October 2019

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

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

Issue: 9 | October 31, 2019

Growing US Support for Tibet

Contents

Discriminatory Recruitment Practices in Tibet

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

by Aparna Ramachandran The United States of America has been steadily growing as a strong supporter of Tibet and has taken measures over the past few weeks to consolidate their bipartisan stand.

US Congressional Staffers visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile in Dharamshala earlier this month and spoke to Speaker Pema Jungney and Deputy Speaker Continued on page 3

by Hugh M Casey Graduates from the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) must now “expose and criticise the Dalai Lama” and “take a clear and distinct [political] stand” in order to successfully find work in Chinese public institutions.

A job announcement on the online education platform www.educity.cn lists criticism of His Holiness the Dalai Continued on page 5

Tibetans Join the Global Anti-China Protests

by Tsering Wangdue Tibetan activists staged a protest during the National Basketball Association (NBA) pre-season match between the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors in New York City. The protestors were calling for support for the ongoing democracy protestors in Hong Kong and to defy the half century of Chinese rule in Tibet. Tibetan and Hong Continued on page 4

US Ambassador at TIPA’s 60th Anniversary

by Lodoe Gyatso The first International Conference of Tibetan Performing Arts was held at TIPA (Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts) on October 28. It was timed to mark the occasion of TIPA’s 60th anniversary.

Speaking at the inauguration, Samuel D Brownback, the American Ambassador at Large for International Religious Continued on page 5

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Upcoming Events in Dharamshala November 4-6: His Holiness Teaching His Holiness will give a three-day teaching on The Heart Sutra (sherab nyingpo) in the mornings at Tsuglakhang temple at the request of a group from Korea.

November 5: Samdhong Rinpoche’s Birthday Lha Charitable Trust will holiding a small event to celebrate Rinpoche’s 80th birthday at Ahimsa House. All are welcome, from 11 am.

November 7-10: DIFF at TIPA Dharamshala International Film Festival November 7: Compassion+Wisdom = Happiness Talk at Tibet World at 2pm by their Director.

For more information, contact 16999928 or 9882566777 November 19: Lha-Bab-Due-Chen Buddha’s Descent from Heaven; Tibetan offices closed for holiday.

December 10: Nobel Peace Prize Day Tibetan offices closed for holiday.

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

Contact News

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Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust

Editor’s Word

Lha Charitable Trust

Institute for Social Work & Education Lha is an award-winning, grassroot and non-profit institute for social work and education based in Dharamshala, India. It is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population and people from the Himalayan regions.

Lha offers free language and IT classes, a community soup kitchen and many other programmes and activities. Through rehabilitation resources and social and educational services, Lha facilitates an easy transition for the Tibetan refugee community to India.

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

Contact magazine is published monthly by Lha

Charitable Trust. It has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamshala community, for 21 years and is acknowledged in Lonely Planet and other international travel resources. It is available free of charge and distributed around Dharamshala, Delhi and various diplomatic missions in India. Copies are sent to Tibetan schools, settlements, offices and NGOs in India and abroad. Contact is updated daily on our website www.contactmagazine.net.

Contact is registered under the Registrar Office of the Newspaper, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India; registration number HPENG/2013/51798.

Please Note: The articles, stories and other material in Contact represent the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the Contact editing staff or Lha Charitable Trust.

Please email comments on this issue to: editor@contactmagazine.net

Can you Donate to Lha?

Lha collects all kinds of donations from clothing, shoes, books and language resources to computer and medical supplies, as well as any other useful items to pass on to needy people in the area.

Monetary donations are extremely helpful and are greatly appreciated, whether large or small. In India a little money goes a very long way!

Lha Contacts: office@lhasocialwork.org (0) 98823-23455 / 1892-220992 Please also see Lha’s additional websites: www.tibetnature.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com www.tibetfairtrade.com www.contactmagazine.net

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 2

I’ve just arrived in McLeod. As ever, it’s a joy to be back, with the sun shining, good coffee, good friends, and editing Contact every day in the Lha office.

Being here brings back memories of my first visit 35 years ago when I was working on a film and came to ask TIPA to provide the music. I loved McLeod and became engrossed in the whole Tibetan situation, heavily influenced by the friends I made here. I wondered then what would happen - the people I was meeting were first generation exiles who just wanted to go home. What, I wondered, would happen with the next generation and the ones after that?

Would they take up the flag or would they just integrate into their new lives around the world?

Coming back after a 30 year gap I was delighted, and very moved, to see that “Free Tibet” is so much a part of life in McLeod and that young people are enthusiastically campaigning for the cause and that the movement is flourishing around the world.

One person I was lucky enough to call a friend 35 years ago was Tsering Wangyal, always known affectionately as “Editor” - he was editor of the Tibetan Review which used to arrive on my doorstep in England, airmail edition, every month, and in those days before instant online communication was really the only way to keep in touch with what was happening. Editor’s room was a hub for the movement, and his friendship and the evenings spent chatting to people from all over the world who gathered there to talk about Tibet, China, human rights, and life, were very special and an inspiration that has remained with me. It’s no coincidence that I have been involved in campaigning ever since, and during those years of environmental crusading have put what I learned from Editor into practice, using the power of the written word to get that message across, and understanding the importance of making connections. I never forgot Tibet and now the circle is complete as for the last six years I have been privileged to edit Contact.

Jenny James

News Features Growing US Support for Tibet Continued from page 1

Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok about long-standing Tibetan issues and were urged to appoint a Secretary for the same.

Restriction of Chinese Diplomats The United States is to impose visa restrictions on Chinese government and Communist Party officials (and their family members) who have been involved in the repression of Muslim populations: this is in reference to China’s abuse of the ethnic minority Muslim Uighur population of East Turkestan [Xinjiang] in north western China who are subject to a similar oppressive regime under China’s rule as Tibetans living in Tibet. Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, accused the Chinese government of instituting “a highly repressive campaign”.

Tibetan Policy and Support Act The bipartisan Tibetan Policy and Support Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 13 by Representative James McGovern (D-Mass) and in the Senate on September 24 by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla).

This serves as an update on the existing landmark Tibetan Policy Act of 2002.

This revision seeks to address emerging human rights, religious freedom, and environmental challenges faced by Tibetans.

This bill has received enormous support, with Tibet supporters and Tibetan Americans taking action with a concerted lobbying effort for a special piece of legislation.

They visited the offices of US senators and representatives on Capitol Hill on October 21 - 22 for a mini-Tibet Lobby Day to advocate for the bill. Supporters are taking part in the event by writing letters to their members of Congress.

By the the morning of October 18, nearly 12,000 letters had been sent to Congress members asking them to co-sponsor the bill which will dramatically upgrade US support for Tibet.

Support for the Reincarnation Process The above bill strongly supports the Tibetans’ right to religious freedom, starting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation process. If enacted, the bill would impose sanctions and a visa ban on any Chinese official who interferes in the selection of a successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In addition, the bill would require the Secretary of State to seek to establish a consulate in Lhasa. Until then, no additional consulate of the People’s Republic of China in the US will be approved.

USCIRF Support The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the recent introduction of the

Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 (HR4331 / S2539) and urged the US Congress to swiftly pass it.

USCIRF welcomed the US Department of Commerce’s decision to ban the export of certain technological components to 28 Chinese companies and organisations implicated in the mass internment of Uyghur Muslims – as well as the US Department of State’s announcement of visa restrictions for Chinese officials responsible for those abuses.

In its 2019 Annual Report, USCIRF urged the administration to use its authority to enact targeted sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for severe religious freedom violations, especially Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and a member of the 19th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

Restriction of Chinese Diplomats The US will impose a restriction on the movement of Chinese diplomats within the US by reporting contacts with specified Americans. Additionally, US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad defended his country’s stand on the issue saying that China has a much more stringent system of regulations. He quoted several instances where US officials were not allowed to visit Chinese law enforcement officials and have had their requests to visit universities turned down.

While unrelated to diplomats, Washington is considering a separate proposal to require employees of “partycontrolled entities” – a group that might include state media – to register as foreign agents. This comes amidst possible Chinese efforts to spy or gain influence in the US, Australia, and other countries.

Support for pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong The first bill condemned Beijing’s intrusions into Hong Kong’s affairs and supported the people’s right to freedom of expression. The second necessitates annual reviews by the US Secretary of State to determine whether Hong Kong has sufficient autonomy from the rest of China to justify its special trading status. The third bill halts sale of riot control gear, including the tear gas used extensively on protestors in Hong Kong. The bill also says the US should allow Hong Kong residents to obtain US visas, even if they have been arrested for being part of non-violent protests.

All three bills were approved on separate voice votes. The bills which received bipartisan support in the house will be introduced in the US Senate.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said these bills were important reminders of US support for human rights in the face of significant commercial interests in China. Ms Pelosi further added that, while Hong Kong receives special treatment in matters of trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation and more, China has used this special status to evade US export controls and sanctions.

