Contact July 2015

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XVII Issue: 6 31 July 2015

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, 65, the well-respected and revered Tibetan monk, environmentalist and champion of Tibetans worldwide, who was serving a life sentence, died in prison on July 12. Human rights groups joined the international Tibetan exile community in campaigning for his release on medical grounds. Rinpoche allegedly received no treatment in custody and was known to be in extremely poor health. It is widely believed he was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

Read more on page 3

The World Mourns Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

by Tamdin Yangzom and Tenzin Samten Condolences and statements are pouring in from around the world in response to the shock of the death in custody of the much-loved Tibetan monk Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Rinpoche was a highly respected Tibetan spiritual figure and one of the most prominent Tibetan political prisoners.

He died in a Chinese prison after undergoing 13 years of detention, torture and brutality .

Read more on page 3 and 4

A Monk’s Self-immolation in Tibet Sonam Topgyal, 26, a monk, became the 142nd person to self-immolate in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet. He self-immolated on July 9 at around 4pm in Gesar Square in the Tibetan town of Kyegudo in Qinghai.

Photographs showing him on the ground engulfed in flames immediately circulated on social media. The photos also show security personnel forming a cordon around the area and there are anecdotal reports of Read more on page 7

Another Political Prisoner Dies in Custody

by Tenzin Samten Lobsang Yeshi, 64, a Tibetan political prisoner, died on July 19 in hospital in Lhasa. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment two months ago. Yeshi was mentally and physically tortured while in prison which led to his poor health and subsequent death, reports the Read more on page 5

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

Acknowledged by Lonely Planet and other international travel resources, Contact has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamshala community, for over 16 years.

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

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

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Institute for Social Work & Education Mission Statement:

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

Background:

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

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

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

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Tenzin Delek Rinpoche: an Inspiration for Generations of Tibetans Worldwide Continued from page 1

by Rohini Kejriwal Tenzin Delek Rinpoche died in prison on July 12 without seeing his family.

He was suffering from poor health, with a heart condition and high blood pressure among other medical issues.

A well-respected and reveredTibetan religious leader, Rinpoche had been a prisoner in China for over 13 years, serving a life sentence for a crime that he did not commit.

Rinpoche was born in Lithang (Eastern Tibet) in 1950. He joined

Tenzin Delek Rinpoch in Nyagqu County

Lithang monastery at the age of seven.

In the 1980s, he travelled to Dharmshala to study there under His Holiness the Dalai Lama and it was here that the Dalai Lama recognised him as a tulku or reincarnated lama.

Continued from page 1

prison he was allowed only six visits from his family.

In 2009, a group of his relatives and friends travelled to Beijing to request a review of the case and over 40,000 Tibetans in his home area signed a petition asking for a retrial. They staged peaceful demonstrations and

Rinpoche surrounded by orphans Photo:Tsering Woeser

held hunger strikes for their leader.

Up to 90 demonstrating Tibetans were arrested and detained and some may still be in detention.At the time of Rinpoche’s death, alone in a prison cell in China, the campaign for his release had been taken up internationally by the exile Tibetan community, and Western governments were requesting China to release him on medical parole.

The World Mourns Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

The Chinese authorities cremated Rinpoche’s body on Thursday 16 July after refusing to release it to his family, thus violating its own laws and it is widely assumed to have been done to avoid an autopsy and enquiry into the cause of death.

At the time of his death the Chinese authorities had blocked social network and other communications because of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations and demonstrations, making it difficult to get up to date news.

Rinpoche’s two sisters went to meet him early this month but did not get access to him as the Chinese police kept delaying them. They also told them that Rinpoche was very ill. Then they Contact

On returning to China in 1987, Rinpoche worked to establish monasteries, health clinics, schools and orphanages for Tibetan nomads in the area. He became an advocate for environmental conservation. He was viewed as a leader of the Tibetan community. However, his activities brought him to the attention of local officials and he increasingly became the target of harassment and intimidation.

In April 2002, he was arrested along with his distant relative Lobsang Dhondup, a former monk. The two were accused of being involved in a bombing in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, which injured three civilians, and were sentenced to death on charges of terror and incitement to separatism.

The subsequent international outcry led to a promise of a retrial. During this period Rinpoche said, “I am completely innocent…I have always said we should not raise our hand at others…I have no intention to hurt others.”

Lobsang Dhondhup was executed on January 26, 2003. The Court suspended Rinpoche’s death sentence and two years later it was commuted to life imprisonment.During his 13 years in

were told that Rinpoche was dead but they were not allowed to see his body.

Family members were denied access to Rinpoche’s body and were told by the authorities that they would handle the cremation and that the family would not receive his ashes.

Tensions rose as hundreds of supporters gather outside Chuandong Prison.

The Chinese Communist Party have claimed that his death was either natural, or he committed suicide. However many people in the Tibetan exile community 3

believe he was murdered for political reasons, i.e. his loyalty towards HH the Dalai Lama and his campaigning for the protection of the environment and education for Tibetans in Tibet.

Rinpoche held a strong stance on the Dholgyal [or shugden] cult group, educating people about the demerits of worshipping Dholgyal, in line with the Dalai Lama’s teachings. [There is evidence to suggest that the followers of Dholgyal are connected to the Chinese Communist Party, and that the reason for the CCP’s encouragement of Dholgyal is to engender disunity among Tibetans.]

There is some mystery about the death: it is believed that ten days before his death, two people were informed Continued on page 4 JULY 2015

news & issues Continued from page 3

The World Mourns Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

that they could meet Rinpoche but when his sisters went to Chengdu to meet him, the prison authority kept postponing the date for the meeting by a few days. People believe this substantiates the conspiracy theory and planned murder.

On Sunday July 12 Rinpoche’s sister was notified of his death but not given details. On Monday July 13, his relatives and other Tibetans in Nyakchu County gathered in front of the relevant office buildings and asked for the return of his body but their request was rejected.

The authorities have not released details of any post mortem results or investigation of the evidence to validate the prison authority’s statements saying that the cause of death is either natural or suicide.

On the morning of July 16, Rinpoche’s body was cremated under strict surveillance, against the wishes of his family and international support groups. Only 32 people including family members and his disciples were allowed to attend his funeral. On hearing the news of his cremation, the family and disciples wrote a five-point appeal letter to the Chinese government asking for an explanation of the cause of his death.

Peaceful demonstrations have been taken place in Nyachu Zong and Chengdu. Demonstrators have been beaten and shot, and threatened with life imprisonment if they attempt the journey to Chengdue. Vehicles have been confiscated and there have been threats of sackings from official jobs.

There has been worldwide condemnation of the Chinese authorities’ failure to provide medical care for Rinpoche in hospital as he was known to be seriously ill, and for investigation into the cause of his detention as it is widely accepted that he was innocent. The many demands that the authorities release the body and provide information about the cause of his death and treatment in detention have been ignored.

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Events following Rinpoche’s Death

• News and photos are emerging from Tibet that 15 Tibetans were grievously injured as Chinese security forces opened fire on the numerous people gathered for a peaceful sit-in demonstration demanding that the authorities return Rinpoche’s body. The demonstration took place in front of the administrative office at Yothok Trolung Township in Nyachuka on Monday July 13.

• The International Campaign for Tibet reports that the sisters of Tulku Tenzin Delek were detained in the same prison where their brother was held when they refused to sign a document which they were told was their brother’s health record.

