Bylakuppe: Dickey Larsoe Tibetan settlement and Nyamdrel (The Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives) marked its 50th founding anniversary on 7 September.
The golden jubilee celebration was attended by Chief Guest Prof SN Kiran Shankar, son of late former Karnataka Chief Minister S Nijalingappa, special guests S.S Meenakshi Sundaram, Chairman of Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA), a well-known organization specialized in watershed development and rural empowerment, Aloysius P. Fernandes, Secretary, MYRADA and Chief representative of South Zone Chophel Thupten. Other guests include Parliamentarian Lobsang Yeshi, Dignitaries of Dickey Larsoe and Lugsam settlement and other staff. Members of Dickey Larsoe Tibetan Settlement also gathered in the hall.
In the introductory ceremony, Settlement Officer of Dickey Larsoe, Tsering Choezom presented the special message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion.
Shri S.S Meenakshi Sundaram, Chairman of MYRADA, in his address expressed congratulatory greetings to the members of Dickey Larsoe and Nyamdrel. He thanked the organisers for inviting him to such a momentous occasion.
Chief representative of South Zone Chophel Thupten offered thanks to the chief guest Prof SN Kiran Shankar and the other dignitaries for facilitating the rehabilitation of Tibetans in exile and for supporting the social and economic development of the diaspora community-based in South India. He further noted that Tibetans will remain indebted to the Indian government and people for eternity.
The chief guest of the ceremony Prof. S.N Kiran Shankar expressed his joy on participating in the event.
“I have received this opportunity to attend the historic ceremony because of my father. I also received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Bangalore many years back. I feel very happy and honoured to be here,” he said.
Prof. S.N Kiran Shankar felicitated former and serving settlement officers, presidents and secretaries of the Dickey Larsoe Tibetan settlement and Nyamdrel. S.S Meenakshi Sundaram felicitated the staff members of Nyamdrel.
Members of Dickey Larsoe Tibetan settlement and Nyamdrel who have served for more than 20 years were felicitated by the Chief Representative Chophel Thupten.
The official ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the President of Nyamdrel, Jigme Jungney.
The public celebration ensued with cultural performances and basketball match.