Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School, Upper Dharamshala celebrated its 62nd anniversary on October 23, with hundreds of faculty members, alumni and public gathered. The anniversary celebration was presided over by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile’s Sikyong Penapa Tsering, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Justice Commissioners Kyabje Yongzin Ling Choktrul Rinpoche and Jetsun Pema, sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, among many other government and non-government officials.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering in his address acknowledged the long sighted vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s priorities to set up separate schools for Tibetans on his arrival in India in 1959, and the support he received from the Indian government. “It is all thanks to His Holiness’s blessings, the support of the host government and the hardworking staff today and in the past,” said Sikyong.
He also highlighted the importance of the Tibetan language and early history which, he said, will be beneficial for people in the future who are working towards advocating for the Tibetan cause against the Chinese narrative on Tibet. He spoke of the critical situation inside Tibet,and of the Chinese government’s attempt at sinicisation through their colonial-style boarding schools system which has been set up in most regions of Tibet and which is depriving Tibetan children of learning about their culture and their past. He emphasised the importance of education in Tibetan language and culture for Tibetans living in exile and who are migrating to western countries where there is no opportunity to use the Tibetan language.
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel also stressed the importance of learning Tibetan language in exile, and of the restrictions imposed on it inside in Tibet.
Jetsun Pema
Jetsun Pema, also known as Ama Jetsun Pema, who was President of TCV for over 42 years and one of the core members who have been there since the initial set up of the school, spoke, crediting the success of TCV schools to the combined effort of all the staff. She said “When I look at the progress we have achieved with the school, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and satisfaction,” and appealed for more TCV alumuni to come forward and support the school fund which is raised for the welfare of its children.
During the event a Tibetan translation of her biography Tibet : My Story was launched in honour and gratitude for Jetsun Pema’s contribution. In the evening, the documentary film Ama la [meaning ‘mother’], directed by Gelek Passang, himself a former TCV student, was premiered.
The celebration also included performances of cultural dances by the students, and various exhibitions.
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