• The people attending his funeral said that when they saw Rinpoche’s body, they observed that his nails and lips had turned black giving rise to speculation that he had been poisoned. They also observed that his body showed signs of having recently gained weight which would make his sudden death surprising.

• Rinpoche’s ashes were at first handed over to his family but later forcibly taken back by the authorities.

•After the cremation, his home area has been under a tight crackdown with deployment of a number of troops watching over the activities of the people.

• There is fear for the safety of Rinpoche’s sister, Dolkar Lhamo and her daughter, Nyima Lhamo who were detained on July 19, a week after they received the news of her brother’s death.

Their whereabouts are still unknown.

• Major non government organisations in Dharamshala organised a prayer service and candle lit vigil in Dharamshala on receiving the news of Rinpoche’s death.

• The Central Tibetan Administration held a prayer service at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in McLeod Ganj, presided over by Kasur Kirti Rinpoche, the head lama of Kirti monasteries.

• Students for a Free Tibet and the Tibetan National Congress organised 4

a protest at the New York Chinese Consulate, forcing it to shut down.

• United States law makers have called for a tougher policy to put pressure on China • Tibetans and Tibet supporters from Toronto, New York City, Zurich, Paris, and other major cities have staged protests against the Chinese government.

• About one hundred Tibetans from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Chicago protested at the Chinese Consulate in Chicago in the United States, forcing it to shut down. They were demanding justice for Rinpoche and the release of his sister.

• The Communist China flag outside the Chinese Consulate in Sydney, Australia was torn down and ripped to pieces by Tibetan activists, and the Embassy was shut down. Eight people were arrested and China demanded severe punishment for the poeple responsible.

• A march took place in Dharamshala to protest over China’s actions around the death in custody of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Students for a Free Tibet India, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu Chu Sum Movement and the National Democratic Party of Tibet led the march, demanding that “the Chinese government provide a clear answer regarding the murder of Rinpoche.”

• Ten Tibetan activists were arrested in Delhi after protesting outside the Chinese Embassy there, demanding justice for Rinpoche. The activists were representing Gu Chu Sum, Students for a Free Tibet and the Tibetan Youth Congress, Delhi.

•Sikyong Lobsang Sangay speaking at the launch of the Tibet Policy Institutes’s new journal, experessed his sadness over Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s death and urged China to release Rinpoche’s sister.

•The authorities’ refusal to grant Rinpoche medical parole or access to visitors has rwesulted in increased resentment towards the authorities among Tibetans and the potential for escalating tension.

JULY 2015

news & issues

Widespread Condemnation of China’s Actions Over Tenzin Delek’s Death in Custody

“We would lose all moral authority to discuss human rights any place in the world if we shrink from challenging China on its treatment of the people of China and of Tibet” – Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives

“We raised his case with Chinese authorities on a number of occasions, including during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in April this year” – Hugo Swire, UK Foreign Office minister responsible for Asia “The EU had consistently called for his release or adequate medical treatment.

We expect the Chinese authorities to investigate and make public the circumstances surrounding his death” – a European Union statement “We express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and supporters”John Kirby, a US State Department spokesperson.

“The talks between China and Tibet ceased in 2010; it is 2015, and I don’t think there have been any consequences to the Chinese government for walking away from the talks” – Congressman McGovern, a member of the United States House of Representatives.

“China has disregarded the concerns of the international community over Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, flouted universallyaccepted norms on legal processes during his case and refused medical parole despite his serious illness. Now China has his blood on its hands” – Mr Fabian Hamilton, a member of the UK Parliament and Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group.

“Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was widely regarded for his spiritual leadership and his tireless work in providing religious, health and social services to Tibetan nomads.”

–Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom

authorities are prepared to risk the deaths of imprisoned activists by denying adequate medical care. We are deeply concerned about this development, which violates key humanitarian principles.” –Christoph Strässer, the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid “The death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche is a tragic reminder of the injustices endured by Tibetans for exercising their right to religious freedom, and of the grim state of human rights in Tibet.”– Richard Gere, Hollywood star and a long-time champion of human rights in Tibet Statements were also made by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, The Tibetan Youth Congress and the Students for a Free Tibet.

“The death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche is another indication that the Chinese

Another Tibetan Political Prisoner Dies in Custody

Continued from page 1

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

The Chinese authorities refused his family access to the body. After much pleading from his family, they allowed one monk to conduct the rituals and two of his siblings were allowed to witness the cremation, said TCHRD. Lobsang was arrested on May 12, 2014 for taking part in a peaceful protest against China’s failure to account for the suicide protests of two other Tibetans: Phakpa Gyaltsen and Contact

Rigzin, in May last year in Chamdo Prefecture. Both stabbed themselves to death in protest against Chinese mining at the sacred Gyalmo Nguchu River which runs through Lobsang Yeshi’s hometown.

Lobsang Yeshi was among those who led demonstrations against this mining; they were beaten and arrested

by Chinese security forces.They were held in Tsawa Zogang County Detention Centre for a year, where they were subject to physical and psychological torture through repeated 5

interrogations.Lobsang was then held in Chushul prison near Lhasa before being moved to hospital.

Lobsang Yeshi was the wellrespected head of Thong Par Township and was a man of integrity who dared to stand up for Tibetan rights and dignity. He was father of eight children and sole breadwinner for his family. He was born and raised in Kewa Village of Thong Par Township in Tsawa Zogang County in the Chamdo Prefecture. Two of his children are living in India.

JULY 2015

news & issues

Global Jubilation as His Holiness the Dalai Lama turns 80

by Annie Padwick As Tibetan Buddhism’s spiritual leader his Holiness the Dalai Lama reached the landmark birthday of 80 this month, worshipers and wellwishers joined together to wish him a happy birthday and a long life.

“For him, this birthday is just like any other day” said the founder of Friends of the Dalai Lama, Ven Tenzin Dhonden Lama. Yet July 6, the Dalai Lama’s official birthday, was marked and celebrated by Tibetans and nonTibetans, by Buddhists and nonBuddhists the world over. “The Dalai Lama does not want any physical gifts”, Ven Tenzin Dhonden assured, “However, if we can help to create a more compassionate, kind planet, that would be the most beautiful gift of all.”

The Dalai Lama spent his birthday at the Global Compassion Summit in Anaheim, Southern California, joining a three-day celebration of his lifetime’s devotion to spreading the message of the value of peace, kindness and universal compassion

Artistes performing at His Holiness’s birthday celebration in Russia Photo:Tibet.net

throughout the world. Participants sang birthday greetings and presented him with an 80-foot birthday cake.

In McLeod Ganj, India, the Dalai Lama’s home in exile, celebrations went ahead despite his absence and thousands of Tibetans and senior Indian officials flocked to Tsuglakhang, the main temple there. Political head of the Tibetan people, Dr Lobsang Sangay, and Mr PenpaTsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Contact

delivered official statements and the crowds were treated to a public lunch and cultural performances.

In Tibet, where the Chinese government denounces the Dalai Lama and routinely persecutes those who

Former US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (left), His Holiness and President Obama’s Representative Valerie Jarrett Photo:Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

publicly support him, a large number of the Dalai Lama’s followers defied new restrictions and bans in order to celebrate. Since June 21, which is the Dalai Lama’s birthday according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar, many have gathered at monasteries, displayed the Dalai Lama’s portrait, set off fireworks, lit incense and made offerings and prayers. Radio Free Asia reports arrests in some provinces following the celebrations.

