Members during the virtual meeting in regard to ITFS Kalimpong
India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), Delhi held a Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, 19th January, 2022 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm to re-energise and revitalise ITFS Kalimpong. The meeting was attended by Shri Pema Wangda Bhutia, Regional Convener (North Bengal & Sikkim), Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India (CGTC-I); Shri Tsewang Paljor, Former General Secretary & Senior Member, ITFS Kalimpong; Shri Dhondup Sangpo, Tibetan Settlement Officer, Kalimpong; Shri Jigmey Tsultrim, Coordinator and Staffs, India Tibet Coordination Office, Delhi.
ITCO Coordinator Jigmey Tsultrim extended his greetings and welcomed the members to the virtual meeting. He informed the members on the purpose of the meeting to re-energize and revitalize ITFS Kalimpong in follow up to the public opinion raised during Hon’ble Sikyong Penpa Tsering’s official visit to Kalimpong in October, 2021.
Shri Tsewang Paljor briefed the members about ITFS Kalimpong which he shared was founded in 1996 with Late Lachung Ayila, Shri Tamdin Dorjee Drukpa, Shri P. T. Bhutia and himself as the founding members. He cleared the members that ITFS Kalimpong still exist but unfortunately since 2019 onwards, it remained inactive due to many of the executive members in their prime age and also Covid pandemic afterwards.
He further mentioned that ITFS Kalimpong consists of Indians and Tibetans alike with Nepali, Denzongpa, Sherpa, Tamang and others with total of 50 members.
Shri Pema Wangda Bhutia shared that he visited Kalimpong in 2019 and met with Shri P. T. Bhutia and other members of ITFS Kalimpong in regard to organizing a TSGs Conference but due to the Covid pandemic, the plan got failed and still pending. He assured that his help and full support is always with ITFS Kalimpong in carrying out any activities and programs to strengthen the Tibetan cause.
TSO Dhondup Sangpo also briefed the members that due to the Covid situation, the TSO Office had not been able to actively coordinate with ITFS Kalimpong in carrying out activities and programs. He shared that when the Covid situation gets better; his office will work together with ITFS Kalimpong in strengthening Indian and Tibetan bonhomie and ultimately the Tibetan cause in the area.
The members shared their views and suggestions and accordingly discussed and chalked out plans to re-energize and revitalize ITFS Kalimpong to carry out activities and programs to strengthen the Tibetan movement.
At the last, ITCO Coordinator also updated the members about GANGJONG DOEGHAR – the Tibetan performing arts group based in Kalimpong which had been in recent times participating in TSGs Programs coordinated by ITCO showcasing the rich and beautiful culture of Tibet to the Indian masses and thus creating awareness on Tibet.
– Report filed by ITCO, Delhi
Shri Pema Wangda Bhutia, Regional Convener, CGTC-I during the virtual meeting
TSO Dhondup Sangpo during the virtual meeting
Shri Tsewang Paljor, Former General Secreatry and Senior Member, ITFS Kalimpong during the virtual meeting
ITCO Coordinator Jigmey Tsultrim during the virtual meeting
