July 2019

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Digest of Tibetan Issues, News and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 | Volume: XXI

Issue: 6 | July 31, 2019

Political Spat Intensifies

Contents

by Anisha Francis The next Dalai Lama will be reincarnated on Chinese soil, says a Chinese spokesperson, and chosen by the Chinese government as per ancient customs — and if India endorses any other candidate, it would adversely impact bilateral ties between the two countries. Speaking to journalists in Lhasa recently, Zha Luo, director of government think tank Continued on page 3

Nyima Lhamo Meets Donald Trump

by Tenzin Samten Nyima Lhamo, who is the late Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s niece, met United States President Donald Trump in the White House on July 12. She was representing Tibet among a delegation of survivors of religious persecution and appealed to President Trump for continued support for Tibet and for the United States to Continued on page 5

International Support for Tibet

by Tsering Wangdue United Nations independent experts have questioned China over the jailing of nine Tibetans for celebrating the birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Nine Tibetans were sentenced with different jail terms ranging from five to fourteen years in 2016 for celebrating the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Five Continued on page 3

News Features 01-11 Tibetan Headlines 11- 12 International Headlines 13 People Story 14 NGO Profile 15 Lha News 16 Volunteer Story 17 Charities & Organisations 18-19 Activities & Information 20-21 Jobs & Advertisements 22-23 Mcleod Ganj Map 24

Upcoming Events in Dharamshala Aug 22, 2019: Long Life Offering Ceremony His Holiness will attend a Long Life offering prayer given to him by five groups in the morning at Tsuglakhang temple.

Sep 4 - 6, 2019 : His Holiness Teaching His Holiness will give three days of teachings in the mornings at the request of a group from Asia in Tsuglakhang temple.

October 3 - 5, 2019 : His Holiness Teaching His Holiness will give three days of teachings on Nagarjuna’s The Precious Garland of the Middle Way (uma rinchen trengwa) in the mornings at Tsuglakhang temple.at the request of a group from Taiwan.

November 4 - 6, 2019 : His Holiness Teaching His Holiness will give three days of teachings at the request of a group from Korea.

Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill UK

source: dalailama.com

by Riki Hyde Chambers, Hon President, Tibet Society UK This month saw an important development in the United Kingdom Parliament on behalf of Tibet by members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet (APPGT), which is administered by the Tibet Society UK. The APPGT CoChair Tim Loughton introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill.

These are used by backbench Members to raise issues. Few Continued on page 4

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Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 2

I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. I don’t know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Acknowledgment Contact magazine is a wonderful example of the collaboration between Lha staff and volunteers from all over the world. The team at Lha provide the continuity for the magazine from the office while the majority of articles are written by volunteers, some of whom drop by and write one or two articles while others go on writing for us for months or even years after they have left Dharamshala. Some give us occasional editing help. Our two proofreaders, Clifford Martin and Ailsa Newcombe, have been making a vital contribution from Britain over the last two years.

We are deeply grateful to every one of our volunteers, without their commitment, enthusiasm and dedication Contact would not exist: Thank you and tashi delek!

News Features Political Spat Intensifies Continued from page 1

China Tibetology Research Centre said that China would not recognise any Dalai Lama reincarnate born in exile in India or elsewhere as that is not the “traditional way”. “The Tibetan government in exile cannot choose a candidate to succeed the present Dalai Lama” said Zha Luo “and if India recognises such a candidate, it would affect Indo-Chinese ties. No wise leader would do such a thing”.

Amidst concerns for the health of the 84 year old Dalai Lama, the issue of choosing his successor, considered both a spiritual as well as political figurehead by the Tibetan people, has put India in a tight spot. The 14th Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since fleeing the Chinese authorities in 1959 – he, along with the thousands of Tibetans who followed him, was granted asylum by the Indian government. Speaking about his possible successor in the past, the Dalai Lama has hinted that he would be reincarnated in India or anywhere else in the world where there is free religious will – unlike in communist China.

The Central Tibetan Administration has also sought India’s support on this sensitive issue, pointing out that the process of selecting the next Dalai Lama comes under the spiritual domain of Buddhism, and that the officially atheist Chinese government should not interfere in the matter.

Traditionally, after the death of a Dalai Lama, Buddhist

leaders and teachers begin to look for visions and signs to find the reincarnated leader, and young candidates are put through various tests, like identifying the items that belonged to the previous Dalai Lama, among others. The process can take a long time; it took four years to identify the current Dalai Lama.

Chinese authorities however maintain that every Dalai Lama so far has been selected through two steps — the drawing of his name from the golden urn at the Potala palace in Lhasa, and recognition of the candidate by the Chinese government.

“The reincarnation of a Dalai Lama is a historical, religious and political issue with established traditions and procedures in place to locate him. The reincarnation cannot be decided by the Dalai Lama’s personal wish, or that of a group of people living in another country,” said Wang Neng Sheng, a Chinese government official.

This issue is also expected to put a strain on the already precarious US-China ties, with the US taking a stand against state interference in a purely religious matter.

Chinese officials have also issued a statement warning India against changing the status quo in Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims is part of southern Tibet. While India has thus far maintained a quiet distance from the religious issue, it remains to be seen how it would react to the political threat to its borders.

International Support for Tibet be ignored and that its repressive policy over Tibet should UN experts have questioned China over the use of its anti- be accepted. China retaliated by cancelling their plans for separatism law to suppress freedom of religion, expression the City of Prague Zoo to host a panda, and cancelling the scheduled tour of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. and assembly.

Mr Zdenek Hřib added that by cancelling the already The UN’s Special Rapporteurs on cultural rights, protection of rights on freedom of expression and opinion, signed contract of Prague’s Philharmonic Orchestra’s freedom of religion or belief and minority issues have asked China tour, China is proving to be an unreliable partner.

China to provide detailed information on the nine Tibetans. The President of the Czech Republic and his ministers, The experts presented their report at the ongoing UN Human although overtly admirers of the Chinese Communist regime, have no power to influence the Rights Council session in Geneva in which they decisions of their democratically elected local expressed deep regret over China’s continuous government and did not suppress the Mayor’s use of criminal law to suppress basic human rights statements. such as freedoms of expression, religion and China has continuously imposed repressive assembly, and the criminalisation of activists and and restrictive policies in Tibet since its support groups under its Article 103 of criminal occupation in 1959, Tibetan people have been law. fighting for their rights and freedom through In another development the Mayor of non-violent methods under the guidance Prague, Mr Zdenek Hřib, has refused to Mr Zdenek Hřib of His Holiness the Dalai Lama who has bow down to China’s pressure following his Mayor of Prague inspired growing international support. More statement that the two sides should focus more on Czech-Chinese relationship, and that China should meet than 153 Tibetans have resorted to the desperate act of their previous investment promises. The Chinese have self-immolation to protest against the Chinese regime in responded by suggesting that its human rights violations their country.

Continued from page 1

Contact magazine | July 2019| Page No 3

News Features Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill UK

of waste and the dumping of toxic waste on the plateau and in Bills introduced through this process make it to legislation Tibet’s waters. We discussed, too, the tragic self-immolation but some do, and a number of MPs across parties have of more than 150 Tibetans in protest against Chinese supported the Tibet Bill which proposes that the Secretary persecution in Tibet, and the continued human rights abuses of State for Foreign Affairs be required to report annually generally. We all signed up to the Riga declaration, which on access by British nationals to Tibet as compared with requests China to resume the dialogue with envoys of His other regions of China: to make provision to deny persons Holiness the Dalai Lama without preconditions, because involved in imposing such restrictions the Tibetan struggle has always been permission to enter the UK. Tim Loughton a peaceful one. He said the Chinese began his speech saying, embassy had rung him and pressured In May, in my role as chair of the allhim not to put the Bill forward. party group for Tibet, I attended the seventh He continued, We can no longer world parliamentary convention on Tibet sit idly by. All attempts to shed light in Riga, Latvia, together with the Hon. on human rights abuse through the Tibetan President Dr Lobsang Sangay Member for Dundee West [Chris Law], with MP Tim Loughton, Chair of the All universal periodic review of the UN who I am delighted is in the Chamber Human Rights Council have been Party Parliament Group for Tibet Photo : TPI today. We joined parliamentarians from snubbed, and continue unabated around the world, representatives of the and largely in secret. The Foreign Press Association has Tibetan Parliament in exile based in Dharamshala, and reported that it is easier for Beijing-based journalists to His Excellency Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong or President visit North Korea than to visit Tibet. of the Central Tibetan Administration since 2012. We were Recently we have seen the latest attempts at repression pleased to receive the Sikyong in this place, and that he met by the Chinese: Foreign diplomats, parliamentarians, you, Mr Speaker, just a few weeks ago. At the convention we journalists and even UN officials are almost always denied discussed continued human rights abuses of Tibetans at the visits to the region, other than on rare official tours carefully hands of Chinese security forces; the routine intimidation orchestrated by the Chinese authorities. At the same time, of Tibetans, their supporters and the Dalai Lama himself Tibetans are regularly prevented from travelling outside around the world; the assaults on the Tibetan language, and China, and those passing information abroad are punished the culture, religious practices and way of life of Tibetans severely. A prominent example is Tashi Wangchuk, a young generally; and the continued population transfer of Chinese language rights advocate who last year was sentenced to into Tibet to dilute and smother further the Tibetan identity. five years in prison, just for giving an interview to The We also debated at length the environmental degradation New York Times about his efforts to protect Tibetans’ being waged on the Tibetan plateau, which has led to an mother tongue. unprecedented number of natural disasters, caused by the The House agreed that the Bill should be printed and impact of excessive and unsustainable mineral extraction given a Second Reading where it should receive strong and dam construction in an area whose rivers service some support. The full speech can be read online in the Hansard 40% of the world’s population; as well as the accumulation Report of the House of Commons of July 24.

Continued from page 1

Arrest and Release in this Month in Tibet

Jul 30: Villagers Detained Tibetan villagers living in Palyul (Chinese: Baiyu) county in Kardze (Chinese: Ganzi) were beaten by armed police when their homes were searched, r e v e a l i n g displays of photos of HH the Dalai Lama around the time of His Holiness’s birthday, while others were detained for performing public prayers for His Holiness’s long life, reports Radio Free Asia.

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 4

Jul 30: Early Release Yonten Rabgye, a nomad from Chigdril (Chinese: Jiuzhi) county in Golog (Guoluo) has been released early from prison for good behaviour and hard work in prison, reports Radio Free Asia. He had served four years of his six year sentence which he was given for accessing news reports by foreign broadcasters. He was escorted home by police on July 26. He is reported to be in poor health.

News Features Continued from page 1

Nyima Lhamo Meets Donald Trump

support the call for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. President Trump asked Nyima to convey his “Hello” to His Holiness.

27 people from 17 countries made up the delegation, all were survivors of religious persecution from countries which included Christians from Myanmar, Vietnam, North Korea, Iran, Turkey, Cuba, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Sudan; Muslims from Afghanistan, Sudan, Pakistan and New Zealand; Rohingya from Myanmar; Jews from Yemen and Germany; a practitioner of Cao Dai from Nyima Lhamo holding a photo Vietnam and a Yezidi from of her deceased uncle Tenzin Iraq. Jewher Ilham, an Uighur Delek Rinpoch Muslim; Yuhua Zhang, a Falun Gong practitioner; Nyima Lhamo, a Tibetan Buddhist and Manping Ouyang, a Christian are all recognised by the White House as survivors from China.

Every delegate was given an opportunity to meet the US President and share their stories.

Nyima Lhamo is the first Tibetan to meet the current US

President. Nyima was part of the Tibet delegation which was attending the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom – a three day gathering in Washington of religious leaders, government officials and victims of religious persecution around the world.

Nyima’s uncle was Tulku Geleke Rinpoche – a highly respected and revered Tibetan spiritual figure and one of the most prominent Tibetan political prisoners, who died in a Chinese prison on July 12, 2015 under suspicious circumstances, after 13 years of detention, torture and brutality. Nyima escaped from Tibet in 2016 so she could tell the world what is happening in Tibet, despite the risk to her family – the families of Tibetans who protest against Chinese rule are often persecuted or imprisoned because of the actions of their activist relatives.

President Trump was joined by White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and Sam Brownback, the administration’s ambassador at large for international religious freedom.

Trump told the group that his administration plans to announce new measures aimed at protecting religious minority groups, though no details were mentioned. He said that Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will make statements on this issue.

Chinese Surveillance Tactics Extend to Visiting Westerners

by Ben Byrne Reports have emerged from East Turkestan, renamed by China as Xinjiang, that tourists entering at the Irkeshtam border between China and Kyrgyzstan are having their phones seized

by Chinese border police. Surveillance apps are installed on the phone and then the data on the devices is searched against a long list of content that the authorities view as problematic.

Content relating to Islamic extremism, including Inspire, the English medium magazine produced by Al-Qaeda; weapons manufacturing; Ramadan fasting; literature authored

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and even music by a Japanese metal band called Unholy Grave is extracted from the devices and stored in a rapidly expanding database which, for the city of Kashgar alone, is believed to currently store 68 billion records. For comparison, the United States FBI’s national database in the US held 19 million records at the end of 2018.

One traveller reported to The Guardian that he had handed over his phone and provided his pin number to security officials before waiting for an hour at the border to have his device returned. In most cases it appears that the surveillance app is removed before authorities return the phones to the travellers, but some have been disconcerted to find the app still on their phone after having it returned.

These practices, described as “draconian” and “unlawful”

by Edin Omanovic, chair of the campaign group Privacy International, are part of a broader campaign across East

Turkestan to police the ethnic Uighur Muslim majority and, according to the Chinese Communist Party leadership, “preserve stability”.

Up to one million Uighurs, Hui and other Muslim minorities are currently thought to be detained in concentration camps throughout the province. Inmates are detained as a direct result of state-wide surveillance which targets Muslims and has become increasingly pervasive since riots in the regional capital, Urumqi, broke out in 2009.

Some outside observers believe that China’s policies in East Turkestan show the frightening power of the 21st century police state. The Chinese government, however, defends its use of surveillance, saying it has improved security in the region.

Visiting police officers from other Chinese states have praised the policies in Xinjiang. Zhang Ping, a counterterrorism officer from Jiujiang in southeastern China said Xinjiang’s high-tech policing was “something we should vigorously study”.

East Turkestan, or Xinjiang, is an autonomous territory in northwest China, a vast region of deserts and mountains with abundant oil and mineral reserves and is home to many ethnic minority groups, including the Turkic Uyghur people. The ancient Silk Road trade route linking China and the Middle East passed through East Turkestan. Like Tibetans, the Uighurs suffer surveillance and crackdowns under Chinese rule.

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 5

News Features Birthday Wishes for His Holiness from Around the World

by Robin Smith His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama turned 84 on July 6. His birthday was celebrated in various places across the world including India, United States, Japan, Brazil, Europe and numerous other countries.

Unfortunately, in Tibet and Nepal any celebration was strictly prohibited by the government.

On the day before his birthday, July 5, His Holiness attended a long life offering ceremony at the Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala. This ceremony included offerings presented by the Tibetan Government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), along with chanting, prayer and performances of traditional song and dance. The monastery was packed full of

those observing his birthday in Nepal had to do so behind closed doors. This was due to the government firmly restricting any observation of His Holiness’s birthday. Phayul reports, “The police, citing specific instruction from Nepal’s home ministry, have made it known that anyone found celebrating the day will be arrested and beaten if required.” This had a harsh impact on the day not only for the Tibetan population in Nepal but also for the community of Nepalese Buddhists. The ban on celebration was due to China being Nepal’s biggest investor and any celebration would be in direct violation of the “One China” policy. Due to this policy, Nepal issued a ban for any celebration on July 5, despite having already funded much of the preparations for the day’s celebrations.

Jul 8: Women’s Basketball Tournament The first ever Tibetan Women’s Basketball Tournament against Tuberculosis took place to coincide with His Holiness’s birthday.

It was organised jointly by the Tibetan Government-in-exile’s Department of Health and the Tibetan National Sports Association and funded by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust.

Seven teams participated and the winners were Dhondhupling who beat Nepal 30: 25; TCV Suja were presented the fair player team award.

Photo :OHHDL

people from across the world. In order to accommodate the large number of people attending the ceremony in the limited space, there were TV screens set up throughout the monastery so that everyone who attended could have a clear view of the ceremony and His Holiness. The ceremony was organised by former CTA staff.

This year’s, long life ceremony for His Holiness was of great importance as this year is meant to be an obstacle year for His Holiness. His Holiness living a long life is important to many people because he has been a symbol of hope and strength throughout the Tibetan resistance.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the CTA, presented a statement by the Kashag (Cabinet), saying, “This year during the Tenshug (Long Life Prayer) offering to His Holiness led by the Central Tibetan Administration, His Holiness reaffirmed that he would live beyond 110 years. It is important to remember that this year is also the obstacle year of His Holiness and, therefore, it is of prime importance that we all indulge in meritorious deed and enrich our collective karma for the pacification of obstacles if there is any.

In addition, we should always remember and follow the counsels of His Holiness.”

Throughout Europe, Tibetans and Europeans gathered together to perform ceremonies for His Holiness’s birthday. France hosted a celebration at the French Senate and Belgium hosted an event with Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the EU,West Europe and the Maghrebas, the keynote speaker.

Tashi Phuntsok spoke about how His Holiness has impacted the world with his teachings about kindness and compassion. They also included a moment of silence for those who have sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause.

While His Holiness’s birthday was celebrated throughout the weekend in India, along with many other places across the world,

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 6

Jul 5: Long Life Offering The former staff of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) offered a long life prayer ceremony to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala on July 5. The temple courtyard was crowded with Tibetans and visitors from across the world. The ceremony was conducted in Tibetan with English translation and was shown live through His Holiness’s Facebook pages.

World Compassion in Action

by Lodoe Gyatso One of the Dharamshala non government organisations, Tibet World, took the opportunity to launch their World Compassion in Action Organisation with the inaugural World Compassion in Action Day taking place on His Holiness’s birthday.

World Compassion in Action aims to create a more compassionate environment for the world by following the example of HH the Dalai Lama and increasing one’s natural compassion to the point that it fills our thoughts, speech and action every minute of every day. World Compassion in Action Day is set up to encourage one another to live this and to reduce actions that are harmful to others.

The event was hosted by Tibet World director Yeshi Lhundup with chief guest Geshe Lakhor, Director of the Tibetan Library of Works and Archives and former translator for HH the Dalai Lama.

Special guests from 22 countries joined the celebration including Tibet, Australia, Bhutan, England, Belgium, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan and the USA, together with an audience of over 100.

Tibet World’s vision is to be a role model of a compassionate organisation, committed to developing inner peace, self-reliance and building a more harmonious world. Its mission is to provide a platform for promoting education, raising cultural awareness and imparting Tibetan values to the world.

News Features His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Meeting with Educators

by Tenzin Samten A group of 15 educators met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence on July 8 for an initial roundtable conference, Human Education in the 3rd Millennium, which was held in preparation for a world forum on education. The educators were from India, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Finland, USA, Australia, Bangladesh, Britain and Russia.

His Holiness was presented with the four areas of discussion: education policy, being human, education for democracy and human oriented education. The educators told His Holiness that schools and universities are focussing on training students in skills for jobs and that human flourishing is not being addressed. They said that education is being reduced to what can be measured and that policies governing these areas are written by governments or businessmen, not by professional educators.

His Holiness was asked how education policy might be challenged, what it means to be human, whether he thinks democracy represents human flourishing and what it means to be an educator. His Holiness replied that education has failed to produce happy individuals citing an example of conflicts in the name of religion. He said that before entering the education system, young children’s basic nature is fresh and compassionate; they do not care about their playmates’ religion, racial or national backgrounds.

His Holiness stressed that modern education evolved in the west, focusing more on being materialistic and with

less concern for peace of mind. He expressed the need for emotional hygiene, just as physical hygiene is taught from young age. “Students are not taught how to tackle their anger, fear or anxiety. In the absence of any other solution, they turn to drugs and alcohol for relief.”

Fear, anger and self centredness destroy human peace of mind, said His Holiness. He explained that studying the ancient Indian knowledge of the workings of mind and emotions will help alleviate these negative emotions.

He continued, saying that understanding emptiness and compassion and cultivating infinite love has helped him secure peace of mind throughout the years.

Regarding democracy and education, His Holiness pointed out that democracy is rooted in having a sense of concern for others and respecting their views. Since human beings are social animals and need to live together, the only way to sort out conflict is to engage in dialogue and avoid violence.

“Humanity is one community,” he said, “and we have to use our intelligence to take care of each other. For democracy to succeed, it will depend on our motivation and employing our brilliant intelligence with warm-heartedness.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama celebrated his 84th birthday earlier this month and has cut down his international travel schedules from last year. But the number of individuals and groups requesting to visit him at his residence in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala is not diminishing.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage

by Tenzin Samten Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, was awarded the 2019 “Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage” on July 12 in London,United Kingdom. The medal honours and recognises those who have shown a deep commitment to enhancing the freedom and rights of the Tibetan people at great personal risk. The award was received on behalf of the Panchen Lama by Mr Sonam Frasi, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in the UK. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted as a six-year-old in 1996 by the Chinese government and has not been seen since. In April Tibetans around the word marked his 30th birthday.

The award is given on July 12 every year, this commemorates the death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche – a highly revered lama, community leader and human rights defender who died in a Chinese prison in 2015.

Four Tibetans were recognised and honoured at the ceremony, in addition to Gendhun Choekyi Nyima: Druklo (Pen name: Shokjang): A writer and blogger known for his thought-provoking articles. He was arrested in 2016, charged with “inciting separatism” and sentenced

to three years in prison.

Jigme Gyatso: Currently serving a 15-year prison sentence following his arrest in 1996. In prison he has continued to protest. He has been beaten and tortured and his prison sentence extended.

Kunchok Tsephel: The founder of a popular Tibetan website that promotes Tibetan culture and literature. He is serving a 15-year prison sentence for “divulging state secrets”.

Tashi Rabten: A writer and the co-editor of Shar Dungri, a Tibetan-language literary magazine that has been banned in Tibet. He was detained in 2010 and sentenced to four years in prison.

The Medal of Courage award was initiated in 2016 by the International Tibet Network – a global coalition of 170 Tibet-related non-government organisations campaigning for an end to human rights violations in Tibet and restoring rights to the Tibetan people.

2018’s Medal of Courage award was shared by the filmmakers, former political prisoners and human rights advocates Dhondup Wangchen and Golog Jigme. The first award was presented in 2017 to a medical doctor and political prisoner in Tibet, Yeshi Choedron.

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 7

News Features Tibet at the UN Human Rights Council

by Corinne Dobinson China’s human rights abuses have been raised by the European Union and other European member states at the 41st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council which took place in Geneva this month, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) reports.

The Czech Republic, Germany, European Union, France, Finland and Sweden expressed their concern about the situation in Tibet. The United Kingdom and Belgium spoke specifically of the Chinese authorities’ crackdown on religious groups and human rights defenders.

The CTA report that the EU statement not only called on China to respect human rights, but also expressed grave concern regarding their handling of human rights defenders who have been put on trial and detained. Other individual member states echoed this, with Germany and the Czech Republic calling upon China to release all human rights defenders.

According to the report, France referred to human rights abuses in Tibet and Xinjiang as a “worrying situation” and the German delegate regarded discrimination against the predicament of Tibetans and Uyghurs as “deeply disturbing”. There was also deep concern over “widespread surveillance and profiling based on ethnicity”. The International Campaign for Tibet report that their EU policy director, Vincent Metter, spoke at the session’s general debate on behalf of the International Campaign for Tibet, saying that the surveillance system strives to eradicate Tibetan identity and Vincent Metten, EU policy director of the it from International Campaign for Tibet at the isolate UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. outside scrutiny.

Photo: ICT He stressed the importance of continuing to pursue human rights in Tibet in order to address this isolation and the attempts by China to silence Tibetans.

Mr Metter spoke at a session hosted by the Society for Threatened Peoples and gave an overview of human rights violations in Tibet. This included China’s attempts to “sinicise” [bring under Chinese control] religious matters for political purposes, the lack of religious freedom, and interference in the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama.

Mr Metter also stated that, in accordance with article 36 of the Chinese Constitution and international human rights law, China should respect all religions.

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 8

The Tibet Journal reports that Mr Metter concluded by calling for member states to: urge China to respect religious, belief and cultural freedom; urge prompt and unfettered access for independent human rights experts to all parts of the country, including Tibetan areas; demand the release of all human rights defenders.

Kunchok Yaklha, representative for The Society for Threatened Peoples, also spoke at the general debate.

She referred to the “ongoing concerns of China’s use of surveillance technology” and a “highly repressive regime against religious Kunchok Yaklha speaks about China’s minorities”. Her was repression of Tibetans at the UN Human address Rights Council in Geneva. interrupted on Photo: UN Web TV several occasions by the Chinese delegation on points of order, which asked her not to use “abusive” language. However, the ICT report that the Vice Chairman allowed Ms Yaklha to complete her statement.

The plight of the Uighurs in East Turkestan (Xinjiang in north west China) was discussed at the Council, with 22 countries signing a joint letter criticising China’s treatment of the Muslim minority Uighurs. China is understood to be holding about one million Uighurs and other Muslims in detention camps, claiming they are being educated in a bid to stop extremism. China claims that Uighurs are being educated in “vocational training centres” designed to combat extremism.

Jul 1: Peaceful Protest Around 50 Tibetans from Liechtenstein and Switzerland staged a peaceful protest to the 41st Session of Human Rights Council while it was taking place, calling on member countries to put pressure on China Tibetan delegates at the 41st UN to comply with Human Rights Council session.

Photo: tibet.net International Human Rights standards. The protestors appealed to the United Nations High Commissioner to request China to release information about the 11th Panchen Lama, whom they abducted in 1995.

News Features Eviction, Destruction and Surveillance at Yachen Gar

by Jailel Barr winning victories in the war between China and Japan.”

Monks and nuns from Yachen Gar Tibetan Buddhist The RFA source’s statement continues, saying that after Centre in Palyul county in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous watching these films, nuns break down and cry, which Prefecture are being forced to return home by the their Chinese guards attribute to disloyalty and ill treat thousands, reports Radio Free Asia (RFA), quoting the nuns. local Tibetan sources. Reports detail that a “political RFA reports that between 2017-2018 over 4,000 re-education” campaign was initiated by the Chinese monks and nuns were evicted from nearby Larung Gar Government in May this year, and that the “round-up” Monastery, formerly the biggest Buddhist Academy, has targeted those who have relocated from outside where 7,000 dwellings and other structures have been Kham – or Sichuan province – to study at Yachen Gar. torn down since 2001.

Yachen Gar housed around 10,000 monks, nuns, and Tenzin Dorjee, chair of the bipartisan United States lay practitioners before the evictions started; now the Commission on International Religious Freedom, speaking Chinese authorities have put a cap on the number of to RFA, said that Chinese restrictions on Yachen Gar are residents accommodated at the centre at 4,700 people. an “egregious violation of freedom of religion and issues A majority of the in Tibet are going from monks and nuns bad to worse.” who lived there Reports of the have been evicted, restrictions and escorted to their surveillances at Yarchen homelands and Gar are ongoing with forced to attend RFA giving details of political retight restrictions and education classes more check points in detention set up to monitor the centres.

