Poanta: On 4 August 2025, as a part the ‘Year of Compassion’ initiative, the Poanta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement commemorated the birth anniversary of Late Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, and special exhibition was organised by the settlement with the participation of the Tibet Museum of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) and Men-Tsee-Khang.
The exhibition was inaugurated by chief guest Smt. Nirmal Kaur, Chairman of Municipal Council, along with special guest Shri O.P Kataria, Vice Chairman of Municipal Council. The Tibet Museum showcased an Exhibition entitled “Bonds between India and Tibet: Ancient Ties and Current, and Journey into Exile” and Men-Tsee-Khang displayed various traditional Tibetan medicine and its ancient healing practices.
The Settlement Office also showcased 17 portraits highlighting the life and legacy of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, along with additional photographs. Free medical check-ups were provided by the Men-Tsee-Khang branch. The morning event drew many visitors, including Indian students and locals.
The exhibitions by the Tibet Museum and Men-Tsee-Khang successfully highlighted Tibet’s rich cultural heritage, the historical Indo-Tibet relationship, and the value of traditional Tibetan medicine.
In the afternoon program, the event was graced by chief guest Shri L.R. Verma, Additional District Magistrate of Sirmaur District, accompanied by guest of honour Shri Gunjeet Singh Cheema, SDM of Paonta Sahib, and special guest Shri Kailash Chandra Bauddha, the principle Hindi translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Other distinguish guests included Dr. Madan Lal Khurana, President of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society (Sirmaur District), Herbertpur Tibetan Settlement Officer Dolma Tsering, Puruwala Tibetan Settlement Officer Tenzin Namgyal, Ugen Choedon Oshoe, TSO Kham Khatok and Sataun; representatives from the local Tibetan Assembly office, Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement office, local Tibetan Cooperative Society office, local Tibetan Associations and STS Poanta students.
The Poanta Cholsum settlement officer Gelek Jamyang delivered the welcome address, followed by ceremonial cake-cutting to commemorate the 90th birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
In his keynote address, chief guest Shri L.R. Verma paid tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s enduring legacy of non-violence and compassion, and extended prayers for his long life.
Guest of honour Shri Gunjeet Singh Cheema and special guest Shri Kailash Chandra Bauddha praised His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s unwavering commitment to peace, non-violence, and compassion. They conveyed heartfelt thanks for his lifelong dedication to the welfare of all beings and offered prayers for his long life and the enduring impact of his teachings.
The one-day event concluded with the presentation of mementos to the chief guest and other dignitaries. This was followed by a series of vibrant cultural performances by students from six Indian schools in Poanta, STS Poanta Day School, and members of the Tibetan community from the Poanta Settlement.
-Report filed by TSO Poanta
