Contact January 2015

Fr

ee

འབྲེས་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XVII Issue:1 31 January 2015

The Urbanisation of Rural Tibet

by Ed Janich

China has announced plans to urbanise Tibet’s rural population and increase military presence in the region, citing terrorism and environmental concerns as justification for the new policies. Local environmental campaigners fear that such a relocation might encourage damaging exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources.

The Chinese government says it will increase the urban population of the Tibet Autonomous Region by 30%, an increase of approximately 280,000 people

Read more on page 3

Protests Over Exam Results Corruption

by Sam McFarland

Tibetan students and their families have taken to the streets in protest over the supposed mishandling in October of the examinations used to select future government employees. These examinations, which are used in assigning government jobs to students who have recently graduated from school, were apparently sold off by Chinese officials to families who wanted higher scores for their children. The lower grades were then assigned to the Tibetan students.

For the past two weeks, in the Gansu province in Tibet, the protesters have

Read more on page 3

Is Mark Zuckerberg Cosying up to China?

by Sarah Gittleman

The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) has launched a petition accusing Facebook of “censoring the truth about China’s oppression of Tibetans”. The accusation followed the deletion of two separate posts by well-known activists - prominent Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser and exiled Chinese writer and critic Liao Yiwu. The ICT, which has previously praised Facebook for providing

Read more on page 4

Monastery or Prison?

by Rohini Kejriwal January has seen no let-up in the crackdown at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba county in the Sichuan Province of Tibet. Following the arrests of two monks in December, the Chinese authorities have considerably increased their security forces in and around the area.

The first of the arrests was of 20-year-old Lobsang Lungrig (see picture) on December 27, for no known reason. Lungrig’s arrest came just hours after

Read more on page 5

W www.contactmagazine.net

Contact News

Contact News

about lha & contact Contact, a free monthly publication of 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 14 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

Lha Charitable Trust

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.

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

Lha Traveler Services and Volunteer Opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

Contact

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

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

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

Become a Sponsor for Lha’s Soup Kitchen On July 6, 2011, Lha opened its community soup kitchen at its new building, Ahimsa House. This is the first soup kitchen in Dharamshala and serves low-cost and nutritious meals to the Tibetan refugee community.

Around fifty to sixty needy refugees are served nutritious meals at low-cost or free while educating them about healthy eating and living at Lha Soup Kitchen. If you would like to sponsor a meal, please Contact Lha office on details below. Thank you.

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

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

Please contact the office: office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992 JANUARY 2015

news & issues Continued from page 1

The Urbanisation of Rural Tibet

by 2020. According to Free Tibet, a British pro-Tibetan information and campaigning organisation, China has moved up to two million Tibetan nomads to urban settlements since it took over the country in 1951. Many of the migrants struggle to adapt to their new homes. “Tibetan nomads are put under pressure to leave their traditional way of life and [are] often relocated to new urban developments with a lump sum for compensation.

Once this is spent, many nomads lack the skills to compete in the urban world”, reads a recent article on FreeTibet.org.

China claims that the relocation of rural Tibetans helps protect the mountains from overgrazing, yet Tibetan protest groups claim that the resulting exploitation of the area’s natural resources poses a much greater threat to the local environment. “The mountains [are] opened and stripped bare, the valleys are filled with dust, and rivers and brooks... contaminated, causing diseases for both humans and animals,” said one protester, speaking to Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity. “The mine owners... pay money to authorities... so when we appeal for help to local authorities in Continued from page 1

territories with Chinese people it will homogenise Tibet and weaken the effectiveness of Tibetans’ protests.

Both urban and rural communities have experienced growing oppression in recent months, with an increased military presence in the region since Beijing announced its expanded counter-terrorism operation in May

Chinese migrants arriving at Lhasa railway station in Tibet Photo: news.cn

2014. This follows the introduction in 2012 of “red-armband patrols”, groups of community workers who conduct surveillance on behalf of the government.

Meanwhile, China seeks to silence international objections to its actions in Tibet, sending representatives to the West to add a pro-Chinese voice to debates, and increasing aid to Nepal by more than 400% in exchange for greater co-operation in the handling of Tibetan refugees.

Protests Over Exam Results Corruption

been holding rallies in front of the government offices in the prefecture’s Luchu county, but they have seen no action from the county government. In the lead up to the protests, on January

A protest banner calling for self-rule and a fair probe into the exam scandal Photo: RFA

7, students and their parents had arranged a meeting with the county governor but according to a source on Contact

the county and prefecture, they cannot address our concerns,” he said.

FreeTibet.org speculates that forced migration may be used to undermine resistance to Chinese rule, which is more common in rural areas: “[One] reason that China is eager to relocate Tibetan nomads is because they can be more easily monitored and controlled in case of protests and resistance to China’s illegal rule.

Many Tibetan protests take place in rural areas in response to Chinesebacked companies exploiting the rich environment.”

Han Chinese are also being encouraged to move to the region.

Official statistics report that 2,0003,000 Chinese migrate to Tibet each day via the Gormo to Lhasa railway line, which connects Tibet to mainland China. The exiled Tibetan administration observes that, “under the guise of economic and social development, [Beijing] encourages the migration of Chinese people to Tibet, marginalising the Tibetans in economic, educational, political and social spheres.” FreeTibet.org further suggest that the influx of Chinese may be another tactic to reduce Tibetan dissent, saying that China believes that by populating its occupied

the ground, the families waited all day but “no one turned up.”

The source, who requested anonymity, reported that a meeting took place the following day, and that “the governor and other officials pretended to listen to their demands, but no clear decision was made.”

Getting no satisfactory response from the local government, the protesters took to the streets, marching to government offices in Kanlho, several miles away from Gansu.

They carried banners that read “selfrule for our area” and “please handle fairly our complaints about this illegal tampering”. Fifteen kilometers from Kanlho, police asked them to turn back. It was only after government

3

officials arrived on the scene and promised to look into the complaints that the protestors turned back.

“They said that even if the graduates had received good marks on their exams, these would be no match for the higher grades shown on stolen papers,” the source reported.

He went on to say, “They complained that the selling of exam papers and the swapping of graduates’ names on test results has put them at a disadvantage in competing for jobs.”

There have been no further developments and the protesters have vowed to continue their efforts, saying they will bring these complaints to the central government’s attention if need be.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues Continued from page 1

Is Mark Zuckerberg Cosying up to China?

a platform for millions of people to freely share information online, is now concerned that the company’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg might be trying to win favour with the Chinese government in hopes of expanding his business to the country.

Currently, Facebook is banned in China as the censorship standards do

The petition campaign launched by the ITC Photo: Contact/screenshot

not meet those typical of domestic competitors like Sina Weibo and Tencent’s WeChat. But that has not

stopped Zuckerberg from launching what has been called a small “charm offensive” in recent months. In October, he travelled to Beijing where he held a question-and-answer session using Mandarin Chinese, which he has been studying. Additionally, China’s top internet regulator was invited to visit Facebook’s offices, and was photographed grinning as he sat at Zuckerberg’s desk, where a book by Chinese President Xi Jinping was predominantly placed.

However, Facebook officials are adamant that this is irrelevant to the deletion of the posts by Liao and Woeser, which they said was done in accordance with existing policies and standard operating procedure, and due to violation of their standards.

The post deleted on Liao’s account depicted a nude anti-government protester at a demonstration in support of his friend, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, who remains

imprisoned in China. Although Facebook claims its removal was due to nudity, Liao claims to have obscured the picture in a manner that would not be in violation of the company’s rules.

The post deleted on Woeser’s account depicted the self-immolation of a Tibetan monk.

In this case, Facebook claims its removal was due to its graphic nature. However, Woeser argues that she has seen other graphic images, such as Tsering Woeser beheadings and Photo: internet other horrific violence, displayed on Facebook without subsequent removal. Consequently, activists, as well as the ICT, question the real motivation for the removal of material which the Chinese government might deem politically sensitive.

China Report: Censorship and Suppression on the Increase

by Ed Janich

Democratic freedoms have declined under China’s new president Xi Jinping according to a recent report

by Freedom House, a human rights and democracy watchdog based in the United States. Tibetans and other

minorities have been some of the worst affected by the changes.

“There is a clear change in how Xi Jinping is managing the censorship and security apparatus” Freedom House found, with the Chinese suffering “more restrictions” on the content of electronic communications Contact

since Xi’s rise to presidency. Greater freedom for Tibet, XinJiang and Taiwan are among topics routinely censored by Chinese authorities, the report adds, along with any criticism of the Communist Party leadership.

The study notes that since the end of the Chinese labour camp system in 2013, the use of “black jails”, or unofficial detention centres, has increased, leaving many detainees imprisoned without legal protection or oversight.

Party officials join religious minorities as some of those worst affected by the crackdown, leading to a growing climate of fear and mistrust within the administration, the report continues.

The report’s author Sarah Cook suggests that the new measures may “damage…regime legitimacy” at a time when the public is already becoming more openly critical of the government. “Official documents reflect a perceived lack of control and 4

depleted ability to influence public opinion, to the point that it is seen as an existential threat to the regime”, she says.

The growing threat of economic slow-down may further undermine public support for the administration, Cook adds.

However, despite increasingly heavy-handed tactics many continue to defy government repression. “For persecuted religious and ethnic groups, the risks of even quiet resistance are significant given the harsh repression they face. Yet such resistance is widespread. Large numbers of Tibetans continue to keep an image of the Dalai Lama in their possession despite the threat of punishment and patriotic education campaigns that urge them to denounce their revered spiritual leader”, the report says.

The study, entitled The Politburo’s Predicament, draws on internal party records and testimony from 30 experts on China’s human rights crisis.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues Continued from page 1

that of another monk from Kirti Monastery, Lobsang Trinley, 27, for staging a peaceful, solo protest on the street. He was severely beaten and arrested within minutes of his protest. No news of either’s condition or whereabouts is known.

Confirming the facts of these and other arrests is extremely difficult as severe restrictions on internet and phone connections have been imposed.

There is a Tibet-wide crackdown on communications as the Chinese authorities attempt to prevent news from reaching the outside world.

Currently, there is a heavy security clampdown in Ngaba, and sources reveal that a large number of armed C h i n e s e security forces and police have been deployed on the streets since the protests. Major roads leading to Lobsang Lungrig Ngaba County have been blocked and the movements of local Tibetans, including monks from Kirti, are restricted. There are also reports that many Tibetans have disappeared or been detained after staging protests to express their solidarity with Trinley following his arrest.

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a Dharamshala-based human rights group, has condemned the actions of the Chinese authorities and called

Monastery or Prison? on them to release the two monks.

“TCHRD condemns the actions of Chinese paramilitary forces that have engaged in unnecessary violence and disproportionate use of force by beating up local Tibetans who had gathered there to peacefully express their discontent and aspirations. TCHRD calls on the local Chinese authorities to immediately release Lobsang Trinley from detention since he was merely exercising his right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

There is no legitimate ground for his secret detention. Furthermore, the local Public Security Bureau officers must make public the reasons behind the arbitrary detention of Lobsang Lungrig who was picked up from his monastery without any reason,” said a TCHRD spokesperson.

There is a history of unrest at Kirti Monastery. Twenty two Tibetans were killed by Chinese security forces during a peaceful protest outside the Monastery on March 16, 2008. This was the start of the current cycle of repression in the monastery and Ngaba area. In February the following year, a young monk from Kirti named Tapey self-immolated, the first of the spate of 135 self-immolations that have occured since in Tibet. Tapey survived and is believed to still be in detention.

In April 2011, following the second self-immolation, also at Kirti – 20-year-old Phutsong – Chinese authorities raided the monastery, killing some Tibetans, taking away hundreds of monks and sending

them for “political re-education”, and beating up and detaining local Tibetans who sought to protect the monks. During the summer of 2011, while the Chinese officials called the situation “normal”, a report surfaced from Tibetan sources calling the monastery “a jail filled with monks”.

It claimed that the monks were not allowed to leave their quarters after 8 pm, that the monastery’s medical facilities were shut down and the Chinese authorities had constructed walls around the monastery.

Each year, the number of protests, detentions, arrests and selfimmolations has risen. Despite the difficulties in obtaining news and information due to the communications crackdown, this increase in unrest is well documented.

Kirti Monastery was founded in 1472 and is one of the leading Tibetan Monasteries. Kirti Rinpoche, the exiled head of the monastery, said during a visit to London, “the Chinese authorities are making baseless accusations without evidence instead of addressing legitimate Tibetan grievances. The self-immolations emerge from the unbearable oppression imposed by the Chinese authorities and their policies undermining Tibetan religion and culture. Not only do they seek to repress the truth in Tibet, but they sought to do so even in the European Union, where they pressured officials not to meet me despite the fact that it is my understanding that freedom of expression is one of the most cherished European values.”

Cycling for Tibet

by Wendhe Choetsoe A Tibet supporter is marking the 25th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a lone marathon cycle ride. Shri Sandesh Meshram, aka Samten Yeshi, left his hometown Nagpur in Maharashtra on December 10 and cycled through Mainpat, Bubaneshwar, Visakapatnam and Contact

Vijaywada. Meshram is said to be on his way to Guntur after which he will reach Amravati and Hyderabad.

He plans to cycle on to Kerala and then back to Maharashtra. He will be concluding the two-month ride on February 5 at Norgyeling Tibetan Settlement after cycling through five Indian states and covering a distance of 3,087kms.

5

Shri Sandesh Meshram is described as a passionate Tibet supporter who participates in pro-Tibet activities.

He is closely associated with the Norgyeling Tibetan settlement where he owns a printing house. Currently he is General Secretary of the India Tibet Friendship Society, Nagpur Chapter which he has served for over four decades.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues The Pope is Praying for China were to take place, ties between the relationship the papacy shares with

by Vanshika Tripathi Pope Francis has told a group of papacy and the Chinese government Taiwan. journalists that a date has now been could suffer. The Papacy has not Responding to the speculation, set for a meeting with His Holiness maintained diplomatic ties with China Pope Francis denied that he refused the Dalai Lama, quashing speculation since Chairman Mao cut them back in to meet His Holiness. The Pope that his former decision not to meet stated, “The usual protocol of the His Holiness was due to fear of secretary of state is not to receive upsetting China. heads of state and high ranking The Pope did not meet the personalities when they are in Rome Dalai Lama when he was in Rome for an international meeting. Some for last month’s Nobel Laureates newspapers said that I did not meet summit and there were reports [His Holiness] out of fear of China. of the Vatican’s concern about a This is not true. He asked for an potentially furious reaction from audience some time ago. A date has China to a meeting between the been fixed. But not for the moment.

Pope and the Dalai Lama, and that We are in contact.”

Pope Francis has said he will meet the Dalai Lama this could damage their developing In a telegram sent to China’s Photo: Getty Images relationship with Beijing. There president Xi Jinping, Pope Francis were also concerns about persecution 1951. China has in the past stated that remarked, “I assure you of my against China’s Catholic community. the Vatican should fully recognise the prayers for you and the people of China has hinted that if a meeting governance of the People’s Republic China, invoking abundant blessings between the Vatican and His Holiness of China by severing the diplomatic of harmony and prosperity.”

Sikyong Speaks to the “Future Leaders of Tibet”

by Sherwin Altarez Mapanoo Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), greeted 2015 on an optimistic note as he spoke to, and interacted with, Tibetan and Indian students in leadership summits held in Dharamshala and Pune, Maharashtra on January 2 and 12 respectively.

