Dharamshala: On the final day of his four-day assessment visit in and around Dharamshala, Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited the monasteries and Tibetan institutions on 7 September 2023.

Sikyong began his inspection visit with a tour of Men Tsee Khang and its various departments, inaugurated the newly renovated sites, and addressed the staff and students of the institutions. During his address, he spoke on a wide range of topics, including the geostrategic significance of Tibet, the importance of awareness of the historical status of Tibet, its language and religion, environmental significance, Sino-Tibet conflict, the Middle-Way Approach, the 16th Kashag’s initiatives, and the sustenance of the Tibetan settlements.

The Director of Men-Tsee-Khang, the Registrar, and the Cultural Division Head briefed Sikyong on the undertakings of the institution.

Following the address, he left for visits to Ngagyur Nyingma Shugseb Nunnery, Jamyang Choeling Nunnery, Pal Shalu Monastery, and Karma Drubgyu Tharge Ling Nunnery.

Concluding his official visit with an address to the Tibetan community in Dharamshala, Sikyong apprised the gathering of the 16th Kashag’s initiatives since taking office. He stressed the need to maintain a database to facilitate the CTA’s undertakings. Speaking about the Kashag’s housing and land allotment project, which aspires to provide land or houses in Tibetan settlements that can accommodate those who have not been facilitated in the Tibetan refugee settlements, he said he was committed to seeing that all Tibetans would have homes to call their own. He further added that for sustenance of settlements compact communities are the only way forward.

He was accompanied by the Additional Secretary of the Department of Home, the Chair of the Local Tibetan Assembly, the Dharamshala Settlement Officer, a member of the Regional Freedom Movement, and relevant officials of the Home Department, CTA.