FEB/MAR 2019

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

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Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XXI Issue: 2 Feb/March 31, 2019

Taiwan Calls for Visit

China Threatens Intervention

EU Demands Access to Tibet

Former Political Prisoner Sentenced

by Tenzin Samten A petition has been launched urging the general public to support the initiative to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Taiwan this year. Taiwan’s New Power Party (NPP) Legislator Freddy Lim announced that the invitation will commemorate the 60th Tibetan Uprising day, saying “this is the best way to show to the world that Taiwan is different from China”.

Continued on page 3

by Nithin Thomas Prasad China has said it would not support the successor to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama if they were to be found in India, as the religious leader has suggested could happen, since it would not be in compliance with ChSina’s own laws, regulations and “established religious principles”.

The Chinese government has its own policy of “freedom Continued on page 3

by Tsering Wangdue After the successful adoption of the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act by the United States in December 2018, European law makers have now called on their Parliaments for the adoption of a similar act.

A group of eleven European parliamentarians and 25 parliamentarians from EU member countries have

by Choeyang Wangmo Lodoe Gyatso, also known as Sogkhar Lodoe, 56, a former Tibetan political prisoner, and his wife have been sentenced on unknown charges in a secret court session: Gyatso to 18 years and his wife to two. Gyatso disappeared after his solo protest on January 20 last year at the Potala ground; his wife Gakyi filmed his protest.

Continued on page 5

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Taiwan Calls for Visit Continued from page 1

Freddy Lim added that His Holiness’s visit will focus his religious role as the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and the followers of Tibetan Buddhism; the programme for his visit will consist of religious teachings and interaction with other faith groups in Taiwan.

“The petition is based on efforts by ordinary people, non-governmental organisations and religious groups, and is not led by our party,” said Lim. Fellow party member and Chairman Chiu Hsien-Chih urged citizens of

Taiwan to support the petition.

“This can be our collective message to the world, that the Taiwanese are standing together with those who are suffering due to the brutality and atrocities committed by the Chinese government,” said Chiu Hsien-Chih in support of the initiation.

Luo Wen-Jia, Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan also supported the appeal, saying that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is welcome in Taiwan.

He further said His Holiness should

NEWS & ISSUES have the freedom and the right to go wherever he wants – even to visit Tibet.

The petition appeals to President Tsai Ing-Wen to send the invitation to Tibet’s spiritual leader. The petition says that the action would truly exhibit the government’s respect for the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. These three things are universal values and there is no room for ambiguity between them.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited Taiwan three times: in 1997, 2001 and 2009.

China Threatens Intervention Continued from page 1

of religious beliefs” which overlooks religious affairs and regulations on Tibetan Buddhist reincarnations, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on March 19.

He said the reincarnation system has been around for hundreds of years and the 14th Dalai Lama was appointed based on the religious rituals and historical conventions of the time. His succession was approved by the central government in power at the time and hence the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must continue to comply with Chinese laws, the official added.

This response was seen by Tibetans as a move by the Chinese government to exert undue influence on the

Continued from page 1

He said the role of the Dalai Lama and its necessity after his death would be discussed during a meeting of Tibetan Buddhists in India this year, adding that even though Buddha was not reincarnated, his teachings remained.

His Holiness noted that if there was to be another Dalai Lama, he would still have no political responsibility.

His Holiness gave up his political duties in 2001 and developed a democratic system for the 100,000 Tibetans living in India.

“If the majority of [the Tibetan people] really want to keep this institution, then this institution will remain,” he said. “Then comes the question of the reincarnation of the 15th Dalai Lama.”

Former Political Prisoner Sentenced

News of the secret imprisonment of the couple became available to the public in November last year but family members and relatives have no information about their place of detention or any other details of their current circumstances.

A video of Gyatso speaking of the Tibetan people’s commitment to nonviolent means of protests under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his intention to organise a movement for world peace became available to the public and is being Contact

Tibetan community as it disregards centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist religious tradition and was seen as a violation of the universal principle of religious freedom.

“China considers [the] Dalai Lama’s reincarnation as something very important. They have more concern about the next Dalai Lama than me,” the Dalai Lama told Reuters in an interview.

“In future, in case you see two Dalai Lamas come, one from here, in a free country, one is chosen by Chinese, and then nobody will trust, nobody will respect [the one chosen

by China]. So that’s an additional problem for the Chinese. It’s possible, it can happen,” the exiled leader added.

widely circulated in exile Tibetan communities.

Lodoe Gyatso was formerly arrested by the Chinese authorities in 1991 on murder charges and was given a 15 year sentence in Drapchi prison. While in detention, he called for the independence of Tibet and protested against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet.

He also called for the reunification of the around six million Tibetans and the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He suffered interrogation, torture, and starvation by the prison authorities. He was sentenced for execution but the case 3

received international attention and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions sent an urgent appeal to the Chinese government which responded by stating that there was no “execution sentence”. The response also stated that Gyatso continuously engaged in separatist activities while in prison and the 15-year sentence was extended to 21. He was released in May 2013 after completing his sentence.

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy expresses deep concern over whereabouts of the couple.

FEB/MARCH 2019

NEWS & ISSUES Tibetan Parliamentary Session Sets Budgets

by Casey Tait The seventh session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament in Exile began in Dharamshala on March 19; the main agenda item was acceptance of the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) annual budget for 2019-2020.

The bi-yearly, ten-day long discussions opened with a briefing of the actions accomplished in the six months since the last session. The Speaker of the House, Pema Jugney, stated, “The onus is on us to ensure that our parliamentary discourse serves the greater cause and is valued and appreciated by Tibetans worldwide.”

Discussing the ongoing occupation of Tibet, seven topics were deliberated and agreed upon, including recognising the courage of Tibetan people; acknowledging India’s support and further stating to the Chinese government the benefits of the Middle Way Approach.

Multiple budget changes were proposed and approved for various departments. The approvals include, but are not limited to, “Surkyol” [ringfenced] budget for Ngeonga School; “Surkyol” budget for the Department of Religion and Culture; special recurring budget and “Surkyul” budget for the Department of Health

and special recurring budget for the Department of Education.

Parliament members discussed other budgets and clarifying information provided by department heads.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, president of the Tibetan Governmentin-Exile, nominated the Secretary of the Kashag Secretariat, Topgyal Tsering Zongkha for the position of Kalon of the 15th Kashang, his nomination was approved on the fourth day of discussions in a majority vote.

The session concluded on March 29.

New Coalition Lobbies China

by Tenzin Samten Representatives of persecuted religious groups in China launched the first ever Coalition to Advance Religious Freedom in China (CARFC) on March 5, 2019 at the Congressional Auditorium in the Capitol Visitor Centre in Washington, United States.

According to Radio Free Asia’s (RFA) Tibetan service, Sam Brownback, the United States Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, spoke, applauding the Coalition during its launch and saying that, as previously requested, the United States calls on China to have a dialogue with Tibet’s leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He said that there is support for this call from the United States. He spoke of the Chinese government’s intervention regarding the 11th Panchen Lama: they abducted the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima, who had been recognised

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and appointed a substitute of their choosing. Brownback stressed that the right to choose the reincarnation of Lamas, or tulkus, is in the hands of Tibetans alone. He further called on the Chinese government to allow His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit China.

Speaking to the RFA Tibetan service, Contact

he was reassuring about support from the US, saying that the US has been a long supporter of the Tibetan cause and will continue to support and advocate for the issue of Tibet.

Brownback applauded the formation of the coalition and said, “I am here to add the Administration’s support.”

Also present during the launch of the Coalition was Jim McGovern, the recently appointed chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and co-chairman of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, who was there to show his support for the formation of the Coalition to defend religious freedom in China.

McGovern mentioned the importance of appointing a new Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues to replace Sarah Sewall who was the Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues until January 2017 – the Trump Administration is yet to appoint her replacement.

RFA’s article went on to say that McGovern also spoke of the need to find the whereabouts of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, and went on to say that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the most compassionate person in this world, making China’s fear of 4

meeting him unnecessary. He said that the Chinese government should allow His Holiness to visit Tibet.

The Coalition to Advance Religious Freedom in China is based in the United States and is composed of various human rights and religious organisations representing the voices of Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants and Falun Gong practitioners. “We demand that China abide by its own constitution – as well as its international legal obligations – and respect the rights of all its citizens,” said CARFC coordinator Greg Mitchell.

According to the South China Morning Post, the Coalition’s first step towards their goal is a direct appeal to members of the Trump administration, calling for sanctions against Beijing officials.

