Bylakuppe: Sikyong Penpa Tsering concluded his fourth day of engagements in Bylakuppe on 16 February 2025 before departing for Hunsur to escort His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

On 15 February, Sikyong addressed students at Lugsum Nyamdrel Community Hall, where students from Bylakuppe Sambhota Tibetan School (STS), Sambhota CVP School, and SOS TCV School Bylakuppe gathered. The event was attended by Jigme Tsultrim, Chief Representative Officer (CRO) of the South Zone; Settlement Officers Gelek Jungney of Lugsum Samdupling and Chime Dorjee of Dickey Larsoe; local Tibetan leaders; representatives of the Local Tibetan Freedom Movement; Tibetan Cooperative Societies; school directors; principals; and camp leaders.

The program commenced with opening remarks by Jamphel Sonam, office secretary at the Lugsum Samdupling settlement office, followed by an introduction by Settlement Officer Gelek Jungney, who provided a brief overview of Sikyong’s second visit to Bylakuppe. He also highlighted Sikyong’s engagements from the previous day, including visits to major Tibetan monasteries and schools in the settlement.

In his address, Sikyong reaffirmed Tibet’s historical independence status, stating, “Tibet has always been an independent country. China’s claims over Tibet are baseless, and historical records clearly prove that Tibet was never a part of China since ancient times.”

Sikyong further emphasised the global significance of the Tibetan Plateau, highlighting its crucial role in Asia’s environmental stability and freshwater resources. He underscored that understanding Tibet is essential for India’s security due to its geopolitical significance and called for greater awareness of the region’s strategic and environmental importance. He also stressed the need to strengthen relations through cultural understanding of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet’s historical context.

Additionally, Sikyong spoke about the geopolitical and environmental significance of the Tibetan Plateau and its relevance to India. He noted that the Tibetan language is one of the most important languages in Buddhism and has been recognised as one of the fifteen most ancient languages with a script.

At the end of the event, Sikyong urged the students to stay dedicated to their studies, stating, “Each of you represents the hope for Tibet’s future. As you mature, the responsibility to lead our cause will fall on your shoulders.”

Following his public address, Sikyong further visited several key offices and institutions in the settlement, including the Office of the Auditor General, the Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute (Men-Tsee-Khang) Branch and Research Centre, Nalanda Kagyue Monastery, Dickey Larsoe Settlement Office, Tibetan Dickey Larsoe Co-operative Society Ltd., Delar Bod Rangwang Denpai Legul Tsokchung, and  TDL (Tibetan Dickey Larsoe) Milk Producer’s Co-operative Society LTS. His final stop was the Sports Association football ground. Throughout his engagements, Sikyong was accompanied by Tenzin Kunsang, Joint Secretary of the Department of Home and Section Head of Southern Tibetan Settlements.

Over the course of four days, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, who also serves as the Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration, engaged in a series of meetings and visits in Bylakuppe before departing for Hunsur on 16 February 2025 to escort His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Hunsur Rabgyaling under Mysore District. According to CRO Jigme Tsultrim of South Zone, this year marks the 17th visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Hunsur.

Tomorrow morning, on 17 February, Sikyong will attend a Long Life Prayer ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, offered by Gyudmey Tantric Monastery at Gyudmey Assembly Hall. He will continue his engagements with the Tibetan community and visit key institutions in Hunsur Rabgyaling Settlement.