DHARAMSHALA: Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen school, a model school established by the education department, yesterday celebrated the 75th birthday of former Kalon Tripa Samdong Rinpoche  as a tribute to his tireless efforts to boost Tibetan education.

Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering, chief guest at the celebration, addressed the audience underlining the need to preserve  Tibetan language and culture. The state of Tibetan language is deteriorating and we should step up our efforts to preserve our language, he said.

He explained that “the two main challenges towards language preservation are: government intervention through repressive policies, and individual apathy towards studying the language.” Currently Tibetan language is facing both threats as Tibetans inside Tibet are under a repressive Chinese policy and Tibetans in exile are giving less importance to the Tibetan language, he said and urged Tibetans to focus on Tibetan language.

The celebration included dance performances by students, short videos presentations and an introductory speech by the school principal.

Other dignitaries present at the celebration include Education Secretary Topgyal Tsering, the principal and staff of the school and officials from the various sections of education department.

Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen school was inaugurated in October 2005 by former Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche. The school was established as a model school for the implementation of Basic Education Policy for Tibetans in exile. The school endeavours to follow and practise the policy not only for teaching-learning purposes but also to give holistic education to the children. It gives a lot of emphasis on imparting of value education and traditional Tibetan education.