DHARAMSALA: A three-day 11th annual conference of the Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives India Ltd (FTCI) is being held at Gangkyi auditorium in Dharamsala and it was inaugurated by Kalon Tripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay yesterday.

Addressing the conference, the Kalon Tripa lauded the works of the FTCI for bringing employment and economic stability to the Tibetan community since its creation and stated that the programmes initiated by the FTCI are well in line with his policy of innovation and self determination. He also stressed the importance of legal complications that needs to be looked into before starting any projects.

The Chairman of the FTCI, Mr Pema Delek, said that the FTCI undertakes multi-developmental activities in the settlements to contribute towards attainment of social and economic betterment of settlers in accordance with the co-operative principles. Major activities of the FTCI are supply of agricultural input on credit, procurement of agricultural output at remunerative prices, storage, processing, value addition, collective marketing, advancement of loan etc, he said.

The federation’s CEO, Mr Tashi Wangdue, outlines the future plans and some upcoming projects of the FTCI, which includes the launch of Tibet Mall and Hotel Tibet in Bangalore, starting a BPO (Call Centre) in Bylakuppe and Mundgod, establish banking services in Tibetan co-operative societies and the introduction of a daily AC bus service from Bylakuppe to Bangalore and Bangalore to Bylakuppe

The federation also announced scholarships to 15 students every year as a gratitude to the staff members of the co-operative societies and invited applications for job opportunities at various FTCI branches in Delhi, Bangalore, Dharamsala and Gangtok.

A message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s office to the FTCI on bringing out a book on the co-operative societies’ 50 years of initiatives and achievements reads: “Since the Tibetan Co-operative societies are the backbone of our settlements in India, it is extremely important for the Federation to continuously strive to benefit the poorer segments of the community through its activities and make the Tibetan Co-operative Societies more efficient and sound in all aspects.” The book along with the half yearly newsletter of FTCI was released during the meeting.

The FTCI is one of the most prominent societies within the Tibetan community. It directly or indirectly helps more than 63000 Tibetans in India and employs more than 500 people. 15% of the profits of the FTCI go to the Central Tibetan Administration.

It was registered in April 2005 under the multi-state co-operatives societies act, 2002, with the full support of the Kashag. It is the national level federal body of the 15 Tibetan co-operative societies located in Lugsung Samdupling, Bylakuppe; Doeguling, Mundgod; Dickey Larsoe, Bylakuppe; Rabgayling, Hunsur; Dhondenling, Kollegal; Phuntsokling, Orissa; Phendeyling, Mainpat; Norgyeling, Bandara; Tenzingang, Arunachal Pradesh; Dargyeling, Tezu; Choepheling, Miao; Sonamling, Leh Ladakh; Ravangla, Sikkim; Tashiling, Sonada; Dharamsala and Bangalore.