
Officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra, the Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Education, addressing the gathering. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Dharamshala: Officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra, the Kalon (Minister) of Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), attended the 108th founding anniversary of Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute (TMAI) since its inception in Lhasa by the 13th Dalai Lama and its 63rd founding anniversary in exile since its reestablishment by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 1961.
The celebration also coincided with convocation ceremony of TMAI’s 21st batch of sMenpas (medical doctors) and the 11th batch of Tseepas (astrologers).
Along with the chief guest Officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra, Deputy Director of the AYUSH Department of Kangra Zone, Dr Rashmi Agnihotri; Tibetan Parliamentarian Dawa Phunkyi (Chief Administrator of the Delek Hospital); Secretary Lobsang Jinpa from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Education Secretary Jigme Namgyal; Health Secretary Dawa Tsultrim; Director of TMAI Thupten Tsering; Personal Physicians of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Officer Kunchok Migmar; and representatives from Dharamshala-based Tibetan NGOs and institutes attended the celebration.
In her keynote address, Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra emphasised the significant role that TMAI has undertaken in exile regarding the preservation of Tibetan medicinal tradition and rendering health services to the members of the Tibetan community and non-Tibetan patients over the last 63 years. The Officiating Sikyong attributed the astute vision of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for this remarkable achievement and beseeched the gathering to incessantly follow His Holiness’ guidance and genuinely incorporate His advice into one’s everyday life. Furthermore, the chief guest implored sMenpas of the institute to maintain their good etiquette when consulting the patients.
Dr Rashmi Agnihotri as guest of honour also spoke during the event and highlighted that both AYUSH (an acronym for six traditional Indian systems of medicine: Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) and Men-tsee-khang share a common goal and purpose despite their distinctions.
The celebration also includes the presentation of certificates to graduating students, recipients of doctorate and MPhil degrees, and academic excellence prize-winners, as well as recognition certificates to staff who have completed 40, 30, and 20 years of service.

Officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra presenting a service recognition certificate to sMenpa Yeshi Khandro. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Dr Rashmi Agnihotri presenting a doctrine certificate to the personal physician of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, sMenpa Tsewang Tamdin. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Secretary Lobsang Jinpa, Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, launching a publication of the Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Dr Rashmi Agnihotri conferring a degree certificate to graduate student. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Secretary Dawa Tsultrim awarding a foreign student with academic excellence prize. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

A group of staff performing classical dance during the celebration of TMAI’s founding anniversary. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA