Dharamshala: As part of the periodical visitation program of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Parliamentarians Dawa Phunkyi and Serta Tsultrim successfully concluded their official visit to Tibetans in Dehradun and surrounding areas under the jurisdiction of the Tibetan Settlement Office (TSO) of Dehradun. The MPs, accompanied by TSO Dhondup Gyalpo, visited Dikyiling, Clement Town, Tsering Dhondhen, Rajpur, Lingtsang, Mussoorie, and Nainital from 26 November to 3 December 2024.
On 26 November at 9:00 a.m, the delegation visited and paid respects at the Drikung Kagyu Jangchup Choeling Monastery, followed by an inspection of the Ngonga School. At 10:00 a.m, they toured the Songtsen Library, and at 11:00 a.m, they visited the Dikyiling School. In the afternoon, at 2:00 a.m, they visited the Dikyiling Local Tibetan Assembly office, followed by inspections of the Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute), the Health Center, and the Local and Circuit Justice Commission.
At the Dikyiling Potala Hall, MP Dawa Phunkyi addressed the people of Dikyiling and Gepheling settlements, discussing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s and the Central Tibetan Administration’s political stance on resolving the Tibet issue. MP Serta Tsultrim spoke about the international situation and the conditions inside Tibet and China. The MPs also answered questions from the public.
On 27 November, the MPs began their day at 9:00 a.m with a visit and inspection of the Mussoorie Sambhota Tibetan School. At 11:30 a.m, they visited the Mussoorie Tibetan Homes School. Afterward, they addressed a gathering of teachers, staff, and students (eighth grade and above) at the Tibetan Homes’ auditorium in Mussoorie, where they spoke on topics including education, the Tibet issue, and international affairs, followed by a Q&A session. In the afternoon, around 3:00 p.m, they met with scattered Tibetan residents living in Mussoorie.
On 28 November, the MPs began their day with a visit to the Sakya Centre at 9:00 a.m, followed by a visit to the Tibetan Women’s Centre in Rajpur. They also met with the local Tibetan community in Rajpur and held a public talk and Q&A session. Afterward, the MPs visited the Rajpur Tibetan Homes School and inspected the Tsering Dhondhen Tibetan settlement, where they interacted with the public.
On 29 November, the MPs traveled to Nainital, where they addressed the local Tibetan community in the morning of 30 November and answered their questions. In the afternoon, they conducted an inspection tour of the local market area.
On 2 December, at 9:30 a.m, the MPs paid respects at Tashi Kyil Monastery in Dhondupling Settlement, followed by a visit to Ugen Mindrolling Monastery, a major seat of the Nyingma tradition, at 10:00 a.m. At 10:30 a.m, after completing visits to Pal Dechen Choekor Ling, the MPs delivered speeches on various topics to the people of Dhondupling and Rabtenling Settlements. At 3:00 p.m, they conducted an inspection tour of Lingtsang Settlement, paid respects at various monasteries, and again addressed the public, answering questions.
On 3 December, at 9:30 a.m, the MPs held a closed-door meeting with local dignitaries in Dehradun, successfully concluding their official visit to Dehradun and areas under its jurisdiction.
-Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat
