Sikyong Penpa Tsering Conducts Official Engagements in Hunsur Rabgyaling Tibetan Settlement

February 18, 2025

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Sikyong Penpa Tsering of Central Tibetan Administration Visits Gyudmey Monastery and Tibetan Community in Hunsur.

Hunsur, Karnataka: Yesterday, on 17 February 2025, Sikyong Penpa Tsering participated in the offering of long-life prayers to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Gyudmey Tantric Monastery in the morning, alongside several reverent lamas and prominent members, including Kasur (former Kalon) Jetsun Pema, the younger sister of His Holiness.

Following the ceremony, Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited the Tibetan community in Hunsur Rabgyaling Settlement and its key offices. Upon his arrival, he was warmly received by Settlement Officer Norbu Tsering, representatives of local-based various Tibetan associations and monastic institutions.

Accompanied by the settlement officer, Sikyong first visited the Rabgyaling Tibetan Settlement Office before proceeding to the Tibetan Rabgyaling Primary Agricultural Credit Co-Operative Society Ltd., where he met with the Chief Executive Officer and staff. He was briefed on the cooperative’s operations and later inspected the ongoing roof sheet works under its administration.

Sikyong then visited key institutions within the settlement, including Sambhota Tibetan Pre-Primary School (C-Village), Gurupura Milk Producers Co-Operative Society, Old People Home (OPH), Rabgyaling Ogyen Ling Monastery, Phende Menkhang Hospital, Men-Tse-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute), and Dzongkar Choede Monastery and its administration office.

His final stop after lunch at Dzongkar Choede Monastery was at Sambhota Tibetan School (STS Secondary School), where he toured classrooms and addressed the students and faculty members. In his address, Sikyong highlights the significance of understanding Tibetan history and the Indo-Tibetan relationship, particularly in the evolution of Tibetan script, religion, and culture. “We consider India as the Guru and ourselves the Chela,” he remarked, emphasising the historical ties between the two nations, while encouraging that, “It is imperative that we must always maintain harmonious relationship with the locals and abide by the rules.”

Sikyong also spoke about the deep gratitude owed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, emphasising that without His leadership, the Tibetan exile community would not have been what it is today. He similarly acknowledged the sacrifices and dedication of the older generations, whose hard work laid the foundation for future Tibetans.

Furthermore, Sikyong also spoke extensively about the ongoing environmental destructions in Tibet caused by China’s massive infrastructure projects, including heavy mining, large-scale dam constructions, and rapid urbanisation. He warned that these activities not only threaten Tibet’s fragile ecosystem but also pose severe risks to neighbouring countries that depend on Tibet’s water sources. He added that, “The recent earthquake in Tibet and its severe devastations are the consequences resulting from PRC’s degradation of natural environment that has exacerbated the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.”

Furthermore, Sikyong Penpa Tsering appealed the importance of unity and collective responsibility among Tibetans in exile. He urged the Tibetans to remain steadfast in their efforts to preserve Tibetan identity, language and culture. He encouraged all the faculties and students, particularly the younger generation, to take pride in their heritage and contribute actively to the Tibetan movement.

During the Q&A session, Sikyong also spoke about the evolution of Tibetan democracy and elaborated on the roles and responsibilities of various departments under the Central Tibetan Administration.