Dehradun: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay today inaugurated ‘Gepheling’ Tibetan community housing, a new housing facility for Tibetan families from around Dehradun and newly arrived Tibetans from Tibet, near Dekyiling Tibetan settlement in Dehradun.
The Gepheling community housing is a project led by the CTA’s Department of Home to rehabilitate over 87 Tibetan families from in and around Dehradun who, until now, could not be facilitated in the Tibetan refugee settlements and had temporarily settled outside the jurisdictions of Department of Home. 25 families of newly arrived Tibetans are also included in the auspices of the project. In total, the new housing will cater 112 Tibetan families.
Out of the 25 newly arrived Tibetan families, nine will be effectively allotted housing facility while the construction for the remaining 16 is expected to complete later.
The name of the housing ‘Gepheling’ was bestowed upon by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the new housing, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay spoke about the Central Tibetan Administration’s commitment to look after the welfare of Tibetans in diaspora and the newly arrived Tibetan refugees.
“Under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, CTA and through the kindness of elder generation, we are able to live in a good condition despite being refugees. It is important for individuals to appreciate the leadership of His Holiness and the CTA.”
Sikyong was accompanied by Kalon Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, Department of Home, CTA and Settlement Officer Norbu, Dekyiling Tibetan settlement.
“CTA as an institution is crucial to the Tibetan freedom struggle. Tibetans have a responsibility to raise the issue of Tibet and should not lose sight of the larger cause,” Sikyong said.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama due to his advancing age can no longer attend international forums or travel abroad, it is upon us to take forward our struggle by reinforcing our collective commitments.”
Instead of indulging in unnecessary infighting within the community, Sikyong urged them to strive to promote the Tibetan cause in the global discourse and unite in preserving the distinct Tibetan culture, religion, language, and identity.
While congratulating the families who would be facilitated at the Gepehling housing, Sikyong acknowledged the hard work of the Home department, the officials associated with the housing project and the members of the new housing for the cooperation.
Kalon of the Home Department, Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, who also addressed the ceremony, said since 1984, then leadership of CTA and the successive leadership had committed to cater to these families. At the time, due to the waves of refugees from Tibet and the shortage of resources, the housing facilities in the settlements remained inadequate.
“However under the leadership of Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the 15th Kashag have now successfully completed the long-overdue project. We trust that the facility will benefit in enabling and safeguarding the welfare of the families,” Kalon said.
Settlement Officer Norbu, Dekyiling Tibetan settlement presented a detailed account and background of the housing project.
The new housing was blessed and consecrated by Lama Dupon Rinpoche.