Where movements of the there is an overflow permitted residents in detention centres and vehicles, and in their hometowns outside visitors barred they have been from entry. Nuns who A Buddhist nun walks past a row of makeshift shelters at Yachen Gar Photo: lesstraveledworld.com relocated to have permission to detention centres in Chomda city. stay in the centre are given a temporary travel permit The Tibetan Review quotes a source as saying that to enter and leave Yarchen Gar. “A large checkpoint the expulsion is part of the Chinese government’s has been set up at the outskirts of Yachen Gar and is localisation policy which allows only locals to enroll at staffed by police around the clock to make sure that monasteries. “Monks and nuns are to wear the dress of a anyone travelling back and forth has the permit in their layperson […] and denounce their devotion to the Dalai possession,” said RFA’s source who continued, saying Lama on a daily basis, as well as memorise political that Chinese authorities have also put up surveillance propaganda that they are later tested on,” says the cameras at all intersections of Yachen Gar and are even unnamed source. These monks and nuns could be held using drones to keep a watch on things. at these detention centres for another several months Large scale demolition of the evicted nuns’ residences and have no prospect of being able to re-enrol in any at Yachen Gar is reported to have begun. Radio Free monastery or nunnery. China is said to have deployed Asia has reported “Chinese work crews [are] tearing around 600 officers to keep a “tight watch” on the area. down over a hundred dwellings of nuns evicted from Tibetan nuns are subjected to harsh treatment the complex in recent weeks, Tibetan sources say”. by officers, reports RFA in an article dated July 11. RFA continues, “Demolition [...] began on July 19 and Nuns showing distress after re-education sessions are moved ahead quickly, with at least 100 structures now being beaten, says their source, “During morning and torn down” quoting a Tibetan living in the area, “The afternoon sessions of their political re-education, they heavy machinery rolled out at Yachen Gar includes have to perform Chinese patriotic songs and learn to excavators, bulldozers, and dump trucks”. Yachen Gar dance […] And in the evening, they are forced to watch leaders have appealed to the Chinese authorities to stop, Chinese propaganda films showing Chinese soldiers but to no avail.

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News Features How WeChat Conquered Tibet As we read news of Tibetan people living in Tibet being arrested and often beaten and tortured for storing or sharing information about protests, or photographs of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we might wonder how the authorities know about their actions. In our western world of privacy and encrypted messages we have some security against official eavesdroppers. Not so in China and Tibetans living under Chinese rule are subjected to ever insidious surveillance. Tenzin Dalha’s article (extracts below) looks at this issue; it was originally published in full in The Diplomat. He is a research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute, researching Chinese cyber security policy and the social media landscape of Tibetan society.

The digital revolution has emerged as a key factor in the rapid dissemination of news and broadcasting views. But many people don’t realise that convenience has cost them their privacy. As you flow through your daily routine on a smartphone, you inadvertently share more data than you realise. This trade off between convenience and privacy illuminates the case of WeChat with respect to Tibetans and the larger Tibetan issue. In my research, I have found that Tibetan netizens generally give up privacy for the sake of convenience when using WeChat, operated by the Chinese company Tencent.News and information spreads like wildfire on WeChat and Facebook feeds.

WeChat, the world’s largest standalone messaging app, is constantly refining their technology to monitor — and censor — content. Over the last ten yearsit has become the dominant social networking platform in China as a whole, which includes Tibet.

Anyone with family or relationships associated with Tibet has no other choice but to use WeChat to stay in contact, since other global social media applications are banned in the region.

The app has over one billion registered users worldwide and 902 million daily users. WeChat’s information technology services and software are fundamentally insecure. The Chinese government claims sweeping powers over any matter considered relevant to China’s national security and pressures Chinese firms not only to censor content but, when needed, hand over user data.

In an interview with Tibetans recently arrived in India, one woman told me, “WeChat is set to become more obligatory in the daily lives of many Tibetan people.” At the same time, there is scrutiny of WeChat, which has been linked to an alarming rise in arrests of Tibetans. That, combined with the implementation of the recent cybersecurity laws, makes many Tibetans practice self-censorship on WeChat: discussing only social matters and reposting and forwarding messages that are nonpolitical.

The Tibetan woman I spoke to told me that she realised her phone was tapped and her calls and text messages were under surveillance. Before she left Tibet, the Internet Security Bureau were able to repeat her words and voice messages precisely when they called her in for interrogation.

Another Tibetan man I spoke to explained to me how his family in Tibet would talk with him on WeChat almost daily. But he found that he had been removed from the family group chat and that his parents had blocked him without any further explanation. He was notified that they were changing their profile pictures and status on WeChat, but he was unable to send them a message or get in touch with them. This incident has left him with questions — he assumes that the Chinese cyber police might have warned his family against contacting someone outside Tibet.

WeChat in Exile In Tibetan communities in India WeChat’s popularity stems from its ease of use as well as the fact that voice messages do not require literacy in Tibetan, so that Tibetans who may not be able to read Tibetan can still participate in groups and share their views and ideas confidently.

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In a field survey with 550 participants from across India conducted by the author in 2018, 70-90% of Tibetans reported using the WeChat app extensively to connect with their family in Tibet, and in the diaspora and abroad.

WeChat and Beijing Tencent has officially denied any government involvement in privacy matters several times. However, WeChat states in its privacy policy that it may share users’ data with “government, public, regulatory, judicial and law enforcement bodies or authorities” to “comply with applicable laws and regulations.”

As a company based in China, WeChat is subject to state laws on content control, and while WeChat claims to be end-to-end encrypted, there is a significant evidence to suggest that clientside censorship based on keyword and surveillance is prevalent, including erasing messages that are deemed politically sensitive.

The problem is larger than WeChat. In some villages in Tibet, police are taking away people’s phones and secretly installing an app that extracts data from emails, texts messages and contacts.

This surveillance app searches for information on a range of material, including literature by the Dalai Lama and messages that are deemed politically sensitive.

In Tibet users face the threat of imprisonment if they are found responsible for “online rumours.” China has been cracking down hard on WeChat users who demonstrate sympathy and support for the Tibetan cause and blocking any avenues for the spread of relevant information. Restrictions and fines are on the rise for sharing “illegal” content on WeChat.

In addition to their firewall, the government can censor specific words. However, many Tibetan and Chinese netizens use images and memes to portray a serious topic in a lighthearted manner, and further increase the spread of information.

“Fake News” The influx of information has led to a preponderance of news about conditions in Tibet. However,it is difficult to verify real news and differentiate it from false rumours, especially when news primarily comes by way of social media.

The spread of “fake news” has become a global concern but for Tibet, baseless allegations have the potential to affect the struggle to advocate the cause of Tibet and my research has shown that lies and unverified rumours are created by many fake accounts on popular social media outlets like WeChat and Facebook. These platforms raise concerns surrounding the dissemination of false or misleading information as they lack the gatekeeping and verification processes that traditional media have. This raises questions regarding where to draw the line between regulation and censorship, and how to balance freedom of expression with inflammatory and provocative speech.

While WeChat has become, and continues to be, a popular medium for social interaction and bridging private and public lives, the safety of the application and security of shared content remains a legitimate concern for everyone.

Tibetan Headlines Jul 31: Financial Support Two of the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) core initiatives, Gangjong Bank (TibFin) and Tibet Corps, have been given a major boost during a visit by CTA delegates to the United States and Canada.

55 investors pledged a total of $1 million towards the initiatives, with many more expressing interest. The two projects provide capital, financial and education support to Tibetan entrepreneurs.

Jul 30: Collaborative Events The University of Westminster, UK, and Tibet Forum-JNU, collaborated over two events, Challenges faced by Tibetan Youth in Exile, held on July 19-20 in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Centrality of the Marginalised: Tibet, China and India, a conference held on July 22 in the India Habitat Centre, both in New Delhi. Experts, activists and academics were brought together with students attending from different universities in India.

Jul 29: $100m Donation

Denny Sanford, 83, a United States banking billionaire, has donated US$100 million (£81 million) to the University of San Diego, saying he was inspired by the wisdom of HH the Dalai Lama, who he met in 2017. He wants to fund scientific research on empathy and compassion at the university. Mr Sanford is worth an estimated $2.6 billion (£2.1 billion).

Jul 26: Discussion

A delegation from Taiwan’s ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, visited HH the Dalai Lama at his residence to wish him good health, a happy birthday and to discuss common interests and challenges in regard to relations with China. The Taiwanese politicians suggested sustained ties and exchange between various minorities who suffer under China’s rule or threats. The delegation also visited the leadership of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Jul 26: Speaking up for Tibet Mkhuleko Hlengwa, a South African Member of Parliament, has called on his government to do more for Tibet, citing the human rights violations imposed on Tibetans by the Chinese regime. Giving a five-minute speech in Parliament and wearing a Tibetan shirt, Mr Hlengwa demanded that his government prioritise human dignity, freedom and justice before economic ties with China, who is S Africa’s largest trading partner.

Jul 24: Top Student Tenzin Dawa Thargay, a Tibetan student in the United States, is one of 58 who have been awarded the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship 2019

by the Honour Society of Phi Kappa Phi. The award is America’s oldest and most selective collegiate honour spanning all academic disciplines; Thargay will receive a fellowship worth US$8,500 [£ 6,980] to enable him to pursue a master’s degree at a top university.

Jul 24: Most Admired HH the Dalai Lama is the eighth most admired man in the world according to an annual poll conducted by the British-based market research company YouGov. Topping the list is Bill Gates who is followed by former United States president Barack Obama. Michelle Obama tops the women’s list, followed by Oprah Winfrey.

Jul 23: Educational Support Early Childhood Care and Education workshops have taken place in five remote, high-altitude nomadic regions of Ladakh in north India, funded by the Tibet Fund and run

by Manjushri Educational Service (MES) as part of MES’s ongoing Strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education project. MES is a non-profit educational non-government organisation which works to improve education among exile Tibetans and other underprivileged communities in India.

Jul 22: Innovative Disruptor Award Tibetan entrepreneur Tenzin Seldon has been awarded the United Nations Innovative Disruptor Award at the UN NOVUS Summit in New York. The award is presented to a community of innovators who have inspired and empowered others into innovative thinking and creative activism.