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 3

News Features Tibetans Join the Global Anti-China Protests

Continued from page 1

Kong activists stood side by side in the stands shouting slogans for human rights to be respected in Tibet, East Turkestan (Xinjiang), Hong Kong and China.

Demonstrators wore T-shirts displaying the message “Stand with Hong Kong” and carried banners. The demonstration was organised by the film producer and activist Andrew Duncan who bought 300 tickets for the match and gave them to the protestors.

Among the protestors was Hong Kong activist Nathan Law, the co-founder of Demosisto, the pro-democracy Hong Kong youth activist group. The group of Tibetan activists wore white T-shirts with “Free Tibet” written in English, Tibetan and Chinese and stood alongside the Hong Kong protestors. “The NBA, as well as corporations and people everywhere, should resist the oppressive influence of the Chinese government and stand with Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers,” said Sonam Tso, Campaigns and Communications Director of Students for a Free Tibet.

Similar demonstrations have been held at the other games between NBA and Chinese Teams. Two people were asked to leave a game between the Philadelphia 76rs and the Guangzhou Loong-Lions for holding signs in support of the Hong Kong protest.

The series of protests at the NBA games was instigated when the NBA bowed down to China and distanced themselves from a pro-Hong Kong tweet two weeks ago by Houston Rockets manager Daryl Morey: “Fight for freedom stand with Hong Kong”. This tweet caused several Chinese firms to suspend sponsorship and telecast deals which had serious financial implications for the NBA. The NBA distanced themselves from Mr Morey’s tweet, calling it “regrettable”, sparking the protests.

A separate Tibetan protest linked to the situation in Hong Kong took place in front of Apple’s Grand Central Station store in New York City. Tibetan activists joined people representing the Muslim minority Uyghurs of East Turkestan (Xinjiang) in north western China as well as people from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, to protest alongside SumOfUs, the global corporate watchdog, to call on Apple to stop collaborating with China’s censorship and its restrictions on freedom of expression; this concerns HKmap.live, a web mapping service which crowd sources and tracks the location of protesters and police in Hong Kong, with information about police patrols and tear gas deployments. China accused Apple, who owns the app, of “endorsing and protecting” the rioters. Apple has removed the app.

Misinformation. Disinformation.

by Catherine Delong The Communist Party of China has long used these techniques to control national and international dialogue.

Recent events, including the protests in Hong Kong, have led to an escalation of such efforts.

China has a complicated relationship with the internet.

It constructed the “Great Firewall” to block “objectionable content”, bans social media platforms widely used in the Wes, and employs millions of analysts to monitor and control communications.

Increasingly, however, the CCP is using the internet for propaganda purposes.

BBC Click online published a report on October 5 about the “edit wars” on Wikipedia, a site that is blocked within China. Wikipedia’s content – arguably the largest source of knowledge ever compiled – is created and managed by users. Anyone with an internet browser can write or edit entries on the site. China, through organisations it controls, including the China International Publishing Group, has been changing the terminology of Wikipedia posts, particularly those it considers politically sensitive.

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 4

The BBC writer notes there were “65 changes in the space of a day” in articles about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, switching definitions, eg, between “protestors” and “rioters”, as CCP editors battled with editors outside China.

“Were they protesters? Or rioters?” asks the BBC journalist.

Other examples include the English language depiction of Taiwan as “a state in East Asia” and China’s characterisation of it as a “province of the People’s Republic of China”; and the description of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as “a Tibetan refugee” in English, but a “Chinese exile” in Mandarin.

The BBC investigation found “almost 1,600 tendentious edits across 22 separate politically sensitive articles”.

Although the investigation was unable to prove that this was part of a systematic Chinese government effort, the authors noted concerted efforts by academics and the CCP to shift the dialogue to terms preferred by the Chinese.

Attempts to manipulate Wikipedia content are neither new nor the sole province of China. The “community of Wikipedians” has struggled with combating such “vandalism” since the platform’s inception. Regardless of whether China’s efforts to change the nature of the dialogue is systematic, the battle over content on Wikipedia is likely to continue into the future.

News Features Discriminatory Recruitment Practices in Tibet Continued from page 1

Lama as a prerequisite. According to the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), a non-profit advocacy group working to promote democratic freedoms for Tibetans, the other recruitment conditions for graduates required by TAR officials include: “Support the Party’s leadership, resolutely implement the [Chinese Communist] Party’s (CCP) line, line of approach, policies, and the guiding ideology of Tibet work in the new era; align ideologically, politically, and in action with the Party Central Committee; oppose any splittist tendencies; expose and criticise the Dalai Lama; safeguard the unity of the motherland and ethnic unity and take a firm stand on political issues, taking a clear and distinct stand.”

Matteo Mecacci, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, believes that the new requirements symbolise the “systemic” discrimination of Tibetans living under Chinese rule, adding that being forced to repudiate His Holiness the Dalai Lama is “an unnecessary humiliation[…], which only hardens the Tibetan spirit of resistance, and does not

certainly provide legitimacy to Chinese rule in Tibet.”

When asked for comment by the Hindustan Times, the Chinese foreign ministry said: “Some anti-China hostile forces often spread anti-China remarks for their ulterior political purposes, which are not worth refuting.”

Across China, workers must meet certain stipulations of loyalty to the CCP. This is exemplified by a job listed by the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources where applicants must “[r]esolutely support the Party’s line, principles, and policies.”

However, the requirements for candidates from TAR are more probing, and they must pass the 2019 Tibet Autonomous Region Political Examination Form for College Graduate Recruitment in Public Institutions.

In his statement Mecacci went on to claim that targeting TAR graduates amounts to racial profiling, and that forcing candidates to denounce a certain political opinion constitutes a violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects a person’s right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

US Ambassador Celebrates TIPA’s 60th Anniversary

everywhere all the time.”

Ambassador Brownback urged the Chinese government Freedom, voiced the USA’s support for the cause of Tibet.

The Ambassador expressed America’s deep respect not to interfere in the process of selection of Tibetan religious for the Tibetan language, religion and culture. He labelled leaders. He said, “The international community must Tibetan culture “a treasure of humanity” and highlighted a work together now to make clear we stand unequivocally with the people of Tibet”, adding, shared commitment for compassion, “Decisions regarding the selection inclusiveness and rule of law. of Tibetan Buddhist leaders rest Ambassador Brownback stated with the Dalai Lama, Tibetan his government’s belief that freedom Buddhist leaders and the people of of religion must be protected.

Tibet. Period.”

“Where injustice is allowed to exist Ambassador Brownback unchecked, oppression inevitably stated that the US government is spreads and new abuses are committed to “establish conditions perpetrated,” he stated, urging the that will lead to direct and faith communities of Asia to heed meaningful dialogue between PRC this message. “If the practice of one faith community can be restricted, so Ambassador Brownback and His Holiness duirng authorities and His Holiness the Dalai Lama without preconditions can and will others,” he emphasised, their meeting at His Holiness’s residence that leads to a sustainable adding that “history has shown that Photo: OHHDL settlement.” repression by governments cannot Earlier, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the stifle the spiritual aspirations of people.”

Turning to India, Ambassador Brownback praised Tibetan Government-in-exile, spoke of the advice given India’s support for the Tibetan cause as “a gift to the world.” to TIPA’s founders 60 years ago. His Holiness told them Ambassador Brownback then spoke of the situation “Do not be discouraged”, adding that they would become in Tibet, emphasising the repression of Tibetans. “The famous throughout the world. Sikyong mused that this had United States is deeply concerned about the CCP’s indeed taken place.

Sikyong highlighted the fact that for four years in escalating, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom. We call on the Chinese government to respect the succession the Tibetan region has been ranked the second human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals least free country in the world behind only Syria.

Continued from page 1

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 5

News Features A Messenger of Ancient Indian Thought

practice but as moral principles,” he said. His Holiness

by Catherine Delong His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited two universities in added that traditional Indian education and the Nalanda Chandigarh on October 14 -15, where he addressed students tradition were the vehicles to facilitate this change.

At Chandigarh University on October 15, His Holiness and faculty and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree

by Chitkara University, as well as a Global Leadership spoke on Secular Ethics in Modern Education in the Context Award presented by Chandigarh University. The degree was of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to mark the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak. presented at the inauguration He began by addressing the the University’s 11th Global audience as “brothers and Week. He spoke to 1,200 sisters” and continued the people in his opening address theme of the shared desire and lit a lamp to mark the of all people for happiness. opening of the event.

He held Guru Nanak as an His talk, The Need example of ahimsa for his for Universal Ethics in quest for religious harmony, Education, focused on our and extolled people to follow common humanities being his example. the basis for creating a more His Holiness described compassionate, peaceful Presentation of the Global Leadership Award by Chandigarh himself as a “messenger of world. His Holiness noted University. ancient Indian thought”. He the prevalence of “us– Photo: OHHDL noted how this tradition can versus–them” attitudes in the world today and urged the audience to replace this show the world how to transform society through secular with “warm-heartedness and a sense of brotherhood and ethics. He urged students to use reason and investigation ,combined with warm-heartedness and compassion, to sisterhood”.

His Holiness then discussed the role that traditional make this transformation. His Holiness went on to discuss Indian education might play in reforming modern the potential for universities to open people’s minds by education. He said that he has made a commitment to combining Indian and Western approaches. “Through our reviving ancient Indian traditions such as ahimsa, karuna, effort, mainly through education…the later part of the 21st and shamata, and blending them with modern, Western century can be more peaceful,” he said.

Following his address, Chandigarh University systems. “In this century India can make significant contributions regarding inner peace, not as a religious presented His Holiness with the Global Leadership Award.

Thousands Gather in Dharamshala to Listen to His Holiness

by Tenzin Dadon His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a three-day teaching on Nagarjuna’s The Precious Garland of the Middle Way (a commentary written by Nagarjuna belonging to his Collection of Advice which offers advice on how to conduct our lives and how to construct social policies that reflect Buddhist ideals) from October 3 at Tsuglakhang - the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala.

His Holiness introduced the text, explaining the system of instruction on the workings of mind and emotion in the Nalanda tradition and how the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy remains crucially relevant to modern humanity. He emphasised the importance of education in creating happiness and human welfare. Speaking in the same vein as he continued, he looked at the significance of including secular ethics in the school curriculum. This, he said, would foster critical thinking and an inquiring mind in order to empower the young generation

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 6

in tackling negative emotions, while at the same time grasping the potential of human intelligence and compassion.

The teaching was organised by the International Association of Tibetan Buddhist Dharma, Taiwan. Around 7,500 followers and devotees from 61 different countries attended the teaching. There was live translation available in Chinese, English, Hindi, German, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish, French, Mongolian and Russian.

Throughout the three-day teaching His Holiness repeatedly stressed the importance of compassion which, he said, is a prerequisite in the modern world as all humans are social animals and are dependent on one another from birth to death. Humans are by nature compassionate and given the fact that all sentient beings desire happiness and not suffering, everyone should work for the happiness of others in order to be truly happy themselves. On the final day of the teaching he gave the Mahamayuri initiation.

News Features Gold Mining’s Legacy in Tibet

by Rebecca Wemyss Gold mining in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) is causing “irreversible environmental damage and poisoning of drinking water sources with cyanide, arsenic, mercury and lead”, according to a new report by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) published on October 4.

The report, quoting the Chinese state media Beijing News, says than an inspection conducted by the Chinese Central Government between July 17 – 28 this year has found that a number of gold mining companies, including state-owned Gansu Maqu Gold Industry Co Ltd and Xiahe County Binghua Mining Co Ltd, have not been following the procedures stipulated by the environmental authorities.

Inspections began in 2016, following which stricter environmental protection policies were introduced.

October 2017 saw Chinese President Xi Jinping promising improved ecological protection at the Communist Party Congress; China Daily quoted President Xi Jinping directly as saying that we must “cherish the environment as we cherish our own lives”, He also talked about conserving our natural resources, including rivers. However, the report this year states that since then, slow progress has been made on renovation and restoration work, which is increasing the risk to the environment. Additionally,

it stated that the recommendations made following the 2016 round of inspections have not been followed; these recommendations included suggestions for the proper storage of waste materials. The TCHRD report quotes the Beijing News as saying that the latest inspection found numerous violations, including the improper storage of waste materials and incorrect disposal of waste water containing poisons such as cyanide, arsenic and mercury.

As a result, sources of drinking water in Machu and Sangchu counties have become seriously polluted.

The most recent inspection of Gansu Maqu Gold Industry Company, which is the largest state-owned gold mining company in Machu county, found that waste materials were not being properly disposed of and more than 1,000 cubic metres of toxic water was flowing into the Gurchu river daily. The Gurchu river is a tributary of the Machu (Yellow River); it is the second longest river in China and the sixth longest river in the world with 140 million people downstream in neighbouring countries depending on it for their drinking water and irrigation.

Furthermore, inspections of the Jiagantan Gold Mine, which is owned by Xiahe Couny Binghua Mining Co Ltd, revealed that cyanide waste, which is identified as hazardous waste, was being disposed of as solid waste and therefore causing serious damage to the environment.

Looking Forward to Positive Change

by Tenzin Dadon about change quickly requires a revolution.

A group of 26 youth leaders from countries across Africa, His Holiness continued, saying that despite significant the Middle East and Asia participated in the Fourth Annual material and technological development many of the Dialogue of Youth Peace Leaders with His Holiness the problems we face today are of our own making and arise Dalai Lama. The two-day conference kicked off on from seeing other people in terms of “us and them”. He October 23 and was led by Nancy Lindborg, President of said that young people can contribute to peaceful change the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). by working honestly and truthfully, for which they need a The Dialogue focused on topics which included persistent determination and a belief in truth as the power building bridges in a divided of truth goes on and on. community, inclusive peace He concluded, “The past in a divided society and peace is beyond our control, but the education and resilience after future is still in our hands. To displacement. His Holiness shape it we should use our emphasised the importance intelligence and make efforts of education, saying that it now. Although our present should include cultivating a situation may not be happy, we sense of emotional hygiene in can change it. There is no use in the same way that we observe Nancy Lindborg, President of USIP, with His Holiness during the becoming demoralised. In the our physical hygiene. When dialogue past, small communities could Photo: OHHDL asked about village people’s remain isolated and inward opposition to education, especially for girls and to how to looking, but today technology has given us one human counter such obstructive attitudes he advised to work at it community in which we can work together. I look forward gradually and persistently, and saying that trying to bring to positive change.”

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 7

News Features China’s Relentless “Onward March”

by Rupert Eyles “No force can stop China’s onward march” was the message from Chinese President Xi Jinping during the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October 1. Celebrations in China centred around a military parade in Beijing which, according to the Ministry of National Defence, featured approximately 15,000 military personnel, 580 pieces of military equipment and 160 aircraft, along with several new military technologies unveiled for the first time.

The PRC was founded in 1949 following the victory of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over nationalist forces in the Chinese Civil War, and since then it has ruled the country uninterrupted. The year after its victory CCP forces invaded Tibet, and, separately, sided with North Korea in the Korean War. The CCP issued an extensive White Paper, China and the World in the New Era, to mark the occasion. The Paper states that China has not invaded a “single square of foreign land” in the past 70 years, nor provoked “a single war”. In fact, East Turkestan (Xinjiang), Inner Mongolia and Tibet are all under occupation and the CCP has launched three further conflicts in Korea, India, and Vietnam since its inception.

In Tibet, a series of staged celebrations took place, with locals requested to show their love for the CCP and express their gratitude to the Party for having brought development and prosperity to the region. In Lhasa, 4,000 government officials, monks and other locals carried flags and ceremonial white scarves and sung the national anthem, all the while under intense security. Other events took place outside the capital, including at the Galden Jampaling Monastery in Chamdo City where monks hoisted the Chinese flag and hung a banner across the main entrance displaying the slogan “may the great Communist Party last thousands of years”. Local sources are reported as saying that foreign tourists and other visitors were requested to leave Tibet in the lead-up to the anniversary.

In Hong Kong, amidst the ongoing unrest against the CCP, official celebrations were more scaled back and largely limited to a flag-raising ceremony closed to the public.

The four months of protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a proposed extradition bill but have since evolved into thousands of people voicing support for democracy and distrust of the government in Beijing. Many are looking on with fear to 2047, when Hong Kong is set to become a fully-fledged region within China and will lose the autonomy it has currently.

Referring to the anniversary as a “Day of Grief”, Hong Kong protesters demonstrated in defiance of a protest

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 8

ban in place at the time, during which one activist, a high school student, was shot in the chest by police prompting widespread condemnation in the global media. This was the first time during all the recent protests that a live round was fired at a protester, until this moment police relied on tear gas and rubber bullets, and the occasional warning shots fired into the air to quell the unrest. More than 180 people were arrested following clashes with police, according to local media.

For many Tibetans in exile, the CCP’s anniversary served as a telling reminder of the atrocities perpetrated since its occupation of Tibet. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) pointed to the more than 150 Tibetans who, since 2009, have resorted to self-immolation in protest against Chinese rule, but also reiterated that “the past 60 years of Chinese occupation of Tibet is […] a story of 60 years of Tibetan people’s peaceful resistance.” According to the CTA, over 1.2 million Tibetans have died and thousands of others have been imprisoned under China’s occupation.