In Nepal however, home to over 20,000 Tibetans, the situation for Tibetan people was more promising.

Celebrations for the Dalai Lama’s birthday were banned last year, but the government relaxed restrictions this year and allowed supporters to organise a series of events dedicated to the spiritual leader.

In the European Union the occasion was used to express solidarity with Tibetans, their religion and culture.

A photo exhibition Ways of Wisdom: Celebrating the Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday was opened at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and Estonian Member of the European Parliament said, “the best birthday present for His Holiness will be if the EU’s High Representative Mrs Federica Mogherini and all EU politicians would on all occasions demand that the Chinese Government guarantee 6

Tibetans genuine autonomy.”

In Russia thousands of Buddhist followers and supporters attended celebrations in Moscow and the traditional Russian Buddhist Republics of Kalmykia, Buryatia, Transbaikalai and Tuva. Head Lama of Kalmykia, TeloTulku Rinpoche, remarked on the long historical ties between Russia and Tibet and encouraged the audience to pledge to develop a good heart from today onwards.“By doing this we could become an extension of tireless efforts taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama” he said, “The best birthday gift that anybody could ever give to His Holiness is to develop a good heart”.

Speaking a few days before his official birthday at Glastonbury Festival, the largest music festival in the UK where he joined American singer Patti Smith on stage, the Dalai Lama said,“Each day is a new day, a new birthday,…. in order to have a

Tibetans in Nepal celebratethe Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday Photo:npr.org

happy day we must keep here [in your heart] more compassionate feeling.

That is the ultimate source of a happy mind, a happy feeling.”

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama becomes an octogenarian marking eight decades since his birth, Tibetan Buddhists and supporters around the world hope he will celebrate many more birthdays. Speaking to the German World on Sunday newspaper last year, the Dalai Lama said that doctors have told him he could well live to 100, adding, “in my dreams I will die at the age of 113.”

JULY 2015

news & issues

Birthday Wishes for His Holiness From Around the World “I am here on behalf of President Barack Obama to convey the warmth of the American people to His Holiness.

Very few other people have made such a positive contribution to humanity as His Holiness with his unwavering message of compassion. We celebrate today an extraordinary leader, a good man, a man with amazing grace. I wish you health and vigour to live to 120.” -Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to US President Barak Obama

Canada and is an inspiration to people around the world.” - Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom

“There is no better way to stand with His Holiness on his 80th birthday than to stand with the Tibetan people.” – Ms Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives

“And now he has all the friends in the world. Let’s make a date to be with him for his 90th, his 100th, his 110th and his 120th birthday.”

– Richard Gere, Hollywood actor and supporter of the Tibetan cause

“I extend my warmest wishes to HH the Dalai Lama as he marks his 80th birthday today.

An internationally respected spiritual leader, Nobel laureate and honorary Canadian citizen, HH has worked tirelessly to promote human rights and religious freedom. His message of compassion, peace and human dignity resonates across Continued from page 1

“To my dear friend, I wish you a very happy birthday and many more years in which your teachings can touch even more lives.” – Dianne Feintsein, United States Senator

“This is an occasion to express our solidarity with Tibetans, their religion and culture which the Dalai Lama has represented with extraordinary dignity and persistence.” – Mr Tunne Kelam, Member of the European Parliament “Your Holiness, you call yourself a simple Buddhist monk. But for people around the world, you are the beacon of hope and light to all the people. For Buddhists, you are the human manifestation of the Boddisattva of compassion. And above all, for Tibetans, you are the life and soul of Tibet.” – Dr Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile

A Monk’s Self-immolation in Tibet

armed police.

Sonam was a monk from Nangchen County who studied at Dzongsar Monastery in Derge County. Further information about Sonam, his condition and whereabouts, has been difficult to obtain due to the shutdown of telephone and internet services in the region, although it is understood that he was taken to hospital. Sonam’s family home was surrounded by police Contact

“I have always appreciated His Holiness’s humour, wisdom, and humility, as well as his dedication to his people and to humanity.

I wish His Holiness the very best on this auspicious occasion.” – Mr John Kerry, the US Secretary of State

“The Dalai Lama is celebrating his 80th birthday today and the Intergroup wants to mark the occasion by commending his work on peace, human rights and democracy.” – European Parliament’s Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance

and local people described “intense fear” in the area.

A week later it was confirmed that Sonam died a as result of his injuries. He left a statement in his will, dated July 1, addressed to the political heads of minority Sonam’s will nationalities, in Photo: Tibet.net which he spoke about the Chinese 7

government’s repressive policies and the plight of Tibetans in Tibet under Chinese rule. He vehemently urged his fellow Tibetans to be united to resolve the issue of Tibet, saying “The Chinese government…tries to demolish the very existence of minority communities...we do not have freedom of speech and there is no one to express our problems”.

JULY 2015

news & issues

Olympic Bids Put Spotlight on Increasing Human Rights Abuses

by Abinaya Dhivya Mohan The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision on July 31 to award Beijing the 2022 Winter Olympics has sparked international concern in the face of China’s record of human rights abuse, and fears that their decision only weakens the spirit and principle of Olympism. There are particular concerns for Tibet following the unrest and crackdowns there around the time of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The run up to the decision on where to award the 2022 Winter Olympics was the subject of international speculation and campaigns concerning the human rights implications of the decision. There had been calls for the IOC to consider voting “none of the above”, saying that calling off the 2022 bidding process would make a strong statement about the new Olympic

Agenda agreed last December.

Neither of the two contenders, Beijing and Almaty in Kazakhstan, has a clean human rights track record, but Beijing won the 2008 Summer Olympics bid with promises of press freedom and honouring international human rights commitments, none of which were kept. Human Rights campaigners claimed that if the Olympics were to go to Beijing, this will be seen to endorse China’s unkept promises and human rights violations in the name of sport, and that there is a danger that awarding China the bid would embolden their behaviour.

Beijing has not relied on human rights “assurances” to bolster its bid this time around. The focus of its pitch was its past successful Olympic Games and obvious availing infrastructure.

Prominent human rights activists, including the Tibetan monk, Golog

Jigme, whose film Leaving Fear Behind highlighted the dissatisfaction of repressed Tibetans at the 2008 Olympics, called for the IOC to take into consideration Beijing’s sheer disregard for upholding its role as a representative of the Olympic Charter.

The Charter calls for the promotion of “a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity”.

Chinese minority activists as well as human rights organisations around the world campaigned to influence the IOC’s decision through petitions and open letters.

Last December, the IOC agreed on the Olympic Agenda 2020 that set recommendations aimed at protecting human rights. Oslo’s withdrawal of its bid late last year prompted Human Rights Watch to call for them to hold the winning city to task under this new agenda.

Tibetan Settlement Officers Gather in Dharamshala

by Tsering Wangdue Tibetan Settlement officers from across Nepal, Bhutan and India met in Dharamshala on July 12 for their 10th annual meeting.

Over 44 settlement officers participated in the four-day workshop which was organised by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), and held at the Tibetan Reception Centre in Dharamhsala.

The Home Kalon (or Minister of the Home department) Dolma Gyari, presided over the meeting, and the Representative of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in New Delhi, Mr Tenpa Tsering was special guest.

