Bylakuppe: On the second day of his official engagements in Bylakuppe, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration visited monasteries, schools, and community institutions following the completion of the long-life empowerment (Drolkar Tsewang) by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery on the morning of 13 February 2025.

Sikyong’s first stop was at various monastic institutions, where he was warmly welcomed by the representatives. He continued his visit to the Namdroling Nunnery and Thegchod Namdrol Shedrub Dargye Ling, also known as the Namdroling Monastery-Golden Temple, where he paid homage at the shrine of the late Penor Rinpoche. Upon arrival, he was received by Tulku Choedhar, Managing Trustee of Namdroling Monastery, who guided him through the premises, where they paid their respects together at Penor Rinpoche’s shrine. Representatives from both monasteries warmly greeted Sikyong on behalf of their institutions.

After visiting the monasteries, Sikyong toured the Sambhota Tibetan School in Arlikumari, located near the Golden Temple of Bylakuppe. The school, which offers education up to Class V, welcomed Sikyong with greetings from both the primary school students and staff, including Headmistress Sherab Wangmo. The school currently has 52 students, with 23 of them being Tibetan. During his visit, Sikyong toured the classrooms and later visited a nearby kindergarten with 26 students. He held discussions with the Tibetan Settlement Officer about the school’s facilities and its future prospects.

Later in the day, Sikyong visited the Tibetan Local Justice Commission, where he was received by the Local Tibetan Justice Commissioner Phuntsok Palden and his office staff. He also toured the Tsojhe Khangsar Hospital, where the hospital administrator showed him the facilities, including the dental, psychological, and physiotherapy departments, as well as the hospital staff. Sikyong took the opportunity to meet with patients receiving treatment during his visit.

In the evening, the Tibetan communities of Dekyi Larsoe and Lugsam Samdupling settlements organised a Tibetan cultural dance performance at the Lugsam Tibetan Community Hall to honour Sikyong’s second official visit in Bylakuppe. The event was further elevated by the presence of esteemed guest Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar ji, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Government of India.

Other notable attendees included Jigmey Jungney, Representative of the New Delhi-based Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Jigmey Tsultrim, Chief Representative Officer (CRO) of the South Zone; and Settlement Officers Gelek Jungney (Lugsam Samdupling) and Chime Dorjee (Dickey Larsoe). The event was also attended by local Tibetan leaders, including the Presidents of the Local Tibetan Freedom Movement and Tibetan Cooperative Societies, as well as directors and principals of Sambhota Schools, monastery administrators, camp leaders, and heads of various NGOs.

Before the final performance, Chief Representative Officer Jigmey Tsultrim delivered closing remarks, offering a special welcome to both Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Indian dignitary Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar ji. He stressed the importance of cultural events in preserving Tibetan identity and fostering unity within the Tibetan community in exile. He also thanked the performers, organisers, and attendees for their efforts in keeping Tibetan traditions alive.

Throughout his engagement, Sikyong, the incumbent Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Home, was accompanied by Tenzin Kunsang (Joint Secretary at the Department of Home and Section Head of Southern Tibetan Settlements).