Sikyong was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the second leadership summit of Tibetan students

Sikyong Sangay in Pune, Maharashtra Photo: Tibet.net

at the Lower Tibetan Childrens Village school in Dharamshala. An initiative of the Department of Education of the CTA, the eight-day event was attended by 302 students from 33 different schools across India and Nepal.

Contact

Sikyong encouraged all the attendees to come up with their own resolutions, and to strive to accomplish them in the coming year. Addressing the students as “future leaders of Tibet,” he emphasised the necessity of education and leadership qualities for attaining a successful career, urging them to put the lessons taught in the summit into good practice in both their school and their daily lives.

Sikyong spoke to over 10,000 students at the fifth annual national conclave of the Indian Student Parliament in Pune in his speech Inspiring Youth for Strengthening Democracy. He joined speakers from the fields of politics, media and film in India. In his speech on Religion in Storm or Storm in Religion, Sikyong said that all religions in the world revolve around love, compassion, respect, and tolerance. He encouraged the students to practice religion but cautioned them about the adverse effects of religiosity and religionism.

Dr Sangay also addressed a two-day workshop on the Tibetan Medicare System (TMS), a non-profit medical 6

insurance scheme for Tibetans. The workshop was aimed at encouraging Tibetan people to participate in the project. He explained that TMS will

Adressing the student leadership summit Photo: Tibet.net

ensure effective financial help for all, including the poor, during medical emergencies.

Sikyong spoke at the 29th Annual Dastakari Craft Art Bazaar at Dilli Haat, New Delhi, held at the beginning of the month, where he explained the deep cultural and historical bond shared by the Tibetan people and India.

He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government and people for helping the Tibetan people during their time of need, and hosting the Dalai Lama for the last five decades.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues His Holiness Tours India

by Tsering Wangdue His Holiness the Dalai Lama started his year of 2015 with a three-day tour in the state of Gujarat where the theme of all his speeches centred around how to make a happier and more peaceful

Presenting the Santokbaa Award Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

world by living each day in a more meaningful way. He addressed more than 4,000 people at Veer Narmad South Gujurat University and then visited the business centres in Surat in Gujurat.

While in Surat, His Holiness met over 700 Tibetan people who are there for the winter business season.

He was presented with the Santikbaa Award and in his Award speech he spoke about inter-religious harmony

and the promotion of human values.

He then travelled to Nasik, Maharashtra where he gave a talk, Secular Ethics, to a crowd of 4,500 people. “When we are children we don’t care very much about differences of faith, family or nationality, we just play together. But as we grow up we learn to pay more attention to secondary differences like faith, race, social background and level of education. By seeing each other in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’, we lay the ground for conflict. We seek ways for ‘us’ to win and ‘them’ to lose. This is the basis for the bullying, cheating and exploitation that gives rise to violence, corruption and the gap between rich and poor. It is a result of thinking only of you, with no regard for others. The time has come to promote the oneness of humanity”, said His Holiness.

On January 13, he visited the Indian city of Kolkata, where he met Tibetan business people and the Missionaries of Charity at Mother House. He paid tribute to the tomb of Mother Teresa and praised the Sisters for the way they serve humanity.

His Holiness spoke at the Presidency University on the following day, giving a talk to students entitled Human approach to the world Peace, saying “sustaining your hope is crucial to keeping yourselves going and fulfilling the goal of your education”.

A few days later, His Holiness was in New Delhi to give a public talk Peace and Compassion at the Baha’i Lotus Temple. He spoke to the young school children present in the audience, saying “In you lies the hope of creating a better future for the world. It will fall to you to solve the problems created by my generation in the twentieth century.”

On January 20, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met the medical staff at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi where he said “Doctors and nurses are truly admirable in their efforts to help others. I readily speak about compassion, but you people put it into effect. Wonderful” On January 31, His Holiness is in Sankisa in Uttar Pradesh to give a public talk organised by the Youth Buddhist Society of India.

Officials in Tibet Punished for Supporting Dalai Lama

by Wendhe Choetsoe China has punished 15 Communist Party officials serving in Tibet for aiding the Dalai Lama. The officials, suspected to be Tibetans, were put under the scrutiny of the Commission for Discipline Inspection last year and were given unspecified punishments for violating party discipline and endangering national security. They were accused of joining underground Tibetan independence organisations and providing information to the Dalai Lama and his supporters.

It is not new for China to condemn any kind of support or loyalty to the Dalai Lama. However, the recent publicising of punishing these party officials is highly unusual.

The Global Times, a Chinese staterun newspaper, said in an editorial “if there are officials who take an Contact

ambiguous attitude on the Tibetan independence question, colluding with separatist organisations and providing them with intelligence, they must be investigated and prosecuted regardless of their ethnicity”.

The article continued, “Party officials in Tibet won’t receive favourable treatment for their support of separatists and they will pay the price for this. This must be made known to all Tibetan officials.”

Speaking to the Associated Press, Kate Saunders, the International Campaign for Tibet’s communications director, said, “The announcement follows warnings of stiff punishments for those who offer support to the Dalai Lama or Tibetan separatism, and shows that the government has failed to eradicate support for the spiritual leader, even among party officials.”

7

In November last year, Ye Dongsong, head of a Communist Party discipline inspection team warned the Tibet authorities to focus on “neutralising separatists and maintaining social stability” as “some officials in Tibet still sympathise with the Dalai Lama” because of their religious beliefs.

The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace laureate, is called a “splittist” by Beijing, who says he is seeking independence for Tibet under the guise of his proposed “genuine autonomy”.

The Dalai Lama and representatives of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile have repeatedly stated that they are willing to live under the Chinese constitution if China gives Tibetans genuine autonomy, and guarantees the freedom and the protection of religion, language and the culture of Tibet.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues

by Ed Janich

Looming Financial Crisis?

China has made the headlines this month, as leading economists at the Bank of America reveal that a Chinese financial crisis is highly probable in the coming year. BBC Business reporter Lawrence Knight has speculated that the Chinese authorities may incite racial tensions to divert public attention from any such crisis, leading to concern over the impact this could have on racial minorities in Tibet and other sensitive areas.

China is heading towards a financial crisis just months after being declared the world’s largest economy, experts warn.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch suggest a credit crunch, or mass debt default is highly probable over the coming year. “Few countries that had

Obama and Xi Jinping at the APEC forum Photo: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon

grown debt relative to GDP [Gross Domestic Product] as fast as China did over the past few years escaped from a financial crisis in the form of significant currency devaluation, major banking sector recap, credit crunch and/or sovereign debt default (often a combination of these),” stated Bank of America Merrill Lynch strategists David Cui, Tracy Tian and Katherine Tai. BBC Business reporter Lawrence Knight has speculated that China “may be tempted to drum up xenophobia as a way of shoring up public support” in the face of growing economic woes. A similar tactic was employed at the beginning of the 2008 global economic crisis, when China turned attention towards disputed territory in Contact

the South China Sea to distract from economic difficulties at home.

China’s economy has historically relied on export and investment in housing and infrastructure in order to drive its rapid growth. When the world financial crisis hit in 2008, severely reducing export demand from deflating western economies, China turned to even greater investment to bolster inflation.

China released cash into the economy, thereby increasing the availability of loans to fund public projects and property development and staving off the worst of the effects of the global recession. The cost was an over-investment in already saturated industries, creating more housing and infrastructure than the country could use.

At the end of 2014 China failed to hit its 7.5% inflation target for the first time since 1998. This has been interpreted as a sign of growing stagnation in the Chinese economy, which could signal the end of China’s building boom and cause problems for local governments who depend on property taxes to fund a large portion of their budgets.

