sea islands have become a land of dispute, a resident is quoted as saying.

Jan 9: Nepal Reconstruction Nearly after nine months since the disastrous earthquake left thousands homeless, Nepal will start reconstruction work from next week, reported Reuters. “We realise that the victims are very much in trouble. We’ll start the reconstruction work from January 16,” said Sushil Gyewali, Chief of the National Reconstruction Authority. According to UNICEF more than 200,000 families affected by the earthquake are still living in temporary shelters.

Jan 13: Acid Attack Survivor Laxmi Saa, an acid attack survivor, becomes the new face of Indian fashion brand Viva N Diva who are leading an initiative to give more acid survivors a chance to be the face of different brands. Laxmi is a campaigner with Stop Acid Attacks and a TV host. The Acid Survivors Trust International reported that there could be approximately 1,000 acid attacks every year in India alone, of which many go unreported.

Jan 11: David Bowie Legendary singer David Bowie, 69, has died after suffering from cancer for the last 18 months. His death came just two days after celebrating his birthday and releasing his latest album Blackstar. Bowie was a friend of Tibet, writing the lyrics for the film Seven Years in Tibet and performing to raise awareness. He rose to fame during glam-rock era in the 1970s and 1980s and was known as an innovator.

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Jan 7: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, 79, died at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi after a brief illness.

Mr Sayeed founded the People’s Democractic Party and led a coalition government with Prime Minister Modi’s BJP in Kashmir. His daughter, Mehbooba Mufti, is expected to take over as the first women chief minister of the state.

Jan 3: Missing Booksellers Five employees of a Hong Kong publishing company which specialises in books critical of China’s leadership have gone missing. The disappearance of Lee Bo, 56, Chief Editor of Mighty Current who is also one of the company’s major shareholders, shocked and appalled the city. Hong Kong Acting Secretary for Security John Lee said that the police were actively investigating the case.

JANUARY 2016

lha news and projects

Lha’s Annual Report for 2015 Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust which works to provide services for the Tibetan and Himalayan communities in the region. Our Annual Report gives information about our other activities.

Lha Charitable Trust is pleased to present our Annual Report for 2015.

Last year we carried out 48 significant projects and programmes which are expected to have a positive impact on at least 32,000 people. Lha is continuing to expand its learning and enrichment opportunities worldwide.

The Trust focuses its efforts on five areas: social services, educational resources, awareness of the Tibet issue, volunteering opportunities, and cultural exchange programmes.

Since Lha was founded in 1997, we have continued to be inspired by the compassion, dedication and contributions of generous supporters and thousands of volunteers from around the globe. Thanks to you, our generous supporters and volunteers, 2015 has been a great success.

Our mission and programmes Lha’s primary goal is to provide meaningful, multi-levelled social and educational services to help ease the transition to life in India for the Tibetan refugee community. Lha’s services are also open to the local Indian population and people from nearby Himalayan regions.

We provide around 20 different services including language classes, tutoring, computer courses, health and environmental education, a community soup kitchen, clean water, free medicine and clothing distribution, a community magazine, volunteer opportunities and co-ordination, and a public library.We also organise cultural exchange programmes for international student groups, and provide reception and orientation services and arrange home-stays for visitors to McLeod Ganj.

Language Classes: We offer 13 language classes at different levels in English, French, Chinese, German and Tibetan.

Computer classes: In addition to our regular computer classes, we offer full tuition computer scholarships and this year Lha has also provided a special two-month web design and development course through the medium of Tibetan which was Contact

completed by 20 students. The web design course trained people to work on Tibetan websites.

Clothing and book distribution: Lha accepts donations of used clothes and books from visitors to the town and redistributes them to Dharamshala’s slums as well as to schools and individuals. This year the clothes were distributed through the Rotary Club Dharamshala and Tonglen Charitable Trust.

Clear Vision Project and Tibetan Smiles Project : We have provided free eye care and medical treatment as well as free dental treatment to Tibetan refugees and people from Himalayan regions who are pursuing Buddhist studies in the Bir and Dharamshala areas.

Contact Magazine: Contact Magazine is one of the oldest and most widely read monthly English language Tibetan news publications, distributed free throughout India and abroad.

More than 67 international volunteers and Tibetans in McLeod Ganj have written 151 articles on Tibetan issues, and 93 new postal subscribers have been registered this year.

Clean Water Project: Lha has installed eight new R/O+U/V+UF treated water filtration systems in different communities including a nunnery, local Indian and Tibetan schools, the CTA staff mess, Delek hospital, the Tibet Library and a Tibetan refugee settlement.

