Ravangla: On 17 October 2025, In a historic display of unity and reverence, the Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement Office cum Ghoton Committee and the Bhutia Social Welfare Foundation (9 Barfung) jointly organised a grand exhibition and tribute to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal conferment to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama.
The celebration was held at the spiritually significant Tathagatha Tsal (Buddha Park) in Ravangla, a venue blessed and named by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself during his visit to Sikkim. The sacred site provided a fitting and serene atmosphere for this event, held during the ongoing global “Year of Compassion” (6 July 2025 – 5 July 2026) marking His Holiness’s 90th Birthday.
Under the able leadership and initiative of Settlement Officer Kalsang Tseten, this event marked the first-ever exhibition of such scale and significance in the history of Ravangla, symbolising gratitude, unity, and inter-community harmony between the Tibetan and Bhutia communities of South Sikkim.
The exhibition featured rare archival photographs portraying the life, legacy, and principal commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, alongside a special Tibetan calligraphy section curated by internationally acclaimed calligrapher Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar, who also addressed the gathering on the sacred bond between His Holiness and Sikkim, and on how Tibetan calligraphy continues to safeguard culture and spirituality for future generations.
Adding youthful energy and inspiration, Sambhota Tibetan School, Ravangla, also participated in the exhibition. Students from Classes 4 and 5 proudly presented and explained their exhibition displays to the visiting guests, impressing everyone with their clarity, confidence, and understanding of His Holiness’s life and teachings. Their participation added a touching reminder of the younger generation’s role in carrying forward the spirit of compassion and culture.
The event was graced by several eminent guests, including Chief Guest Shri Rigshal Dorjee Bhutia, Hon’ble MLA, 9 Barfung Constituency; Guest of Honour Shri T.T. Bhutia, former MLA and current Chairman, Land and Revenue Department, Government of Sikkim.
The Special Guests included APS to HCM Namchi; ADC Rabong; SDM Ravangla; SDM Namchi; BDO Rabongla; SDPO Ravangla; SHO Rabongla; Chief of the State Women’s Commission; MD SBS Gangtok; Chairman Power Department; OSDs; Range Officer (Forest); ITCO Chief from Gangtok; President of All Bhutia Association; local medical; Zilla members; panchayat presidents; heads of monasteries and nunneries; principals and headmasters of schools; assistant and junior engineers from various government departments; and hundreds of Tibetans and local residents.
The event commenced with inaugural prayers by the Lhatsun Dharma Centres, invoking blessings for peace and well-being. A special screening of Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film “Kundun”, depicting the early life and spiritual journey of His Holiness, deeply moved the audience and offered profound inspiration.
Shri Rigshal Dorjee Bhutia and Shri T.T. Bhutia commended the Tibetan Settlement Office and the organising committee for their vision and tireless effort in bringing together diverse communities in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect. They emphasised that such initiatives strengthen the enduring bond between the Tibetan and Sikkimese people through shared values of peace, compassion, and coexistence.
The organisers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Office of the OSD and the Tathagatha Tsal (Buddha Park) management team for their invaluable support, guidance, and for providing the sacred venue that amplified the event’s spiritual and cultural significance.
In his concluding remarks, Settlement Officer Kalsang Tseten extended his deepest appreciation to all guests, volunteers, and community members who contributed to the success of this historic event. With humility, he acknowledged that if anyone was unintentionally overlooked in the process, he sincerely apologised, reiterating that the true essence of the event lay in oneness, reconciliation, and collective pride.
This grand exhibition and tribute stands as a landmark event in Ravangla’s history, a living testament to His Holiness’s timeless teachings of compassion, gratitude, and unity. It not only celebrated His Holiness’s extraordinary legacy but also rekindled a renewed spirit of friendship and harmony between the Tibetan and Bhutia communities of Sikkim, marking a hopeful and historic chapter in the collective journey toward peace and understanding.
–Report filed by TSO Kunphenling, Ravangla
