Ravangla: Tibetan Settlement Officer (TSO) Kalsang Tseten Strengthens ties with local authorities to foster collaborative development in Ravangla region, Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement. Since officially assuming charge as the Tibetan Settlement Officer (TSO) of Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement on 19 February 2025, Kunphenling TSO has undertaken a series of proactive engagements with government officials, administrative leaders, and prominent public figures in Sikkim. These visits, which took place between March and May 2025, reflect his commitment to building cooperative partnerships and addressing key concerns of the Tibetan community in the region.

The series of official engagements commenced on 13 March 2025, when TSO paid a courtesy visit to Hon’ble Forest Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pintso Namgyal, and Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri Karma Legshay, in Gangtok. A scroll bearing a meaningful quote by His Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama was presented to the dignitaries, along with a formal request to resolve issues concerning the land lease agreement and boundary demarcation of Kunphenling Settlement under the State Forest and Environment Department.

On 21 April, TSO met with Shri Wangyal Sherpa, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Ravangla, to discuss several ongoing administrative challenges and seek collaborative solutions. As a token of goodwill, a copy of Voice for the Voiceless by His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented to the SDM.

On 28 April, the TSO visited Buddha Park OSD Tseten and Tourism Officer Sonam to explore avenues for future cultural and tourism-related collaborations. Both officers were gifted a copy of Voice for the Voiceless during the meeting.

Continuing efforts to improve local services, TSO meets the Branch Manager of the State Bank of India (SBI), Ravangla, on 1 May, to discuss ways to enhance banking accessibility for Tibetan residents. A copy of Voice for the Voiceless was presented as a gesture of appreciation.

On 2 May, Lieutenant Colonel of the 6 Vikas Special Frontier Force (SFF) visited the TSO office. The TSO provided a guided tour of the settlement and discussed the long-standing historical and familial ties between Kunphenling and the SFF, many of whose veterans and recruits hail from the Tibetan community. The Lieutenant Colonel was presented with Voice for the Voiceless.

A key infrastructure-focused engagement took place on 5 May, when the TSO visits the Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding the status of ongoing road repair works in the settlement. The engineer assured continued support for future projects and received a copy of Voice for the Voiceless.

One of the most significant meetings occurred on 8 May, at Zumthang Hotel, Ravangla, where TSO Kalsang Tseten convened with senior forest officials including Sujoy Dutta, Chief of Kolkata Forest Department, Peggy Venchungpa, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Namchi, Range Officer Namchi and Ravangla Range Officer  Nishant. The discussion focused on advancing the resolution of the settlement’s land lease and demarcation matters. All officials were presented with Voice for the Voiceless.

On 12 May, during the Buddha Purnima celebrations at Buddha Park, TSO Kalsang Tseten had the distinct honour of presenting Voice for the Voiceless to Shri Sangha Lama Sonam, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development Department (RDD) and Minister of Religious Affairs, Government of Sikkim, for his continued support. On the same occasion, Burfung MLA Shri Rigshal Dorjee was also presented with the book as a token of appreciation for his consistent engagement with and support for the Tibetan community.

In conclusion, these engagements mark a significant step forward in reinforcing mutual respect and strategic cooperation between the Tibetan settlement and regional authorities. More high-level meetings are planned in the coming months, reflecting TSO’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the well-being, dignity, and development of the Tibetan people in Kunphenling Settlement and beyond.