In Delhi, 44 activists from the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) were detained after storming the Chinese Embassy to demand an end to China’s occupation of Tibet. The TYC stated in a press release that “until Tibetans, Uighurs, Southern Mongolians, Hong Kongers and Taiwanese people’s voices are respected…China’s celebration will only be in vain.”

The Uighurs are one of several persecuted Muslim groups in East Turkestan, the Xinjiang region in northwestern China. Southern Mongolia is a territory annexed by the PRC in 1949, which has also suffered waves of ethnic cleansing and forced assimilation. Taiwan, long seen by Beijing as a rebel province, has struggled to secure official recognition as a separate country from China since 1949, when nationalist forces fled mainland China following their defeat in the civil war. And Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 after being handed back from the UK, but retains a high degree of autonomy from the PRC. In Queensland, Australia, a group comprising Tibetans, Uighurs, Hong Kongers and others joined together to protest against the CCP and called on Australia to support their nations’ struggles. Speaking to the group, President of the Queensland Tibetan Community Doring Tenzin Phuntsok said, “We are fighting against a common enemy that has might on its side…but it has not been able to crush our spirit which is as strong as CCP’s military might.”

According to news.com.au, thousands of people gathered in the Belgian and European Union capital Brussels and other cities around the world on the day of the anniversary to protest against the deteriorating human rights under Beijing’s watch.

News Features “The Reincarnation Tradition Should End Now”?

by Hugh M Casey His Holiness the Dalai Lama has proposed that the tradition of reincarnation should now come to an end due to its “connection with the feudal system”. In conversation with a group of students at the Government College, Dharamsala, His Holines the Dalai Lama expressed concerns about the tradition of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, which has existed since the fifteenth century.

Addressing a question about maintaining traditional values in modern times, His Holiness said, “Any culture needs to evolve over a period of time. Like, the Buddhist community in India has no tradition of reincarnation or lama institution. It developed in Tibet. I think there is some feudal connection to it and needs to change now,” as quoted in timesofindia.com, October 26 .

Continuing, His Holiness added: “Institutions need to be owned by the people, not by an individual, like my own institution, the Dalai Lama’s office, I feel it is liked to feudal system. In 1969, in one of my official statements I had mentioned that it should continue… But now I feel, not necessarily. It should go, I feel, it should not be concentrated to a few people only.”

“I feel, when the practice of reincarnation began there was wisdom in it. But there are good lamas and bad lamas, those who bring disrepute to the community.

The system should end, or at least change with changing times. There have been cases of individual lamas who use reincarnation [to get their way] but never pay attention to study and wisdom,” he noted. This belief reinforces similar comments he made in 2014, where he concluded that it would be “much better that a centuries-old tradition should cease at the time of a quite popular Dalai Lama”.

These comments add further uncertainty to the continuation of the Dalai Lama’s office. His Holiness received criticism in July when he said that he could reincarnate as a woman, but that the woman must be very attractive, “otherwise not much use”, a comment that was widely misinterpreted due to cultural misunderstanding regarding context and the meaning of individual words.

The institution of the Dalai Lama was established when Gedun Gyatso was recognised as the reincarnation of “the omniscient” Gedun Drub in the fifteenth century. The title of Dalai Lama was later given to the third reincarnation, Sonam Gyatso. In 1642 the Gaden Phodrang Government was founded by the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, which established him as the spiritual and political head of Tibet.

An uninterrupted series of reincarnations is recognised

in the lineage of the Dalai Lama. However, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama relinquished his position of political authority from the Central Tibetan Administration in 2011, which was devolved to an elected position currently held

by Sikyong Lobsang Sangay. The Dalai Lama wrote that this was done in the pursuit of “the kind of democratic system of government flourishing elsewhere in the world”.

Another aspect of sensitivity surrounding the issue is that the Chinese government relentlessly advocates for its right to decide who the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama will be. Early this year, China reaffirmed its’ intention to choose a 15th Dalai Lama, insisting that the selection process adhere to its own laws and regulations, sparking worldwide concerns at the prospect.

Whilst the mainstream Tibetan belief is that reincarnation is a religious matter, China has contested that it has sovereign rights over the issue. Zhu Weiqun, chairman of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs committee of the top advisory body to China’s parliament, wrote in the state-run Global Times that the reincarnation issue “has never been purely a religious matter or to do with the Dalai Lama’s individual rights; it is first and foremost an important political matter in Tibet and an important manifestation of the Chinese central government’s sovereignty over Tibet”.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has warned that any appointment made by China will not be trusted, as is the case with Chokyi Gyalpo, who was controversially installed by China as the 11th Panchen Lama following their abduction in 1995 of Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the six-year-old boy recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama.

It is reported that China’s claim to the right to control the reincarnations of Buddhist leaders has been rejected by the United States Congress and that the United States’ policy is that they will follow the Dalai Lama’s guidance on the matter.

Furthermore, the Dalai Lama has stated that his reincarnation must be born outside Tibet and China, otherwise the reincarnation would not have the freedom to continue his work.

Ultimately, the His Holiness the Dalai Lama has long said that he will follow the wishes of his people “[after consultations] with the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not,” and make a decision around his ninetieth birthday.

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News Features Tibet Film Festival

by Rupert Eyles The Tibet Film Festival took place on October 12 - 13 at the Blossoms Village Resort in Dharamshala, in tandem with a partner event in Zurich, Switzerland. This unique, volunteerrun, festival started 10 years ago in large part to protest against the imprisonment by the Chinese government of Tibetan film-maker Dhondup Wangchen. It has grown yearon-year to become a pillar of Tibet’s artistic and cultural community, showcasing recent films made by Tibetans in both Tibet and in exile.

Contact attended the festival, seeing two films. The beautifully-shot feature Red Mask (2019), created by local filmmaker Kalsang Rinchen and featuring the Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts (TIPA) student Baby Karma, told a moving story of hope and perseverance. A young boy sets his sights on becoming the next Tibetan classical

opera star, neglecting his formal studies and creating a rift between himself and his mother. Sent to a local monastery, he eventually gains respect and recognition from his head monk who allows him to follow his dream.

The highly powerful documentary Rituals of Resistance (2018) from filmmakers Tenzin Phuntsog and Joy Dietrich took over five years to put together and centered on generational responses to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. It folows the lives of three Tibetans living in exile to explore different forms of resistance from early armed conflict to self-immolations and the viewer is left wondering what the future holds and how future generations will choose to respond to the occupation.

The Festival’s winning film was Tenzin Namdol’s short film Actor Tenzin, winning both the jury award and the audience poll with prizes of US$1,000 (£790) and US$300 (£240) respectively.

Third Special General Meeting

by Tenzin Dadon The third General Meeting convened by the Kashag [Cabinet] and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) began on October 3 at Gangchen Kyishong, the base of the headquarters of the Tibetan Government-in-exile. The threeday meeting focused on two themes: the Five Fifty Vision and the relationship between the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people. Around 340 Tibetan community leaders and representatives from 24 different countries participated in the meeting, including India, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Nepal and Bhutan.

The opening ceremony was attended by the heads of the three pillars of the democratic Tibetan administrationin-exile, the former Prime Minister, former Ministers, Ministers, Secretaries, and additional Secretaries of various departments and members of the TPiE.

The CTA agreed a statement to reject China’s interference in Tibetan reincarnation; Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the CTA, accused China of “brazenly meddling with the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” by their implemention of Order No 5, which states that reincarnation of tulkus and lamas must be approved by the Chinese government for them to retain a legal and valid position.

The meeting concluded with Tibetan representatives from across the world unanimously declaring the earnest prayers of the six million Tibetans for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to reincarnate according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, and outright rejection of China’s interference in the institution of Tibetan reincarnation. The day after the meeting His Holiness granted a special audience to the meeting delegates, along with CTA staff members, at Tsuglakhang – the main temple in Dharamshala.

TIPA Welcomes His Holiness for 60th Anniversary Celebration

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was welcomed to TIPA on October 29 for their 60th anniversary celebration with performances of dance and song.

TIPA artists performed a special song of thanksgiving for His Holiness, with the message, “Although we can’t repay your kindness to us, we promise to do our best to fulfil your vision”.

In his address, His Holiness recalled how Tibet’s King King Songtsen Gampo initiated the set up of the Tibetan script and King Trisong Detsen welcomed scholars from India to establish Buddhism in Tibet; this enabled the successful translation of Buddhist literature into Tibetan.

“Buddhism was firmly established on Tibetan soil as a result of the King, Trisong Detsen, the Abbot, Shantarakshita and the Adept, Padmasambhava, working together [...] The Nalanda Tradition was one of the things

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that brought us together and has been preserved until today. Indeed, only Tibetans have maintained a complete presentation of the Buddha’s teachings,” said His Holiness.

He acknowledged the support of the government of India and then President of India Pandit Nehru.

“We have worked hard to preserve our culture and traditions”, said His Holiness, “The Tibetan theatrical arts are a valuable part of our heritage and you have done well here to keep them alive. The younger generations will still be able to take them forward [...]Don’t lose heart, keep your hopes bright. I’ll do my best; I trust you all will too.”

Ngawang Younten, Director of TIPA, said that TIPA came into existence in exile under His Holiness’s direction, and that since its inception, 500 students have graduated from the institute and currently it has 107 members.

News Features India and Nepal Kowtow to China

by Rupert Eyles Security forces in India and Nepal arrested numerous Tibetans in the run up to state visits from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In India, police in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, arrested several groups of Tibetans ahead of an informal summit between the Chinese President and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram, near Chennai.

On October 11, five Tibetans who sought to protest outside the ITC Grand Chola where President Xi Jinping was staying were taken into custody, while a further six Tibetans were detained at Chennai airport.

Earlier in the week, nine Tibetan activists were arrested, including writer Tenzin Tsundue, on suspicion of planning a protest. Local sources said police had detained 42 Tibetans in the lead-up to the summit, but freed the majority after they agreed not to protest during the visit from China’s President.

The prominent Tibet support group The Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India condemned the arrests, referring to them as an “illicit show of power” and a spokesperson for the human rights group People Watch reiterated that those arrested “have not even protested, they just want a silent

protest.”

Following his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, China’s President flew for a state visit to Nepal, the first from a Chinese head of state in 23 years.

Ahead of the Nepal summit, security officials in Kathmandu prevented 33 Tibetan delegates from returning to the country following their meeting with fellow exile groups in Dharamshala, India. One delegate told the publication RFA that “we are not allowed to go back to Nepal because Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting”. The United States-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) reported that an additional 18 people were arrested in Kathmandu ahead of the Tenzin Tsundue in an old photo Chinese President’s arrival.

Nepal-based Khabarhub reports that China was trying to induce Nepal to sign an extradition treaty during Chinese President Jinping’s visit. The report said that there are fears that China’s aim is to extradite Tibetans involved in “antiChina” activities in Nepal. However, The Economic Times reports that Nepal government has shelved the extradition treaty.

Sikyong Visits Prague and Belguim

by Tenzin Dadon Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (CTA), visited Prague to attend the 23rd Forum 2000 – the Forum 2000 Foundation pursues the legacy of late Czech President Va’clav Havel by supporting the values of democracy and respect for human rights.

Sikyong spoke at the opening ceremony at the Zofin Palace Forum Hallon October 13, his talk was entitled Resp onsibility as the Ultimate Measure of Human Action. He was hosted by Mr Jiří Oberfalzer, Vice-President of the Senate of the Czech Republic.

The panel discussed Vaclav Havel’s notion of human responsibility and its relativity to today’s world where democracies and the spirit of freedom are put to the test.

Vesna Pusic, Former Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Haykuhi Harutyunyan, President of Protection of Rights without Borders, and Adam Michnik, Editor-in-Chief of the Gazeta Wyborcza joined President Sangay in the panel discussion. During the discussions that followed a broad range of issues was raised, including the Tibetans’ longstanding demand for genuine autonomy within the scope of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and their consistent efforts for dialogue based on the Middle Way

Approach – the official policy of the CTA which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet under Chinese sovereignty.

The Senate, Vice President and Representatives at the Forum collectively called on the PRC to respect the Tibetan Government-in-Exile’s commitments. Towards the close of the meeting, Sikyong invited the Czech VicePresident and other Senate representatives to visit the seat of the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamshala, India; his invitation was warmly received.

On October 17, Sikyong arrived in Brussels, Belgium.

He and Representative Tashi Phuntsok, along with European Union Advocacy Officer Rigzin Choedon, met the Representative of the President of European Parliament David Sassoli, and three other Members of the European Parliament Petra De Sutter, Dinesh Dhamija and Tomas Zdechovsky.

Sikyong also met Senator Sabine de Bethune and Els Van Hoof at the Belgian Senate. During these meetings he briefed them on the critical situation in Tibet and on China’s attempts to interfere in the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He urged the European Union to endorse the Middle Way Approach and to urge China to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue. The parliamentarians and senators all expressed solidarity and assured Sikyong of their support.

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Tibetan Headlines Oct 31: Missing in Tibet Thubten Pema Lhundrub, a recent graduate who was detained by Chinese police in May after praying to the Dalai Lama, has not been heard of since his detention and his family are now appealing for help in calling attention to his case. Radio Free Asia quotes a local source as saying that Lhundrub’s parents “are worried that something may have happened to him [...] they are beginning to doubt that he is still alive”.

Oct 25: Reaching Out to Youth Sonam Frasi, Representative of HH the Dalai Lama at the Office of Tibet, London, participated in the One Young World Summit in London. The summit brings together the “brightest young talent from every country and sector”.

Mr Frasi called on the young delegates, as future leaders of the world, to practise love, tolerance and compassion in their daily pursuit of their goals to bring about positive change in the world.

Oct 28: Swiss Concerns Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, speaking to China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi at their bilateral strategic dialogue, expressed Swiss concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet and East Turkestan [Xinjiang] and also mentioned the Hong Kong protests. Their discussions focussed on economic ties China is one of Switzerland’s major trading partners, but Mr Cassis raised concerns about “conditions for minorities, particularly in Tibet and Xinjiang Province”.

Oct 24: Proving Ownership of Tibet China has published a 12-volume compilation of “selected” materials dating from the Yuan Dynasty (12711368) to prove that Tibet was historically a part of China. Chinese state media Xinhua News reports that the Selected Archives, published in Tibetan, Mongolian and Manchu, is the first systematically recorded compilation of photocopies of thousands of important documents which catalogue the history of Tibet and other ethnic groups.

Oct 26: Geshe Jampel Lobshe Geshe Jampel Lobshe, 53, a senior religious leader living and teaching in Tibet and described as “a very courageous and bold spiritual leader”, has died. He had been discharged from hospital in Chengdu and sent home to die from an unspecified illness. His body is at Sershul monastery in Kardze; thousands of people have gathered for mass prayer services, so far there are no reports of Chinese interference.

Oct 26: Donation for TIPA The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) has received a donation of INR 21,76,210 (US$ 31,000 / £24,000) from ex-TIPA members now living in Switzerland. The group had a fundraising drive in honour of the 60th anniversary of the founding of TIPA, celebrated at the end of the month.

Oct 26: Award for Padma Padma Jewels from Dekyiling Tibetan settlement, Dehradun is the winner of the YETI Grand Challenge 2019 of Rs 1 Crore (US$143,000 / £110,000).

The Youth Employment for Tibetans Initiative (YETI) is an initiative aimed at creating employment for young Tibetans living in India.

Padma Jewels is a leading supplier of handmade beads and ethically manufactured high-end lampwork glass jewellery and handicraft items, employing 32 people.

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Oct 24: TCV Founding Anniversary Tibetan Children’s Village school –­ the oldest Tibetan school in exile, has celebrated the 59th anniversary of its founding, dedicating the year to the good health and long life of HH the Dalai Lama. The students displayed calisthenics portraying the message, “Long Live His Holiness”. Chief guest was His Eminence the 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche, spiritual leader of the Bon tradition; Sikyong Lobsang Sangay was a special guest.

Oct 23: Support for Flood Victims The Central Tibetan Administration has donated 5 Lakh (US$7,000 / £5,500) to support Tibetans living in Karnataka state who were affected by the severe flooding experienced there and which caused devastation and loss of livelihood, as well as leaving many people dead or displaced. In addition, many people working for the Tibetan exile administration have contributed a day’s salary to the fund.

Oct 17: Award for His Holiness?

Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, the former Tourism Minister for Himachal Pradesh, has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to confer this year’s Mahatma Gandhi International Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, saying that it is befitting as this year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The prize is awarded annually as a tribute to the ideals espoused by the Mahatma.

Tibetan Headlines Oct 16: Court Ruling Penpa Tsering’s court case, known as Case no 20, has reached a verdict in Penpa Tsering’s favour. Penpa filed the case in May this year following the termination of his contract in the United Stsates as Representative of the Office of Tibet, Washington DC. Chief Justice Commissioner Kargyu Dhondup ruled in his favour, acquitting him of the charges and awarding him compensation of INR 98,700 (US$1,400 / £1,000) to cover his lawyer’s fees.

Oct 16: Sworn In Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo has been sworn in as Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission. His successor, Mr Kargyu Dhondup, who has retired, administered the oath of office to the new Chief Justice Commissioner. Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo has given 37 years of service to the exile Tibetan community in various roles and positions.

Oct 14: “Appalling” Behaviour In America, Chinese students interrupted a talk on Tibet by Representative Ngodup Tsering, Office of Tibet, Washington DC, and Chinese Liaison Officer, Tsultrim Gyatso, at the University of Rochester’s College Republican organisation. Separately, a prominent lama was heckled at an event at the same University. Bobby Walker, Chairman of the New York Federation of College Republicans, has called for an investigation, saying that the Chinese students’ action was “appalling”.

