25 January 2014
TAWANG: Arunachal Pradesh Minister Pema Khandu welcomed Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay as state guest on his first visit to Tibetan settlements in Arunachal Pradesh. Sikyong began his visit yesterday by offering prayers at the Sixth Dalai Lama’s monastery and Buddhist learning centres and meeting local Tibetans and Monpas in the holy land of Tawang.
On his arrival at Tawang by helicopter from Guwahati, the Sikyong received warm reception from Tourism Department and Rural Work Department Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr Pema Khandu, Tibetan Settlement Officer, Mr Yangdup and other senior religious and districts administrative officials. Hundreds of Tibetans and local public offered traditional scarves to Sikyong.
From the helipad, Sikyong went on a pilgrimage to three monasteries – Jamyang Choekyiling, Ugyeling, where the sixth Dalai Lama was born, and the main Tawang monastery.
Later in the evening, Sikyong addressed around 150 Tibetans residing in Tawang. Sikyong told the Tibetans that the Kashag attaches utmost importance to improve the education of Tibetans. He advised the children to do their best to excel in their studies and urged their parents to support in their endeavour. He underlined the need to maintain and strengthen historical and cultural ties enjoyed by Tibetans and Monpas. He also advised the Tibetans to keep themselves of informed of issues facing Tibet and workings of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala. Sikyong also listen to grievances from the Tibetans.
Minister Pema Khandu hosted a dinner reception with a cultural show in honour of Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay at the circuit house. Sikyong expressed appreciation of the hospitality offered by Minister Pema Khandu and the state government during the visit. The minister presented a souvenir including a Monpa jacket. Sikyong also presented book on Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest temple, and a coffee table book on collection of letters from the world leaders to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Sikyong, accompanied by Minister Pema Khandu, Additional Secretary Dhondup Dorjee and Tsering Topgyal with Tibetan Settlement Officer, is scheduled to visit Derang and Bomdila tomorrow.
