DHARAMSHALA: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay was on a two-day visit to Dhondeling Tibetan settlement in Kollegal, Karnataka State from 8-9 July.

On the first day of his visit, Sikyong addressed the students of the CST school and reaffirmed the 14th Kashag’s commitment towards prioritisation of education. He said that he has reformed the Scholarship programme to fulfill the needs of children aspiring to pursue further studies and urged them to excel in education.

Sikyong paid a visit to the settlement’s old age home on the second day of his visit. He interacted with them and discussed how to resolve their grievances.

He also visited the local monasteries and members of the community particularly an injured victim of elephant rampage in the settlement during his visit.  He expressed his solidarity with the victim and his family members and explored ways to curb animal violence in Tibetan camps.

Sikyong also addressed the local Tibetan public of the settlement on 8 July. In his address, he highlighted the significant contribution and hard work of the elder generation of Tibetans for the sustenance of the Tibetan settlements and for the continuity of the Tibetan struggle.

“We should inculcate and keep alive our traditional values based on honesty, resilience for which Tibetans are known,” he said. Sikyong also recalled that he had an emotional feeling on reaching Arunachal Pradesh, especially on landing in Tawang, where he saw the passage taken by His Holiness on his way to exile in 1959.

He said that as an elected leader he has a duty to visit the settlements and know the conditions and problems of the general populace. “I have visited almost all the settlements, schools and monasteries since I took over the post of Kalon Tripa,” he said.

Sikyong also talked about the Middle Way Approach of the Central Tibetan Administration to resolve the issue of Tibet. “Historically, Tibet is a sovereign nation. However, looking at the reality and the changing world situation, Middle Way Approach brings in more support from the world and Chinese intellectual. More importantly, the Middle Way Approach has received support from both inside and outside Tibet and is unanimously endorsed by the Tibetan Parliament.”

Sikyong also spoke about the 14th Kashag’s decision to dedicate 2014 as year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “The 14th Kashag is observing 2014 as the Year of the 14th Dalai lama” to express boundless appreciation for his great accomplishment for the cause of Tibet and promotion of peace, interfaith harmony and humane values throughout the world. Looking further ahead, the Kashag will mark H.H 80th birthday with an elaborate long life offering to H.H the Dalai Lama,” he said.