Oct 11: School Celebration The Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen (Model) School has celebrated 14 years since it started educating Tibetan children; its teaching policy is based on the Tibetan Basic Education Policy with its holistic approach to learning stemming from the teachings of HH the Dalai Lama on the Tibetan language, traditional wisdom, culture and Buddhist tradition. The school was set up in 2005 under the Central Tibetan Administration.

Oct 10: Body, Mind, Life The tenth Body Mind and Life Conference is underway at Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamshala. The three day conference, organised by the Department of Body, Mind, and Life, will focus this year on mental health care for the elderly in recognition of the older generation’s tireless work “to provide a meaningful life for their children” despite the issues they have faced throughout their lives.

Oct 8: New Election Commissioner Wangdu Tsering Pesur has been sworn in as the new Chief

Election Commissioner and Chairman of Public Service Commission. He was formerly the Secretary of the Department of Home. He has served in the Central Tibetan Administration for 34 years, starting in the Department of Finance in July 1984.

Oct 8: Farmers’ App Launched Padma App, an app for Tibetan farmers, has been launched by the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Home.

The app will enable farmers to have access to expert advice on farming issues including crop care, agronomy and problem solving as well as information on the latest government schemes, notifications, and surveys. It is funded by USAID. Oct 5: Monk Detained Sonam Palden, 22, a Tibetan monk from Kirti Monastery in Ngaba, was detained on September 19 after posting comments critical of Chinese rule on WeChat.

Since then here has been no news of his whereabouts, or of whether he has been charged. His friend said Sonam’s posts expressed his concerns over Beijing’s policies, saying they are causing the eradication of the Tibetan language.

Oct 4: Visit Possible?

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is quoted in Livemint, the Indian financial online newspaper, as saying that he could “visit China in a year or two” and continues, “I am always telling Tibetans, it is much better to keep Chinese as our brothers and sisters than consider Chinese as our enemy [...] things are changing [...] I think within one year or two years, there is possibility [of] my visit to China.”

Oct 2: Demolitions Ongoing The British Tibet support group Free Tibet has released satellite images of Yarchen Gar Monastery in eastern Tibet, showing the large-scale demolitions which have levelled almost half the site. Yarchen Gar is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist sites in the world; the Chinese authorities are evicting resident nuns and monks and deploying military security. It is understood that the site will be turned into a tourist attraction.

Oct 1: “Free Tibet!”

French football fans showed their protest against the rescheduling of a game to a time that would be convenient for viewers in China to watch live - a time not convenient for French fans. To annoy China, individual fans in the stands displayed colours which, when choreographed, showed the Tibetan flag, as well as displaying “Free Tibet”, Their protest is widely covered in the international press.

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International Headlines Oct 31: No Political Ads Twitter is banning all political advertising worldwide. Jack Dorsey, the company’s Chief Executive Officer tweeted that the power of internet advertising “brings significant risks to politics” and that political messages “should be earned, not bought”. The ban is seen as putting pressure on their social media rival Facebook to follow suit: Facebook recently ruled out a ban on political ads.

Oct 28: IS Leader Dead Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the fugitive leader of the Islamic State (IS) group, has killed himself during a United States military operation in Syria, according to US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump announced that Baghdadi detonated his suicide vest when cornered during the operation. Baghdadi’s death is being reported as a “major victory” for Mr Trump who faces heavy criticism for pulling US troops out of Syria.

Oct 25: Award for Ilham Tohti Ilham Tohti, 49, has won the European Parliament’s top human rights Sakharov Prize for free speech. Mr Tohti is a Uighur, one of the ethnic Muslim minority people living under oppressive Chinese rule in East Turkestan, or Xinjiang, in north western China. He has never called for independence, but has advocated for “fostering dialogue” to resolve the situation in Xinjiang, for which he has been jailed for life.

Oct 24: Access Denied China is blocking internet access to nearly a quarter of the websites of the 215 international news organisations that have journalists based in China, reports the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China (FCCC). Blocked sites include the BBC, Bloomberg, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.

Oct 21: Support from US Three separate bills have been passed by the United States House

of Representatives, all supporting the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. One bill condemns Beijing’s intrusions into Hong Kong’s affairs; another calls for annual reviews of Hong Kong’s economic and trade status; the third halts the sale of riot control gear used on the Hong Kong protestors. China has condemned the bills as “gross interference”.

Oct 18: On Trial Bruno Dey, 93, is on trial in Germany for his role in the mass murders that took place during the Second World War in the Stutthof Camp (located in what is now northern Poland). He is accused of being complicit in the killing of 5,230 prisoners. He admits serving there, having knowledge of the atrocities and has voiced regret, but not admitted to any part in the murders.

Oct 17: Hong Kong Attack Jimmy Sham, of the Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) and a leader of the ongoing pro-democracy protests is in hospital following an attack – photographs of him lying in the street, covered with blood, have been circulating on social media. He was attacked by a group of men wielding hammers.

Oct 16: Freed!

67 people aged between seven and 40 have been freed by Nigerian police who found them shackled in an Islamic boarding school, or Almajiri, which are common in north Nigeria. Last month another 300 people, all male students, were freed from a different school.

Police said they had been subjected to “inhuman and degrading treatments”.

Three arrests have been made.

Oct 15: Exposed!

The British BBC has published a report which claims that China’s Study the Great Nation news and information app gives the Chinese Communist Party access to extensive data on more than 100 million citizens. Security firm Cure 53 says the app “gives the government ‘super-user access’”, collecting data

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on its users, a claim denied by China.

The app is widely promoted for use by citizens and is mandatory for government officials.

Oct 11: Basketball Spat Daryl Morey, General Manager of American Basketball team Houston Rockets, has sparked a row with China by tweeting “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong”. The league has invested millions in China which provides 10% of the league’s current revenue, and this is expected to double in the coming years.

The Chinese Basketball Association said it would suspend all cooperation with the team and streaming of matches.

Oct 7: UN Peacekeeper Killed A United Nations Peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded when their car was hit by an explosive device in northern Mali in West Africa, reports the Hindu. UN peacekeeping and French forces are stationed in Mali to combat jihadist groups seen as threatening security across Africa’s Sahel region said the report. The region has been in conflict since 2012 when Islamists hijacked an ethnic uprising.

Oct 8: Hundreds Arrested Worldwide Extinction Rebellion protests have taken place across the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Austria, France and New Zealand, with further protests planned over the next two weeks.

Hundreds of people were arrested.

Extinction Rebellion are demanding that governments take immediate and drastic action to address climate change.

Oct 4: Theft of Remains Some of Mahatma Gandhi’s remains have been stolen from a memorial in central India where they had been kept since he was assassinated in 1948 by a Hindu extremist, and “traitor” scrawled in green paint across his photographs.

Gandhi, a devout Hindu who would have been 150 years old today, was a revered independence leader but viewed by some as a traitor because of his advocacy of Hindu-Muslim unity.

People Story Does a passionate educator have to come from a happy schooling background?

by Lodoe Gyatso As I sit opposite Nyima, Special Education Consultant at the Tibetan Ability Centre (TAC), it strikes me that the answer is a resounding no.

Nyima was born in the Amdo Ngawa region of Tibet to a nomadic family, one of nine siblings. He herded yaks in the spring and summer: in the autumn and winter he went to school, but this was not a positive experience. On occasion his parents faced difficulties in paying school fees, and to his mortification, his class teacher read his name out in front of all his classmates.

His uncle arrived from India, speaking enthusiastically about all the opportunities to be had there. Nyima’s parents decided to send Nyima to India with his uncle.

The trip to Lhasa was uneventful, but from there they had to resort to subterfuge, as Nyima did not have the required documents. He was put into a box in the back of the car and told not to respond even if the box were moved or kicked. Every detail was thought through, such as the timing of their arrival at the Dam outpost at the time that the Chinese guards were at their least alert.

From there the party set out on foot for the seven day trek to Nepal. Almost immediately they lost one guide. This became problematic for several reasons, not least because he was responsible for their food.

The party divided into two and Nyima was in the first party which reached Nepal without incident. Unfortunately the Chinese caught the second party. This caused Nyima and his uncle much grief as they lost a close relative.

In India, he was sent to the Tibetan Children’s Village school at Gopalpur. Here again school started unhappily as his schoolmates laughed at his Amdo dialect. He soon learned to speak the Central dialect and worked hard in school. He was at a disadvantage, however, as he wrote more slowly than his peers, and so he was regarded as being less capable.

