DHARAMSHALA: The Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) school celebrated its 52nd founding anniversary yesterday, at a special ceremony presided over by Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche and the heads of the three pillars of Tibetan democracy, Kalon Pema Chhinjor, Speaker Penpa Tsering and Chief Justice Commissioner, Ngawang Phelgyal Gyechen.

Addressing the ceremony, Kalon Pema Chhinjor applauded TCV’s development since it’s founding by late Mrs Tsering Dolma, elder sister of His Holiness and later under the leadership of Kasur Jetsun Pema.

“In the past 52 years, TCV has produced hundreds of bright students who have contributed to our society by serving the Tibetan community after their education” he said.

He also said that the 14th Kashag has outlined education as one of its top priorities and urged Tibetan students to concentrate on specialisation and professional studies.

Speaking on the situation inside Tibet, he said that over 57 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for  Tibetans.

The founding ceremony also marked the arrival of the ‘Flame of Truth’ torch relay to Dharamshala.

Founded in 1960, with its head office in Dharamshala, the exile seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration, TCV has branches from Ladakh in the North to Bylakuppe in the South, with over 15,000 children under its care.