ODISHA: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay met the staff and students of the Central School for Tibetans in Phuntsokling on 4 April during his two-day visit to the settlement.

During his interaction with the staff and students, he underscored the importance of education to succeed in life and sustain the Tibetan movement.

Sikyong, in his talk, highlighted the immense support and assistance provided by the Indian government towards the Tibetan people for the last more than five decades. “India is our strongest and closest ally. The Indian government’s support to the Tibetan people is indispensable and we would always be indebted to India for their generosity and hospitality,” Sikyong said.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, who was also a former student of Central School for Tibetans, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian teachers of the school for devoting their entire lives to educating the future seeds of Tibet. “It is because of your dedication and hard work that the Tibetan people have been able to grow intellectually,” he said.

He also explained that students of other nationalities study solely to succeed in their lives. However, Tibetan students’ focus on education is not solely for their careers but also for the cause of their country.

Sikyong’s meeting with the staff and students was followed by an interactive session where students and the staff posed questions and suggestions regarding the education of Tibetan children in exile.

Sikyong also gave a public talk to the members of the Tibetan community during his visit to the settlement.

During his address to the Tibetan public, Sikyong spoke about the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy announced by the Indian government for the welfare of the Tibetan people. He also apprised them about a similar policy announced by the Himachal Pradesh state government, and other such policies, which would be announced soon by various state governments of India.

Explaining the significance of the policy, Sikyong said “The Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014 announced by the Indian government is very significant because it categorically states that Tibetans are forced to flee into exile in India after the occupation of Tibet by China. The lands ceded by the government towards the Tibetan people are the responsibility of the Central Tibetan Administration. These settlements are headed by a settlement officer, who has been given the legal authority and recognition by the Indian government,” Sikyong said, assuring the public that the policy has assured the sustainability of the Tibetan settlements in the long run.

Sikyong urged the Tibetan people to take care of their agricultural lands and emphasized the need to be economically self-reliant. He also spoke about the various scholarship schemes announced by the education department of the Central Tibetan Administration to boost Tibetan education in exile.