DHARAMSHALA: Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay yesterday visited TCV school at Gopalpur near Dharamsala and encouraged students to put their best efforts in studies to achieve academic excellence.

To awaken enthusiasm and kindle determination in students, Kalon Tripa recounted his own journey from school life to a world’s top university through sheer hard work.

“I went to a school in a very small village in Darjeeling. Notwithstanding poor facilities in the school at that time, through determination and hard work I achieved the opportunity to do my higher studies in law in one of the world’s top university in America,” Kalon Tripa told a packed school auditorium.

Kalon Tripa stressed the need to improve the position of Tibetan students’ performance at India’s national level from the present average of 60/70 percent to 80/90 per cent.

“To achieve this target, you need to be cultivate interest and diligence in your studies,” Kalon Tripa said.

Kalon Tripa also emphasised that education is a quintessential part of innovation and self-reliance, two the three guiding prinpicles of the present Kashag.

Referring to the refugee community in South Africa, Kalon Tripa said lack of interest to become self-reliant stymies progress and attitude of permanent dependence on others may lead to the loss of one’s value of life.  “If you want to make your life meaningful, you have to become self-reliant. This can be realised only if you put your best efforts and hard work in your studies,” he told the students.

Kalon Tripa expressed gratitude to all the former and present staff members, including Kasur Jetsun Pema, for their invaluable contribution to the education of Tibetan children.

TCV Gopalpur has provided education in both traditional Tibetan and modern studies to over 4269 students since its inception in 1997.

It has currently 1264 students and 155 staff members.

View more photos: