Mr. Pedersen, the Chief Executive Officer of The Charitable Foundation based at Australia recently completed a project review field visit of the ongoing Farmer Hostel cum Guest House construction at ORTC, Bylakuppe on 14 August, besides he even visited Hunsur Rabgyaling Tibetan settlement on 15 August to evaluate the impact of Soil and water conservation project funded in year 2005 to 2007. He was accompanied by Mr. Dhondup Tsering, Deputy Secretary of Department of Home, CTA.

TCF has been closely associated with CTA (DOH) since 2005 and has funded several projects in organic farming, farm mechanisation through tractor loan project and soil and water conservation in the settlements. The foundation has provided more than 730 million rupees worth of financial aid towards the agricultural development projects for the Tibetan refugees in India.

On the 14 August, Mr. Pederson unveiled the name plaque and ribbon cutting ceremony followed by foundation laying of the guest house in presence of high lama’s and monks. Present were around 50 local officials, TSO Bylakuppe Lugsam, ORTC manager and staff, civil engineer cum contractor and camp leaders. He then interacted with site engineer/contractor and site supervisors.

Mr. Dhondup Tsering took him around the ORTC farm, and showed the farming and dairy activities of ORTC. Later, he visited Bylakuppe Old Age Home, under TSO Lugsam; where avnew building is under construction which would provide a comfortable accommodation for senior citizens. It was followed by a visit to the Lugsam & Delar TSO Office, Cooperative Society and its different units such as water filtration plant, incense and carpet centre. The officers informed on the different activities of each units diligently.

After that he visited Namdroling Monastery to see the golden temple which was followed by an official dinner hosted by two TSO of Bylakuppe. He also visited farmers fields and a dairy farm run by young farmer entrepreneurs.

The next day he visited Hunsur Rabgayling Tibetan settlement, where a warm reception was accorded by the TSO and staffs, TSO gave a brief introduction of the settlement followed by Mr. Dhondup Tsering’s presentation on TCF funded projects both ongoing and previous ones.

Later he was taken for a field visit to see the counter bunds, gully plug, farm pond and check dams funded by TCF Soil and water conservation project.

Mr. Pederson’s official visit enabled a fruitful and satisfactory onsite study of ongoing project and the actual ground level impact of the previous project. He sincerely conveyed his thanks to Home Minister and Secretary for organising the comprehensive though slightly packed tour which left an overall favourable impression.