Community Soup Kitchen: Serving healthy and nutritious lunches for needy Tibetan refugees every weekday. w w w. s a m d h o n g r i n p o c h e . c o m : Coming under the Lha project Preservation of Tibetan Language, Culture and Heritage, this website features a collection of the teachings, writings and speeches of Professor Samdhong Rinpoche. It has become a valued resource for researchers, academics, and Tibetologists with average monthly viewings of over 14

11,000. This year we have added 44 new articles in Tibetan, 30 in English, 162 audio files, eight videos and 170 photographs. Over 500 pages of articles both in Tibetan and English are currently being edited.

Environment and healthcare awareness programmes: These programmes are expanding every year, this year Lha organised three mass clean–ups in McleodGanj in collaboration with the Clean Upper Dharashala Project, Tibetan Women’s Association and Tibetan Footpath Association.

Lha also organised two HIV/ AIDS awareness talks, one Hepatitis awareness and a dental care talk for Lha students and the public.

We observed World AIDS Day with an event in collaboration with Dharamshala Rotary Club and Tibetan Delek Hospital.

On our environment website www. tibetnature.net, we have added 42 articles in Tibetan and 51 in English.

The website serves as a collective source of news and researched articles from various authors on Tibet’s ongoing environmental issues.

Jampaling Elders’ Home project: We organised two weeks of acupuncture treatment, kindly donated by our volunteers Dr Dong Giao Tran, his wife Sanh Hy Ngyuyen and their friend, Ven Uyen Trinh. They treated 80 people: 50 elders from Jampaling and 30 other patients from the local community. Using generous donations from Vietnamese Devotees in the United States and Canada, Lha provided 25 Milton stainless steel thermoses, 125 door curtains and 175 window curtains, pocket money of 500 INR each to all the residents and 130 high quality micro-fibre quilts.

Educational talks to parents and students: Mr Gyaltsen, the former Education Officer at the Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration, and a Lha volunteer, gave several talks during the year: a talk for McleodGanj parents was organised in collaboration with the Parents and Teachers Association JANUARY 2016

lha news and projects

Lha’s Annual Report for 2015 of Petoen School and Mcleod TCV Day School Parents Association, which focused on educating parents about how to support their children with learning and how to develop a growth mindset in their children. An educational talk at TCVSuja School was aimed at motivating the students with essential tips on how to become good and efficient learners and how to foster the right mindset for learning.

More than 350 students and parents participated in the talks.

Cultural exchange programmes: This year Lha hosted seven student groups from Rustic Pathways, two from Lifework Internationals, two from Tulane University and one each from Centenary College and Loyola University, as well as two groups of professional medical practitioners from USA. HIV Counselling and Training Programme: Lha’s health and environment officer attended a four-day HIV counselling and training programme organised by the Department of Health, (CTA), in collaboration with the Christian Medical College at Vellore, Chennai.

There were 20 participants from various hospitals and organisations.

Medical Camp: Lha’sfree medical camps provided vital medical resources to a number of people locally.

Achievements: This year Lha has won the “Best Use of Website and Internet Tools” award at the 4th South Asia eNGO Challenge Award, beating 70 contenders in the same category.

The award recognised the excellent use of Lha’s online presence to help the transition and rehabilitation of Tibetan refugees in India. This year 225 nominations were received from seven South Asian countries for the six award categories.

Financials: Lha Annual Financial Report of the fiscal year 2014-2015 as per the Audit Report under section 12A (b) of the Income Tax Act 1961, Govt of India shows a total income of INR 9,938,974 ($155,296.5) and total expenditure of INR 8,271,624 ($137,860.4) which includes the administrative cost of INR 4,383,006 ($73,050.1) and the project cost of Contact

INR 3,888,618 ($64,810.3).

Donations : The visiting student exchange groups and volunteers’ staying in Lha’s Ahimsa House raised revenue enabling Lha to become more self-sufficient and sustainable in providing our daily services to the community, including our language and computer classes.

To keep up with the growing needs of the community, and to maintain the operation of our other services and special projects such as the soup kitchen, Contact magazine, Clean Water, Clear Vision, Tibetan Smiles dental care, environmental initiatives, HIV/AIDs awareness etc., we continue to rely on generous donations.

Thank you: On behalf of Lha Charitable Trust and all the beneficiaries, we would like to express our heartfelt thank you for all your generous assistance: we could not have achieved what we have without your kind support. A special “thank you”to the Louisiana Himalaya Association, Tulane University, The Tibet Fund, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, Tibet Freunde Swiss, Vietnamese Devotees from US and Canada, ApocolypseKrew, Lifework International, Rustic Pathways, Loyola University, Centenary College, Hospice Group from US and various other individuals and organisations.

Lha has been going strong for 19 years and the generous supporters and dedicated volunteers from all around the world continue to inspire us to provide for the needs of the impoverished and underprivileged communities in India.

The year ahead: Each year, our programmes and projects are adjusted to meet the conditions and needs of the region. With your generous support, we hope to continue providing these invaluable services to the local community as well as engaging in new initiatives. All monetary contributions are greatly appreciated and helpful, large or small. In India, even a little goes a long way, and a lot goes very far!

First Project of 2016 Lha Charitable Trust distributed 130 super high quality micro-fiber quilts with extra cotton covers to Jampaling Elders’ Home and to 30 other needy people in the communities of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on January 6.

The free distribution event was graced by the presence of Secretary Mr Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang and Additional Secretary Ms Tsewang Dolma of Home Department, Central Tibetan Administration and Mr Wangchen, Director of Jampaling Elders’ Home. Mr Sonam Topgyal and Mr Wangchen expressed their heartfelt appreciation to Lha and offered encouragement to undertake more work in future for needy local communities.

In additon to the quilts, Lha has provided free acupuncture treatment, distributed 25 stainless steel thermos and pocket money to elders and staff members at the home and sponsored the replacement cost of window and door curtains of Jampaling house earlier in October 2015.

Jampaling Elders’ Home was established in 1991 on a plot of land at Lhagyal Ri (behind the main temple of HH the Dalai Lama). Jampaling Home is about fifteen minutes walking distance from the main temple of HH the Dalai Lama and around thirty minutes walking distance from main market of Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala.

At present, this home is taking care of 148 elderly people and has 13 staff members. This home is administered under the department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration.

Lha Charitable Trust is an awardwinning, grassroots, 12AA & 80G non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work Institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has consistently striven to provide vital resources for the Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for over 18 years since its inception in 1997 and was registered as a charitable trust by the Indian Government in 2005. For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org

Please see page 23 for Lha’s achievements in figures 15

JANUARY 2016

around town

Charities and Organisations

Central Tibetan Administration

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

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

WEB: www.tibet.net LOCATION: Dharamshala – 176215 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. When His Holiness is in Dharamshala, his schedule includes daily religious practice and studies, meeting with private audiences, and congregating with the Tibetan Kashag and senior Tibetan governmental officials.

WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: Thekchen Choeling, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala – 176219 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 Tibetan Youth Congress organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities. The organisation publishes a series of periodicals and magazines on the Tibetan cause.

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, Dharamshala – 176219 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

Contact

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.

WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala – 176215 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 Dharamshala - 176215 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

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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, Dharamshala - 176219 PHONE: 9882786875

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 conducts 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 of Tibet

Gu-Chu-Sum is a social service organisation that provides financial and medical support for ex-political prisoners and political activists from Tibet.

WEB: www.guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 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

JANUARY 2016

around town

Charities and Organisations

Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)

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

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

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

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT)

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

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

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR)

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

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

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

Rogpa Baby Care Centre

The Rogpa Baby Care Centre helps low-income Tibetan families to become self-sufficient by providing free child care for infants so 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 Daramsala 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: 98051-47048 / 94180-94476 EMAIL: tcsamkhar@gmail.com, Facebook: Anec Peace

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

JANUARY 2016

activities and information Upcoming Events

MEDITATION Ocean of Harmony

Feb 9-11 : Losar (Tibetan New Year) Feb 22 : Choe-trul-Due-chen (Day of offerings) Mar 10 : Tibetan National Uprising Day

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

Traditional Thai Massage

LOCATION: Opposite the Himachal Govt.

Tourist Information Centre, Hotel Surya Rd PHONE: 981-633-9199 EMAIL: jite02@yahoo.com jitthimalaya@gmail.com

Contact

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

JANUARY 2016

activities and information HEALTH SERVICES Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra LOCATION: Near Hotel Mount View, Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 09218742046 EMAIL: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com Tibetan Physiotherapy Clinic Specialised in Muscle and Joint Pain LOCATION: Near Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 HOURS: 10am - 5pm (Appointment Bases) PHONE: 9882322783 / 9882321532 EMAIL: jigten17@yahoo.co.in WEBSITE : tibetanphysiotherapy.com Dr Kumar Ayurvedic - Panchkarma WEB: www.kumarayurveda.com LOCATION: Hotel Surya Rd., opp Club House HOURS: 9:00am-2:00pm & 2:30-7:00pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily PHONE: 8894492837 EMAIL: SATINDER3737@gmail.com 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 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

Contact

Tibet-Related Websites News:

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

News, information and campaigning:

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

Writings:

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

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JANUARY 2016

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Ocean of Harmony

ENGLISH TUTOR NEEDED!