“We hear the Trump administration talk about reciprocity in terms of trade. We should see that reciprocity is also applied in terms of other aspects of US– China relations, whether it’s human rights, religious freedoms […]

Everywhere, reciprocity should be scrutinised,” said BhuchungTsering, vice-president of the International Campaign for Tibet, quoted in reports by the South China Morning Post.

FEB/MARCH 2019

NEWS & ISSUES EU Demands Access to Tibet Continued from page 1

published an opinion piece in EURACTIVE.com, a platform for European news and politics, calling on their countries to instigate legal proceedings to rebalance their relationship with China by passing a similar Reciprocal Access Act that would give the same free access for European citizens to visit Tibet as their Chinese counterparts enjoy in Europe.

The report stated that the situation in Tibet has remained critical over the last six decades, but that awareness of the conditions of Tibetan people living under Chinese rule – including the tragic self-immolation of over 150 Tibetans – has reduced over the last decade. “It’s high time that we in Europe demand unfettered access to

the region for our citizens in keeping with our values and in support of a more balanced relationship with China,” said the report.

The report also stated that foreign diplomats, parliamentarians, journalists and even United Nations officials are often denied permission to visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region. A special permit is required for a Chinese visa to visit the region: even if they do obtain permission, the visit is highly controlled and supervised, always by a government appointed guide. Conversely, Chinese citizens visiting Europe have freedom of movement anywhere within the territory of the European Union; an equal right for European citizens visiting China must be demanded.

The Reciprocal Access Act also

demands equal access for foreign media and international news channels to Tibet. The signatories urged European leaders to focus more on the reciprocity of freedom that Chinese people enjoy in Europe, rather than focusing only on trade and equal access to markets for foreign investments.

Beijing, under its “policy of peaceful development”, has been promoting its propaganda through various means such as student exchange programmes and Confucius Institutes, while maintaining a closed door for foreign visitors and journalists to report news and assess the reality inside Tibet and Xinjiang.

The United States adopted the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (RATA) in December.

US Exposes China’s Severe Restrictions on Tibetans

by Ishan Sood The United States State Department’s Human Rights Report for 2018 has affirmed that the people of Tibet have been enduring discrimination and persecution under Chinese rule, including strict restrictions on their most basic and fundamental rights, and increased isolation from the outside world.

According to the report, released on March 13, the department “documents substantial interference with the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; severe restrictions of religious freedom; significant restrictions on freedom of movement and restrictions on political participation”.

The report highlights several areas of discrimination towards Tibetans, mentioning that the top Communist Party positions in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), as well as in all other Tibetan areas, are held by ethnic Chinese.

The report states that “Within the TAR, ethnic Chinese also continued to hold a disproportionate Contact

number of the top security, military, financial, economic, legal, judicial, and educational positions. The law requires Party secretaries and governors of ethnic minority autonomous prefectures and regions to be from that ethnic minority; however, ethnic Chinese were party

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the release of the 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Photo: The Washington Post

secretaries in eight of the nine TAPs [Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures] located in Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan Provinces.”

Matteo Mecacci, president of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), an advocacy organisation based 5

out of Washington, DC, added his own outlook on the report, saying that “The 2018 State Department human rights report details once again the widespread human rights violations suffered by the Tibetan people under China’s rule.”

Mecacci further stated, “While it oppresses Tibetans and all sorts of dissidents at home, the Chinese government continues to threaten the very existence of a rules-based international human rights system and other international norms that must be protected.”

The report calls attention to the many Tibetan monks and nuns choosing to wear non-religious clothing to avoid harassment when outside their monasteries and goes on to highlight issues such as lack of access to Tibet and the unavailability of adequate educational opportunities for Tibetan children to study in Tibetan schools.

China has since responded to these allegations by the US with their own accusations of prejudice and discrimination.

FEB/MARCH 2019

NEWS & ISSUES

Uprising Day Remembered Around the World

by Casey Tait March 10, 2019 marked the 60th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day. Around the world, protests, publications and networks acknowledged the ongoing illegal occupation of Tibet by China.

On March 10, 1959 Tibetans rose up against the Chinese occupation, attempting to liberate themselves

Tibetan Uprising on March 10, 1959, in front of the Potala Palace, Lhasa Photo: Quartz

from the People’s Republic of China.

The Chinese shot and killed thousands of Tibetan people in the capital of Lhasa and have since continued their repression of Tibetans and destruction of Tibetan culture. The death of approximately 20% of the population of Tibet – as well as the ruin of most of Tibet’s historical and religious monuments – can be attributed to China.

Shortly after the uprising in Lhasa, the danger facing His Holiness the Dalai Lama was recognised and he and 80,000 Tibetans trekked across the Himalayas to take refuge in India, where he and many others have lived for the past 60 years.

Throughout the Chinese occupation of Tibet, which began in 1949, there have been restrictions for the people of Tibet; these are increased in the runup to anniversaries such as Uprising Day with heavy police presence and surveillance, travel restrictions – including, in come cases, limiting the sale of gasoline – and increased restrictions on information exchange, including social media. Tsundu Oser, President of the Sydney Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) said, “There are no human rights in Tibet, no freedom in Tibet and no freedom of speech in Tibet. So Tibet is very controlled [...] These days, China Contact

is destroying the Tibetan cultural identity.”

In addition, Tibet’s borders are closed to outside travelers during the month before Uprising Day and it is consistently difficult for journalists to gain access.

In Lhasa this year security is widely reported to have been heavily increased, including surveillance and extra questioning of any people coming into the city from elsewhere.

A source said to Radio Free Asia: “They are also being asked to keep their mobile phones switched on at all times, and are being reminded to strictly abide by the law and not to become involved in any activities considered to be harmful to [China’s] national security.”

In Dharamshala, events commemorating the anniversary, included a photographic exhibition at the Tibet Museum showcasing

own victory is ultimately certain.”

A peaceful protest march from Mcleod Ganj to Dharamshala was organised by five NGOs: Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC); Tibetan Women’s Association; Gu-ChuSum Movement of Tibet; Students for a Free Tibet and the National Democratic Party for Tibet. TYC said of the event, “TYC will commemorate and dedicate the 60th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising day to thousands of Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives and thousands who continue to suffer due to China’s illegal occupation.”

And in Delhi 150 protestors were arrested outside the Chinese Embassy – they were later released.

Support for Tibet extends internationally and is shown in events across the globe including a mention from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan, on social media in support of the Tibetan people; protests worldwide organised by Tibetan communities in Japan, Europe, the Americas and more, and the resumption of the raising of the national Tibetan flag in Prague’s City Hall. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-

TYC protester being arrested in Delhi Photo: TYC Facebook

a history of events since the first National Uprising Day. Leaders from ten nations gathered at the official event in Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala, to recognise solidarity with Tibet and to acknowledge the 60th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day. Speeches were given at Namgyal Monastery on March 10, concluding with chief guest Former President of Botswana Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama stating, “While your own struggle has been long and painful, you can take solace in the fact that in your hearts you remain undefeated, in your minds you are already liberated.

With such a mindset and the power of your collective determination, your 6

Leaders from across the world joined the Central Tibetan Administration’s official event Photo: tibet.net

in-exile, said after his recent visit to Prague, “Each time I come here, I get encouraged, I get the fuel to go back and say, ‘There are people around the world who support us, who believe us.’”

Honourable Shri Shanta Kumar, sitting member of the Indian Parliament, said in his speech, “The late Jayaprakash Narayan has said, ‘Is Tibet lost forever? No. A thousand times no. Tibet will not die because there is no death for the human spirit.’”

FEB/MARCH 2019

China Under Scrutiny

by Ben Byrne The 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) took place in Geneva between February 25 and March 22. The Council consists of 47 members elected yearly by the General Assembly for staggered three-year terms. Notable current members include China, which is under scrutiny for its human rights practices, particularly in the regions of Tibet and Xinjiang; and Saudi Arabia, where crucifixion is state sanctioned. The United States, which has the highest incarceration rate in the world, was due to be serving a three-year term until this year, but the Trump administration abruptly ended US involvement in June 2018, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling the council a “cesspool of political bias”.

With reference to China, members of the Council had previously made 350 recommendations regarding human rights practices being conducted there. One such recommendation from the United States, made prior to them leaving the

by Ishan Sood As French President Emmanuel Macron prepared to welcome his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to Paris, France, on March 25, more than a thousand Chinese minority group people and their supporters rallied to protest against Xi’s arrival. Among the protestors were members of the Tibetan and Uyghur diaspora, two ethnic groups who have endured significant discrimination and persecution from the Chinese government in recent years.

The protesters carried Tibetan national flags and placards demanding freedom in Tibet, and urged Macron to confront Xi with regard to China’s human rights record. They contended that France has the responsibility to put pressure Contact

Council, called for China to, “End the use of harassment, detention, arrest, and extra-legal measures such as enforced disappearance to control and silence human rights activists as well as their family members and friends.”

At the 40th session, members of the Chinese delegation merely “noted”

Ms Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

this proposal, as well as various others that called for improvement regarding the rule of law and freedoms of expression, assembly, association, and religion.

On March 6 the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Michelle Bachelet, told the Council that her office was continuing to seek full access to carry out an independent investigation into numerous recent reports of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly

Protests in Paris

on China on such issues and called on France to play a role in the resumption of talks between Beijing and His Holiness the Dalai Lama,

which have stalled since 2010.

The protest, which was jointly organised by six French human rights NGOs, and consisted of the unification of multiple minority groups, implored Macron to seek meaningful gestures on prisoners of conscience and conditions of detention.

7

NEWS & ISSUES in Xinjiang. Back in February, the Chinese government rejected a request from the Irish government for such an investigation to be permitted.

This rejection came despite a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson claiming in January that UN officials would be welcome in Xinjiang so long as they obeyed Chinese law. In a typically ambiguous official statement to the Council, China welcomed anyone “free of prejudice” to visit Xinjiang or Tibet but warned of any attempts by visitors to undermine social stability in those regions.

Alongside the Council session, Dhondup Wangchen and a Tibetan delegation led a side event to highlight 60 years of gross human rights violations in Tibet. Dhondup, who served a six year arbitrary prison sentence for making an exposé documentary about the situation in Tibet prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, spoke about the ongoing suppression of human rights and freedom of expression in Tibet and paid tribute to those continuing to peacefully resist the Chinese occupation of Tibet to this day.

“[We want] to put an end to the mass arrests of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Chinese Christians, spiritual practitioners of the Falun Gong and Chinese democratic dissidents,” said Charles Thupten Gyatso, an activist with France’s Tibetan community.

Rights groups additionally accuse China of abuse against mostly Muslim minorities in the country’s western region, including Uyghurs and Kazaks, who endure mass detention, surveillance, political indoctrination and forced cultural assimilation.

“As the Chinese government visits France, we want President Macron to say we want justice and freedom for three million Uyghurs in concentration camps,” says Raziye Maerdan, a Uyghur living in France.

FEB/MARCH 2019

NEWS & ISSUES 5G Services Set Up in Tibet

by Nithin Thomas Prasad China Mobile says that it has set up its first three 5G stations in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) with the help of Chinese telecom giant, Huawei, in order to improve the communication infrastructure for the local population.

However, this move on March 1 was seen by experts as more of a military tactic by the Chinese government. They argued that the current level of economic development in the region did not warrant such advanced technology and that this was intended for the benefit of the military in the area.

This technology could enable the military to monitor the mountainous border, help in deployment of weapons and improve battlefield communications, according to experts who also noted that these stations could be a potential strategic advantage to the Chinese military in the regions that border India.

Huawei founder Ran Zhengfei in a recent interview addressed concerns

regarding the part played by 5G technology in military operations, stating that its role has been exaggerated and that it is not at the same level as other military equipment. “[5G technology] is not an atomic bomb,” he said.

Of the three stations that have been set up, one is already functional

and can provide capable devices with internet download speeds of up to 530 megabytes per second (Mbps).

China Mobile has said that the new base stations have been installed at the Huawei building, the Lhasa Posts and Telecommunications School, and at the office of the Tibet Post Group in Lhasa.

The installation of these stations did not come without problems, as cold weather and high altitudes posed challenges in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region and optical fibre lacks stability in these conditions, according to Xiang Ligang, Chief Executive of telecom industry news site cctime.com.

“Electricity supply alone is a complex process,” said Xiang. “It is important to realise synchronous development of 5G service between Tibet and other regions in China, which is a move we’ve been talking about since 4G kicked in.” He continued, saying that these obstacles will be overcome as transport, communication and energy are equally important for the economic development of the region.

China Mobile’s Tibet office will now focus on accelerating the testing and implementation of 5G in Tibet so that residents of its rural areas can have access to the latest communication services, according to the Chinese news site tibet.cn.

China’s Press Manipulation

by Ben Byrne A new report entitled China’s pursuit of a new world media order from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an organisation that promotes freedom of information and freedom of the press, has documented efforts by the Chinese government to curb criticism of its policies by international media organisations.

The report asserts that after a five year campaign to shackle any renegade media forces operating within China that do not “closely align themselves with the Party leadership in thought, politics, and action”, President Xi Jinping is now seeking to extend his totalitarian vision beyond China’s borders.

Xi’s vision relegates journalists from a position of watchdogs of the state, a position which the press Contact

has traditionally held in western democracies, to mere auxiliaries of state propaganda whose mission is to parrot the statements of government officials.

The propaganda extends to invitations to members of the international press pack to attend lavish, all-expenses-paid functions

across China hosted by the state. Events like the World Internet Conference, which Apple CEO Tim Cook attended in Wuzhen in 2017, mirror similar conferences held throughout the 8

world, but are designed to promote China’s authoritarian vision for press regulations in the digital age.

The report extends to cover false information campaigns being carried out by Beijing, specifically focusing on an instance where Taiwanese citizens were caught up in Typhoon Jebi, which hit central Japan in September 2018. Initial reports stated that Taiwanese citizens had been evacuated by Chinese embassy officials after being left stranded

by Taiwanese representatives.

This later proved to be false, as the Taiwanese citizens had been evacuated by Japanese officials, but the false story, planted by a “content farm” on mainland China, was enough to provoke protests against the Taiwanese president Tsai-Ing Wen, and the suicide of the Taiwanese representative in Osaka, SuChii-cherng.

FEB/MARCH 2019

NEWS & ISSUES Nepal: Pressure on Tibetan Refugees

by Ishan Sood Nepal has reportedly started to collect data on Tibetan refugees in an attempt to keep close tabs on their number and monitor any “AntiChina” behaviour. The news was reported on February 26 by the English Edition of Online Khabar, which claimed that the Nepali government had begun compiling details of refugees and recording them on software.

For approximately 40 years many citizens of Tibet fleeing their home country in fear of Chinese persecution have pursued refuge in Nepal and India. These two governments have historically

welcomed Tibetan refugees with warmth and hospitality, and have had very little conflict with them.

However, there have been issues in the past pertaining to the flow of

Tibetan refugees into Nepal surging due to political uprisings in Tibet, resulting in Nepal setting restrictions

in 1989 on who could enter their country, through an informal arrangement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In more recent years, Nepal has faced pressure from China to deny Tibetan refugees any sort of legal status. As China’s influence over Nepal has grown, the Nepali government has restricted the political liberties of the Tibetan refugee community of around 14,000 people in their country. As the Nepali government is heeding this increasing Chinese influence, Tibetans living in the region are feeling the pressure.

Confucius Institutes Under the Spotlight

by Tenzin Samten In Britain, the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission has called for a review of the current agreement between British institutes and the Confucius Institute in a report published on February 18 entitled China’s Confucius Institutes: an Inquiry by the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission. The Commission said China’s Confucius Institutes in schools and universities are the mediums through which the Chinese Communist Party extends their propaganda efforts and “threaten academic freedom and freedom of expression” by suppressing their critics.

According to the Hong Kong Free Press, the report came in the wake of the closure of 27 Confucius Institutes at universities around the world. Tibet advocacy groups made submissions to the Conservative Party’s Inquiry and many of their suggestions were incorporated into the report.

The Confucius Institute was founded in 2004 in China under the Communist Government as a non-profit public educational organisation affiliated with China’s ministry of education and which claim to promote Chinese language and culture. However, contrary to these claims, the British Contact

Conservative Party report said that in 2007 the then head of propaganda for the Chinese Communist Party, Li Changchu, described the Confucius Institutes as “an important part of China’s overseas propaganda set-up,” and in 2010, Xu Lin, the directorgeneral of the Hanban, an agency that oversees Confucius Institutes, said “Confucius Institutes […] are an important part of soft power. Because we want to expand our influences, we do not deny this. We agree.”

“The evidence we received raises very serious questions about the influence which Confucius Institutes may have in British universities and schools. We welcome and encourage language teaching and cultural exchange, but we believe a review is necessary to assess whether Confucius Institutes represent a threat to academic freedom, freedom of expression, other basic rights and indeed national security” said Fiona Bruce MP, chair of the commission in a statement posted on their website.

The report recommends that all British institutes suspend their agreement with Confucius Institutes until the review is completed and that transparency can be ensured from the Confucius Institutes 9

based in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile in the United States the Senate released a 93-page report on February 27, China’s Impact on the US Education System, condemning Confucius Institutes and saying that without major changes, these institutes operating in numerous American campuses and schools should shut down, reports Politico, the magazine claiming to be the dominant source for information on politics and policy in power centers across every continent.

The report mentions China’s funding of language and culture centres in over 100 US universities, saying the centres are strictly monitored and constitute a threat to academic freedom.

The US Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations reports that China-funded educational organisations exist not only in universities: there are 519 elementary, middle and high schools in the United States with China’s Confucius Institutes and that schools and universities are covering up their Chinese government funding saying, “Nearly 70 percent of US schools and colleges that received over $250,000 per year from the Chinese government failed to report that amount to the Education Department”.

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NEWS & ISSUES His Holiness Reaches Thousands During his February Teachings

by Casey Tait His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama ended his schedule for February with teachings on Je Tsongkhapa’s Concise Stages of the Path and In Praise of Dependent of Origination at a teleconference for Mongolian Buddhists.

There was a range of events from the end of January through to the end of February in Dharamshala, his home in exile. The talks included a meeting with young Indian scholars on January 24; an interaction with students from Israel and the United States on January 28; a conversation with the Young Ficci Ladies Organisation (YFLO) – an Indian organisation for young women from diverse professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds – on February 18; an Observation of the Day of Miracles on February 19; a Transmission of Bhavaviveka’s Essence of the Middle Way and a Manjushri

by Ben Byrne

21st century. If we look back at the 20th century, it was a time of violence and fear.

Therefore, we should make this century an era of non-violence and compassion.”

The Dalai Lama has mentioned during his talks that he will be slowing

his schedule in the coming year, as he ages and travel becomes a more difficult task, saying, “I asked if they would prefer the Dalai Lama to live a long life with fewer engagements or a very active but short life?”

Throughout the talks His Holiness was clear in stating the benefits of an inclusive use of Buddhism beyond religion, and stressed the importance of secular ethics, concluding his talk at the Long Life Offering Ceremony on February 27 by stating: “The future of humanity depends on the adoption of a positive mental attitude by the current generation. The ancient Indian tradition offers instruments to tackle the emotional crisis and promote basic inner qualities. If such knowledge is educated to our youths and emulated in the largest populations like China and India, this could ensure a happier and more peaceful world.”

Tibetan Language Classes Banned

Officials in Nangchen County, Qinghai province have banned informal Tibetan language classes being taught in monasteries. An order issued on December 25 called on Communist Party cadres responsible for

A copy of the order

managing monasteries in the region to “understand the harmful nature of monasteries running open schools.”

Tibetan students returning home during the winter holidays have, in recent years, brushed up on their native language by studying poetry and literature with monks and other Contact

Permission on February 20-23 and a Long Life Offering Ceremony led by Professor Samdong Rinpoche at the Tsuklakhang temple in Dharamshala on February 27.

His Holiness said at the meeting with the YFLO, “We are now in the

volunteers at monasteries. One source claimed, “These informal classes are not related to political issues at all.

They are purely education for the students”.

The Chinese state media the Global Times has reported that Jiang, a Chinese official from Quni village, stated that the classes were unnecessary because claims made by various monks in the area that Tibetan students studying in other parts of China have few opportunities to expose themselves to their native language were false.

Sonam, from the Nangqen publicity department, backed up these claims stating, “The Nangqen government has always been promoting bilingual education (Putonghua and Tibetan) in schools, and encourages students to learn Tibetan in qualified institutes.”

According to Jiang, the monks were also attempting to “infuse students with ideas that threatened social stability”.

He added that the monks lacked teaching qualifications and therefore were in violation of China’s Non-state Education Promotion Law. 10

Some outside observers are reported as being concerned that the Chinese cadres are simply using these laws to systematically suppress the Tibetan language as part of an ongoing attempt to “sinicise” the region and dilute Tibetan culture to the point where it can exist simply as a commodity for Chinese exploitation through tourism.

In a statement on January 30, Sophie Richardson, the China director for the international rights group Human Rights Watch, slammed the new ban in Nangchen, saying it “violates a long list of basic rights, from education to cultural life”.

“Preventing Tibetan children from contact with monks and monasteries will only fuel Tibetan fears that China aims increasingly to restrict Tibetan culture and religion,” continued Richardson.

Others have claimed that if the Chinese were genuinely concerned with the preservation of Tibetan culture then they would welcome these classes being taught by monks, because the government’s own efforts on this front were falling short.

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NEWS & ISSUES Dhondup Wangchen Receives 2019 Courage Award

by Tenzin Samten Dhondup Wangchen, a former Tibetan political prisoner and a filmmaker, was awarded the prestigious 2019 International Human Rights Award from the Geneva Summit on March 26, 2019.

The announcement was made by a coalition of 25 global human rights organisations.

Just before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Wangchen exposed life under Chinese rule through a documentary Leaving Fear Behind, following which he had to serve a six year arbitrary sentence in a Chinese prison where he was subject to torture, forced labour, systematic discrimination and denied health services or family visits.

Wangchen received the Geneva Summit’s Courage Award at a ceremony where he addressed a crowd of over 800 including United Nations

diplomats, human right activists and journalists from around the world who were attending the 11th annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.

“Tibet is a prison,” said Wangchen addressing the crowd, “Every year, the conditions get worse. More restrictions on travelling, practicing religion and culture and severe limits on freedom of the press” .

“It is because of your support that I am here today. I never imagined that a day like this will come when I’m finally able to speak freely, breathe the air of freedom in this free world. It feels surreal that I’m standing in front of you here, accepting this honour and sharing my experiences with you all,” said Wangchen in his acceptance speech.

Previous Courage Award recipients included jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, Venezuelan opposition leader Antonio Ledezma, Vladimir KaraMurza, a leading dissident against Russia’s Putin regime and Chinese

dissident Chen Guangchen.

In 2007 and 2008, Wangchen and his assistant Golog Jigme interviewed over 108 Tibetans from various parts of Tibet, discussing the situation of Tibetans under the Chinese Communist rule and their ideas on the then upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic.

A documentary film, Leaving Fear Behind, was released out of those raw footages by Zurich based Filming for Tibet and Wangchen’s cousin, Gyaljong Tsetrin.

Wangchen and Jigme were detained by the Chinese authorities in March 2008 for making the documentary.

In 2009, after a year being held incommunicado, Wangchen was sentenced to six years for “inciting subversion”. His assistant monk, Golog Jigme was also detained and subjected to torture.

Dhondup Wangchen was released from prison on June 5, 2014 and is currently living with his family in the United States.

New Monastery Gulags in Tibet

by Tenzin Samten An exclusive satellite image published

by The Print has revealed three new forced re-education camps under construction in the Tibet Autonomous Region. This refutes China’s claims that forced labour camps are being abolished. China refers to these camps as “Re-education Through Labour” (RTL) camps, although they are becoming known by the term “gulag” – which likens them to the Soviet Russian forced labour camps of the last century.

The Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) Human Rights Desk reports that China is now converting monasteries to gulags, or constructing new monastery gulags which target Buddhist monks and nuns in Tibet, and that they are being built on remote sites and with high security features including thick walls. The CTA has expressed concern, describing these developments as “alarming”.

Contact

According to the CTA, innumerable Tibetans have been detained and tortured in RTL camps since 1955.

They report that people have been

Photo : Col Vinayak Bhat (retd) / the Print

interned in them for opposing the violation of human rights taking place in Tibet under Chinese Communist Party rule – and that this has been occurring since before China officially acknowledged the existence of RTL camps. In Tibet, RTL camps have existed since 1955, used to clamp 11

down on people expressing opinions on China’s suppression of human rights, language, culture and religion – but were known by different names.

The Print published a previous article on August 1, 2018 reporting on China’s political re-education centres – in this case focusing on the camps in the Muslim majority Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region which have been set up to “re-wire the political thinking of detainees”.

The International Campaign for Tibet, the Washington-based Tibetan advocacy group, published a report on February 14, saying that a new training camp for Party workers has been opened in Tibet’s Shigatse prefecture “intended to provide ideological training to some of the thousands of Party cadres who have been deployed across Tibet in recent years in private homes, monasteries and schools and in line with Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s agenda of deepening control”.

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NEWS & ISSUES Mar 29: White Paper on Tibet China has released its latest White Paper on Tibet, Democratic Reform in Tibet – Sixty Years On, claiming Tibet is liberated from serfdom and there is freedom of religious affairs. The Central Tibetan Administration in exile says the White Paper is “Another attempt to whitewash 60 years of undemocratic rule.”

Mar 28: Loyalty Test China says that they have tested over 30,000 Tibetan monks and nuns in the Tibetan Autonomous Region for their knowledge of China’s rules and regulations. China says the test confirms that national laws are superior to religious regulations and that abiding by the law comes ahead of adhering to religious discipline.

Mar 24: TB Awareness World Tuberculosis (TB) Day was marked in Dharamshala with the launch of five animation videos to raise awareness of TB in the Tibetan exile community. The films were produced by the Central Tibetan Administration in collaboration with Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO).

Mar 23: Spiritual Retreat More than 50 people are participating in the first ever Mongolian spiritual retreat, organised by the Office of Tibet, Moscow, for Mongolian Buddhist business people. The retreat is led by Geshe Lhakdor, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

Tibetan Headlines

and world leaders to press China to resume dialogue with representatives of HH the Dalai Lama to resolve the Tibetan issue and to put an end to atrocities in Tibet.

Mar 11: Parliamentarians in UK A delegation from the Tibetan Governmentin-exile visiting London met United Kingdom Members of Parliament at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet in the UK Parliament. The delegation was on a five day visit to the UK. Mar 6: Unprecedented Snow The blizzards which have been affecting the Qinghai plateau in Tibet since December continue unabated, with more expected.

Chinese state media Xinhua reports that more than 26,000 head of livestock have died and estimates the direct economic losses at 84.3 million yuan (US$12.6 / £9.5 million).

Mar 2: Abuse Investigated In Toronto, the online abuse directed at Chemi Lhamo, 22, the Tibetan girl who was elected Student Union President at the University of Toronto, is being investigated by police. Her victory, together with an anti-Chinese speech

by Rukiye Turdush, a student of Uyghur origin, have sparked a Chinese backlash with threats and abuse. There is concern that Beijing is monitoring university activities.

Mar 18: Peace and Freedom Award His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been awarded the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award

by Bishop Thomas R Zinkula of Davenport, Iowa, in recognition of His Holiness’ lifelong commitment to advocating for world peace.

Feb 28: Compensation The Central Tibetan Administration has provided relief funding to the Phuntsokling Tibetan settlement in Odisha in east India which was hit by cyclone Titli last October. The funds were raised with “generous donations from well-wishers across the world”. Crops were devastated in a community dependent on agriculture for its livelihood.

Mar 14: Cash for “Loyalty” People living in Markham county in Tibet are required to pledge loyalty to the ruling Chinese Communist Party if they need state assistance, reports Radio Free Asia. People have to memorise the names of top Chinese leaders and sing the Chinese national or risk being left without help.

Feb 27: Tibetan Shops Destroyed Fourteen Tibetan shops have been destroyed by fire at the Tibetan complex in Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India. The ongoing row about the status of Tibetans and other ethnic communities in Arunachal has escalated and has turned violent with mobs, protests, ransacking and now arson.

Mar 12: Hepatitis and Tuberculosis A two day workshop on Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis prevention and management was organised by the Central Tibetan. The status of Hepatitis B in the Tibetan community and management protocols were discussed, along with Tuberculosis and the treatment of drug resistant strains.

Feb 26: Cyber Attacks A new cyber espionage campaign against the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has been uncovered by the researchers and analysts Cisco Talos. This is one of a series of cyber attacks by China.

Mar 12: Womens Uprising Day The Tibetan Women’s Association led a rally in Dharamshala to mark the 60th anniversary of Tibetan Women’s Uprising in Lhasa in 1959. They called on the United Nations Contact

Feb 24: Tibetans Outsted A new report by Radio Free Asia says that “Tibetan university graduates are facing increasing difficulty finding jobs in Tibetan regions of China, with Han Chinese flooding job markets and civil service exams slanted more and more toward Han applicants”.

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Feb 22: Year of Tsongkhapa 2019 will be observed as the International Year of Tsongkhapa – the founder of the Geluk tradition – commemorating the 600th anniversary of his death. The Geluk International Foundation has announced that the celebration is in recognition of the “extraordinary contribution” he made to the world.

Feb 21: Mother Language Day A coalition of Tibet support groups have written an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping on International Mother Language Day, asking him to “ensure that the Chinese government complies with its international obligations to respect the cultural and linguistic rights of the Tibetan people”.

Feb 15: New Oppression Measures New indicators of China’s strengthening of their repressive policies and institutionalisation of Tibet are emerging, with reports of measures to achieve a complete “ideological shift”, including a training camp under paramilitary supervision near Shigatse in Tibet, and a large “Tibet Youth Palace” about to open shortly in Lhasa.

Feb 9: Democracy in Retreat Freedom House has released its 2019 report which says that for the 13th consecutive year, there is a “consistent and ominous” decline in global freedom, and that democracy is in retreat. China remains a country “in the spotlight”. Tibet is rated “not free”.

Feb 7: Tibetan Singer Dies Tawo Lobsang Palden, 68, the Tibetan singer living in Germany who is known for his songs about Tibet, has died. He was born in Kham, Tibet but escaped with his parents and after living in India for a few years went to Germany at the age of 12 where he became a doctor.

Feb 4: Officials Expelled The Communist Party of China (CPC) has expelled three officials from Tibet who, according to the Chinese state media the Global Times, were secretly maintaining religious faith and contact with HH the Dalai Lama. The Global Times quoted an “unnamed official” as saying, “If any CPC member has the wrong attitude on this subject [the Dalai Lama], it would be a serious problem.”

Feb 1: International Support A worldwide coalition of Tibet support groups have called on their governments to adopt a resolution addressing human rights in China, with particular focus on Tibet, Uyghur and other ethnic minority regions at the upcoming session of the Human Rights Council.

FEB/MARCH 2019

International Headlines

Mar 26: A Woman’s Story The Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi in Dec 2012 in which a young girl was brutally gang raped and subsequently died of her injuries is the subject of a police procedural drama for Netflix, Delhi Crime. Actress Shefali Shah plays Chhaya Sharma, then deputy commissioner of police for south Delhi, who led the investigation. Shah told the BBC that Sharma “fought for all the women in this country.”

Mar 25: Rescue The Viking Sky, a Norwegian coastal cruiser, has arrived back in port following the rescue of nearly 500 of the 1,373 people on board who were airlifted to safety. The ship lost power in heavy seas and eventually reached port accompanied by tug boats.

Mar 23: Brexit Protest Over a million people took to the streets in London, UK, protesting at the government’s mishandling of Brexit and demanding a second referendum in the hope of reversing the decision to leave the European Union.

Mar 21: Bodies Emerge on Everest Some of the bodies of at least 300 mountaineers who have died on Mount Everest over the years, and which remain on the mountain, are emerging from under the snow as a result of global warming. Most of the bodies being brought down are those who have died in recent years.

Mar 18: Sextuplets!

Thelma Chiaka, a woman in Houston, Texas in the United States gave birth to two sets of twin boys and one set of twin girls in nine minutes. It is reported that the chances of having sextuplets are estimated at one in 4.7 billion.

Mar 15: New Zealand Shooting A mass shooting has taken place at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand during Friday prayers. 40 people have been confirmed dead, with 48 more being treated in hospital, including young children. Three suspects are in custody. All public places in Christchurch have been placed under lockdown and people are being advised to stay indoors.

Mar 14: School Collapses A school has collapsed in Lagos, Nigeria, killing at least ten people and leaving many more trapped, while around 40 pupils have been rescued. The school, which had over 100 pupils, was housed on the top floor of a four-storey building which had been listed for demolition.

Mar 13: Unvaccinated Children Banned Italy has banned children up the age of six Contact

from attending school if they have not been properly vaccinated and parents face fines of up to €500 (£425; $560) for sending unvaccinated children to school. This new law comes in the midst of a surge of cases of measles.

Mar 8: Women’s Day 2019 International women’s day is celebrated all over the world on March 8. This year’s theme is #BalanceForBetter in recognition of the global push for professional and social equality for women. A United Nations statement said, “From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history.”

Mar 7: Einstein Documents The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has unveiled a collection of more than 110 documents belonging to the Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein. Many of them have not been seen in public before and some have not been published or researched.

Mar 5: Witchdoctors?

65 traditional healers – or witchdoctors – have been arrested in Tanzania following the ritual killing of at least 10 children. The children’s bodies had been mutilated with body parts removed – there is a belief in Tanzania that body parts, particularly those coming from people with albinism, can bring wealth and good luck when used in certain rituals and they can be sold for large amounts of money.