Tenzin Seldon was recognised for her work with empowering refugees and her environmentalism. The ceremony was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Jul 21: Condolences HH the Dalai Lama, together with the President of the Central Tibetan Administration and representing the Tibetan nation, has expressed condolences on the death of veteran Indian leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Diksh. His Holiness said “it was an honour to meet her over the years. She was a close friend of the Tibetan people.”

Jul 19: Sinicising Tibet Indian national newspaper the Pioneer, whose journalists were among a group of Indian journalists who visited Tibet recently, highlights China’s policy of sinicising Tibet.

Their article China promoting marriages among Han and Tibetans in Tibet reports on the marriage between the Han Long Shi Zhong and his Tibetan wife Ba Sang Que Ba, saying they have been awarded a “national role model” award for ethnic unity.

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Tibetan Headlines Jul 18: A Winner!

Deckyi, a Masters degree student who graduated from Sikkim Manipal University last year, has been awarded the Gold Medal for academic excellence by the Honourable Governor of Sikkim.

She has been studying on a Central Tibetan Administration scholarship over the last six years, funded

by German Aid to Tibetans and USAID; her scholarship is ongoing while she continues her studies at Harkamaya College of Education in Sikkim.

Jul 17: Border Protests Indian newspapers have reported that Chinese people dressed in civilian clothes gathered on the Tibetan side of the IndiaTibet border in Ladakh in protest at the birthday celebrations taking place for HH the Dalai Lama’s birthday on the Indian side. Incidents were reported at Koyul Village near Fukche located bank of the Indus River in the eastern part of Ladakh around 270 km (170 miles) southeast of Leh. Jul 11: Prohibitive Tuition Fees Tibetan students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi have been hit by a major hike in tuition fees, reports the Tibetan Review. JNU has revised its fee structure for foreign students but has dropped the special status previously given to Tibetan students - who are not now exempted from the new, higher fees for foreign students, effectively a 20-fold increase in fees over recent years.

Jul 10: Youth Icon Award Five young Tibetans have reached the final stage of the first ever Youth Icon Award and are standing for a public poll. The Global Tibetan Students Union (GTSU) award is aimed at empowering and motivating young Tibetans and is awarded to people with exceptional leadership skills and outstanding achievement in community services. The winner will get a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees (US$ 1,500 / £1,200).

Jul 9: Appeal to India

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, has appealed to the Indian government to include Tibet among its core issues. “No country has done more for Tibetans than India”, said Sangay, speaking to The Week, and continued, “I appeal to the Indian government to include Tibet in its core issues, considering the historical, environmental and geopolitical significance of Tibet”.

Jul 5: Pizza Hut in Lhasa Pizza Hut has opened its first outlet in Lhasa, the capital city

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of Tibet, reports Chinese state media Xinhua. Yum Brands also opened its first KFC outlet in 2016. Lhasa is one of the most strictly surveillanced cities, reports Phayul, with continuous and secret surveillance operations, while China’s policy of opening up to international companies is an attempt to influence global perception and to make Lhasa and Tibet a tourist destination.

Jul 4: Translation Workshop The annual translation workshop is underway at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamshala.

The intensive, three month course has 37 participants who include geshes, journalists, astrologers, psychologists, linguists and civil servants who are all expected to contribute what they learn in the workshop towards service of the community.

Jul 3: Yak Meat

The Chinese news agency Xinhua has claimed that a new, Chinese bred, yak is the answer to “poverty” on the Tibetan plateau. The Ashidan yak can be kept inside and is well suited to large-scale intensive breeding. Tibetans have been successfully breeding yaks, making a good livelihood and living sustainably on the plateau for around 8,000 years before the Chinese invasion in the 1950s.

Jul 3: Clarification Statement The Central Tibetan Administration has published a clarification of the remarks made

by HH the Dalai during his recent BBC interview, saying that some could be open to misinterpretation in a different cultural climate.

The full statement is available on tibet.net.

Jul 2: No Visa

Nyima Tsering-Young, 14, a talented footballer of Tibetan origin who was set to play for the New Zealand team in the Gothia Cup - widely referred to as the “Youth World Cup” - in China has been withdrawn from the team because he was experiencing problems getting his Chinese visa. This despite his family having applied early because of previous visa problems. All the other team members have been granted visas.

Jul 1: Sikyong BBC Interview Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-exile was interviewed at length for the BBC’s HARDtalk programme. He spoke about Tibet’s strategy for achieving its objectives under the Chinese leadership as well as the Tibet movement’s short and long term goals. The programme is available on the BBCiplayer.

International Headlines Jul 29: China’s Defense Strategy China has issued a new White Paper China’s National Defense in the New Era which calls for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to strengthen its preparedness and enhance combat capabilities. The Asia Times comments that it is clear that by 2049, China is “theoretically” aiming to be “be restored as the foremost global power”.

Jul 26: Congratulations His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulated Boris Johnson, 55, on becoming the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister. His Holiness said “Historically, Tibetans have enjoyed a long and unique relationship with Great Britain. To this day we maintain close contacts with members of the families of British Government officials who were posted in Tibet prior to 1959.”

Jul 25: Global Warming Escalates Three new scientific research papers are saying that the speed and extent of global warming exceeds any similar event in the past 2,000 years; that arguments used by climate sceptics are no longer valid and that the current warming rate is higher than any previously recorded rates.

Jul 24: Activist Murdered Yelena Grigoryeva, a Russian LGBT campaigner, has been found murdered near her home in St Petersberg. She campaigned for human rights in Russia and against Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula and is reported to have received death threats. The police have arrested a suspect. Promoting homosexuality is illegal in Russia.

Jul 23: Escalating Tensions in Iran Iran is claiming to have arrested 17 spies working for the United States CIA and says that some have been sentenced to death; the spies are said to have been collecting information which included the nuclear and military sectors. This comes amid escalating tensions as the international nuclear deal with Iran collapses and Iran seizes a British tanker in the Gulf.

Jul 19: Message in a Bottle A message in a bottle thrown into the Indian Ocean 50 years ago has been found and reconnected with its writer, Paul Gilmore, who was 13 at the time and sailing with his family from the United Kingdom to Melbourne to start a new life. Mr Gilmore wrote the note on December 17, 1969 and told the BBC he was “always hoping that a letter would come back.”

Jul 18: Pelosi Speaks Out Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States’

House of Representatives, has called Chinese President Xi Jinping an “authoritarian of the most oppressive nature” who has persecuted people for their beliefs and faith. She said of China-US relations, “Commercial interests are so significant, that it sometimes tempers our values as to how we are to act on it”.

Jul 17: EU Leader The European Union Commission has elected Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen as President; the centre-right defence minister replaces outgoing Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and will take up her post on November 1. Mrs von der Leyen was backed by more than half of the European parliament members.

Jul 15: Monsoon Fatalities Monsoon flooding has caused havoc in Nepal, Bangladesh and northeastern India.

Over 65 people have been reported dead in flooding and landslides in Nepal while in Bangladesh millions of people are affected and there have been fatalities in the crowded Rohingya refugee camps. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the coming days.

Jul 11: Survivor!

A man has been swept over the Horseshoe Falls - the largest of the three Niagara Falls –in north America. He fell around 188ft (57 metres)into the river below and was taken to hospital. He was reported to have climbed over a retaining wall before being swept over the Falls.

Jul 10: Motorbikes Banned Motorbikes have been banned in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in a bid to curb crime amid reports of people being robbed by criminals on motorbikes.

Although businesses are supposed to be exempt, delivery companies report having their bikes seized by the authorities. Other places in Africa have seen similar bans, causing problems for commuters who use bikes to avoid heavy traffic.

Jul 9: “Anything is Possible” 20 teenagers in South Africa have assembled and flown a four-seater Sling 4 aeroplane, flying it 12,000km (7,455 miles) from Cape Town to Egypt. The students built the plane in three weeks from a kit. 17 year old Megan Werner, the pilot and founder of the U-Dream Global project, said she wants to show Africa that “anything is possible”.

Jul 5: China on Muslim Children China is deliberately separating Muslim children in the north western province of Xinjiang from their families, faith and language reports the BBC, saying that in addition to the detention centres for adults,

giant boarding schools are being built. In Istanbul in Turkey, which has close links with Xinjiang, many people are sharing stories of missing children back home in Xinjiang.

Jul 4: Hong Kong Beijing has made a formal complaint, saying the United Kingdom has “damaged” relations with China following Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s statements in support of the recent Hong Kong protests calling for greater democracy and independence from China. Hunt tweeted, “want to stress UK support for Hong Kong and its freedoms is UNWAVERING [...] HK people MUST preserve right to peaceful protest exercised within the law”.

Jul 3: Epic Journey A young Arctic fox, tracked with a GPS tracking device, has walked across the ice from the Svalbard Islands to the north of Norway to northern Canada - a journey of 3,506 km (2,176 miles), taking 76 days.

She was less than a year old when she was released from Spitsbergen in March last year, she reached Greenland in 21 days before going on to Canada’s Ellesmere Island.

Jul 2: Whaling Japan has pulled out of the International Whaling Commission and defied the international whaling ban to start commercial whaling again for the first time since 1986.

Five whaling ships have set out with a remit to catch up to 227 minke, Bryde’s and sei whales this year in Japanese waters; they have already caught their first whale. Japan claims it is possible to hunt whales in a sustainable way.

Jul 2: Woman Beaten A female forest official has been brutally beaten by a mob in Telangana in southern India. The mob was protesting against a tree plantation drive; they say forest officials are destroying their crops. Sixteen men have been arrested, one is the brother of the state’s ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party leader, and two police officers suspended for failing to protect the forest officer.

Jul 1: Rescuer Arrested Carola Rackete, 32, captain of the ship Sea-Watch-3, has been arrested following her actions in support of migrants at sea.

Working with the German NGO Sea-Watch, she was carrying 53 migrants who had been rescued off Libya. She was refused entry to Italy at Lampedusa and eventually docked, despite orders not to, saying she feared that people on board would kill themselves.

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People Story Becoming a Better Person

by Shoshana Zimmerman Jayang Bogdo has only a faint memory of his parents and their home in Delhi. He remembers that only English was spoken and that he attended a private kindergarten school.

His early childhood ended when both parents were killed in an accident. Private school was no longer an option. Jayang went to live with his grandmother, a woman he has always loved and respected, and after a short stay with her he was sent to Tibetan Children’s School in McLeod Ganj for first grade and later graduated from there.

In first grade life was difficult – he was alone without family or friends and the other children spoke Tibetan but he only knew English.

They made fun of him and some bullies made things even worse.

When he saw classmates with their parents he often felt a sense of loss. By the fourth grade, however, Jayang became more confident and assertive having learned Tibetan. He had made friends and done well in his studies. While not wanting to fight, he decided to stand up to the bullies, surprising them immensely, after which they left him alone.

As a teenager Jayang felt emotional support from many women teachers as well as his grandmother. She visited him at school periodically and saw that he had clothes and a little money, while his teachers gave him daily support. They took an interest in him, gave him advice and frequently invited him on outings and to their homes. He was often mischievous, but they overlooked his pranks, saying, “boys will be boys.”

After graduation Jayang went to Chandigarh College for his Bachelors degree and then worked in a call centre. For four years he was swallowed up in the “rat race” working nights in a confined and pressured environment. Hours were long and demands were exhaustive but the money was good. On weekends he partied with casual friends and slept the days away. Externally he had achieved a successful life, but internally he was not happy.It was too easy for him to get anxious, frustrated and angry, distracted and tense, too

far removed from the Tibetan culture. That was not how he wanted to live: he quit his job.

He arrived back in McLeod Ganj in March, 2016 once again to build a new life and this time he was determined to build it based on Tibetan values of compassion, responsibility, meaningful relationships and work. He felt and continues to feel the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and frequently asks himself how His Holiness might view what he is thinking or doing.

“I imagine His Holiness looking over my shoulder and I try to refrain from the things I know would not please him,” he said.

His curiosity was free to roam and Jayang soon began observing things around him, wanting to notice everything in his environment. He became aware of people’s subtle cues and would check to see if a person’s eyes and mouth were saying the same thing. He observed ways the body communicates true feelings. Before long he began to take photos to capture the feelings he saw expressed.

Jayang began documenting the lives of ordinary Tibetans.

He found work at Hope Café and Gallery with Kunsang Tenzin, a mentor he admires and learns from daily. Together they document lives of ordinary Tibetans with photos and stories for present and future generations. “It is not all about the outer world. It is about the way we Tibetans face problems and issues, dealing with suffering through compassion and control of our minds. Being without our country is an issue we each deal with personally while we remain grateful to India for allowing us to stay here.”

In answer to the question, “What kind of future do you see for yourself?” he replied, “I really don’t know how to answer that question because I never think about what kind of job or career I want, and that’s what people talk about for their future. I don’t care about success and material possessions. I just want to become a better person, to have more compassion, to feel peaceful in my mind and be happy”.

Every month we feature somebody from the Tibetan community on our Dharamshala Voices page as well as the occasional profile of one of the many NGOs in Dharamshala who do so much to help the Tibetan Community You can read more Dharamshala Voices stories on the Contact website: http://www.contactmagazine.net/dharamasla-life/

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NGO Profile Tibetan Women’s Association

by Shoshana Zimmerman the imprisonment and torture they had suffered in Tibet The Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) is focused at the hands of the Chinese. At that time there were no primarily on empowerment training through a variety of nunneries and the nuns had no one to turn to. His Holiness programmes, says their President Mrs Dolma Yangchen, asked TWA to start a as she explained the aims and evolution of Association.

Nuns’ Programme. This Empowerment has been the thrust of the Association programme addresses the since it was set up in exile on September 10, 1984 following a nuns’ basic physical needs request by His Holiness the Dalai Lama that the Association for food and shelter as be reinstated here in well as providing support India to look at the and counselling. It is now status of women in run under the Tibetan exile. TWA originally Government-in-exile’s education department while began on March TWA continues to offer an annual Nun’s Empowerment 12, 1959 in Tibet Programme providing workshop training in gender as a spontaneous sensitisation, sexual harassment and conflict resolution, as response of women well as training in how to build communication skills. from all three In recent decades more young women have been provinces to oppose obtaining college and advanced degrees. TWA seeks such the Chinese brutality women to train in leadership skills so they in turn can towards Tibetans go to the Tibetan regional communities to help increase which was openly women’s awareness of their human rights, women’s displayed on March rights and legal rights by organising support groups 10 during the 1959 and conducting workshops. There are now separate Dolma Yangchen The current President of TWA Tibetan uprising. The programmes focusing on women’s leadership training, Photo: Contact/Lha peaceful resistance legal training and youth training. Recently they have been of the women also met with Chinese brutality. working on increasing awareness of domestic violence Although there was no formal organisation in India until among both men and women to meet a recognised need 1984, Tibetan women living in exile in the Tibetan exile community. The created handicraft centres in larger first Gender Sensitisation Workshop Tibetan communities for the many on domestic violence is scheduled women refugees who created Tibetan to take place in October this year. handicrafts, enabling them to earn TWA also provides sponsorship, a livelihood while simultaneously especially to poor senior citizens and preserving many traditional arts and disadvantaged families, particularly crafts. TWA’s early days consisted the families of single mothers. An of informal support for the women, Environment Programme has also including some financial assistance. been developed. Another aspect of Structured programmes have TWA is that it provides an excellent developed from 1995 to provide job opportunity for young women opportunities. Before leaving Tibet, to work for this influential and refugee women tend to be uneducated, respected NGO and to take the skills lacking employable skills and higher and knowledge they learn there education. Stiches of Tibet was set out into the world to benefit other Stitches of Tibet workshop in Jogiwara Road up in 1995 as an 18 month tailoring organisations through their work Photo: TWA programmeto support such refugee and leadership women, empowering them to become more self-reliant TWA is the largest and most powerful women’s and self-supporting. Stitches of Tibet is still training organisation in Tibetan history and now has representation women, mostly younger women who could not complete throughout Asia, Europe, Australia and North America in their education.

58 Regions,with 17,000 members.

Towards the end of the 1980s refugee nuns began For more information please visit the TWA website arriving in Dharamshala, many greatly traumatised by www.tibetanwomen.org.

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Lha News Cultural Exchange Groups from US and UK Lha hosted several student groups from USA and UK in July under our Cultural Exchange Programme which aims to introduce westerners to Tibetan culture, tradition and Tibetan refugee life in exile. The two groups of medical students were from our longtime friends and partners Tulane University and Loyala undergraduate students. They stayed at Lha’s Ahimsa House and were involved in various activities including volunteering in Lha’s medical camp. The Tulane university students carried out health screenings in monasteries at the Bir Tibetan Colony as well as at Gaden Choeling Monastery in Mcleod Ganj. The groups received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during which he spoke of the importance of compassion in order to be a good doctor.

The students from Loyala University were paired with Lha’s language students for mutual learning: this gives both sides the opportunity to learn His Holiness speaking to medical students from Tulane University and explore each other’s culture while also developing friendship. The Photo: Phayul group was led by our longtime friend Michael Smith and his wife Pema.

Fourgroups of high school student visited us from the United Kingdom through Global Action. The groups were from Malmesbury and Kingswood schools and they were given a presentation about Lha, its mission, vision and how non-profit organisations take part in rehabilitating Tibetan refugees and sustaining the Tibetan movement. The students volunteered to take part in the English conversation classes which take place every weekday from 4 to 5pm.

We would like thank all our partners for choosing us and for their continuous support for our organisation.

Lha’s Massage and Spa Course: Second Batch The Tibetan Traditional Massage and Basic Spa course continued with the second batch of students beginning their course on July 8. Seven students are being trained at the Tibet Health Spalon to develop professionalism in the field for a period of three months. After the course completion, the students will be sent for internship at different massage and spa centres in and around Dharamshala. This training comes under Lha’s Livelihood progaramme and is funded by the Tibet Fund, Unted States.

Massage and Basic Spa course is a part of series of short term vocational courses Lha has initiated to help eleviate the unemployment in Tibetan exile community.

A cookery course will start from August 1 and registration for the Bartending course is open now.

Clean Drinking Water Facility at Special Needs School This month we were able to install another water filtration system on July 8 as part of our Clean Water Project.

Through Dharamshala Rotary Club, we came to know that Surya Uday Charitable Trust - a school cum pre-vocational centre for special needs children – are looking for help in setting up a clean drinking water facility for their students and staff. The school has 89 special needs students plus 21 staff. Since 2010, Lha has installed 27 water filtration systems in monasteries, nunneries, schools and institutions, all made possible by generous donors and supporters.

Lha is seeking monetary support to install more systems at schools and monasteries in both Tibetan and Indian communities.

Each water filter system costs US$ 2,500. Any individual or organisation willing to support this project can contact us at office@lhasocialwork.org

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 16

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

This month, Owen and Meghan from Canada share their story with us.

Volunteer job at Lha: English Teachers

Getting More than We Gave

We knew that we wanted to volunteer on our six month trip On Meghan’s last day of class she asked the students if and decided to come to McLeod Ganj. We live close to the possible to wear their traditional clothing. Meghan had been vibrant Tibetan community in Toronto and had the opportunity given a Chupa (traditional Tibetan dress) by one of the staff to work on Bhutila Karpoche’s election campaign. She is the so she could participate in supporting Tibetan culture. So it first Tibetan member of government in the western world. was a lovely last day, and a great visual memory for us with When we told everyone dressed in their best. Of course it was an emotional Bhuti la we last day, as endings are hard, but it were coming was also joyful as we introduced here she was our amazing replacement teachers delighted with who joined us for our last two our dedication classes which made for a really to the Tibetan smooth transition. community. One The staff have been nothing of our friends but supportive and we have been had grown up lucky enough to have our fellow in Mcleod Ganj volunteer, colleague and friend and he introduced us to the former director, who now lives Firoz help out as well. The thing in our neighbourhood in Toronto. It was at that point, after about volunteering is you get back hearing about Lha that we knew we had to come. so much more than you give. We We arrived at Lha not knowing what our jobs would be but have learned so much more than we taught. We got to attend our expectations of the organisation were high, based on their teachings by His Holiness, we learned about Buddhism, website and publications. We were surprised and pleased to be we had great food at the volunteer lunches, and we were able to lead two of the English classes inspired by the dedication of the here for the month of May. Owen teaches staff at Lha. None of them do a 9 at a public school at elementary level, so 5 job, that’s for sure. They are out the students have to be at school whether at workshops in the evening, they they want to or not. In Lha, the students are building bookshelves for the all choose to be there and want to learn Ahimsa Cafe on Saturday afternoon, English, so the attitude in the room was and if it happens to be their day off, always positive, and the energy was high. they will still do what needs to be We had students from Vietnam, Thailand, done, because they work as a team Laos, India, Bhutan,Nepal, and of course and that’s just how it is. We hope Tibet. While they may come from all over to come back in the future and see Asia and speak different mother tongues, what wonderful projects are being Meghan in her classroom at Lha nothing breaks down cultural barriers done and where the organisation will Photo: Contact/Lha like a good laugh, and we have had many put its energy. This has been a really during the past month. The songs we taught in the classes are still special time for us at Lha and at Mcleod Ganj. It was sad to echoing in our heads (Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Space Oddity, The leave, but we have great memories!

Gambler, etc.). So if you see a student walking down the chaotic Good luck to the students, staff, and volunteers at Lha street of Mcleod Ganj singing “Ground Control to Major Tom”, this year and thanks for the opportunity to volunteer with you’ll know why! such a well-run and compassionate organisation!

Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust

Lha Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots, non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has been striving to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for over 20 years.

For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org Contact magazine online www.contactmagazine.net Facebook: Contact News / Twitter: Contact News

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 17

Charities And Organisations Central Tibetan Administration

Tibetan Library (LTWA)

TCHRD

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.

Location: Near Library Phone: 01892-222218 Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm Email: kashag@tibet.net Web: www.tibet.net

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.

Location: Gangchen Kyishong Phone: 9882255047 Email: ltwa1970@gmail.com Web: www.tibetanlibrary.org

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democrac (TCHRD) advocates for human rights and provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet.

The centre publishes journals and articles, as well as conducting workshops and campaigns.

Location: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 Phone: 01892-223363 Email: office@tchrd.org Web: www.tchrd.org

Delek Hospital

Lha Charitable Trust

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.

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 Web: www.delekhospital.org

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 back page) Location: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India Phone: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 Email: office@lhasocialwork.org Web:www.lhasocialwork.org

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (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.

Location: McLeod Ganj, Phone: 01892-221343 / 221210 Email: ohhdl@dalailama.com Web: www.dalailama.com

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) The TYC is an advocacy and political action organisation with chapters around the world. The TYC organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities.

Location: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 Phone: 01892-221554 Email: president@tibetanyouthcongress.org, tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org Web: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org

Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) The TWA conducts workshops on gender sensitisation and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships and connects women with international sponsors.

Location: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj Phone: 01892-221527 Email: tibwomen@gmail.com Web: www. tibetanwomen.org

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.

Location: Dharamshala Cantt.176216 Phone: 01892-221354 / 221348 Email: headoffice@tcv.org.in Web: www.tcv.org.in

Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute Men-Tsee-Khang, also called Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute, is a facility for research, training and practice of traditional Tibetan medicine. Patients may seek treatment at Men-Tsee-Khang for both acute and chronic conditions. The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.

Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Phone: 01892-223222 / 223113 Email: info@men-tsee-khang.org Web: www.men-tsee-khang.org

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 65 schools under this organisation after the take over of CTSA Schools.

Location: Khanyara Rd, Dharamshala176215 Phone: 01892 - 246422 / 246423 Email: stss1999@gmail.com Web: www.sambhota.org

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 programmes, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Volunteer opportunities available.

Location: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala-176215 Phone: 01892-223930 Email: jamyang@tong-len.org Web: www. tong-len.org

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) SFT is an international NGO that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community.

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

Location: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj Phone: 9882786875 Web: www.sftindia.org, Web: www.studentsforafreetibet.org

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

Location: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj Phone: 01892-221790 / 221877 Email: director@tibetcharity.in Web: www.tibetcharity.in

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 18

The Kangra District 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.

Location: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala Phone: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 Email: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com Web: www.redcrosskangra.org

Gu-Chu-Sum Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Association of Tibet is an organisation of former political prisoners of Tibet and former activists currently in exile that engages in their complete assistance including medical, financial, basic education and vocational training. It also organises lobbies and advocacies about human rights abuses in Tibet.

Web: www.guchusum.org Location: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, Phone: 01892-220680 / 220679 Email: guchusum1991@gmail.com

Tibet World Tibet World is a charitable trust (Reg No 136/2015) “Where Tibet meets the world & the world meets Tibet”. Education programmes: international language courses, training, workshops and a winter programme for schoolchildren. Cultural programmes: folk show, talks, sharing stories, monk chat, compassion + wisdom = happiness workshops, cultural tours, engaging volunteering options, cultural exchange and collaboration programmes.

Location: Jogiwara Road near Post Office, McLeod Ganj Phone: 9816999928/8353005268 Email: info@tibetworld.org

Charities And Organisations Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)

Clean Upper Dharamshala Project

National Democratic Party of Tibet

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).

Location: TIPA Road, McLeod Ganj Dharamshala-176219 Phone: 01892-221478 Email: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com Web: www.tibetanarts.org

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

Location: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - 176219 Phone: 01892-221059 Email: cudpswm@gmail.com Web: www.tsodhasa.org

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.

Location: Dharamshala–176219 Phone: 9882787633 / 9882673330 Email: tibetparty4@gmail.com Web: www.ndp4tibet.org

Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage)

Norbulingka Institue

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

Location: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur Phone: 01892 211042 / 9816028149 Email: nyingtob_ling@hotmail.com Web: www.nyingtobling.org

Norbulingka Institue is a centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work. The institution is dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan culture in its literary and artistic forms. Guided tours are available. You can visit temple, workshops, garden and the showroom of Tibetan arts and crafts. You can take a free tour of the studios and observe artists at work. The tour guides will explain each art form in depth. There is a restaurant on site. (See back cover inside) Location: Sidhpur, Dharamshala Phone: 9882144210 Email: info@norbulingka.org Web: www.norbulingka.org

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

Location: Underground Hotel Akash, Jogiwara Road, Mcleodd Ganj, Dharamsala 176219 Phone: (+91) 7590025915 Email: learningandideasfortibet@gmail.com Web: www.lit-dharamsala.org

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a non-profit, 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.

Location: Session Road, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 Phone: 01892-226627 Email: tccrteam@gmail.com Web: www.tccr.org

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

Location: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala- 176219 Phone: 9857973026 Email: rogpa2004@yahoo.com Web: www.tibetrogpa.org

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.

Location: Village Gamru, P.O Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala, Distt Kangra 176215 Phone: 9816105554 Email: tashu72004@yahoo.com Web: www.gamruschool.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 Centre ANEC facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on nonviolent strategies to help resolve disagreements and differences at all levels of human society. ANEC welcomes volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas of regional and global peace and nonviolent strategies. Free lunch and tea and many more benefits for volunteers.

Location: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamshala Phone: 9882077708 / 9882921477 Email: wangduemiddleway@gmail.com Website: www.anec-india.net

Tibetan Dubbing Society Tibetan Dubbing Society, founded in 2015, is a non-profit organisation working towards preserving the Tibetan language through various forms of entertainment and dubbing animation movies into the Tibetan language for Tibetan children.

Location: Near Norbulinga Institute Phone: +91-8629837735 Email: savetiblang@gmail.com Web: www.tibetdub.org

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: 4:00am (Rs 554), 6pm (Rs 580), 7:30 pm (Rs 570) Semi Deluxe Bus: 5pm (Rs 590) , 6:30pm (Rs 590) Full Deluxe Bus: (Rs683) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8:15 am (Rs 1243), 5:35pm (Rs 1275), 7:00pm (Rs 1275), 8:50pm (Rs1275) AC TATA: 5:50pm (Rs 972) AMRITSAR: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs257) *from Dharamshala DEHRADUN: Ordinary Bus: 2pm (Rs 560) 8pm (Rs 551); VOLVO: 7pm (Rs 1199) MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 7:10am (Rs358 *from Dharamshala / VOLVO: 11:30 pm (Rs 782) PATHANKOT: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 136) * from Dharamshala SHIMLA: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 408), 6am (Rs 360), 7:50am (Rs 375), 8:am (Rs 520) 7:45 pm (Rs 363), 12pm (Rs 367) *from Dharamshala, Semi-Deluxe Bus: 9:30pm (Rs455) *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.

