Ravangla, Sikkim: Kalon Palden Dhondup of the Department of Home (CTA), accompanied by the Department’s Acting Secretary Tsering Yudon and section head of the Northeast Division Uma Thinley, visited Tibetan settlements in Sikkim and West Bengal and engaged with local officials.

Following their arrival at Bagdogra Airport on 2 June, the delegation reached Ravangla Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement in the evening. They visited the Settlement Office and held a meeting with its staff, during which the Home Kalon provided guidance on matters relating to public service and administration.

On 3 June, Kalon Palden Dhondup inaugurated several newly completed projects, including the Community Hall at Camp No. 4, the Multipurpose Cooperative Hall, and the Settlement’s Gyalyum Chenmo Community Hall. Following the inauguration, he addressed members of the local Tibetan community at the Gyalyum Chenmo Hall and responded to questions from the public.

later that day, the delegation visited Thupten Dhargyeling Monastery, Nelung Monastery, office of the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, Tibetan Primary Health Centre, office of the local Tibetan Cooperative Society, the Men-Tsee-Khang branch, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress office, Regional Tibetan Women’s Association office, Dangsur Hall, the Local Tibetan Assembly Hall, and the Sambhota Tibetan Day School.

The delegation also visited the Temi tea garden and factory on the following day, where they observed the tea processing and drying stage and learned about the history of the factory.

They also paid a visit to Palchen Choling Monastery and received an audience with Kyabje Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche.

In the evening, the delegation visited Tathagata Tsal near the Ravangla Kunphenling Settlement. Together with local officials, they discussed potential sites for tourism and recreational development within the settlement, including plans for the construction of a guest house.

Later that day, at the invitation of Sikkim Legislative Assembly Member Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia, the delegation attended a dinner reception as special guests and held cordial discussions with him.

On 5 June, the delegation departed Ravangla Kunphenling Settlement for Gangtok.

On 6 July, the Home Kalon attended, as the special guest, the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Associations’ Hall in Gangtok, built by the Government of Sikkim. The inauguration was held in conjunction with the celebration of the 91st birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. During the programme, a message from Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration was read out. The Home Kalon also responded to questions from members of the media and visited each association’s pavilion to personally greet participants and extend his greetings on the occasion.

On 7 July, at the invitation of the Gangtok Settlement Office, the local Ghoton Organising Committee, and the five local Tibetan associations, the Home Kalon-led delegation attended the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday and the concluding ceremony of the Year of Compassion. The Kalon delivered remarks on the significance of the occasion and officially announced the conclusion of the Year of Compassion observance.

The delegation is scheduled to continue its official visit from 8 to 18 July to the Tibetan settlements in Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim, as well as Sonada, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Siliguri in northern West Bengal.

– Report filed by Department of Home, CTA