With these heavily invested industries now thought to be in decline, there is a growing chance of mass defaults as developers are unable to cover their repayments. This could lead to rising unemployment, wage cuts, and a loss in confidence from international investors. “With huge amounts of ill-advised investment in redundant industrial capacity and vanity infrastructure projects, the country is now submerged by [a] tsunami of bad debt” said Anne Stevenson-Yang of the economic advice firm J Capital.

President Xi Jinping has responded to the slow-down with a push for long overdue reforms, hoping to shift the economy towards consumer spending, currently at less than 35% of GDP as compared to 50-70% in most other countries, in order to fill the growth hole left by collapsing development 8

industries.

China is under further pressure to maintain the value of the Yuan, as members of the elite and China’s middle class try to send their money out of the country. Beijing has placed a limit of $50,000 on annual foreign exchange for each citizen, as sales of Yuan contribute to currency devaluation. However, some have exploited gaps in the system, purchasing US dollars through, among other methods, online payments and borrowed bank accounts. Beijing was forced to spend nearly $100 billion of its $3.99 trillion foreign currency reserve on Chinese Yuan in order to maintain demand for the currency in the third quarter of 2014.

In international news, China is at odds with the United States over their

China’s factory activity slows further at the end of 2014 Photo: AFP

proposed Trans Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement between the US and several other North American and Asia-Pacific states - with the notable exception of China. The Chinese government is lobbying for a competing trade alliance, the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific - which would safeguard their economic interests in the region.

Despite an apparently cloudy outlook for the Chinese economy, many have welcomed the change as a much needed and long overdue re-balancing of China’s investmentheavy fiscal policy. Though there are likely to be difficulties in the shortterm, China’s abundant resources leave it well positioned to weather the storm and emerge from the troubles without much long-term damage.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues No Freedom for Journalists in China

by Mary Trewartha

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), a major international trade union for journalists, has issued its annual report entitled China’s Media War: Censorship, Corruption and Control, which focuses on the freedom of journalism in China.

The report states:“Since Xi Jinping became President of China in March 2013, media freedom has declined drastically, particularly online”.

It also notes that none of the selfimmolation protests or other forms of demonstration in Tibet was reported in mainstream media in Tibet or China.

The report expresses concern over whether court cases related to protests were conducted with due process of

law, as they are always held in closed court.

The IFJ report also found that permission for journalists to report in

The IFJ report

Tibet is rarely given, that interviewing locals is risky or impossible and that

when the Chinese government does invite foreign journalists to Tibet, the trip schedule is closely controlled by the government.

The International Federation of Journalists initiated a programme in early 2008 to monitor and report on press freedom and violations of media rights in China in the lead-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing in August of that year, and have continued to monitor the situation. The report states that the IFJ applauds the courage and tenacity of journalists reporting on China in 2014 and urges the media to remain vigilant and defend press freedom, despite the very difficult conditions under which it is forced to operate.

Indo-China Border Conflict

by Rohini Kejriwal Hong Lei said, “We are seriously The border conflict between India and concerned about this and have lodged China took a drastic turn this month serious representation with the Japanese when China slammed Japan for side. We hope Japan can fully understand calling Arunachal Pradesh a part of the sensitivity of China-India border India. Arunachal Pradesh is a disputed issues and respect the efforts that both region on the border between India and sides have taken to resolve the disputes Chinese-occupied Tibet. The Chinese through negotiations.” Hong added that reaction came when Japanese Foreign China and India are trying to resolve Minister Fumio Kishida said that Japan the boundary question in a manner that was ready to invest in infrastructure is fair, reasonable and acceptable to projects in India’s landlocked north- both sides. east, but it would not invest in Arunachal Tensions between China and Japan Pradesh, although it did see the state as have risen in recent years, fuelled by a part of India. row over a chain of uninhabited islets China disputes the entire territory in the East China Sea. However, Japan of Arunachal Pradesh, calling it “South Tibet” and saying it is part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), especially Tawang, a key site for Tibetan Buddhism. This historic town briefly fell into Chinese hands during the 1962 war, before Beijing retreated. China regards the McMahon Chinese and Indian soldiers at Nathu La border Photo: AFP Line (the designated border agreed between Tibet and British-occupied has refused to intervene in this current India 100 years ago - China was present border dispute. A Japanese Foreign at the negotiations but did not sign the Ministry spokesman said that “the resulting treaty) as illegal and claims statement was made considering that areas in the north-east along the line as Arunachal Pradesh state is basically Chinese territory. and in reality controlled by India, and Chinese foreign ministry spokesman that China and India are continuing Contact

9

negotiations over the border dispute”.

He added that Japan hopes that the dispute will be peacefully resolved by negotiations between the two countries.

The Central Tibetan Administration has said that “there is no Sino-India border”. Former Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) Prof Samdhong Rinpoche said, “Tibet is intertwined with the boundary problem between these two countries. There needs to be a political will in both India and China to resolve the boundary dispute.”

While such conflicts arise from time to time, the Indian central government has decided to set up at least 54 new border out-posts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) along the international border with Tibet in Arunachal Pradesh. This move comes as a result of the frequent reports of incursions by the People’s Liberation Army of China into Indian territory.

The ITBP has also sought dedicated aerial back-up support to intensify its vigil along the border. The Indian Prime Minister said in the run up to his election last year “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power on earth can snatch away Arunachal Pradesh”.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues Tibet’s “Man in Washington”

by Annie Padwick As Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, the Dalai Lama’s “man in Washington”, steps down from the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) - an American non government organisation which promotes human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet - he has taken the time to reflect on his work, celebrate his accomplishments and offer thanks to those who have helped him along the way.

The Dalai Lama’s special envoy in the United States, Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari started his American role in the 1990s when Tibet was an “obscure” issue.

Not allowed in the State Department

His Holiness and Lodi Gyari (second from left) meet President Clinton Photo: The White House

or White House building, Gyari had to hold his meetings with figures in the Administration in coffee shops and tea rooms. Yet slowly but surely he has raised the profile of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause within the American government.

With support from the ICT, Mr Gyari was instrumental in arranging meetings between the Dalai Lama and America’s figures of influence including George W Bush in 1991, the Dalia Lama’s first meeting with an American president. He secured subsequent meetings for His Holiness with Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, the Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. President Bush committed to making dialogue between Tibet and China a key objective of his administration’s policy and warned that a lack of resolution to the Tibetan problem could cause difficulties for fuller political economic engagement between the United States and China.

Contact

In 2007 George Bush awarded the Dalai Lama the Congressional Medal of Honour, the highest expression for distinguished achievements.

His approach is described by Congressmen as, “very humble, quiet, very persistent, but … never threatening”.

In the ICT, Mr Gyari has served as board member, President and Executive Chairman. In his memoir, he says “we f o c u s e d on moving forward the agenda of His Kasur Lodi Gyari Holiness the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet.”

He has been instrumental in increasing the membership of the ICT from less than one hundred to almost 100,000 people today.

He once described his role as a “regular layperson, doing mundane things like running around trying to meet with people”, but nevertheless made significant contributions to the Tibetan cause. He says, “The suffering and perseverance embodied in the Tibetan people’s recent history has moved some of the most powerful people in the world, enriching their understanding of the strength of the human spirit. Bringing these experiences to the attention of

Lodi Gyari with Wang Zhaoguo, head of the Central United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party in September, 2002 Photo: ICT

influential policy makers and being a part of developing a coherent, international response has brought me great professional satisfaction and 10

personal joy.”

A former journalist and skilled diplomat, at 30 years old he was one of the youngest people to serve in the Tibetan administration as a senior elected official. Internationally, he is trusted, consulted and admired by many world leaders and members of diplomatic corps. In 2002, he was chosen to lead the negotiations between representatives of the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama.

Advocating autonomy for Tibetans within China, rather than separation, his outlook has been different from that of some of his close family. Mr Gyari is the child of a legendary Tibetan freedom fighter who was one of the first Tibetans to fight against the Chinese in the 1950s.