Kicking off the meeting,Kalon Dolma Gyari said “Tibetans in exile must work in unison to channel the works and aspiration entrusted to us by the Tibetans in Tibet who cannot do anything under the repressive rule of the Chinese government.” She also called attention to the commitment and hard work of all the settlement officers in the face of the deteriorating Contact

situation in Tibet.

Mr Tenpa Tsering said that officers must be well-informed on a wide range of subjects such as Indian law, the Tibetan Charter, social services, public administration, and international relations. He said that people are now becoming more educated and it is important for administrators to be well educated in order to be effective.

Seven major points were discussed including: evaluation of the resolutions passed in the previous annual meeting; collection of information on the Tibetan demography of the various settlements; organising travel and lodging to the Kalachakra 2016 for elderly people, and fund raising to cover their expenses; responding to questions from the Public Auditing Committee of the CTA; implementation of the amended Housing and Land distribution rules in Tibetan settlements; establishing systems to gather funds to cover regional office expenses and for the development of the settlements; redistribution of empty houses and barren lands in settlements to homeless 8

Tibetan refugees.

Tibetan Settlement Offices are the office of Tibetan Welfare Committee under the CTA’s Department of Home. There is a Settlement Office in every Tibetan settlement situated in Nepal, Bhutan and India, each headed by a settlement or welfare officer.

Settlement officers are elected directly by the settlers in the big settlements, and

Settlement officers’ meeting Photo:Tibettimes.net

for the small and scattered settlements they are appointed by the Department of Home. The main objective of the settlement office is to look after the welfare of Tibetan refugees, integration of the Tibetan population into exile and the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity in their respective settlements.

JULY 2015

news & issues

China Legalises its Repression of Tibetans

by Hannah Dellabosca China’s National Security Law, enacted on July 1, has been widely criticised for further restricting the rights and freedoms of Tibetan and other minority individuals and communities. The law broadens legal cyber censorship and gives local authorities near unlimited discretion to curb anti-government dissent.

The Articles contained in the National Security Law provide broad objectives whilst providing very little detail as to how state agencies must achieve these objectives. Given the broad definition of “dissent” within the law, this new law essentially legitimises any practice deemed necessary to maintain state control of the Tibetan population.

Restrictions on the Tibetan population are particularly catered for: Article 27 specifically prohibits acknowledgement of the Dalai Lama, whilst Article 77 allows the imposition

of collective punishments for “failure to provide conditions to facilitate national security initiatives”. Under this article any person suspected of facilitating, engaging or sympathising with self-immolators can be lawfully arrested and detained under the charge of failing to prevent self-immolation.

The state practices of unprovoked aggression, close surveillance and political and cultural repression of the Tibetan community are likely to continue. What has changed, however, is that the previously unlawful actions of local Chinese authorities are given legal backing through the new law.

Articles within the law feature broad definitions and vague guidelines that favour state discretion on security issues, an intentional legal loophole allowing any acts by local authorities on behalf of “state security” to be sanctioned under domestic Chinese law.

International human rights

advocates, including the most senior United Nations Human Rights Officer ZeidRa’ad Al Hussein, have criticised the National Security Law as giving Chinese officials unrestricted power over individuals within China’s borders, including Tibetans. China maintains that the National Security Law is a domestic ZeidRa’ad Al Hussein affair, and has not otherwise reacted to international criticism.

The National Security Law is the first of a three-part security overhaul proposed by the Chinese Ministry. For Tibetans living under Chinese rule, it is likely that conditions of militant, cultural and religious repression will not change. Under this new set of laws, actions by local authorities will have increased support within China’s legal framework.

Mass Arrests of Chinese Human Right Lawyers

by Kristina Laukaitis Over 200 human rights lawyers have been detained during the past few weeks by Chinese law enforcement authorities in Beijing. The Chinese government has been charging lawyers with participating in criminal gang activity and disturbing societal order as well as sensationalising ordinary issues and turning them into political issues. Many of these lawyers and activists have been denied communication with their families and access to lawyers while being held in custody.

At the time of going to press, it is believed that 20 are still in custody, according to Human Rights Watch.

Chinese television broadcasts have shown some making humiliating confessions or being portrayed as rabble-rousing thugs. Communist Party newspaper commentaries have accused them of subversion and swindles.

The main target of the Chinese Contact

arrests was the Fengrui law firm that has served many high profile cases, including that of Ai Weiwei, the dissident Chinese artist whose passport has recently been returned to him by Chinese authorities more than four years after it was confiscated and he was detained for 81 days without charge. However, the arrests have been extended to lawyers in other

A protest against the detention of the lawyers outside the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco Photo:theguardian.com

law firms. The arrests began with the detention of Fengrui lawyer Wang Yu on July 9, followed by the arrests of many other lawyers at the same firm, 9

many of whom had signed a letter speaking out against Yu’s detention.

Many of the 200 detained lawyers have been unable to communicate with the outside world, and human rights groups are concerned about the high possibility of torture for many of those arrested. There are a number of those detained who are “missing”: Chinese law enforcement has not given information regarding their location or well-being to family and friends.

Chinese state media has been condemning human rights activists and lawyers with accusations which include organising paid protests and spreading false rumours online to affect court decisions. Recently, Chinese news reports have been portraying human rights activists in a derogatory light and as criminals disturbing social order. Human rights groups are concerned that the Chinese government will deem human rights activism itself an illegal activity.

JULY 2015

news & issues

More Travel Restrictions for Tibetans

by Rohini Kejriwal The Chinese government has created a new restriction on Tibetans residing in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). They have imposed a new twotrack system of passport application that defies international law as well as breaching individual freedom of movement.

The issue has been documented in a recently published report by Human Rights Watch, a leading rights group, entitled One Passport, Two Systems: China’s Restrictions on Foreign Travel

by Tibetans and Others. According to the group, the two-tiered system was designed to prevent Tibetan Buddhists from religious study or attending speeches by the Dalai Lama, and Uyghurs and Hui Muslims from undertaking pilgrimages to Mecca.

Chinese officials, however, deny that there is a ban on TAR residents’ access to passports, and assert that the process is simply slower because it is more complex. However, the slow-tracked system not only requires residents of the TAR, Xinjiang Uighur

Autonomous Region and other minority areas to provide far more extensive documentation than other citizens, but has led to extremely long delays, often lasting years, with passports routinely denied for no valid reason.

Sophie Richardson, China Director at Human Rights Watch, suggests that it is “virtually impossible” for people from minorities groups to obtain a

Chinese Passport

passport. “Chinese authorities seem to believe that systematically denying Tibetans’ rights to travel brings greater stability to the TAR. They should move swiftly to dismantle this blatantly discriminatory passport system. The restrictions also violate freedom of belief by denying or

limiting religious minorities’ ability to participate in pilgrimages outside China,” said Ms Richardson.

People living in areas that are largely populated by the country’s ethnic Chinese majority have access to a fast-track system,with a passport available within 15 days of a fresh application and requiring approval from only one office under the Ministry of Public Security. Those in most ethnic and religious minority areas must apply through the slowtrack system.

In 2012 Tibetans living in the TAR found it near impossible to have their passports reissued following the passport recall in advance of China’s nationwide rollout of the “ePassport”.

According to the TAR government’s figures, only two passports were issued in 2012.

The situation is summed up in the words of a Tibetan blogger on a Chinese-language website in 2012, who said “Getting a passport is harder for a Tibetan than getting into heaven”.

Meditating and Education for Global Happiness

by Vida Castro His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Dallas, Texas on July 1 for a tenday visit to the United States.

He addressed a full house of nearly 2,500 people at the George W Bush Presidential Centre in Southern Methodist University, and spoke of every human being’s right to happiness and the need for His Holiness at the Javits e d u c a t i o n Centre in New York in order to Photo: Tenzin Choejor/ fulfill this OHHDL right. His Holiness commended the US’s democratic principles and role as a leader for freedom, although he said he did not “necessarily admire America for its military strength”.

Contact

The Peak Mind Foundation hosted His Holiness for a meditation talk in Silverado, California on July 4. The audience of 400 listened intently to His Holiness’ advice on meditation, following his instructions for a short five-minute meditation session.

His Holiness advised the attendees that “learning how to deal with our emotions,” would be the key for “the world to be happy”.

His Holiness presided as the keynote speaker at the three-day Global Compassion Summit in Anaheim and Irving, California. He urged global leaders to unite to act on climate change: “Too many important nations put their national interests before global interest…Some of it is a result of our materialistic way of life and to change that we need a 10

more holistic education, an education that incorporates inner values, such as a compassionate concern for others’ well-being”.

14,000 members of the North American Tibetan community gathered for a Public Gratitude Event in New York at the end of the tour. His Holiness recalled his direct reception of the eighth century Tibetan text: The Middle Stages of Meditation, and spoke of “understanding the causes and conditions for enlightenment” by “eliminat[ing] our disturbing emotions…by developing an understanding of emptiness”. The event was organised by the North American Tibetan Associations; the communities from Mongolia, Buryat, Kalmyk and Tuva regions of the Russian Federation; Bhutan, and Himalayan regions in India and Nepal.

JULY 2015

news & issues

Arrests, Sentences and Releases in Tibet This Month Jul 28: Chokye, 38, a monk from Phugu monastery, was detained on June 19 in Nyitoe town, Serthar county in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Chokye was arrested with charges of engaging in “anti government” activities: he was wearing a t-shirt printed with “kue-gya-tonsu” [celebrating His Holiness’s 80th Birthday].

His whereabouts are not known. This news has only just emerged because of the crackdown.

May as a result of her self-immolation protest.

Kyizom Chokye’s sister, and her son Drakpa were also detained the following day and released 15 days later after being severely beaten. Drakpa was given strict orders to report to the local Chinese government office every day for further questioning.

Jul 16: The family of the Sonam Topgyal, the Tibetan monk who died last week after setting himself on fire in Kyegudo, was detained when they went to retrieve his body. It has been confirmed that Topgyal died after his protest. Sonam’s father, Nangchen Tashi, is a local businessman disliked

by Chinese authorities because of his support for Tibetan language and culture.

Jul 23: Wangmo, 20, a Tibetan girl arrested last week for carrying out a solitary protest in Meruma town, Ngaba County, was freed. She was given a hero’s welcome in Meruma, which had been a hotbed for antigovernment protests, including selfimmolations.

Wangmo carried a portrait of HH the Dalai Lama and shouted slogans calling for his return to Tibet and for freedom for Tibetans. A video of her protest is posted on social network sites.

Jul 18: Namgyal Kyab and Bende Khar, two Tibetans from the Nyinpa division of Chayphu nomadic village in Chone County, were severely beaten and then arrested. They were questioning the authorities’ decision to block a public road used by Tibetan nomads in the area. Their whereabouts are not known. Chone County is where 36-year-old Sangay Tso died in Contact

Jul 17: Thupten Tsundue, a Tibetan monk from Amdo, Tso Ngon or the Qinghai province, was released after serving three years in a Chinese prison. People in his town welcomed and greeted him with auspicious Tibetan scarves. In 2013 he was arrested without his family or a lawyer’s presence. Chinese officials accused him of organising prayers and showing support for Wangchen Norbu who self-immolated on November 19, 2012.

Jul 15: Ven Tenzin Lhundup, a scholar at Gom Gongsar Monastery has been sentenced to eight years in prison. He was detained last year while speaking in public on the “status of Tibetan language and nationality” in Shagchu, Driru County. He is accused of engaging in “anti-governmental activities” and of being one of the protesters against mining activities at Ngalha Dzamba. Lhundup’s family have only just traced him to Lhasa.

Jul 3: Sonam Dharwang, Lhawang and Tsering Lhadrup, three businessmen from Kado village in Chonyi township in the restive Driru County, have been sentenced to eight years each in prison. They were arrested under various charges which 11

have arisen since September 2013 when Tibetans in their county refused to hoist the Chinese flag from their homes.They were arrested again last year after a Chinese businessman complained to the authorities that the three were intentionally selling commodities at cheaper rates to local Tibetans. Their acts and motives were given a political twist and they were arrested in 2014. They were sentenced to eight years each in prison in May this year. There are tensions in the area due to the influx of Chinese people settling there, opening businesses and raising prices, making life difficult for Tibetans.

Tenzin Kalsang, 25, a poet and a native of Sakar village in Chonyi Township, was sentenced to seven years in prison in May this year; he had written a book but was denied permission to publish it.After many years of study, Kalsang taught Tibetan culture and dialects to monks in his hometown and also taught Tibetan language and grammar to young Tibetans in neighbouring villages. He was arrested in 2014 and whether his arrest is linked to his book or to other activities could not be confirmed due to heavy restrictions in the area.

Jul 2: Tashi Kyi, 20, was arrested in Meruma Town, Ngaba County in eastern Tibet. It is suspected that her arrest was related to the last month’s celebration for the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday.

Kyi has never been to school and helps her parents, Monu and Tsering Kyi, with chores for their nomadic lifestyle. News of her arrest was delayed, and it is not known where she is currently being held.

JULY 2015

news & issues

Tibetan Headlines Jul 31: Return of a Hero Rungye Adak, a political prisoner and nomad hailed as a hero by Tibetans, has been reportedly released after serving an eight-year prison term. He was detained in 2007 after addressing a crowd of thousands at the Horse Festival in Lithang County, speaking passionately about the anguish endured by Tibetans under China and calling for the return of HH the Dalai. The Chinese called his act a “major political incident”.

Jul 30: His Holiness in Leh His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in Ladakh where he visited the Jokhang Temple in Leh. Together with Ganden Tri Rinpoche and other distinguished lamas he recited Tsongkhapa’s In Praise of Dependent Arising and the Praise to the Seventeen Masters of Nalanda.

He went on to the Jamyang School, meeting thousands of students and lay people, and later inaugurated a new hostel.

Jul 21: Long-Life Offering Eleven organisations made a Ten-shug or Long-Life Offering to HH the Dalai Lama in Tsug-la-Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala: the Gelug Association of Nepal, the Tibetan Youth Congress, people of U-Tsang province, Shang Gaden Chökhor Ling, the Taglung Kagyu Tradition, the Tibetan Women’s Association, the Guchusum Movement, the Ngari Chithun Association, the Lodrik Association of Pokhara, Nepal, the Middle Way People’s Association and the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Society.

