DHARAMSHALA: The 15th batch of Tibetan students, comprising of 53 youths from settlements across India, is set to leave for a 10-month agriculture training cum work program in Israel. They will be employed in various Israeli farms, where they will be trained about implementation of advanced and sophisticated agricultural practices.
This program is an undertaking by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration in close collaboration with Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) and the Israeli-Tibet Friendship Association.
The first group of 35 students from the current batch has already left for Israel. The remaining 18 students will likely depart for Israel on 23 September due to some minor delay in the visa process.
The students were briefed about guidelines, rules and regulations before their departure to Israel during a three-day orientation program in Delhi Samyeling. The orientation program was conducted by Chhimey Rigzin, Additional Secretary and head of Agriculture division, and Mr. Tenzin Losel, program co-coordinator. The orientation program was facilitated by the Tibetan welfare office and the leader of Samyeling camp association, Delhi.
The agriculture training cum work program was initiated to promote comprehensive agricultural practices in exile Tibetan communities. The first batch of agricultural trainees, comprising of 15 Tibetan youths, were sent to Israel in 1998. Since then, more than 659 Tibetans have enrolled and benefited through this program.