2008 was a watershed year for him. He started questioning himself, “Who am I? Where am I from? Why am I in exile?” He did not get final answers, but he was

certain that the Tibetan language was the only tool to define him. He took part in founding the Tibetan Language Preservation Club at his school campus. With the support of students and teachers he and his team invited many intellectual figures from outside to the school. He was an energetic organiser, and so he grew in the understanding that (in his words): “I can do something for Tibet.”

His teachers were concerned about his academic progress, and advised him to spend more time on his studies, but he only became even more determined. It turned out that his involvement in the club did not harm his school marks because in 2015 he graduated second in his school.

Nyima was inspired by his experiences as a struggling learner to Google the term “Learning Disabilities.” His research into the subject motivated him to apply for a scholarship at Amity University. He graduated from there with a degree specialising in Special Education and went to work for the Tibetan Ability Centre in Dharamshala.

He has been there for almost a year now, and is a champion for the cause of Inclusive Education.

He advises principals, teachers and parents on issues such as how to manage hyperactive and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) children. He plans to further his studies in the field of autism.

A key concern that he has is that the field of Inclusive Education is heavily based on Western practice: it needs to be examined in the context of Tibetan education. He has put much thought into this, and has several theories that he is putting into practice.

For now, Nyima is focused on paying back the investment that the community has made in him by making a contribution to Tibetan society. He has made sacrifices to this end. Still, he believes that from a professional point of view, experience is worth far more than short term financial considerations.

What does the future hold for Nyima? Only time will tell. One thing is certain though: he has much to give to the Tibetan community he loves.

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

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Lha and Community News Learning and Ideas for Tibet: 10th Anniversary A special celebration for the tenth anniversary of LIT (Learning and Ideas for Tibet) was held on October 21. Dawa Phunkyi, Administrator of Delek Hospital thanked the staff of LIT for their work. Kunga Tsering, the Settlement Officer, a guest at the event, noted that by doing volunteer work one is heeding His Holiness Dalai Lama’s request to contribute individually to a better society. Norbu, Director of LIT, reflected on the organisation’s activities and achievements and thanked those who had contributed to the organisation. Special guests included Wilfried Pfeffer, who cut the birthday cake, and Gundhild Franz.

Rogpa Peace Art Workshop This year Rogpa once again held peace art workshops for Tibetan children. Five hundred children from eleven schools participated. On October 12, an exhibition of the resulting art works was held at Rogpa under the title A Piece of Peace. A book highlighting some of the work was presented, it includes precious quotes such as this twelve-year-old’s declaration: “I am a koala because my face looks peaceful when I sleep. I mostly eat veg foods.”

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives Fête On October 26, Welfare Committee of Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) based in Gangchen Kishong, Dharamshala organised a fête at their campus. It was attended by more than 400 people. Different varieties of Tibetan foods were served, including momos (dumplings), shabaklep (meat stuffed fried bread), chowmein (fried dry noodles), sushi and some other delicious chicken dishes. As well as the food, many games were organised to entertain the visitors. The last fête was held three years ago.

Cultural Exchange Groups at Lha October saw visits from three different groups from United States and England under Lha’s Cultural Exchange programme.

The groups became involved in various activities to learn, explore and widen their knowledge on Tibet and its culture while staying with us. We introduced them to guided circumambulations (kora) around Tsuglakhang, the main temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to introduce them to the beliefs and benefits of kora in Tibetan Buddhism.

Experts were invited to give them talks on the human rights situation in Tibet, with question and answer sessions, and lectures by Geshe Lhakdor, former translator to His Holiness the Dalai and Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. All the groups enjoyed an educational tour of the Museum, Men-Tsee-Khang, Delek Hospital, Library and Norbulingka Institute to enrich their knowledge of Tibetan medicine, culture, art and artefacts. One group, led by our founder Neil Guidry, also toured Bir and Tsopema.

A group of nurses and doctors from the United States led by Neil conducted free health checkups and screenings, including eye and dental checkups and gave a talk Everyday Hygiene at Gaden Choeling Nunnery. They visited monasteries in Bir where they conducted health screenings, donated screening machines, including a blood pressure monitor, and trained a number of

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 16

monks to do emergency screenings. Along with a homecare nurse from Tibet Charity, they visited the elderly people’s home to provide services there. The group took part in discussion with Tibetan nurses to enable an exchange of experiences, expertise and knowledge.

A group of 22 students and teachers from Bedales School, England arrived on October 25 and stayed with us for five days, engaging in various activities as part of their cultural immersion programme.

The students volunteered in Lha’s English Conversation class as well as pairing with Lha students on a one-to-one basis for mutual learning; this gives both parties a great opportunity to learn from each other. The group participated in Lha’s Monthly Mass Cleanup which took place on October 26, cleaning areas of the forest along TCV road, Lingkor road and below Tsuglakhang.

These areas were densely covered in trash: glasses, bottles, plastics etc. The group joined our usual volunteers and language students to work on the cleanup. The Bedales School students and teachers received audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on October 29.

In addition to their educational tours and activities, the groups went on outdoor excursions and hiking to ensure their trip was fun and memorable.

Volunteer Story & Lha News 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, Shoshana Zimmerman from the United States shares her story with us.

Volunteer job at Lha: English Conversation Teacher and Contact writer

Learning About Ways to Volunteer

“Where can I volunteer helping Tibetans in some way?” I asked Ugyen Sonam from Himalayan Travels when I first arrived in McLeod Ganj in June, 2018. “Lha has many kinds of programmes for volunteers,” he replied. And since I did not know my way around town and walk with two sticks, he left his office on Bhagsu Rd near the Tibetan Settlement offices and walked with me all the way to Lha. Upstairs at Lha, I learned about the many ways a person can volunteer but was attracted to the English Conversation English class. I feel like a group leader rather than a teacher, and I have enjoyed meeting the monks, nuns and all the other students immensely. It is really difficult to say what I enjoyed most. I have loved the dedication of so many to learn English and, with encouragement, to speak it as well. Learning about the life of Tibetans both here and in Tibet has been a real eye opener. And I have truly encountered the most remarkable courageous people I have ever met.

When I first came to India over 13 years ago many of my friends marveled, saying I had courage to undertake the trip. To me it was a simple thing. It took no courage to get on a plane at home, get off in India and begin to focus more on my spiritual life while also meeting new people. From Indians and Tibetans I learned how to be more open-hearted, kind and compassionate. To me Tibetan refugees have true courage.

Nothing could be more courageous than crossing the Himalayas in the winter at night, with no light, knowing Chinese troops are nearby and will shoot to kill. Many walked for days and weeks without food or water and insufficient clothing. And yet they made it. Now that is courage! And many of these refugees were the people I met in the classes. They have inspired me on a regular basis to become a better person.

This year Contact magazine allowed me to write a variety of articles. I love to write and each month it has been a joy to write on anything they wanted me to write about. But most of all I have enjoyed interviewing and writing about people and their organisations. It helps me discover so much more about the life of Tibetans in McLeod Ganj.

Lha’s Livelihood Programme Massage and Spa course

We have successfully completed three batches of our Massage and Spa course, which is part of the Lha Livelihood Programme. This course trainer was Miss Tashi Lhamo. The Massage and Spa course covers Traditional Tibetan Massage, Thai Massage and an introduction to Swedish Massage. In addition to massage, course participants received training in personality development and financial literacy. The course took place at Ahimsa House.

The third batch started on September 16, with 9 students. We distributed certificates to students on October 25 on their successful completion of one month’s intensive classroom training at the Spalon.

Now they are doing Internships at various massage centres in the town over the next two months.

Cookery course:

Lha’s first batch of 18 Cookery course students were with us from August 1 to October 11. On completion of their course, Lha hosted a farewell event and distributed certificates to the outgoing students. The entire Lha staff then enjoyed a dinner cooked for them by the students. The course is of two and a half month’s duration and took place in the Soup Kitchen at Lha’s Ahimsa House. The students were trained by Mr Lekphel. Under his guidance, they learned various types of cuisine: Oriental; Indian; Japanese/Korean; Italian; Tibetan and Bhutanese.

In addition to learning the preparation of main dishes the students learned how to make Indian sweets and desserts. The students were also given training in personality development and financial literacy.

We are going to start the second batch of cookery course from November 1, they will be with us for two months.

Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust

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

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

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 17

Charities And Organisations Central Tibetan Administration

Tibetan Library (LTWA)

TCHRD

The CTA serves in Dharamshala as the government in exile of Tibet. It is democratic with judiciary, legislative, and executive branches. Within the Executive branch there is the Kashag, consisting of the departments of Religion and Culture, Home, Education, Finance, Security, Information and International Relations and Health, and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Delek Hospital

Lha Charitable Trust

Delek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamshala. It has 45 inpatient beds, holds outpatient hours from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday, and can handle most small procedures.

Patients are responsible for a 10 Rupees registration fee. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.

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

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

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL) is the personal office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The office organises his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.