Tibetans refer to Lodi Gyari as “Gyari Rinpoche”, a name which reflects his religious background. He is believed to be the reincarnation of a senior Buddhist lama and had an upbringing in the monastic system.

Though he swapped robes for suits, he has maintained a deep devotion to Buddhist traditions and a close relationship with his Buddhist masters.

His son is studying to become a monk in India.

Mr Gyari has published his reflective memoir My personal words of gratitude on the ICT website. In it he comments, “infusing hope and encouragement to the Tibetan people inside Tibet is more important than anything else.”

Kasur (former minister) Gyari now splits his time between India and the US, since his retirement able to spend more time with his wife, six children and many grandchildren. Where does he feel most at home? He says, “I am a proud Tibetan-American with deep appreciation for the principles and values that this nation stands for.

Nevertheless it is a sad thing even at this stage of my life that I do not have a place to call ‘home’. I can never retire from being a Tibetan for as long as I live.”

JANUARY 2015

news & issues Arrests, Sentences and Releases in Tibet Jan 29: At least 10 Tibetan nomads have been arrested in Chengdu in the Sichuan province after protesting against what they say was an illegal land grab. However, all but two were later released. They protested

Chinese police surround Tibetan protesters Photo: Tibet Times

outside a hotel where a Communist Party meeting was taking place, holding banners and asking that their complaint should be resolved, their land returned and their nomadic way of life protected. They say they are homeless since their land was taken.

Police arrived within minutes and took them away.

Jan 28: Jamyang Tenzin, 41, a Tibetan political prisoner, has been released after completion of his three year sentence.

A monk at the Yonru Geyden Rabgayling monastery in Lithang, Kardze, in the Sichuan Jamyang Tenzin province, he was detained in 2007 for resisting a political re-education campaign at his monastery. Jamyang was released in 2010 in poor health following torture in prison, but later re-arrested and sentenced to three years in prison.

Jan 27: Eight Tibetans have been detained in Kyegudo in the province of Qinghai, to the northwest of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. They are involved in evictions which are taking place there: Tibetan families are being evicted from their homes in government-built housing projects in Kyegudo which were built following the town’s destruction in the 2009 Contact

earthquake. The occupants had requested exentions to their houses which were too small, but having lost everything in the ‘quake could not pay the costs demanded by the government for their rehousing and the extention works, hence the evictions which are being carried out by armed police.

The eight have not been named and there is no information about where they are currently being held.

Jan 25: Tsewang, 27, a Buddhist monk from Drildha Monastery in Sog county in the Nagchu Prefecture in Tibet, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He is accused of inciting others to protest against Chinese rule. He Tsewang was one of four monks from Drildha detained in March last year for “political reasons” or on suspicion of having “outside contacts”. Their current condition and whereabouts are unknown.

Jan 15: Tobgyal, 23, has been released from custody after being detained for nearly three weeks following the discovery of politically sensitive photos on his cell phone. He had also forwarded politically sensitive writings from his phone and made online contacts with people outside Tibet. He is now forbidden from traveling Topgyal outside his town, from contacting anyone outside his area, and from going to Shigatse city or to Lhasa.

Jan 7: Nearly 70 Tibetans have been taken into custody by Chinese security forces Gade county, with all but three later released, following clashes with officials over a local election, a local source has told Radio Free Asia.

11

The incident occured last month during an electoral meeting when Chinese officials at Taktak township in Darlag county in Golog region

Gade, Tibet Photo: RFA

insisted that the villagers must vote for a government-backed candidate for local office instead of the candidate of their choice.

Tenpa Gyal, Nyatri, and Samdrak, the Tibetans’ preferred candidates, are still in custody. Families of the three have been denied permission to bring food for them and the authorities have announced that charges will be brought againt them. Due to heavy restriction on communications in the region, reports of the arrest have only just emerged.

Jan 2: Four Tibetans, Tarey Kyi, Samlha, Ratna Dhargay and Lukyi, have been beaten up by Chinese authorities for refusing to sell their land in Zamthang County in Ngaba in the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture.

Samlha is said to be in a critical condition. They were ordered to sell

Police confront Tibetan landowners in Dzamthang Photo: RFA

their land for government or business development projects and threatened with confiscation of the land if they refused.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues Tibetan Headlines Jan 30: HRW Report In its World Report 2015, Human Rights Watch has said that the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping has unleashed the harshest campaign of politically motivated investigations, detentions and sentencing in the past decade, marking a sharp turn toward intolerance of criticism. The rights group reviewed human rights practices in more than 90 countries, and said of China that “there appears to be no end in sight.”

Jan 29: Tibetan School Closed A privately run Tibetan school in Chungnyin Township in Yazi County in the Qinghai Province has been closed by the Chinese government.

The school was started two years ago by a Tibetan woman, Yangmo Kyi, using her own money when the original local school closed and some children had to abandon their education. The government has now ordered parents to send their children to a Chinese government run school.

Jan 27: TYC Campaign The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) launched an environmental campaign inspired by the Swach Bharat Abhiyan mission, or Clean India campaign of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. TYC President Tenzing Jigme said, “India is a home to the largest Tibetan population in exile and as Tibetans living in India, we have even a bigger responsibility to keep the environment that we live in clean.”

Jan 25: Workshop Stopped Chinese authorities have shut down the annual winter workshop at Dhondupling Monastery in Kham Kyegudo. The four-month workshop teaches Tibetan grammar, logic, and Tibetan traditional forms of Tibetan traditional sciences to over a hundred Tibetan children.

Jan 23: Dhongthog Rinpoche Dhongthog Trulku Tenpai Gyaltsen, a widely respected Tibetan scholar, Contact

has died in Seattle aged 82. He was an author, translator and editor of many important Tibetan literary works. He left Tibet in 1957, and later served the Tibetan Government-in-Exile for 13 years before moving to the United States in 1979.

Jan 22: Bokar Rinpoche Recognised The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje has formally recognised Karma Palden Lodrö Chökyi Gyaltsen Chok Tamche Le Nampar Gyalway Lha as the Third Bokar Rinpoche. He comes from the village of Dilkhyim in North Sikkim, India. His father is Tensang, and his mother Yardren.

Jan 21: Raise the Flag!

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) has launched the Tibet Flag Challenge, a new campaign asking Tibetans and supporters to raise the Tibetan flag in different locations, and to post pictures

online. SFT says, “In exile, the flag is a symbol of freedom and resistance”, and that it should be raised in the most creative ways possible - crazy, fun, and daring - to raise awareness around the world.

Jan 17: Passports Refused Monks and nuns living in Serthar county in Kardze in Tibet are being refused passports for travel outside China, despite a ban on passports for Tibetans being lifted after seven years. There is speculation that it may be linked to the role played by monasteries in the anti-China protests of 2008, following which all Tibetans were denied travel documents.

Jan 13: International HR Conference China’s policy on Tibet was the 12

subject of a session at an international human rights conference organised by Human Rights Defence International in New Delhi, with a presentation on the situation in Tibet under China since their occupation in 1949. The conference was telecast live to 53 countries and the final report will be given to the Indian government.

Jan 12: Golden Buddha A seven feet high gilded statue of Buddha Amitabha was installed at the Nighambodh cemetery in New Delhi, the oldest cemetery in Delhi and a sacred place for Hindus. 50 - 60 Hindu and Buddhist funeral rites are carried out there daily. The statue was donated

by Tibetans residing in Delhi.

Jan 10: Minister meets Kalon Kalon Dolma Gyari of the Department of Home in the Central Tibetan Administration has paid a courtesy call on the Canadian Minister of Immigration Ms Shannon Fraser, at the High Commission Office in New Delhi.

The Kalon updated the Minister about the on-going Canada Re-settlement Project as well as discussing some minor issues. Ms Fraser expressed satisfaction over the way the resettlement project is progressing.

