MUNDGOD, Karnataka: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay arrived at Mundgod Tibetan Settlement in Karnataka state on 25 December. The staff and officials from the local settlement office as well as Chief Representative’s office based in Bangalore welcomed him.
Sikyong participated in the ceremony held the next day to commemorate the first teaching His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave in exile at Tawang monastery 55 years ago. Sikyong said, “In the 55 years since His Holiness gave his first teaching at Tawang monastery, he has worked tirelessly, travelling all over the world spreading a message of peace and sharing the ideas of the Nalanda tradition.”
He described His Holiness as a beacon of hope, the heart and soul of the Tibetan people. He took the opportunity once again to thank the government and people of India and especially the government and people of Karnataka for the support they have shown to the Tibetans.
At around 4.00 pm the same day, Sikyong presided over a meeting at the local Tibetan settlement office. Ven. Atruk Tseten, member of Tibetan Parliament, members of the local Tibetan assembly, the settlement officer, hospital administrators, representatives from the monasteries, and members of various organization and committees of the settlement attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Sikyong spoke about the official policies of the Central Tibetan Administration and the initiatives of the 14th Kashag towards the welfare of the Tibetan community in exile. It was followed by a question and answer session.
The next day, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay visited the Central School for Tibetans. Mr. Karma Singe, the Chief Representative of the Southern Tibetan settlements, accompanied him.
In his address to the students of the school, he answered queries from the students and explained the challenges faced by the administration in appointing new staff and officials. However, he assured that the CTSA is doing their best to resolve these issues.
A representative from the Principal’s office read out the annual report of the school during his visit.
(Report filed in Tibetan by Ngawang Thogmey, DIIR)