Dharamshala to mark 18th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama

Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 11:30 a.m.

Dharamshala: Tomorrow morning Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche will address a function marking the 18th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, here at the Gangkyi hall.

Speaker Karma Chophel is also expected to address the function organized by the Central Association for H. H. the Panchen Lama, which is the administrative head of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, based in Bylakuppe, South India.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the six-year-old boy identified by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama, disappeared on 17 May 1995. The Chinese government later admitted to holding the boy and his family in “protective custody”.

Despite repeated appeals to gain access to the boy, no international agency or human rights organisation has been granted contact with the young Panchen Lama or his family. To date, their well-being and whereabouts remain unconfirmed.