Mar 2: Pilot Released Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian fighter pilot who has been held by Pakistan since his plane was shot down in Pakistan Kashmir, has been released. Imran Khan, the Pakistan Prime Minister, said Abhinandan’s release is a “peace gesture” to India. Abhinandan said, “The Pakistan army looked after me really well”.

Mar 1: Internet Everywhere!

Six satellites are set to be launched in a project which will provide global internet coverage. The London UK start-up company OneWeb is the forerunner in the race to provide coverage, it plans to roll out up to 36 satellites every month, with up to 2,000 spacecraft eventually orbiting the earth to provide full global coverage.

Feb 27: Support for China Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said “We respect and support China’s rights to take counter-terrorism and de-extremism measures to safeguard national security”. He was referring to China’s incarceration of up to one million Uyghur people – the ethnic minority Muslim population of East Turkestan [or Xinjiang].

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NEWS & ISSUES

Feb 26: Handover?

The United Nations International Court of Justice has said that the United Kingdom should hand the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean back over to Mauritius “as rapidly as possible”.

Mauritius ceded the islands to Britain in 1965 in exchange for its independence. Britain has claimed that the islands have been “required for defence purposes”. A United States military base is located on one of the Islands.

Feb 26: Anxiety Over HR Vote China’s resolution, The contribution of development to the enjoyment of human rights, which was adopted at last year’s Human Rights Council (HRC) session was discussed at last week’s HRC Advisory Committee, with the United States calling for a vote. The resolution was adopted by 30 to 13, with three abstentions, causing concern at the potential for legitimising development to be prioritised over human rights.

Feb 24: Bootleg Deaths Illegal “bootleg” alcohol has killed at least 130 people and left 200 more in hospital in north east India. Ten people have been arrested. The victims all worked on tea plantations; many are women. An inquiry has been ordered; the drink was made in a private home.

Feb 22: Giant Bee Alive!

A single female Wallace’s giant bee has been found alive and well on an Indonesian island.

The world’s biggest bee is 4cm long with a wingspan of 6cm; it is one of the rarest insects in the world and has not been seen since 1981.

Scientists set out to find it earlier this year.

Feb 21: Proudly Independent Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has said her country will not accept any deal with China that destroys Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy.

She was reacting to the opposition KMT party’s statement that if it wins a presidential election next year it could sign a peace deal with China.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory.

Feb 20: No Women Drivers In Turkmenistan, reports are coming through that women are being routinely stopped by police who take away their driving licenses on spurious grounds, for example, “A missing first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, spare wheel, tyre jack or warning triangle is enough to have the car impounded.”

Feb 16: Countering Chinese Influence In America, a group of Senators are looking to reduce China’s political influence in the US and elsewhere in the world. They have reintroduced a Bill to create an interagency task force to report on China’s disinformation, press manipulation, economic coercion and to counter China’s growing influence in the United States.

FEB/MARCH 2019

LHA NEWS & PROJECTS

Lha’s Events this Month

Mass Cleanup Lha organised the monthly mass cleanup on March 16 covering areas around TCV (Tibetan

Tibetan community. This proved beneficial to about 70 people in 2018, around 40 of whom ate a free meal every day.

Among the 21 beneficiaries this year are an elderly destitute couple in their 80s with no

intention of raising awareness of environmental issues in Tibet.

Mr Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, Head of the Environment and Development Desk of the Tibet Policy Institute, one of the chief guests for the occasion, spoke on the “Importance of Tibet’s Unique Ecosystem and its Current Situation.”

Dr Lobsang Yangtso, Research and Campaign Assistant at Tibet Third Pole – International Tibet

children or next of kin to support their everyday needs. As they are too old to come down to the Ahimsa House kitchen to have lunch there, Lha delivers to them.

The Soup Kitchen’s lunch menu has been designed to be healthy and nutritious. This year’s Soup Kitchen programme is sponsored by the Norzang Foundation, Switzerland. Lha extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation for their generosity in helping to fund this important programme.

Network spoke on “China’s Policy on Tibet’s Environment.”

Mr Michael Buckley, an awardwinning Canadian journalist and the author of Melt Down in Tibet, spoke about “Animals in the Land of Snow.” He introduced

Environmental Awareness Talk Lha organised a talk on Tibet’s Unique Ecosystem at TCV Gopalpur on March 23, with the

the children to Tibetan wildlife and displayed various pictures of Tibet’s animals.

The educational talk was attended by children of TCV Gopalpur School and we would like to thank the school for giving us this opportunity to educate young Tibetans. The event was funded by The Tibet Fund to whom we are extremely grateful for their continuous support.

Children’s Village) road and the forest area below His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s temple. Lha students and volunteers took part in the cleanup and it was followed

by lunch for the participants.

Lha is grateful to the students and volunteers who have always been part of the cleanup activity, without whom the monthly mass cleanup initiative would not be possible.

Free Lunch at Lha’s Soup Kitchen Lha’s Soup kitchen programme started on March 1 this year

and has 21 beneficiaries to date. Under this initiative, Lha provides free lunch for the old, needy and underprivileged in the Contact

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

This month, Nick and Jackie from the United States share their story with us.

Volunteer job at Lha: English teachers and content writer for Lha’s environment website

Happy, Happy Days!

In 2015 my wife Jackie and I had the most wonderful year travelling the world. We visited iconic sites in Africa, South America and India.

We met some wonderful people and made some great friends. But the most memorable time in the whole trip was the six weeks we spent in McLeod Ganj, working with Lha. Of course McLeod is in a gorgeous setting, has a pleasant climate and the temples and monasteries are charming and evocative. But two aspects really helped make these some of the happiest days of our lives.

Firstly the simplicity of our existence was a real change from the frantic lives we seemed to live at home. A modest room, one case of clothes, few possessions, good food, a lovely environment (and yoga classes!) gave us a different perspective on life. The second thing was the people and the culture. The Tibetan/Indian/traveller mix was enlightening. Learning something of Buddhist philosophy and sharing the story of Tibet’s history with gentle, compassionate folk led to precious relationships.

We had a happy and fulfilling few weeks tutoring Tibetan refugees at Lha, doing English Conversation classes and helping to promote Lha Fair Trade – selling their bags through Amnesty International’s Christmas catalogue.

And so, it was with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation that we

decided to return to McLeod in the autumn of 2018. Would the place be the same or would new development have spoiled the town? Would the Tibetans’ culture be swamped by their Indian hosts and the visitors from abroad? Would the experience be the same without the lovely friends we made three years previously?

As we arrived on the bus from Delhi in the early morning, places looked reassuringly familiar. Yes hotels had spread down the hill but the centre

of the town was largely unchanged.

Many of our favourite restaurants – Common Ground, Snow Lion, Black Tent, Peace Café – were still selling their wholesome, tasty, inexpensive fare. We settled into Om Hotel.

But what about Lha? Well, our Volunteer Co-ordinator from 2015 – Rabsel – had moved on but he was still around town, as friendly as ever. My friend from Lha Fair Trade, Sherab, had taken his place as Volunteer Coordinator and Deputy Director. How nice to see his smiling, welcoming

face again! Samten, Assistant in 2015, was now running Contact magazine.

Newer staff such as the delightful Choeyang, the new Director Dorji Kyi, Nyima and others made us welcome. We were soon assigned students to tutor one-to-one. I worked with a young Tibetan monk, Karma, and Jackie worked with two lovely young nuns from Spiti, Tashi and Yangdon, forming a close and fond friendship. We were asked to teach daily English classes – Intermediate to start with and then Advanced as well - and we joined English Conversation Classes most days. I was invited to do some research and writing for Tibet Nature, the Lha environmental website, with Lobsang – an absorbing task.

This led to an introduction to Tong-Len, a charity supporting displaced people, where we helped write up their documentation and script their video productions.

So, we were busy with our volunteer roles every weekday and went walking in the hills at weekends, often with our friend Maryanne from Australia. Yoga on the rooftop, meditation classes and strolling round the Kora added to the sense of wellbeing.

So of course our return to McLeod was different – change is inevitable, people move on – but the ethos of Lha is the same and working with the lovely people of McLeod was just as rewarding as ever. Happy, happy days.

Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust

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

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

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FEB/MARCH 2019

around town

Charities and Organisations

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

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

WEB: www.tibet.net LOCATION: Near Library PHONE: 01892-222218 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm EMAIL: kashag@tibet.net The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL) OHHDL is the personal office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The office organises his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.

WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221210 EMAIL: ohhdl@dalailama.com Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) The TYC is an advocacy and political action organisation with chapters around the world.

The TYC organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities.

WEB: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 PHONE: 01892-221554 EMAIL:president@tibetanyouthcongress.org, tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) The TWA conducts workshops on gender sensitization and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships, and connects women with international sponsors.

WEB: www. tibetanwomen.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221527 EMAIL: tibwomen@gmail.com Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education. There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamshala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India.

WEB: www.tcv.org.in LOCATION: Dharamshala Cantt.176216 PHONE: 01892-221354 / 221348 EMAIL: headoffice@tcv.org.in Men-Tsee-Khang: Tibetan Medical & Astro.

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

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

The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.

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

Contact

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: www.tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 9882255047 EMAIL: ltwa1970@gmail.com Delek Hospital Delek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamshala. It has 45 inpatient beds, holds outpatient hours from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday, and can handle most small procedures. Patients are responsible for a 10 Rupees registration fee. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.

WEB:www.delekhospital.org LOCATION: Kharadanda Rd, Dharamshala; Delek Clinic, Bhagsu Rd, Dharamshala HOURS: Outpatient, Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm; Emergencies, 24 hours daily PHONE: 01892-222053 / 223381 EMAIL: delek@bsnl.in hospitaldelek@yahoo.com Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society The society was established in 1999 to provide educational and administrative guidance to all Tibetan schools in remote areas of India and Bhutan that do not fall under the guidance of Tibetan Childrens Village. Today there are 65 schools under this organisation after the take over of CTSA Schools.

WEB: www.sambhota.org LOCATION:Khanyara Rd, Dharamshala176215 PHONE: 01892 - 246422 / 246423 EMAIL: stss1999@gmail.com Tong-Len Charitable Trust Tong-Len’s mission is to help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future. Tong-Len projects include educational and health programs, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels.

Volunteer opportunities available.

WEB: www. tong-len.org LOCATION: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala-176215 PHONE: 01892-223930 EMAIL: jamyang@tong-len.org Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) SFT is an international NGO that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community.

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

WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 9882786875 Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)

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TCHRD advocates for human rights and provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet.

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

WEB: www.tchrd.org LOCATION: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-223363 EMAIL: office@tchrd.org Lha Charitable Trust (Lha) Lha, a Tibetan grassroots NGO based in Dharamshala, is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions.

Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. (see page 2) WEB:www.lhasocialwork.org LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India PHONE: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 EMAIL: office@lhasocialwork.org The Kangra Distt. Red Cross Society The Kangra District Red Cross Society renders its humanitarian services, projects and activities with the help and the co-operation of people at all levels of society by donation.

WEB: www.redcrosskangra.org LOCATION: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 EMAIL: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Association of Tibet is an organisation of former political prisoners of Tibet and former activists currently in exile that engages in their complete assistance from medical, financial, basic education and vocational training. It also organises lobby and advocacies about human rights abuses in Tibet. WEB: www. guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679 EMAIL: guchusum1991@gmail.com Tibet Charity Tibet Charity provides programs including English and computer classes, an animal care program, and a variety of medical and educational financial support programs.

WEB: www.tibetcharity.in LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877 EMAIL: director@tibetcharity.in Tibet World Tibet World is a charitable trust (Reg. No 136/2015) “Where Tibet meets the world & the world meets Tibet”. Education programmes: international language courses, training, workshops and a winter programme for schoolchildren. Cultural programmes: folk show, talks, sharing stories, monk chat, compassion + wisdom = happiness workshops, cultural tours, engaging volunteering options, cultural exchange and collaboration programmes.

WEB: www.tibetworld.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road near Post Office, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 9816999928/8353005268 EMAIL: info@tibetworld.org

FEB/MARCH 2019

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.lit-dharamsala.org LOCATION: Underground Hotel Akash, Jogiwara Road, Mcleodd Ganj, Dharamsala 176219 PHONE: (+91) 7590025915 EMAIL: learningandideasfortibet@gmail. com Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR) Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a non-profit, educational organisation dedicated to the non-violent management of conflicts in the Tibetan Community and the world as a whole.They work to promote the approaches and tools of non-violent conflict resolution and democratic processes in the Tibetan community in exile and elsewhere.

WEB: http://tccr.org LOCATION: Session Road, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-226627 EMAIL: tccrteam@gmail.com Rogpa Baby Care Centre The Rogpa Baby Care Centre helps low-income Tibetan families to become self-sufficient by providing free child care for infants so that their parents can work. The centre needs volunteers to help with art, games, singing and other tasks including diaper changing.

WEB: www.tibetrogpa.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala- 176219 PHONE: 9857973026 EMAIL: rogpa2004@yahoo.com Gamru Village School Gamru Village School is a successful NGO that provides free high-quality education to any children who encounter serious barriers to education and who have a low standard of living.

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

EMAIL: tashu72004@yahoo.com Clean Upper Dharamshala Project Founded in 1994 to provide a waste management system in and around McLeod Ganj, the Green Workers, the Handmade Recycled Paper Factory, the Green Shop and the Environmental Education Centre are part of the Clean Upper Dharamshala Project. Weekly guided tours are offered on Wednesdays at 3 pm.

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

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

WEB: www.nyingtobling.org LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur PHONE:01892 211042 / 9816028149 EMAIL: nyingtob_ling@hotmail.com Women’s Team Volunteers needed to teach English to Indian women and children in the village of Kaniyara near Dharamshala. Contact Jitender.

EMAIL: jitenderje@gmail.com PHONE: 7831956680 / 08894435595 The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC) ANEC facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on nonviolent strategies to help resolve disagreements and differences at all levels of human society. ANEC welcomes volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas of regional and global peace and nonviolent strategies. Free lunch and tea and many more benefits for

volunteers.

LOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 9882077708 / 9882921477 EMAIL: wangduemiddleway@gmail.com Website: www.anec-india.net Facebook: www/facebook.com/anecpeace National Democratic Party of Tibet The NDPT is currently the only Tibetan political party. With 5000 members in 36 regional chapters throughout the world, the main aim and objectives of the NDPT are to prepare for the establishment of a political party in a future Tibet, to promote democracy, to educate the Tibetan people about the significance of political parties and to create awareness among the people about Tibetan issues.

WEB: www.ndp4tibet.org LOCATION: Dharamshala–176219 EMAIL: tibetparty4@gmail.com PHONE: 9882787633 / 9882673330 Tibetan Dubbing Society Tibetan Dubbing Society, founded in 2015, is a non-profit organisation working towards preserving Tibetan language through various forms of entertainment and dubbing animation movies into Tibetan language for Tibetan children.

LOCATION: Near Norbulinga Institute WEBSITE: www.tibetdub.org EMAIL: savetiblang@gmail.com CONTACT: +91-8629837735 Norbulingka Institue Centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work. Temple, tour guides of the workshops, and gardens.

LOCATION:Sidhpur, Dharamshala PHONE:9882144210 EMAIL: info@norbulingka.org WEB:www.norbulingka.org

BUS SCHEDULE * Times and prices may vary. Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

Leaving from the McLeod Ganj bus stand, unless otherwise stated: DELHI: Ordinary Bus: 4:00am (Rs 554), 6pm (Rs 580), 7:30 pm (Rs 570) Semi Deluxe Bus: 5pm (Rs 590) , 6:30pm (Rs 590) Full Deluxe Bus: (Rs683) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8:15 am (Rs 1243), 5:35pm (Rs 1275), 7:00pm (Rs 1275), 8:50pm (Rs1275) AC TATA: 5:50pm (Rs 972) AMRITSAR: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs257) *from Dharamshala DEHRADUN: Ordinary Bus: 2pm (Rs 560) 8pm (Rs 551); VOLVO: 7pm (Rs 1199) MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 7:10am (Rs358 *from Dharamshala / VOLVO: 11:30 pm (Rs 782) PATHANKOT: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 136) * from Dharamshala SHIMLA: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 408), 6am (Rs 360), 7:50am (Rs 375), 8:am (Rs 520) 7:45 pm (Rs 363), 12pm (Rs 367) *from Dharamshala, Semi-Deluxe Bus: 9:30pm (Rs455) *from Dharamshala FOR BOOKINGS: Location: Ticket stand under McLLo’s, McLeod Ganj Main square Hours: 10am-5pm, daily Phone: 220026 (McLeod bus stand), 224903 (Dharamshala) For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

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

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activities and information UPCOMING EVENTS

MEDITATION Ocean of Harmony

Jun 3 - 5, 2019: Teaching in Dharamshala Jun 19, 2019: Long Life Offering Ceremony in Dharamsala, HP, India

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

Tushita Meditation Center

BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY Library of Tibetan Works and Archives WEB: www.tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala HOURS: Mon-Fri: 10:30 - 11:45 am PHONE: 9882255047

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

YOGA AND REIKI Yoga & Reiki Courses

Location- Om Yoga Ashram,Near Dal Lake Mob- 9805693514 /981649432 Email - om.yoga@ymail.com web- http://www.omashram.in

Shivam Neelkant Yoga Kendra LOCATION: Upper Bhagsu PHONE: 098165-65138 WEB: www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu massage LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road PHONE: 07833047078 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Men-Tsee-Khang

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

Dorjee Spa LOCATION: Pema Thang Guest house, Hotel Bhagsu Road PHONE:9816393673 / 9857108408 WhatsApp: 9816393673

Contact

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

Shivan Neel Kanth Yoga

WEBSITE:www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com LOCATION: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky PHONE: 09816565138 EMAIL: yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in

Om Meditation Ashram

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

COOKING

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

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

Indian Cooking Classes

LANGUAGES Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translators Program LOCATION: Rato Chuwar Labrang, Phuntsok Gatsel Session Road Hours: 10:45-5pm Email: lrztp.manager@gmail.com

REETA THAKUR HINDI CLASSES Location: Near Dal Lake Mob - 9816494732 Tibetan Language

LOCATION: The Tibetan Library *see Buddhist Philosophy Listing

Hindi Lessons with Kailash

LOCATION: Hotel India House, Bhagsu Rd PHONE: 01892-20063, 941-816-1947

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

Sanskrit Language Study Program at Vikramashila Foundation India (VFI) Location: Vikramashila center, 1st flr, Ketan Lodge,Jogiwara road, McleodGanj, Dharamshala, H.P Email: vikramashilafoundation@gmail.com

ART AND MUSEUMS Tibet Museum

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

LOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 07833047078 / 0988230136 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)

Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional Tibetan Cooking Classes

Kangra Art Museum

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

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

COMPUTER CLASSES Tibetan Career Centre, Dharamshala LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj HOURS: 9:00am-6pm PHONE: 9882321424 /9880969175 Email at : yesheadconsultant@tibet.net

Lha Charitable Truse

LOCATION: Near Dolma Chowk, Mcleod Ganj PHONE: 9882323455 / +91 (0)1892 -220992 WEB: www.lhasocialwork.org

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

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

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

Center for Living Buddhist Art WEBSITE: www.livingbuddhistart.com EMAIL: sarikalochoe@hotmail.com

PHONE: 9418655401 HOURS: 9 am- 5 pm LOCATION: Khanyara Road

FEB/MARCH 2019

activities and information HEALTH SERVICES Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra LOCATION: Near Hotel Mount View, Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 09218742046 EMAIL: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com Tibetan Physiotherapy Clinic Specialised in Muscle and Joint Pain LOCATION: Near Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 HOURS: 10am - 5pm (Appointment Bases) PHONE: 9882322783 / 9882321532 EMAIL: jigten17@yahoo.co.in WEBSITE : tibetanphysiotherapy.com Tibetan Delek Hospital LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-22053 / 223381 HOURS: Outpatient services, Mon-Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00-4:30pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily Maanav Health Clinic LOCATION: Main Square HOURS: 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-5:00pm PHONE: 941-815-5795 EMAIL: maanavcare@yahoo.co.in Men-Tsee-Khang LOCATION: Below Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org Primary Health Centre LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main market HOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat Nature Cure Health Club LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm PHONE: 7833047078 / 9882320136 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com Dr Tandon Advanced Dental Orthodontic & Implant Centre Location: Opp. AP Travels, Mcleod Ganj Phone:9418462936 Email: dr.rahultandon@gmail.com

Tibet-Related Websites

News:

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

News, information and campaigning:

dalailama.com - for broadcasts of His Holiness’s teachings, his schedule and information about Tibet and the Dalai Lama tchrd.org - Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - a nongovernmental organisation and a research centre to protect the human rights of Tibetan people and promote the principles of democracy tibetanyouthcongress.org - an international non-governmental organisation that advocates full independence for Tibet from China studentsforafreetibet.org - a global grass roots group campaigning for full Tibetan independence tibetanreview.net - news, opinions, reviews and information freetibet.org: - UK-based campaigning organisation, also a good news source savetibet.org - Website of the International Campaign for Tibet and a good resource for news, campaigns, fundraising and projects tibetnetwork.org/home - a coalition of more than 190 Tibet organisations dedicated to campaigning to end human rights violations in Tibet and restoring rights to the Tibetan people tibetanjournal.com - Tibetan Journal - news, reviews and opinions rukor.org - a discussion site on Tibetan nomads and their fate bitterwinter.org - A magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China

Writings:

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

DHARAMSHALA CONTACTS Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189 Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, CTA Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Wed only; Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily.

Phone: 222 053,223 381 Kangra Airport: 01892-232374

Contact

Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892221034 Tourism Office: 01892-224430 , 223325 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892265026 Police Superintendent: 01892222244 Police Contact Information Location: Past St.John’s Church on the road to Dharamshala in

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Cantt. area.

Phone: 221 483 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

FEB/MARCH 2019

jobs and advertisements

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

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives Position: Video Editor (2 vacancies) Qualification: one year experience as video specialist or in a similar role Position: Digitisation Staff (1 vacancy) Qualification: Any of these (BCA, BA, B.Com) Email: ltwa1970@gmail.com Dealine: April 20, 2019

Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#4

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

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

The Health Department, CTA Position: Social Health Section (1 Vacancy) Qualification: B.Sc Nursing with one year experience Position: Water and Health Section (1 Vacancy) Qualification: Graduate in any field Deadline: April 10, 2019 Email: health_re@tibet.net

Nature Cure Health Club

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #23 Mobile: 07833047078 /09882320136 / Email: mahinder_m@ hotmail.com 20+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!

NEED A DENTIST?

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

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #10 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com /Call: 09218742046 Website: www.perfect32dentalclinic.in

The Dalai Lama Foundation 2019 Graduate Scholarship Prgoramme The Dalai Lama Foundation (DLF) based in Seattle announced its 2019 Tibetan graduate (M.A and Ph.D) scholarship programme for fulltime Tibetan graduate students studying in Europe, Australia and North America. A scholarship grant of upto US$10,000 will be awarded to 18 exceptional candidates as supplementary bursary.

The scholarship aims to encourage Tibetan students in the field of study relevant to the times, which have the potential to contribute to the welfare of humanity and the Tibetans.

The applications should be submitted online via The deadline of the scholarship application is April 30, 2019 (11:59 PM US pacific time).

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

To advertise here, please contact Lha office near Dolma Chowk, Mcleod Ganj Phone no: 9882323455

For more details, visit below website www.dalailamafoundation.org Contact

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advertisements

Contact

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FEB/MARCH 2019

advertisements

Map of McLeod Ganj showing locations of places of interest

BHAGSU NAG

Contact

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lha news and advertisements Smile Dental Clinic & Implant Center

Oppo. Walia Medical Store Near State Bank of India ATM, Mcleod Ganj. MOBILE NO: 7018354594 / 8629011445 Map#25 website: smiledentalclinicmcleodganj.com

To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj

G

Contact

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Lha Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots, non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has been striving to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for over 21 years.

For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org

French Class

Computer Class

Chinese Class

English Class

English Conversation Class

English Conversation Class

VOLUNTEER AT LHA Let your stay in Dharamshala be more memorable Come join our English conversation class!

To advertise call Lha office: 01892-220992

If you have at least one week or one hour a day, you’re welcome to join our group of volunteers.

Time: English Conversation Class (Mon-Fri) at 4pm – 5pm Venue: Lha office at main market in Mcleod, Temple road, opposite SBI ATM

or visit Lha office at

Contact Newsletter

Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj Map #1

Managing Director Dorji Kyi Editor-in-Chief Jenny James

We are also looking for volunteers to teach these language classes (minimum one month) : French Beginner / German Beginner / Chinese Beginner/Computer Beginner

CONTACT US Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: @ContactTibet

Teaching experience not necessary. We gurantee that you will love your new experience!

Location: Lha office, opposite State Bank of India (ATM) Temple Road, McLeod Ganj Email: office@lhasocialwork.org volunteercoordinator@lhasocialwork.org Phone: 01892-220992 / 9882323455 Contact

འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com

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Editor Tenzin Samten Circulation Manager Tenzin Sherab Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web:www.lhasocialwork.org www.contactmagazine.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com

FEB/MARCH 2019