Every first Saturday of the month, DIIR’s Social Media Desk profiles a civil servant of Central Tibetan Administration as a part of its shout-out campaign. This week we are pleased to profile Mr. Phuntsok Topgyal, Samyeling Tibetan Settlement Officer, New Delhi.
Social Media Executive (SME): Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
Phuntsok Topgyal (PT): Well, I am a very ambitious and result-oriented leader. Currently, I am working as a settlement officer at Samyeling Tibetan Settlement Office, Delhi. I have worked very closely with settlements leaders, various associations and NGOs to raise and also to solve our community issues.
SME: Please explain your job description, and how best does your work represent you or vice versa?
PT: Unlike other settlements, Samyeling Tibetan Settlement is very exceptional as it is based in a big city. Being a Delhi-based settlement officer, I am engaged in various duties and responsibilities. The main responsibility is to provide various kinds of administrative assistance to members of the local Tibetan community in Delhi to support and ensure their well-being.
SME: What inspired you to work in the CTA?
PT: My father always encouraged me to join CTA. Personally, I consider and believe that serving CTA under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is like contributing my part for the cause of my country Tibet.
SME: What does it mean for you to be a CTA civil servant?
PT: Being associated with CTA means a lot to me. I believe that getting the opportunity to serve one’s own community is a reward in itself. Moreover, CTA is a unique organisation where you can not only nurture your skills and knowledge but also get to serve others. I also personally feel that CTA offered me a space where I can grow and prosper. I started as a senior clerk in the administration and now I am serving as a settlement officer. The experience empowered me to become a strong result-oriented leader and helped me gain crucial management skills.
SME: How best do you think you could make a difference to CTA? Any experiences that you would like to share?
PT: My contribution towards CTA and Tibetan community was very clear at the beginning – service with whole heart. In addition, I believe in goal-directed, solution focused approach to resolve any community issues/problems.
SME: Who is your role model and why?
PT: My late father Tsechu Norbu and his colleagues. I grew up with them and I learned to appreciate their teamwork and their leadership qualities. They work hard and play hard. Especially, my father, who is the engineer in our family without an engineering degree. He could fix broken chairs, build houses, you name it. He can fix anything. He was honest. He has not once failed us. He was a man of his word, never let us down and worked hard and made us proud. My father always advised me to serve/value humanity, respecting others along with modern education; in fact he was so proud to see having my first job in CTA. I would not be where I am right now if it was not for my father.
SME: Would you like to provide any guidance or suggestions to fellow Tibetans serving or wishing to serve at CTA?
PT: Although I don’t think I am in a capacity to give guidance to others, however, from my experience working in the CTA, I would like to say three key points:
1. CTA is a resourceful organisation. However, in the context of a scientific community, I personally feel we are still missing skilled labours. So, I urge young scholars to collaborate more with CTA and make Tibetan community into a knowledge-based community.
2. Based on my own experience if one work wholeheartedly in the CTA, the end result will be that of great contentment in life. This is something that one cannot buy with money nor gain with fame.
3. Always feel blessed to get the opportunity to serve in the CTA under the blessing of our living Buddha His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. We are sure this is a result of Karma that we have accumulated in our past lives. So, I would like to encourage everyone to seek this lifetime opportunity.