Jul 16: Kalachakra Registration Registration has opened online for Contact

attendance of the 34th Kalachakra Initiation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Bodh Gaya from January 14 – 25 next year. The Kalachakra is organised by the Tibetan Governmentin-Exile. People can register in advance online at www. kalachakra2016.net until December 31, or at Bodh Gaya during the Kalachakra.

Jul 8: TYC Scholarship The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence for Tibet organisation, has launched an annual scholarship of INR20,000. The award is dedicated to HH the Dalai Lama on his 80th birthday and to express gratitude for his leadership. The first recipient is Denzom, 22, from TCV Selakui. The TYC promotes Tibetan language education as a means of preserving the Tibetan identity.

Jul 13: The Biggest Flag A 100-foot-high hot air balloon flying the largest Tibetan flag in the world has been launched and will fly around the world to raise attention and funds for Tibet support groups. It was blessed by the Most Venerable Jamyang Tashi Dorje Rinpoche, and given the Tibetan Buddhist name, Tashi Yeltsen. “Tashi” was the brainchild of two individuals who worked with British Tibetan organisations

Jul 4: Postage Stamp His Holiness the Dalai Lama is featured on a new postage stamp in Germany. The stamp is a product of the German Postal Services and is to honour His Holiness and to celebrate his 80th birthday. It was created by the International Campaign for Tibet and is valued at 62 cents.

Jul 11: Criminal Procedings The Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, is to have a three-year old case against him reopened and criminal proceedings will commence against him. In 2011 a large sum of money was found in the Karmapa’s monastery, although he was cleared and the case dropped when investigations revealed that he had no control over donations received by the Trust from devotees around the world.

Jul 10: Successful Campaigning Giant hoardings defaming the Dalai Lama that had been erected in New York City by followers of Shugden have been taken down. Tibetan groups, including Students for a Free Tibet and the Tibetan Youth Congress lobbied to get the hoardings removed from outside the Javits Convention Centre where His Holiness was due to give a talk. Shugden followers denigrate the Dalai Lama at every opportunity.

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Jul 2: EU Pressures China The President of the Council of the European Union Donald Tusk called on China to enter into dialogue with representatives of the Tibetan people regarding Tibet. Speaking after meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Brussels he said that he had “expressed our concerns” and announced that the EU’s Special Representative on Human Rights would visit China later this year.

Jul 1: Environmentalist Dies Kawa Nyingchak, an environmental activist and writer has died while trying to gather evidence of illegal fishing in the protected Lake Qinghai in the Qinghai province.

He tried to block the killing of endangered fish, and drowned while attempting to haul in nets used by Chinese poachers so that he could hand them in to police who had refused to act without evidence.

JULY 2015

news & issues

International Headlines Jul 31: Visa for Artist Britain initially denied the dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei a six-month visa, claiming that he lied on his visa application form. Ai did not declare a “criminal conviction” because although he was detained in China for 81 days he was never charged or convicted of a crime. Britain granted him a 20-day visa to attend the opening of his London show but then apologised and issued the six-month visa.

Jul 28: Former President Dies APJ Abdul Kalam, the former Indian President and prominent scientist, has died while delivering a scientific lecture. He was 83. He served as India’s 11th president from 2002 to 2007, pioneering the country’s military missile programme which earned him the nickname “Missile Man”. India has declared seven days of national mourning.

Jul 21: Bomb Attack A bomb has killed at least 30 people and wounded 100 in Suruc in Turkey, during a meeting of young activists who were discussing the reconstruction of the neighbouring Syrian town of Kobane. It is thought the attack was the work of a female Islamic State suicide bomber. “Turkey has taken and will continue to take all necessary measures against IS,” said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Jul 21: Tourists Arrested A group of 20 tourists from UK, South Africa and India were arrested at Ordos airport, China for watching a BBC documentary on Genghis Khan at their hotel. The tourists explained that they watched the video to further their understanding of the region they were in. The spokesperson for a couple among them said that the documentary might have been mistakenly deemed Contact

as “propaganda” material. There was no official explanation regarding the cause of the arrest.

Jul 20: All-Female Poll The presidential poll in Taiwan, due to take place in January, will be the first-ever all-female contest between the country’s two main parties. The governing Kuomintang has endorsed Hung Hsui-chu, currently the deputy speaker of parliament and their first female presidential candidate; she will face Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party. Relations with mainland China are likely to be a major campaign issue.

Jul 16: Mountains on Pluto The planet Pluto has mountains made of ice as high as the Rocky mountains in North America. Images show a terrain that had been resurfaced by some geological process - such as volcanism - within the last 100 million years. Impact craters have not been seen, suggesting that the planet surface is very young. This active geology needs some source of heat and scientists are looking for this source.

Jul 14: Iran Nuclear Deal Iran has agreed a long-term nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of world powers - the United States, United Kingdom, France, China and Russia, plus G e r m a n y.

The deal, agreed after 20 months of negotiations, will limit Iran’s sensitive nuclear activities in return for the lifting of crippling sanctions. Iran stresses that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only and says it has the right to nuclear energy.

Jul 13: British-Indian Space Venture An Indian rocket has put five UK satellites into orbit. It is thought to be the largest number of wholly British13

built spacecraft to go up on a single launch. Three satellites will image the Earth and support disaster monitoring and relief, the remaining two will test technologies that could be used on future spacecraft.

This was the Indian space agency’s PSLV rocket’s heaviest commercial load to date.

Jul 9: China Crash China’s stock market has crashed: this month the value of its companies has dropped by more than $3trillion. This collapse is likely to hinder promised efforts to reform the economy and may undermine the standing of leaders including President Xi Jinping. However, economists say that China’s capacity to consume will remain “resilient”. They also say the heavy-handed way the government has handled the dramatic slide poses a risk.

Jul 8: WHO Inadequate?

An independent report has decreed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) lacks the “capacity and culture” to deal with global health emergencies.

The report, which was commissioned by the WHO, says it was too slow to act over the Ebola crisis and calls for an urgent overhaul of the organisation.

WHO admits it was “overwhelmed” by the Ebola outbreak and says it has plans for reform.

Jul 2: Giving to Charity Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, 60, a Saudi Arabian billionaire, is donating his entire $32bn (£20bn; €29bn) fortune to charity. He said he had been inspired by the Gates Foundation and that his money would be used, among other things, to “foster cultural understanding”, “empower women”, and “provide vital disaster relief”. The donation will take place over several years, overseen by a board of trustees headed by Prince Alwaleed.

JULY 2015

lha news and projects

The Tibet Fund Supports the Lha Soup Kitchen Lha Charitable Trust would like to acknowledge and thank the Tibet Fund for the sponsorship they have provided for the Lha Soup Kitchen.

Their support will enable us to run the Soup Kitchen for another three months, providing a nutritious meal for around 50-60 Tibetans every day – people who would otherwise be unable to have access to a healthy diet and

Lunch being served at Lha Soup Kitchen Photo: Lha

sufficient food, or who find it difficult to cater for themselves in India as it is, to them, a new and strange country.

For the period February 1 to June 30 this year, 43 new people have attended

the soup kitchen, making a total of 320 people who have benefitted from this service to date.

On behalf of all the soup kitchen beneficiaries and staff, Lha would like to thank The Tibet Fund for their generous support for our projects.

The support we receive from all our generous donors and volunteers inspires and enables us to be more determined than ever to serve our community.

