Dharamshala: Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Shri. Gyal P Wangyal and his entourage of Deputy Chairman Shri. Tsering Samdup and Shri. Phuntsok Stanzin, Executive Councilor, Agriculture, Shri. Konchok Stanzin, Executive Councilor, Education, Shri. Tsering Morup, Councilor from Temisgam, Shri. Tsering Palden, Councilor from Igoo, Shri. Tsering Angchuk, Councilor from Diskit, Shri. Thupstan Wangchuk, Councilor from Nyoma, Shri. Tsering Wangdue, Councilor from Saspol accompanied by Mr Tsetan Wangchuk, Chief Representative Officer, Ladakh Sonamling Tibetan Settlement successfully concluded their official visit to the CTA headquarters in Dharamsala on 12 December.
The visit of the LAHDC members to Dharamshala from 6 to 11 December was organised by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration and facilitated by the Chief Representative Office, Ladakh.
The purpose of their visit was to understand and learn about various programs of the CTA and gain an insight into how the Tibetan community is thriving in exile under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and CTA.
The main highlight of their weeklong visit was the audience with His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama on 7 December during which His Holiness consented to visit Ladakh in summer next year.
Later that day, the Department of Home (CTA) hosted a welcome dinner in honour of the visiting delegation.
During the course of their visit, the delegation visited the Kashag Secretariat, Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat, all the other Departments of CTA, Tibetan Children Village, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), Men-Tse-Khang, Norbulingka Institute, Gyutoe Monastery and also Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala.
The secretaries and senior officials of the respective CTA departments gave presentations on the organisational structure and programs of the department which was followed by a fruitful discussion.
During their visit to the Department of Home on 9 December, Secretary Mrs Tsewang Dolma Shosur and Additional Secretary Mr Dawa Tsultrim made an urgent appeal to the Chief Executive Councilor Shri Gyal P Wangyal and other councillors in order to reiterate the welfare of Tibetan residents in Ladakh. Hon. Chief Executive Councilor assured to look into the matter.
The following evening, President Dr Lobsang Sangay of Central Tibetan Administration hosted a Gala reception in honour of the visiting delegation of the LAHDC at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA).
The delegates were treated to a wide range of performances by the Tibetan performing arts representing the distinguished cultural, social and spiritual aspects of the Tibetan civilization.
Chief Executive Councilor Shri. Gyal P Wangyal and other LAHDC councillors also attended the official function marking 30th anniversary of the iconic 1989 conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the Chief Guest on 10 December at Tsuklakhang.
Admiring His Holiness’ humanitarian service, Chief Guest Gyal P Wangyal said, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama has not only transformed the nature of the Tibetan freedom movement into a complete non-violent endeavour but also guided the humanity to the path of non-violence and peace.” In his reverence to His Holiness, Shri Gyal P Wangyal extended the unwavering friendship and support to the Tibetan people and meanwhile requested the Ladakhis to emulate the teachings of His Holiness into practice.
Home Kalon Mr Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang who reached Dharamshala on the morning of 11 December, from his major tour to the five Tibetan settlements in South India, immediately arranged for a panel discussion with Hon. Chief Executive Councilor of LAHC along with other councillors to discuss the urgent concerns relating to the welfare of the Tibetans in Ladakh and earnestly appealed to the Councillors to address these concerns in priority.
On such productive note, the LAHDC delegations concluded their weeklong official visit to CTA on 12 December.
-Filed by Department of Home