BYLAKUPPE:  Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay yesterday inaugurated the launch of Dekyi Khangsar, a 65 apartments residential building located in Bangalore at a brief inaugural ceremony in Bylakuppe. Dekyi Khangsar is an initiative by the Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives in India (FTCI) to provide residential housing to Tibetans who want to settle in Bangalore.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay lauded the efforts of the FTCI to cater to the growing needs of the Tibetan community and wished the project all the success. He also inclined that while development of the Tibetan community is important, it is equally important to abide by the rules and regulation of the host country while conducting any entrepreneurial activity.

Tashi Wangdu, CEO of FTCI, said that the apartment project in Bangalore came to the fore after realizing the urgent need of housing facilities for Tibetans residing in Bangalore. Tibetans settled in Bangalore spend a lot of money renting rooms and apartments for their residential needs. Therefore, FTCI has come up with this project to provide residential facilities to Tibetans working there or those who want to settle there. This initiative is also in tune with the three guiding principles of the 14th Kashag, Unity, Innovation and Self-reliance, he said.

Dekyi Khangsar apartment is located near Bangalore university close to the Mysore-Bangalore highway. Price range for the apartments start from Rs 810,000 onwards. Flats include 1BHK, 2 BHK, 3BHK. Booking for the apartments are slated to start from 1 October till 31 December 2013. Apartments will be allocated to the buyers on 1 March 2014. The apartment building consists of facilities like gym, lift services, car parking, library, prayer and banquet hall, 24 hours security, etc. 

Earlier in the evening, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay spoke to over 1000 Tibetan students from SOS Tibetan Children’s Village, Central School for Tibetans and Cauvery Valley Project school.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay who is also the education Kalon, urged the students to work hard and obtain the prestigious Sikyong scholarship. He said, education is the first priority of the 14th Kashag.

He deplored the use of abusive substances, smoking and indecent behavior in schools. He advised the students that the bad habits that you acquire in schools and colleges may ruin your future prospects in life. What you become in life is in your own hands, so work hard from now, he said.