The Tibet Fund is an American charity whose mission is to preserve the distinct cultural and national identity of the Tibetan people,and to promote self-reliance and help sustain the cohesiveness of the exile community. The Tibet Fund provides funding for health care, education, refugee rehabilitation, religious and cultural preservation, care for elderly people and community and economic development programmes serving more than 140,000 Tibetan refugees living in India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Hans Deibel A Friend to Tibet We are deeply saddened by the loss of our long term supporter and friend

Mr Hans Deibel, and would like to send our deepest condolences to his

family and friends. Mr Deibel was for over 16 years a board member of Tibetfreunde, a Tibet support organisation in Switzerland. He has been associated with Lha for several years, and for the past 20 years he has worked with the Central Tibetan Administration supporting the Tibetan exile community in the fields of education and health. His kindness will be cherished forever, as will his contributions to, and support for, Tibetan society.

Lha Observes National Hepatitis Day Lha Charitable Trust held a hepatitis awareness talk on July 28, National Hepatitis Day. The talk was attended by 45 of Lha’s adult language class students who participated in the talk and asked many questions.

Lha aims to raise general awareness of hepatitis and its implications for sufferers and their carers, as well

Photo: Lha/Contact

as promoting the improved access to hepatitis services and prevention measures which are available locally.

Participants in the talk heard about the 400 million people living with hepatitis B and C worldwide, and that 1.4 million people die from hepatitis every year, with many new infections occurring. The talk drew attention to the fact that transmission of the virus can be prevented through better awareness, and through blood and injection safety, and the services that can reduce risk of infection and harm through vaccinations.

Alongside the other nongovernment organisations in Dharamshala raising awareness of hepatitis, Lha will continue to organise awareness talks and education programmes for the community.

Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust. Lha also works hard to provide many services for the Tibetan exile community, the local Indian community, people from the Himalawyan region and volunteers from different parts of the world. These pages will tell you more about our work.

To find out more about Lha’s work and projects, please drop into our office on Temple Road (see map on page 22) or visit our website: www.lhasocialwork.org Contact

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JULY 2015

lha news and projects

Learning About Tibet Lha hosted four student groups this month from Rustic Pathway, the American organisationwhich provides “meaningful student travel and services”, organising volunteer and study programmes around the world.

The groups came to Dharamshala to discover and learn about Tibet’s culture and traditions. Each group consisted of 12-14 students, and in addition to visits and lectures on different aspects of Tibetan life and culture in exile, every group member spent three hours a day with their Lha student partner. The visiting students were each paired with a Lha student for the duration of their stay to enable mutual learning and exchange of ideas and experiences, as well as an opportunity for one-to-one tuition in English.

Lha also hosted a Lifeworks International student group – the second this year. Lifeworks is another American organisation, providing community service adventures for

Students from Loyola University, US at Lha’s Ahimsa House in Mcleod Ganj Photo:Lha

teens. This group consisted of six students who were also paired with Lha students while they learned more about Tibetans in the Dharamshala community.

Another group visiting Lha was 11 students from Loyola University in the United States. They also came to get more exposure to Tibetan issues and culture by attending various events and talks from community leaders in Dharamshala. They volunteered to spend their mornings with Tibetan students helping them learn English.

Contact

“Twice is Not Enough” Lha could not provide the services we do without the support of our wonderful army of volunteers who help in every way imaginable and inspire us with their enthusiasm. Some people stay and help us for months, some just come for a day. Every month we ask a volunteer to share their story. This month Okechukwu from US, who was with us for more than a month, shares his story.

Name: Okechukwu N Onwunli Volunteer Job at Lha: Web Developer and English Tutor When I had first volunteered at Lha in 2011 my experiences changed my views on the nature of giving and compassion. Amongst other things, I learned that consistent compassion could be a reliable vein of happiness, benefiting both the giver and receiver.

When I departed, my goal was to return and continue to help a community that had given me so much. Once was not enough. I was certain my experiences were circumstantial and albeit positive, a lofty romanticisation of a young brain. Upon my return in 2015 I was so delighted to find that romanticism had very little do with my experience with Lha. I have just been lucky to find one of the most compassionate and warmhearted communities I had since encountered.

This time tasked with redesigning Lha’s blog, I was happy to be able to contribute in an area relevant to my background. Working with Sangay and the staff at Lha has once again been such a pleasurable experience.

They had no hesitation to make sure I had what I needed while I worked, not to mention amazing tea. Tutoring two students in English each day was quite the creative challenge for me.

Assessing what they needed to learn and personalising teaching methods was something very new to me. This showed me once again that helping others would always first require a deep understanding of another’s situation.

Just being in Mcleod Ganj can be such a rich cultural experience. Taking time to enjoy and understand the surrounding area through trekking and visiting sites like the Tibetan Museum, Men-Tsee-Khang and Norbulingka 15

were all astonishing and a privilege.

I can never forget celebrating H.H. The Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday in Mcleod Ganj. Seeing the whole town come alive and give such a wonderful

display of gratitude for His Holiness’ accomplishments. Being a part of the weekend celebrations was absolutely inspiring.

Volunteering with Lha in India also led to my volunteering for earthquake relief efforts in Nepal. Working with Lha’s co-founder Neil Guidry through his sister organisation LHA, in Kathmandu we assembled a small team to address some of the needs of a camp from the Langtang Region in Nepal. The people in this community had lost many family members and nearly all their belongings; we collected and distributed over 250 pairs of shoes in preparation for their return home. We also worked with community members to help address some of the medical needs. This project, and many others could not have been possible without LHA and its volunteers. For that I have nothing but gratitude and whenever possible, I plan to continue my involvement in India and in Nepal. Twice is not enough.

JULY 2015

around town

Charities and Organisations

Central Tibetan Administration

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

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

WEB: www.tibet.net LOCATION: Dharamshala – 176215 PHONE: 01892-222218 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm EMAIL: kashag@tibet.net

The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL)

OHHDL is the personal office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The office organises his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration. When His Holiness is in Dharamshala, his schedule includes daily religious practice and studies, meeting with private audiences, and congregating with the Tibetan Kashag and senior Tibetan governmental officials.

WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: Thekchen Choeling, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala – 176219 PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221210 EMAIL: ohhdl@dalailama.com

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)

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

The Tibetan Youth Congress organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities. The organisation publishes a series of periodicals and magazines on the Tibetan cause.

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

Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA)

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

WEB: www. tibetanwomen.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala – 176219 PHONE: 01892-221527 EMAIL: tibwomen@gmail.com

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

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

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

Contact

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

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

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

The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.

WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala – 176215 PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org

Tibetan Library (LTWA) (Centre for Tibetan Studies)

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

WEB: ltwa.net, tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong Dharamshala - 176215 PHONE: 98822-55047 EMAIL: ltwa1970@gmail.com

Delek Hospital

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

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

Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society

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

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

Tong-Len Charitable Trust

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

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

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Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)

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

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

WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - 176219 PHONE: 9882786875

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)

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

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

Lha Charitable Trust (Lha)

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

The Kangra Distt. Red Cross Society

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

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

Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet

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

WEB: www.guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679 EMAIL: guchusum1991@gmail.com

Tibet Charity

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

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

JULY 2015

around town

Charities and Organisations

Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)

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

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

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

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT)

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

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

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR)

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

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

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

Rogpa Baby Care Centre

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

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

Gamru Village School

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

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

Contact

Clean Upper Dharamshala Project

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

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

Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage)

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

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

Women’s Team

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

EMAIL: jitenderje@gmail.com PHONE: 9817105035 / 08894435595

The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC)

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

LOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 98051-47048 / 94180-94476 EMAIL: tcsamkhar@gmail.com, Facebook: Anec Peace

National Democratic Party of Tibet

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

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

BUS SCHEDULE

* Times and prices may vary.

Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

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

TAXIS

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

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189

Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

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

Phone: 222 053,223 381

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

Phone: 221 483

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

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

Phone: 01892-221 924

JULY 2015

activities and information Upcoming Events Aug 15: Independence Day of India Sep 2: Democracy Day of Tibet Sep 7-10: HH the Dalai Lama’s Teaching (topic to be decided) at the Main Tibetan Temple, Dharamshala, at the request of a group from Asia.

Oct 1-4: HH the Dalai Lama’s Teaching at the request of a group of Taiwanese at the Main Tibetan Temple.

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

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

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

Sunita Singh Yoga Class

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

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

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

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

Men-Tsee-Khang

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

Traditional Thai Massage

LOCATION: Opposite the Himachal Govt.

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

Contact

MEDITATION Ocean of Harmony

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

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

Siddhartha Retreat Centre

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

Taxi services Rinku Taxi Services

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

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

LANGUAGES Tibetan Language Courses

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

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

Rita Thakur Hindi Classes

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

Hindi Lessons with Sunil

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

Tibetan Language

LOCATION: The Tibetan Library *see Buddhist Philosophy Listing

Hindi Lessons with Kailash

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

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

art and museums

Indian Cooking and Knitting with Ms Rita Kapoor

Tibet Museum

Indian Cooking Classes

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

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

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes

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

Nisha’s Indian Cooking Class

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

Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional Tibetan Cooking Classes

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

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

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

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)

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

Kangra Art Museum

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

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum

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

Form Gallery

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

JULY 2015

activities and information HEALTH SERVICES

Tibet-Related Websites

Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra

News:

LOCATION: Near Hotel Mount View, Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 09218742046 EMAIL: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com

Dadon Physiotherapy Clinic

LOCATION: 310, Geden Choeling Nunnery, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj HOURS: 9am - 7pm PHONE: 9882323598 EMAIL: dadonphysio@gmail.com

Dr Kumar Ayurvedic - Panchkarma

WEB: www.kumarayurveda.com LOCATION: Hotel Surya Rd., opp Club House HOURS: 9:00am-2:00pm & 2:30-7:00pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily PHONE: 8894492837 EMAIL: SATINDER3737@gmail.com

Maanav Health Clinic

LOCATION: Main Square HOURS: 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-5:00pm PHONE: 941-815-5795 EMAIL: maanavcare@yahoo.co.in

Men-Tsee-Khang

LOCATION: Below Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org

Primary Health Centre

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main market HOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat

Nature Cure Health Club

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm PHONE: 7833047078 / 9882320136 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Tibetan Delek Hospital

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

News, information and campaigning:

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

Writings:

LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-22053 / 223381 HOURS: Outpatient services, Mon-Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00-4:30pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily

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.

T H O S A M L IN G ’s Tibetan Language Program 2015 MODULE 1

MODULE 2

22 June – 11 Sep 5 days/week, total 4.5 hrs/day

28 Sep – 11 Dec 5 days/week, total 4.5 hrs/day

Beginner Course

Start with the alphabet and learn to read and write basic Tibetan in two weeks! Audio and video materials ensure quick progress.

Private time with teachers is available.

MODULE 3

Intermediate Course

Dharma Language Course

MODULE 4

Introduction to Debate

28 May–17 Jul / 19 Oct –11 Dec 3 Aug – 9 Oct 5 days/week, total 2.5 hrs/day 5 days/week, total 2.5 hrs/day & afternoon debate sessions.

Main focus is on colloquial Tibetan Main focus is on literary and

and first stages of literary Tibetan.

All c ou r s a re f re ee s fo r S a n gha !

colloquial Tibetan. We work with audio materials, transcripts and translations of oral teachings and c a nyo u s their root texts. j o i nti l l

Debate opens many doors to the Dharma and sharpens the mind.

T H O S A M L I N G I N S T I T U T E For International Buddhist Women CONTACT US: Contact

�

fi ve pe op le Fo r a mi nimum of eo d Ga nj: cL M co mi ng fr om an sp or t tr ily da ve si en ine xp . ed ng ra ar ca n be

thosamling@gmail.com • www.thosamling.com • Sidhpur • 176057 Dharamsala • mob 9882455065 19

JULY 2015

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

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

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

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CARPE DIEM

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• • •

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8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

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8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

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

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

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

Dr Mobile Shop

Pema Thang Guest House

and Restaurant

Your Communication Partner

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

Black Magic Building (underground), Jogiwara Road, Map # 8 McLeod Ganj Phone: 9857011101 Contact

Unique Garden restaurant and “HOMESTAY” home cooked wheat porridge, fluffy pancakes and paranthas, BBQ, kababs, Naans and many more Enjoy our garden café with fibre roof and amongst unique plants surrounded with pine trees Neat & clean rooms with beautiful valley view High speed Wi-Fi

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Charming, comfortable, and scrupulously clean; minutes from the Main Temple and McLeod Ganj Market; Hotel Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj: Map #15 Phone: 221871/221001 www.pemathang.net JULY 2015

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Contact

21

JULY 2015

advertisements Locations of important places around McLeod Ganj

BHAGSU NAG

Map not to scale

See Advertisement Pages for details of advertisers

TIPA

21

DHARAMKOT

Vipassana Centre

Naddi Village

Tushita Centre

12

11 3

McLEOD GANJ 4

6 7

5 MAIN SQUARE

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

Cantt Police Post

Main Bazaar

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89

1 Lha

16

10 15 14

2

13

Road to Dharamshala

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

12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 13. Ahimsa House & Lha Soup Kitchen 14. Chonor House 15. Pema Thang 16. Rinku Taxi Service 17. Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Tibetan Library 18. LRZTP Tibetan Language Program 19. Tibetan Museum and Temple 20. Tibetan Handicraft Centre 21. Taste of India

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

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17 18

Road to Dharamshala

Namgyal Cafe

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

Dream Holidays

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

Since 1998

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

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

NEED A DENTIST? ShangriLa Hotel For all your dental requirements under one roof, in a sterile clinic CONTACT

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@

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Extensive vegetarian menu Terrace dining with beautiful view Best pizza in McLeod Ganj Good music and friendly staffs Mobile: 9816150562

Nature Cure Health Club

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

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Jogiwara Road - Map #5

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Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 3) JULY 2015

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Advertise in Contact To advertise on this page Call Lha office: 01892-220992 or visit the office at Temple Rd, Opp State Bank of India Mcleod Ganj - Map#1

Contact

23

JULY 2015

ལྷ་བོད་ཀྱི་ལུགས་མཐུན་བཟོ་ཚོང་ལས་ཁང་།

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

What’s LTFT?

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

What we have?

What we do?

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

Retail outlet, manufacture, wholesale, import & export, support local artisans, tours and travel.

The LTFT is pleased to welcome any businesses wishing to form partnerships and set up exhibition tours.

Why LTFT?

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

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

W www.tibetfairtrade.com

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

Follow Contact website using the QR code!

Tibet Fair Trade འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

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