Bir: As the celebration of His Holiness’s 90th birthday is underway, and as part of the ‘Year of Compassion’ activities, the local Ghoton Organising Committee of Bir Tibetan Society (Boetsog) organised a food distribution event at Sehal village near Baijnath. This village is home to a Gorkha community of around 150 inhabitants who have been settled there since 2003. They live in bamboo sheds covered with plastic, renting the land to protect themselves from rain, heat, and cold.

The dinner was served on Sunday evening when the majority of the inhabitants were present. Settlement Officer Karma Namgyal and Tsewang Rabgyal, Chairman of the Local Tibetan Assembly, gave a brief introduction about the Year of Compassion celebrations and the purpose of the food distribution.

The community’s main source of livelihood is labor, with most working at construction sites to cover daily expenses such as food, rent, children’s education, and medical needs. This small community faces a refugee-like situation, living away from their homeland and struggling to sustain themselves through hard labor.

The event brought smiles, happiness, and joy to the community members. With folded hands, they expressed their heartfelt thanks for the support and were deeply moved by the gesture.

-Report filed by Bir Tibetan Settlement Office