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

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

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

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

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

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education.

There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamshala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India.

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

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

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

Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society The society was established in 1999 to provide educational and administrative guidance to all Tibetan schools in remote areas of India and Bhutan that do not fall under the guidance of Tibetan Childrens Village. Today there are 65 schools under this organisation after the take over of CTSA Schools.

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

Tong-Len Charitable Trust Tong-Len’s mission is to help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future.

Tong-Len projects include educational and health programmes, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Volunteer opportunities available.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charities And Organisations Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) 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.

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

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

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

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a non-profit, educational organisation dedicated to the non-violent management of conflicts in the Tibetan Community and the world as a whole. They work to promote the approaches and tools of non-violent conflict resolution and democratic processes in the Tibetan community in exile and elsewhere.

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

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

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

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

Location: Village Gamru, P.O Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala, Distt Kangra 176215 Phone: 9816105554 Email: tashu72004@yahoo.com Web: www.gamruschool.com

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

Email: jitenderje@gmail.com Phone: 7831956680 / 08894435595

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.

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

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

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

The Active Nonviolence Education Centre ANEC facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on nonviolent strategies to help resolve disagreements and differences at all levels of human society. ANEC welcomes volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas of regional and global peace and nonviolent strategies.

Location: Tipa Road, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 9882077708 / 9882921477 Email: wangduemiddleway@gmail.com Website: www.anec-india.net

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.

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

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

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

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

UpsideDown Dance Studio UpsideDown Dance Studio is the first and the only dance and fitness studio founded in Dharamshala in 2018 by Tenzin Migmar - a dance enthusaist and the winner of the first Tibet Got Talent. The studio plays the crucial role of making a space for anyone who would like to learn dance or hone their skills. It is also provides zumba classes under its fitness program.

Location: Jogiwara Road, Sudher, near Gu Chu Sum, next to Korean Restaurant Phone: 8219754859 / 8207220070 Email: upsidedown569@gmail.com Facebook: UpsideDownDance Studio

BUS SCHEDULE

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

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

TA X I S A private taxi to Lower Dharamshala will cost you Rs 200. Cram into a jeep (from the bus stand), and it’ll only cost you Rs 20.

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 19

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

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

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

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

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu Massage Location: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road, Phone: 07833047078 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com Men-Tsee-Khang Location: Mcleod Ganj Branch Clinic,

1St Floor, Tipa Road (2 Mins From Main Square) Phone: 98828-60505 Email: therapycenter@men-tsee-khang.org Dorjee Spa Location: Pema Thang Guest House,

WHotel Bhagsu Road Phone:9816393673 9857108408 Whatsapp: 9816393673

Meditation

Languages

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

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translators Programme Location: Rato Chuwar Labrang,

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

Tibetan Language Location: The Tibetan Library

Om Meditation Ashram

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

Cooking Lha Tibetan Cooking Classes - For Groups Location: Lha Soup Kitchen, Temple Rd, Just

Below The Dalai Lama’s Temple Hours: Registration, 9:00-11:00Am Phone: 01892-220992

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

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

Ashoka Guesthouse Hours: 10:00Am-6:00Pm Phone: 07833047078 / 0988230136 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes Location: Bhagsu Rd, Near The Green Shop Hours: 8:00Am-9:00Pm Phone: 981-646-8719 Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional

Tibetan Cooking Classes Location: Lung-Ta Restaurant, Below The Tashi Choeling Monastery On Jogiwara Road Hours:10:00Am - 4:00Pm Phone: 981-616-4540 Email: sangyla_tashi@yahoo.co.in

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

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

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 20

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

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

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

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

Namgyal Monastery Gate, Mcleod Ganj Hours: Tue-Sun: 9:00Am-5:00Pm Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years Of Struggle And Oppression Location: Gu-Chu-Sum Hall, Jogiwara Rd Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00Pm-5:00Pm Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Web: www.tibetanarts.org Location: Tipa Road, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 1892-221478 Email: Tibetanarts2012@Gmail.com Kangra Art Museum Location: Near Bus Stand, Kotwali Bazaar in

Lower Dharamshala Phone: 01892 224214 Hours: Tue-Sun: 10Am-1Pm & 2Pm-5Pm

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum Location: Near CTA, Gangchen Kyishong Phone: 01892-223222 / 223113 Email: Info@Men-Tsee-Khang.org Hours: 9Am-5Pm. Closed On Sun, 2 & 4Th

Sat

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

Activities And Information Health Services Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra Location: Near Hotel Mount View, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj Phone: 09218742046 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com

Tibetan Physiotherapy Clinic

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

Tibetan Delek Hospital

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

Maanav Health Clinic

Location: Main Square Hours: 10:00 -12:30 Pm & 2:00-5:00 Pm Phone: 941-815-5795 Email: maanavcare@yahoo.co.in

Men-Tsee-Khang

Location: Below Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 Phone: 01892-223222 / 223113 Email: info@men-tsee-khang.org

Primary Health Centre

Location: Jogiwara Rd, Main Market Hours: 9:30Am-4Pm, Mon-Sat

Nature Cure Health Club

Location: Jogiwara Rd, Next To Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 Hours: 9:30Am-6:30Pm Phone: 7833047078 / 9882320136 Email: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Smile Dental Clinic & Implant Center

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

News:

Tibet-Related Websites

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

News, information and campaigning:

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

Writings:

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

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

Phone: 222 053,223 381

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

Phone: 221 483 Kangra Airport: 01892-232374 Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892-221034 Tourism Office: 01892-224430 , 223325 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892-265026 Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

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

Phone: 01892-221 924

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 21

Jobs And Advertisements

Job Opportunities The Tibetan Reception Centre, Dharamahala Postion: one vacancy for cleaning person Deadline : November 15, 2019 Email: nelendhasa@gmail.com or nelendhasa@tibet.net Interested applicants should send their application to the address below: Director Office of the Reception Centre PO Khanyara–176218 Dharamsala, District Kangra HP, India Phone number: 7876132609 / 8278768434

Lab Technician Vacancy at Bir and Mainpat BranchHospital The Department of Health, CTA has announced two vacancies for Lab Technicians at Bir and Mainpat branch hospital on a contractual basis. For details of the eligibility and qualifications required, please check Announcements section on the tibet.net website.

Application deadline: November 15, 2019 Applicants can send their documents to the address below: Secretary Department of Health Central Tibetan Administration PO Dharamsala – 176215 District Kangra, HP Email:health_re@tibet.net

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

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

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

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

Phone: 01892-220567 Cell: 9418236603 Jogiwara Rd (Map #9) Email: tseringd@aushimview.com

Nature Cure Health Club

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

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

NEED A DENTIST?

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

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

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

NEPALI KITCHEN MULTICUISINE RESTAURANT Address: Chhaya Niwas Location: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj Indian, Chinese, Continental Mexican, Italian and Israeli Speciality: Nepali Thali, Wood Oven Pizza Fresh Seasonal Juice Contact number : 8628 878 743 / 9405 233 008 (Map # 18)

Contact magazine | October 2019 | Page No 23

Map Of McLeod Ganj

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Lha Headquarters State Bank of India & ATM Smile Dental Clinice & Implant Centre Common Ground Cafe Woeser Bakery Nature Cure Health Club 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Ahimsa House & Lha Soup Kitchen Chonor House

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Tibetan Musuem and Temple Delek Hospital Central Tibetan Administration Tibetan Library Mentsekhang (Tibetan Medical Institute) Gangkyi Taxi Stand Rogpa Baby Centre Nepali Kitchen & Multicuisine Restaurant Carpe Diem Restuarant & Pizzeria Tarot by Meena

LOCATION: Mcloed Ganj, Jogiwara Road, Opposite old Tibetan Reception Centre (down from post office) Open from 7:30 am till 11 :45 pm everyday Contact number: 7018 499 613 / 9958 690 441 Free Home Delivery Available!

(Map # 19)

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Contact Newsletter

Mexican, Italian, Indian, Nepali Thali, Tibetan, Chinese, Continental, Thai Food, and South • TAROT READINGS Indian (No MSG) • WOOD CARVINGS Everything washed with sterilised water Wood-fired pizza over and clay tandoori oven Relaxed atmosphere and Japanese-style seating Live music every Sunday

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

CARPE DIEM Restuarant & Pizzeria

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• MACRAME JEWELRY

LOCATION: Come to Zoha Arts located on Bhagsu Nag Road in Mcleod Ganj.

Passing by Kunga Restuarant, Green Hotel and Thank Paintings next to Tashi Delek Restuarnt. (Map#20)

Timing of Tarot Reading: 1pm - 4 pm Mondays Closed!

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Managing Director Dorji Kyi Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Tenzin Samten Circulation Manager Tsering Wangdue Designed by Karma Ringzin Topgyal Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web:www.lhasocialwork.org

www.contactmagazine.net Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:

editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com