Tenzin and Dawa Dolma were selected for Youth Empowerment Award. They were felicitated with a Tibetan traditional scarf, certificate and a cheque of INR 35,000 during the official function marking 62nd Tibetan Democracy day on 2 September 2022.
1) Tenzin hails from Dingri Langkhor, Tibet and escaped to India in 2013. Currently, she lives in Mcleodganj, Dharamsala (HP). She graduated 12th standard from TCV Suja School based in Bir. After completing a Diploma course in Bakery & Confectionery from Tibetan Private Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Selaqui, Dehradun followed by 6-month internship done at Trident Hotel, Jaipur, she started working at Pema Thang Hotel and Woeser Bakery shop based in Dharamsala for almost one year. Since 2018, she has been running her Bakery & Confectionery shop known as ‘Tenzin Kitchen Cafe’ shop near Tashi Choeling, Jogiwara Road, Mcleodganj, Dharamsala. Different kinds of beverages, cuisine and laphing are also served in her café. At present, there are three Tibetan youths who are being employed in her café, and while her business, she has also been teaching Tibetans & non-Tibetan people the production of bakery, cake, pizza and laphing free of cost.
She was felicitated with an award during the official function at Tsuglakhang Temple, Mcleodganj, Dharamsala (HP).
2) Dawa Dolma escaped from Kongpo, Tibet, to India in 1992. Currently, she lives with her husband in Lugsung Samdupling Tibetan Settlement, Bylakuppe. She did her schooling from CST Tezu and Dalhousie till 10th class. In 2007, she completed a Beautician course specializing in Hair & Skin Care at Tibetan Private Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Selaqui. After that, she started working in various beauty & hair salons in Goa for almost three years. She also provided door-to-door service in the community for almost a year. Since 2012, she has been running her Beauty parlour known as ‘Dawa’s Beauty Care’ in Goa, where she not only deals in commercial activities but provides post-training internships and job opportunities to the young Tibetan girls who completed their skills training from ITI, Selaqui. She also provides training in her workplace and assists job placement in other job avenues. Currently, she employed 4 Tibetan girls and 2 Indian local girls whom she facilitated them with all the expenses incurred for residence, food, water & electricity bills.
Due to her flight from Goa to Mysore being cancelled at the last moment, her husband & daughter, on her behalf, received an award at the official function in Lugsam Tibetan Settlement, Bylakuppe, Karnataka State.
Introduction of Youth Empowerment Award:
The award is an initiative of the Youth Empowerment Support (YES) section of the Department of Home, CTA and is designed to promote self-reliance through vocational education and encourage youth to become contributing members of the community by starting a business.
The program will recognize two individuals every year who have not only become self-reliant but are also contributing to the overall development of the community. It will recognize the exemplary youth who are currently self-employed after completing vocational education from any training institute and who has been running the business for min. two years & willing to continue the same.
The selected individual will be felicitated at the official function of the Tibetan Democracy Day on 2nd September at Dharamsala. Every year the announcement is made through the settlement office and official media outlets. The applicant shortlisted by each settlement will be scrutinized at the head office, and the final two recipients will be selected by the Central committee.
The program was funded by Verein TibetFreunde – Swiss Foundation.
-Report file by Department of Home-