TA X I S 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 Rs 20.

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 19

Activities And Information Livelihood Programme Lha Charitable Trust in collaboration with Tibetan Health Spalon based in Dharamshala has announced a four month traditional Tibetan massage and spa course for Tibetans as part of their Livelihood programme. The Lha programme is funded by the Tibet Fund, USA. The course covers: • Tibetan Traditional Massage • Introduction to Swedish massage and Aromatherapy massage • Course weightings: Theory 30% and Practical 70% • Two month on-the-job training • Personality development, financial literacy, basic English and other complementary courses

Buddhist Philosophy Library Of Tibetan Works And Archives Web: Www.tibetanlibrary.org Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Between

Mcleod Ganj And Lower Dharamshala Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:30 - 11:45 Am Phone: 9882255047

yoga and reiki Yoga & Reiki Courses Location: Om Yoga Ashram,Near Dal Lake Mob: 9805693514 /981649432 Email: om.yoga@ymail.com Web: http://www.omashram.in Shivam Neelkant Yoga Kendra Location: Upper Bhagsu Phone: 098165-65138 Web: www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu Massage Location: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road, Phone: 07833047078 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 Dorjee Spa Location: Pema Thang Guest House,

WHotel Bhagsu Road Phone:9816393673 9857108408 Whatsapp: 9816393673

Meditation

Languages

Tushita Meditation Centre Web: www.tushita.info Location: Dharamkot Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30Am Phone: 0898-816-0988 Email: spc@tushita.info

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translators Programme Location: Rato Chuwar Labrang,

Shivan Neel Kanth Yoga Website: www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com Location: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky Phone: 09816565138 Email: Yogi_shivam@Yahoo.co.in

Tibetan Language Location: The Tibetan Library

Om Meditation Ashram

Location-Om Yoga Ashram,Near Dal Lake Mob: 01892 220333 /9805693514 Web: www.himalayanashram.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

Indian Cooking And Knitting With Ms Rita Kapoor Location: Old German Bakery, 1St Floor,

Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag Phone: 94592-06586 Indian Cooking Classes Location: jogiwara Rd, Next To Tibetan

Ashoka Guesthouse Hours: 10:00Am-6:00Pm Phone: 07833047078 / 0988230136 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 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

Computer Classes Tibetan Career Centre, Dharamshala Location: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj Hours: 9:00Am-6Pm

Phone: 9882321424 /9880969175 Email: yesheadconsultant@tibet.net Lha Charitable Trust Location: Near Dolma Chowk, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 9882323455 / +91 (0)1892 -220992 Web: www.lhasocialwork.org

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 20

Phuntsok Gatsel Session Road Hours: 10:45-5Pm Email: lrztp.manager@gmail.com

*See Buddhist Philosophy Listing Hindi Lessons With Kailash Location: Hotel India House, Bhagsu Rd Phone: 01892-20063, 941-816-1947 Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses And Tibetan Immersion Spoken Location:Yongling School Buildding Phone: 8580796453 Email: contact@esukhia.org Sanskrit Language Study Program At Vikramashila Foundation India (Vfi) Location: Vikramashila Center, 1St Flr, Ketan

Lodge,Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, HP Email: vikramashilafoundation@gmail.com

Art And Museums Tibet Museum Location: Near The Main Temple And

Namgyal Monastery Gate, Mcleod Ganj Hours: Tue-Sun: 9:00Am-5:00Pm Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years Of Struggle And Oppression Location: Gu-Chu-Sum Hall, Jogiwara Rd Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00Pm-5:00Pm Tibetan Institute of 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 in

Lower Dharamshala 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 & 4Th

Sat

Centre For Living Buddhist Art Location: Khanyara Road Website: Www.livingbuddhistart.com Email: sarikalochoe@hotmail.com Phone: 9418655401 Hours: 9 Am- 5 Pm

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

Specialist in muscle and joint pain Location: Near Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 Hours: 10Am - 5Pm (Appointment Bases) Phone: 9882322783 / 9882321532 Email: jigten17@yahoo.co.in Website: tibetanphysiotherapy.com

Tibetan Delek Hospital

Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Between Mcleod Ganj And Lower Dharamshala Phone: 01892-22053 / 223381 Hours: Outpatient Services, Mon-Sat: 9:00Am-1:00Pm; Specialist Clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00-4:30 Pm; Emergencies: 24 Hrs Daily

Maanav Health Clinic

Location: Main Square Hours: 10:00 -12:30 Pm & 2:00-5:00 Pm 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

Smile Dental Clinic & Implant Center

Location: Opposite, Walia Medical Store, Near State Bank of India ATM, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 7018354594 / 82629011445 Website: smiledentalclinicmcleodganj.com

News:

Tibet-Related Websites

tibet.net - official website of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,has opinion, reviews, photos, etc contactmagazine.net - Contact magazine online 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 thetibetpost.com - Tibet Post International online news tibetexpress.net - Tibet Express online news 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

News, information and campaigning:

dalailama.com - for broadcasts of His Holiness’s teachings, his schedule and information about Tibet and the Dalai Lama tchrd.org - Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - a nongovernmental organisation and a research centre to protect the human rights of Tibetan people and promote the principles of democracy tibetanyouthcongress.org - an international non-governmental organisation that advocates full independence for Tibet from China studentsforafreetibet.org - a global grass roots group campaigning for full Tibetan independence tibetanreview.net - news, opinions, reviews and information freetibet.org: - UK-based campaigning organisation, also a good news source savetibet.org - Website of the 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 tibetanjournal.com - Tibetan Journal - news, reviews and opinions rukor.org - a discussion site on Tibetan nomads and their fate bitterwinter.org - A magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China

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.

DHARAMSHALA CONTACTS Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189 Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, Central Tibetan Administration Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; 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 Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

McLeod Ganj Post Office Location: Jogiwara Rd, Before the 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

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 21

Jobs And Advertisements Job Opportunities Tibetan Women’s Association

Postion: Office Accountant Qualification: B.Com or M.Com Preferred candidate with M.Com degree Candidates can send the application details at below email address with subject line of the email as “Recruits: Accountant”.

Mode of Selection: Selected candidates will be called for written test and interview.

Deadline : August 24, 2019 Email:tibwomen@gmail.com Phone: 00 1892 - 221198 /221527 For details, check: TWA Central Facebook page

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives Postion: Library Assistant Qualification: B.Lib or Bachelors degree in any subject with minimum one year experience of working in a library.

Mode of Selection: Selected candidates will be called for written test and interview.

Deadline : August 17, 2019 Email:ltwa1970@gmail.com For details, check: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives Facebook page

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery School

Postion: one Tibetan teacher, one English teacher Deadline :Contact on phone or email at the earliest Email: talhunschool2019@gmail.com Phone: 09880030822

To advertise here, Contact Lha office on Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj or call us on 9882323455 Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 22

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

Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#5

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 #9) Email: tseringd@aushimview.com

Nature Cure Health Club

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #6 Whatsapp: 7833047078 Mobile: 09882320136 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com 20+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, Singing Bowl

Quantum Healing - Breath & Bowls Workshop A 3-part Soul Purification and Healing

NEED A DENTIST?

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

Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #8 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com /Call: 09218742046 Website: www.perfect32dentalclinic.in

Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and a peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 4)

To advertise here, Contact Lha office on Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj or call us on 9882323455

Contact magazine | July 2019 | Page No 23

Map Of McLeod Ganj

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Lha Headquarters State Bank of India & ATM Smile Dental Clinice & Implant Center 04. Common Ground Cafe 05. Woeser Bakery 06. Nature Cure Health Club 07. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 08. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 09. Ahimsa House & Lha Soup Kitchen 01.

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Chonor House Tibetan Musuem and Temple Delek Hospital Central Tibetan Administration Tibetan Library Mentsekhang (Tibetan Medical Institute) 16. Gangkyi Taxi Stand 17. Rogpa Baby Center 10.

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Lha Traveller Services and VolunteerOpportunities Long or short-term, skilled or unskilled volunteers needed at Lha • Teachers: English conversation, English, French and Chinese language classes • Computer classes: IT and web designers • Environmental professionals • Medical and healthcare professionals • Fundraisers and grant writers • Project professionals; chefs and cooks • Writers....And much more!

Share your knowledge and skills with the local Tibetan, Indian, and Himalayan communities whilst gaining hands-on experience working with a social services charity Tibetan Homestay Lha arranges home-stays with refugee families giving visitors the chance to experience the Tibetan life style and a chance to connect and learn about each others’ cultures. Homestays include accommodation, breakfast, and dinner.

Reception and Orientation Service Our services help smooth your arrival in Delhi - avoid the scams at Delhi Airport! - and your onward travel to Dharamshala. On arrival here we will orientate you into the Tibetan community.

Highly recommended for people who want a stress-free arrival, especially if you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, you can buy online in advance of your travel to India.

To find out more please visit www.lhasocialwork.org Lha office, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P. (Mon-Sat: 9am-1pm and 2-5pm) office@lhasocialwork.org +91 (0) 1892-220992 www.tibetnature.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com www.tibetfairtrade.com www.tibetnature.net

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན། Contact Newsletter

Managing Director Dorji Kyi Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Tenzin Samten Circulation Manager Tsering Wangdue Designed by Karma Ringzin Topgyal 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