Jan 9: New Beijing Appointment Sun Chunlan has been appointed Director of United Front Work Department (UFWD), reporting to China’s Politburo Standing Committee in Beijing, which is headed by Xi Jinping. This department manages “ethnic minorities”, including Tibet.

UFWD has hosted dialogues between China and the Dalai Lama’s special envoy, but none have taken place since 2010. The United States State Department has urged China to resume talks with the Dalai Lama’s representatives.

JANUARY 2015

news & issues International Headlines Jan 28: Herder Hangs Himself A Mongol herder, Tumur, 45, hanged himself from the gate of a Chinese government building in protest at “the authorities’ illegal occupation of his grazing land”, said the United Statesbased Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Centre. Around 300 herders staged a demonstration outside government buildings in the regional capital Hohhot. More than 30 herders were arrested.

Jan 23: Land Rights Australia’s indigenous Barngarla people have won a 20-year campaign for their right to a huge tract of land in South Australia. The title does not grant them freehold, but now groups such as mining companies must negotiate with the Barngarla over proposed developments.

Jan 22: Self-Immolation A Chinese resident of a village near Fuyang in the Anhui province of China set himself alight outside the city government offices. Cheng Jinshan, 61, survived and is in hospital.

It is believed he has been subject to the land grabbing common in the region where local officials take peasants’ land, offering little compensation and then sell the land to developers for a large profit.

Jan 20: Wealth Inequality One percent of the world’s population will soon own more than the total for the whole of the rest of the people in the world. The richest 1% now own 48% of the world’s wealth and this figure is set to rise to more than half next year, according to a study by the British anti-poverty charity Oxfam.

Contact

Jan 19: The Hottest Year 2014 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures 0.68C (1.24F) above the long-term average.

14 of the 15 warmest years on record have occurred since the turn of the century. Records stretch back to the late 19th Century when scientists began using scientific instruments to collect temperature data.

Jan 17: Flogging Review Raif Badawi, the Saudi blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes, has had his case referred to the Supreme Court, bringing hopes of a reprieve. He established a network encouraging debate on religious and political matters in Saudi Arabia. He was charged with “insulting Islam through electronic channels” and “going beyond the realm of obedience”.

Jan 15: School Massacre Arrests Five men have been arrested in Afghanistan, suspected of involvement in last month’s massacre at a school in Peshawar, Pakistan in which 150 people, mostly children, were shot dead. The arrests came after Pakistan supplied information to the Afghan government.

Jan 13: Globe Trotter Graham Hughes, 33, a British man, has become the first person ever to visit all 102 countries in the world without boarding an aeroplane. He used buses, taxis, trains and his own two feet to travel 160,000 miles in 1,426 days - living on $100 a week. “I wanted to show that the world is not some big, scary place, but in fact is full of people who want to help you” said Graham.

Jan 9: Boko Haram Atrocities Baga, a key North-Eastern Nigerian town, has been torched by Boko Haram group militants, leaving bodies strewn on the streets. The group overran a military base before attacking the town and has gone on to raid nearby areas. Boko Haram launched

13

a military campaign in 2009 to create an Islamic state.

Jan 8: Day of Mourning Eight journalists and cartoonists and two policemen were shot dead, and 11 others were wounded in an attack at

the Paris office of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo by three gunmen claiming to be al-Qaeda.

President Francois Hollande has declared a day of national mourning.

Jan 6: Navalny Protests Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is on house arrest, has cut off his electronic tag saying his detention is illegal. Navalny was given a suspended sentence for fraud, but says the legal cases against him are motivated by his opposition to President Vladimir Putin. Navalny is the most high-profile opposition figure in Russia.

Jan 3: Anti-Racism Rallies Anti-racism rallies are taking place in Sweden following three arson attacks on mosques. Demonstrators held leaflets saying “Don’t touch my mosque” at a 1,000-strong rally outside parliament. Sweden’s Culture Minister Alice Bah Kuhnke said the government will launch a national strategy to counter Islamophobia by educating people about Islam.

Jan 1: New Year Tragedy 36 people were killed and 47 injured in a crush at the New Year celebrations in Shanghai. Although the traditional new year fireworks display had been cancelled due to official fears of overcrowding, thousands gathered and a stampede was triggered, possibly when people stopped to pick up fake money thrown from a balcony.

JANUARY 2015

lha news and projects Lha’s Annual Report for 2014 Contact Magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust, bringing you news and information about Tibet and Tibetan issues. Lha also works hard to provide many services for the Tibetan exile community, and our annual report will tell you more about what we do.

Lha Charitable Trust is pleased to present our Annual Report for 2014. We carried out 42 projects and

awareness campaigns, reaching at least 36,700 people. Thanks to our many generous supporters and volunteers, 2014 has been a great success.

Lha’s primary goal is to provide meaningful, multi-leveled social and education services to help ease the transition for the Tibetan refugee community. Lha’s services are also open to the local Indian population and people from nearby Himalayan regions. On a daily basis, Lha serves over 150 people, hosts between 15 to 25 volunteers and provides approximately 20 different kinds of service, including language classes and tutoring in four languages and at different levels, computer courses, free medicine and clothing distribution, volunteer opportunities and coordination, and a public library. We also provide reception and orientation services and arrange home-stays for visitors to McLeod Ganj. Please read on for details of our many special projects.

Lha works hard to operate with minimum administrative and programme costs to produce the maximum output. The funds and donations provided by our generous supporters around the world have made it possible for us to improve and increase our services and projects.

Clean Water Project: In 2014, Lha installed seven more reverse osmosisContact

ultra violet (RO-UV) water filtration systems under our Clean Water Project. They provide purified water for both drinking and cooking needs, benefiting over 2,145 people.

Community Kitchen: Serving 5060 people daily, 90 people have benefited from the Lha community kitchen which provides clean water and nutritious meals. Our survey last month showed that nearly all of the users (96%) say the meals are beneficial to their health, and 87% said they come to the soup kitchen because of financial problems.

English Curriculum Book: In August we introduced a new Lha English curriculum book for the Elementary, Beginner and Intermediate level English classes based on the Standard English curriculum of the Common European Framework for Reference.

Environmental Awareness: Lha organised a week-long campaign and mass clean-up in Mcleod Ganj to coincide with World Environment Day on June 5, in collaboration with the Central Tibetan Women’s Association and the Clean Upper Dharamshala Programme. We distributed pamphlets in three languages and reached around 2,500 people. 105 people took part in a survey on general environmental awareness and related issues in Mcleod Ganj. Lha presented the survey report to the Indian local Government offices and the Central Tibetan Administration’s Home Department to help them plan future improvements in the area.

HIV/AIDS Awareness: Lha observed World AIDS Day on December 1, in collaboration with the Kunphen Centre for Substance Dependence and Delek Hospital, providing free blood tests for the public, and distributing condoms and leaflets on HIV/AIDS prevention to over 800 people. During the year we organised several HIV/ AIDS awareness talks and campaigns, with 2,120 people taking part.

14

Dental and Eye Care: Lha organised the Tibetan Smiles Dental Care Project and the Clear Vision Project in the Tibetan community at Bir, benefiting 449 people there, including many monks and nuns from nearby Himalayan regions who are pursuing Buddhist studies in the local monasteries.

Environmental Awareness: Lha publishes the environment educational site website www.tibetnature.net which spreads awareness about critical environmental issues in Tibet. It is visited around 3,000 times a month and now has 351 researched articles.

Contact magazine continues to be a very popular free source of news on Tibetan issues and community information in Dharamshala. We have introduced a new look for Contact magazine, with a colour cover, and have increased the number of pages to enable us to provide more news for our readers. 700-1,000 copies of each issue are distributed in the Dharamshala area and sent to diplomatic missions in New Delhi, institutions, the Central Tibetan Administration offices, Tibetan schools and settlements around India, and to subscribers abroad. In 2014, 11,100 free copies of Contact Magazine were published and distributed, and around 6,000 people a month visited the website.

Fair Trade: With the aim of becoming more economically sustainable, while at the same time helping exiled Tibetans to generate income, the Lha Tibet Fair Trade (LTFT) company was launched, a licensed manufacturer, retailer, exporter, importer and wholesale company. The showroomcum-shop is based at Lha headquarters and offers a wide range of handmade Tibetan craftworks. Partnerships have been set up including the Free Tibet online store in the UK. We welcome any businesses wishing to form partnerships and set up exhibition tours. For more information, please visit www.tibetfairtrade.com.

JANUARY 2015

lha news and projects Lha’s Annual Report for 2014 Student Exchange Groups: Last year, we hosted 17 groups from the US, Mexico and Australia with around 320 people participating in the cultural exchange programme, the highest number of international students since the conception of the programme in 2002. The groups stay in Lha’s Ahimsa House.

Raising revenue: The student exchange groups bring in revenue for Lha, as do the volunteers who stay in Ahimsa House, enabling us to become more self-sufficient and sustainable in providing our daily social services, including our language and computer classes. However, to keep up with the growing needs of the community, and to maintain the operation of our other social services and special projects, we continue to rely on generous donations and volunteer support. Since Lha was founded in 1997, we have continued to be inspired by the compassion, dedication and contributions of generous supporters and thousands of volunteers from around the globe.

Social Media Award: Lha was awarded the second place in the category “Best Practices of Social Media Usage” in the south Asiawide 3rd eNGO Challenge Award - Celebrating Digital Information Tools for Communities - South Asia, 2014. The Award recognises the best non government organisations practices of using information and communication technologies. The presentation ceremony was held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on November 5.

Website Launch: Lha launched www. samdhongrinpoche.org, a bilingual (Tibetan and English) website on His Eminence Professor Samdhong Rinpoche to make his writings, speeches and teachings freely available to the general public. The website consists of 459 researched articles and 253 audio and video clips, and receives over 11,000 viewers a month. Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, an Contact

eminent and distinguished scholar, teacher and philosopher, is a life-long campaigner of Gandhian principles and works closely with His Holiness Dalai Lama. Rinpoche was the first Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Central Tibetan Administration and a former speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Currently, his services are valued at the highest level as patron, advisor, chairman, president, chancellor and visiting scholar in various institutions and foundations, including Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies based in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; a member of the Expert Advisory Committee, Ministry of Culture, Government of India; and President of the International Buddhist Congregation. Lha is proud to launch this website as an initiative towards preserving Tibet’s culture, language and heritage, and to help it to flourish, Financials: The Lha Annual Financial Report of the fiscal year 2013-2014 as per the Audit Report under section 12A (b) of the Income Tax Act 1961, Government of India, shows a total income of INR 73,46,268 ($122437.8) and total expenditure of INR 71,21,009 ($118683.48) which includes administrative costs of INR33,65,732 ($56095.5) and project costs of INR27,28,906 ($45481.76).

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

Please consider donating to us: email us on office@lhasocialwork.org, or visit our website: www.lhasocialwork. org for more details.

Thank you

15

Student Exchange Group from the US A group of students from Frostburg State University, Maryland, visited Dharamshala in January, hosted by Lha. On arrival, the students were introduced to the local Tibetans who became their learning partners for the duration of their stay, enabling them to exchange experiences of their

The group with Ven Bagdro Photo: Contact/Lha

different cultures and learn from each other. There were six students in the group, accompanied by two professors and a professional film maker.

The group attended a talk by the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-inExile Mr Penpa Tsering on the current situation in Tibet and democracy in exile, followed by a question and answer session.

The next day, the exchange group students volunteered at the Lha Community Soup Kitchen helping our cooks and serving lunch. In the afternoon, they visited the Tibetan Women’s Association to learn more about the Tibetan Women’s rights and education in the exile community.

The students also met Ven Bakdro, a former political prisoner, who shared his personal stories of inhumane experiences in Chinese prison in Tibet, his escape to India and future plans and commitments to work for the freedom of Tibetan people.

On January 22, His Eminence Professor Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk an introduction to Buddhism, Non-violence and Meditation to the group. During the ensuing question and answer session, Samdhong Rinpoche spoke on the three aspects of meditations and the role and importance of education.

JANUARY 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, although this is waived for those who fall under the poverty line. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.

WEB:www.delekhospital.org LOCATION: Kharadanda Rd, Dharamshala 176215; Delek Clinic, Bhagsu Rd,Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-222053 / 223381 HOURS: Outpatient, Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm; Emergencies, 24 hours daily EMAIL: delek@sancharnet.in

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

16

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 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:mail@tibetcharity.in tibccharity@gmail.com

JANUARY 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: office@tsodhasa.org

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 (Rs223) *from Dharamshala Dehradun: Ordinary Bus: 8pm (Rs524); AC Deluxe: 2pm (Rs664) Manali: Ordinary Bus: 7:10am (Rs676) *from Dharamshala Pathankot: Ordinary Bus: 10am, 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm(Rs150) Shimla: Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs360) *from Dharamshala, Semi-Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs450) *from Dharamshala FOR BOOKINGS: Location: Ticket stand under McLLo’s, McLeod Ganj Main square Hours: 10am-5pm, daily Phone: 220026 (McLeod bus stand), 224903 (Dharamshala) For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TAXIS

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

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189

Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

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

Phone: 222 053,223 381

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

Phone: 221 483

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

17

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

Phone: 01892-221 924

JANUARY 2015

activities and information Upcoming Events Feb 19: Losar - Tibetan New Year Mar 4: Long Life Offering Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, offered by various Tibetan organisations in exile, at the Main Tibetan Temple.

Mar 5: HH the Dalai Lama’s Teachings at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala Mar 10: Tibet National Uprising Day Mar 12: Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day

BUDDHIST PHILoSOPHY Library of Tibetan Works and Archives

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

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

MEDITATION Om Yoga, Meditation and Reiki Centre WEB: www.omyogaindia.com LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Road PHONE: 980-569-3514 EMAIL: om.yoga@ymail.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

Vipassana Meditation

WEB: www.sikhara.dhamma.org LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: Mon-Sat: 4:00-5:00pm PHONE: 01892-21309 EMAIL: info@sikhara.dhamma.org

Siddhartha Retreat Centre

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

School of Life and Spirituality

yoga and reiki

Meditation and teachers’ training LOCATION: behind Hotel Akashdeep, Bhagsu, Mcleod Ganj, please call before coming WEB: www.devom.org PHONE: 09569221047, 09971608310 EMAIL: dev@devom.org

Om Yoga, Meditation and Reiki Centre

COOKING

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: 9805889060 WEB: www.maashakktiyoga.com

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

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Indian Cooking and Knitting with Ms Rita Kapoor LOCATION: Old German Bakery, 1st Floor, Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag PHONE: 94592 06586

Lha Tibetan Cooking School LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple Rd HOURS: Registration, 9:00-11:00am PHONE: 01892-20992

Indian Cooking Classes

LOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 941-813-0119 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

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

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes

Men-Tsee-Khang

Nisha’s Indian Cooking Class

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

LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop HOURS: 8:00am-9:00pm PHONE: 981-646-8719 LOCATION: Hotel Lotus Leaf, Jogiwara Rd HOURS: 4:00-6:00pm EMAIL: nisha@indiancookingcourse.com

Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional Tibetan Cooking Classes

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

18

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

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, 941-818-7281 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 HOURS: Daily, 4:00-6:00pm

Tibetan with Pema Youdon

LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite post office HOURS: 1:00-4:00pm, or leave a message.

Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses and Tibetan Immersion Spoken

Location:Tilak Ray Building, Bhagsu Rd WEB: www.esukhia.org PHONE: 8679502538 / 9882004965 EMAIL: contact@esukhia.org

art and museums Tibet Museum

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

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

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

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)

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

Kangra Art Museum

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

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum

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

Form Gallery

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

JANUARY 2015

activities and information, and lha news HEALTH SERVICES Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra

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

Clean Water Project at the Geden Choeling Nunnery Lha has installed the 17th water filtration system under its Clean Water

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: 94181-30119 / 97363-33888 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Tibetan Delek Hospital

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

Contact

Project at Geden Choeling Buddhist Educational Nunnery.

The Geden Choeling Buddhist Educational Society is a Tibetan nunnery founded in 1973 in Dharamshala. It is an important centre of Buddhist studies for nuns, and runs under the supervision of the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration. Geden Choeling nunnery is considered to be the oldest nunnery in exile. At present there are around 175 nuns studying and living the monastic life within its premises.

The water purification system uses the Reverse Osmosis + Ultraviolet and Ultrafiltration water purification technology, considered to be one of the best systems available in the area.

It provides more than 100 litres of safe drinking water per hour to the nuns and staff living at the nunnery.

The filtration system includes a 500 litre capacity stainless steel tank.

19

We hope that this water purification system will help to alleviate the major waterborne diseases, such as typhoid and cholera, that residents commonly suffer from in this region, especially during the monsoon season. We believe that this will contribute to maintaining a high level of general health among the residents.

On the behalf of the 175 nuns and 10 staff members of the Geden Choeling Nunnery, Lha would like to thank and extend our deepest appreciation to Lama Lena Yeshe Kaytup from the United States for making the 17th Clean Water Project possible through his generous donation and support.

We will be installing four more such systems in a Tibetan settlement, a nunnery, a monastery and a school

before the end of this year to mark 2015 as the year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

So far 7,265 people have benefited from the Lha’s Clean Water Project and we are hoping to install more in the future with the help of our generous donors around the globe.

JANUARY 2015

advertisements and lha news Home Away From Home Every month we ask a volunteer to share their story. Sherwin came from the Philippines to work the Lha Tibet Fair Trade store, a new Lha project. Here is Sherwin’s story.

Name: Sherwin Altarez Mapanoo What makes home a home? Since commencing my volunteering stint at Lha last December, I have been thinking a lot about the notion of “home”, both as a spatial and a political concept, and how my experience working and interacting with many Tibetans in exile has made me re-think what home means. For someone who has been living as a nomad (or perhaps, a privileged self-imposed exile), for a while now, studying around Europe for a year and a half then spending another year travelling around Asia, defining home, within the context of this mobility, can be very difficult. And having lived in Dharamshala has further complicated the constitution of my home.

I worked at the Lha Tibet Fair Trade store, the first of its kind in McLeod Ganj, and helped Tenzin Sherab, who I now consider as my “first Tibetan friend”, in marketing and promoting the shop online. All profits from the store go directly to help fund the organisation’s numerous projects, and all the items in the store are locally designed and hand-

Volunteer Job: Marketing, Lha Tibet Fair Trade

crafted by Tibetan refugees, so, in a way, the shop functions as a “home” to many Tibetan artists and craftsmen as it is a means of supporting their livelihoods.

While working in the shop, I had many interesting conversations with Tenzin, who would patiently answer all my unending, random questions about Tibet with extreme enthusiasm. A mutual exchange of beliefs and opinions happened between us and we discussed a plethora of issues surrounding the Tibetans’ struggle for freedom, the horrific toll of self-immolations, and the potency of non-violence as a political approach. I even asked him once if he ever wanted to go to Tibet and be with this family again.

His answer left me baffled as he could not give a direct or clear-cut response to the question. It was neither a “Yes” nor a “No”. He expressed a desire to be reunited with his parents but remains ambivalent because he knows his life will be difficult in Tibet given the current socio-political conditions and restrictions there. Apparently, my question is not

CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA

simple at all and revolves around the complex psychology and politics of home of someone who has been living most of his life as a refugee in a “home away from home.”

As a whole, volunteering at Lha has been a great, rewarding experience. Along with many other activities that I attended such as the Dalai Lama’s teachings, Mass Clean Up, and International Himalayan Festival, I will particularly remember the fun Christmas party and dinner with Lha staff and fellow volunteers. I will also treasure my everyday encounters with friendly locals, who always exuded a positive aura, whenever I embarked on a pilgrimage-like journey from my apartment in Jogiwara to the Lha Office.

Beyond the tranquil, picturesque wonders of Dharamshala, the warm hospitality of all the staff made my stay so much more enjoyable and memorable.

I was welcomed in the organisation and treated like a member of the family.

Lha became my home and I cannot wait to return.

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

CONTINENTAL, & THAI FOOD, No MSG Phone: 01892 220567 Cell: 9418236603 Jogiwara Rd (Map #12) Email: tseringd@aushimview.com • Everything washed with sterilized water • Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere & Japanese-style seating • Live music every Sunday Charming, comfortable, and scrupulously clean; Located on Jogiwara Road, minutes from the Main Temple and McLeod Ganj Market; across from the Tibetan Reception Center Hotel Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj: Map #15 (down from Post Office) - Map # 9 Phone: 221871/221001 www.pemathang.net

Pema Thang Guest House and Restaurant

HOTEL LADIES’ VENTURE

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

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

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

DrYourMobile Shop Communication Partner

Chance?

Or was it destined…

Discover the Secrets of Being, Doing and Having everything.

Unravel the Mystery of your life, And Find the Purpose & Happiness.

Take a walk to….

KUNDALINI Esoteric Boutique On hotel Surya Road, Mcleodganj - Map # 16

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

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

Are you reading this by

20

Result guaranteed life-style ideas & discussions at 6:00PM every evening Tuesday through Friday.

Reiki Meditation Healing, Crystals, Pashmina Carpets Every product a labor of love JANUARY 2015

advertisements

Contact

21

JANUARY 2015

advertisements BHAGSU NAG

Map not to scale

For Details See Advertisement Pages Thank you for patronising our advertisers!

TIPA

DHARAMKOT

Vipassana Centre

Naddi Village

5

Tushita Centre

3

4

9

6 78

Cantt Police Post

12

11

McLEOD GANJ MAIN SQUARE

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

10 15

1 Lha Main Bazaar

16

14

2

13

Road to Dharamshala

1. Lha Headquarters 2. Namgyal Cafe 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dream Holidays Travel 5. Kunga Guest House & Nick’s Italian Restaurant 6. Nature Cure Health Club 7. Dr Mobile 8. Woeser Bakery 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 Guest House 16. Kundalini 17. Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile

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

17

Road to Dharamshala

Namgyal Cafe

9am to 7pm - Closed on Monday Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd - Map # 8 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

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

Dr Natasha Mehra @

Perfect 32 Dental Clinic

KUNGA GUEST HOUSE Spacious rooms with views over the valley, and...

NICK’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

• • • •

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

Open every day from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm Mobile: 9857993308, 9816150562

Nature Cure Health Club

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

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

Home baked cakes, quiches, pies, pastas, cheese, & Italian favourites served on our masNear Hotel Mount View sive terrace.

Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map# 10 We also have on sale the Call: 09218742046 Rigpa Tibetan Calendar perfect32dentalclinic@ Bhagsu Road - Map #5 gmail.com Phone: 221 180

Contact

22

JANUARY 2015

lha news and advertisements

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

May the Wood-Sheep year of 2142 bring you prosperity and peace.

Contact

23

JANUARY 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 to support 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 papers, 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 in Contact Call Lha office on:

01892-220992

or visit the office:

Opp. SBI Bank Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj

Tibet Fair Trade འབྲེས་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact Newsletter

Managing Director Ngawang Rabgyal Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Dukthen Kyi 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