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

BLACK TENT CAFE

Help introduce a 14-year-old Tibetan girl to the world of knowledge! I am looking for a home school teacher to live and teach in Dharamsala for a period of 6 months to a year. I will be providing housing and a stipend of 500 USD$ a month. For more information please contact me at sonamyeshi@hotmail.com

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

RINKU TAXI SERVICE

Free high-speed Wi-fi

Delicious coffee, authentic homemade Tibetan and western cuisine Best taxi & car rental services in Himachal, Tour Packages Pick-up & Drop-in to Airports, Rail station, Bus stop All food washed in clean filtered water

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

Opp. Club House, near Tourist Information Office Hotel Surya Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - Map#16 PHONE: (+91) 94186-87343, 98570-30707

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

CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA

MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, CONTINENTAL, & THAI FOOD, No MSG • Everything washed with sterilized water • Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere & Japanese-style seating • Live music every Sunday - Map#9 Located on Jogiwara Road, across from the Tibetan Reception Center (down from Post Office) - Map # 9

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

Dr Mobile Shop

THE TASTE OF INDIA since 1995 • •

Unique Garden restaurant and “HOMESTAY” home cooked wheat porridge, fluffy pancakes and paranthas, BBQ, kababs, Naans and many more • Enjoy our garden café with fibre roof and amongst unique plants surrounded with pine trees • Neat & clean rooms with beautiful valley view • High speed Wi-Fi FREE HOME DELIVERY* CALL: 9736083878, 9736040937. (8:30am – 10:30pm) Opp. TIPA, Dharamkot Road, Mcleod Ganj, Map # 21 www.mcleodganjhomestay.net

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

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

Pema Thang Guest House

and Restaurant

Your Communication Partner

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

Charming, comfortable, and scrupulously clean; minutes from the Main Temple and McLeod Ganj Market;

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

www.rinkutaxihimachal.com

Hotel Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj: Map #15 Phone: 221871/221001 www.pemathang.net 20

JANUARY 2016

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Contact

21

JANUARY 2016

advertisements Locations of important places around McLeod Ganj

BHAGSU NAG

Map not to scale

See Advertisement Pages for details of advertisers

TIPA

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DHARAMKOT

Vipassana Centre

Naddi Village

Tushita Centre

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

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11

McLEOD GANJ

22

4

6 7

5 MAIN SQUARE

3

Cantt Police Post

Main Bazaar

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89

1 Lha

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10 15 14

2

13

Road to Dharamshala

1. Lha Headquarters 2. Namgyal Cafe 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dream Holidays Travel 5. Shangrila Hotel 6. Nature Cure Health Club 7. Dr Mobile, Woeser Bakery 8. Black Tent Cafe 9. Carpe Diem Restaurant 10. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture 12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel

13. Ahimsa House & Lha Soup Kitchen 14. Chonor House 15. Pema Thang 16. Rinku Taxi Service 17. Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Tibetan Library 18. LRZTP Tibetan Language Program 19. Tibetan Museum and Temple 20. Tibetan Handicraft Centre 21. Taste of India 22. SnowLion Custom Tattoo

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17 18

Road to Dharamshala

Our specialty: Chocolate Vegan cake, Gluten free cake, Fresh Coffe Beans, cappaccino, Chocolate chilli lollipop

Namgyal Cafe

9am to 7pm - Closed on Monday Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd - Map # 7 The famous and popular Namgyal Cafe has merged

Dream Holidays Since 1998

Ground Floor of Asian Plaza Hotel, Main Square, McLeod Ganj (3rd office inside Mall) - Map #4 +Worldwide Air Travel Arrangements +AC/Non-AC cars jeeps for tours +Flight/Rail tickets, hotel reservations contact: 98160-87878 / 94180-97149, vineet_dream@yahoo.com

NEED A DENTIST?

with Om Hotel right off the main square - Map # 2 • • • •

Extensive vegetarian menu Terrace dining with beautiful view Best pizza in McLeod Ganj Good music and friendly staffs

Open every day from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm Mobile: 9882649768

Nature Cure Health Club

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map # 6 Mobile: 07833047078 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com,

For all your dental requirements under one roof, in a sterile clinic CONTACT

18+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!

Dr Natasha Mehra @

Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map# 10

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

Call: 09218742046 perfect32dentalclinic@ gmail.com Contact

22

JANUARY 2016

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Lha Charitable Trust and the Contact team wish you a very happy LOSAR (Tibetan New Year).

May the Fire-Monkey year of 2143 bring you prosperity and peace.

Contact

23

JANUARY 2016

ལྷ་བོད་ཀྱི་ལུགས་མཐུན་བཟོ་ཚོང་ལས་ཁང་།

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

What’s LTFT?

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

What we have?

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

Why LTFT?

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

What we do?

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

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

W www.tibetfairtrade.com

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

snowlion customArtist

tattoo

PASSANG

Location: near Hotel Tibet

Professional Tattoo Artist Traditionally Trained Tibetan Thangka Painter 100% Safe & Hygienic Contact: 9459160626-9805286528 2016 snowlion custom tattoo : facebook will reopen from march

Follow Contact website using the QR code!

Tibet Fair Trade འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact Newsletter

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