Tibetan Headlines
Aug 25: TYC Conference
The Relevance and Significance of the Dalai Lama Institution, a two-day conference organised by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), is underway in Dharamshala. The conference is discussing the significance and relevance of the institution of the Dalai Lama, the future of the Dalai Lama institution and the continuation of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, attended by over 200 representatives of 80 chapters of the TYC from 14 countries.
Aug 24: Rare Plant
Euonymus aquifolium, a plant listed as critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, has been discovered in Kham in eastern Tibet. It was first found there by British botanist Ernest Henry Wilson in 1908 and had not been seen since, until it was discovered by Chinese scientists in a canyon near Mount Gongga in 2021.
Aug 23: New Representative
Tsepri Lopan Tulku Ngawang Chokdup has been appointed Representative of the Office of Tibet in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Representative is appointed by the Kashag [Cabinet], with Sikyong and the Kalons [Ministers] in attendance.
Aug 23: His Holiness Offers Support
HH the Dalai Lama has written to Ram Thakur, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, to say that he is making a donation to help the people who have suffered heavy losses of life, property and infrastructure during this exceptionally heavy monsoon. “I offer my condolences to [...] all those affected by this devastation,” said His Holiness, “I pray for them”.
Aug 22: University Breakthrough
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi has given Tibetan students an exemption from the usual fees charged to international students; this fee, which was increased three years ago, has precluded many Tibetans for attending university and Tibetans have been lobbying for some time for it to be dropped. JNU’s Deputy Registrar announced the fee will now be “at par with that of the similarly admitted Indian students.”
Aug 22: Award for His Holiness?
Calls are continuing for India to award HH the Dalai Lama the Bharat Ratna, the highest Indian award given to civilians, with the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT) now adding its voice to the requests. The APIPFT, which sat for the first time last year, has also called for His Holiness to address a joint sitting of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
Aug 22: US Consul Visit
Judith Ravin, Consul General of the United States Consulate in Chennai, has visited Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement along with her staff. Ms Ravin enquired about the progress of the local USAID’s and PRM-funded projects, how they benefit local Tibetan residents and ways of advancing these projects in the future.
Aug 22: Chinese Spy Arrested
Pema Dhargyal Ngawan, known in the United States as Baimadajie Angwang, who was arrested in 2020 charged with spying on fellow Tibetans for China, will stand trial next month. He is a New York City Police officer, a naturalised American who was granted asylum after claiming that, as a Tibetan, he had been tortured by the Chinese. It has now been established that his parents are both members of the Chinese Communist Party.
Aug 19: Cycling for Tibet
Tibetan Activist Sangyal Kyap is cycling across Canada from Vancouver to urge the Canadian people to support the return of HH the Dalai Lama to Tibet; renewal China-Tibet talks; to call for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama and other political prisoners and for respect for human rights in Tibet, as well as to protect Tibet’s environment from Chinese development. Kyap has been campaigning for Tibet since 2018.
Aug 19: Swiss Visits
A Sakya delegation led by Sakya Gongma Trinchen Rinpoche has completed a visit to Switzerland where they granted teachings, blessings and empowerment. Also in Switzerland, Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau paid a courtesy call to the State Secretary for Migration of Switzerland Ms Christine Schraner Burgener to update her on the situation in Tibet and to thank the Swiss people for their support for the Tibetan cause.
Aug 18: New Biography of His Holiness
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 100 Anecdotes, a new biography of HH the Dalai Lama by two Indian children’s writers Arthy Muthanna Singh and Mamta Nainy, has been described as “quick and accessible” introduction for young people to the Dalai Lama by writer and journalist Chintan Girish Modi. The book outlines the idea of rebirth and reincarnation for those unfamiliar with Buddhism and Tibet.
Aug 18: Flash Flooding
Sixteen people have died and 36 more are missing following flash flooding in the Tso-Ngon, Amdo (Ch:Qinghai ) province, reports the Global Times, China’s State media. The sudden flooding has affected over 6,000 people and 1,500 houses in the region. The report also states that China is facing extreme weather conditions across the country; with some areas hit by drought while others face heat waves.
Aug 18: Mother-Daughter Arrested
Rigzin Dolma, 76, and her daughter Tashi Yangkyi, 23, were arrested from their home in Nagchu county in the Tibet Autonomous Region on August 13 on charges of keeping contacts outside Tibet and sharing illegal photos, reports Voice of America’s Tibetan service. Rigzin Dolma was released the next day. Their family visited different police stations to inquire about Tashi Yangkyi but were given no details, except that she is in Lhasa.
Aug 18: Secular Ethics
The 2022 Workshop on Secular Ethics and Youth Leadership for young American Tibetans took place in the Garrison Institute in New York with over 30 students from 38 universities and 15 high schools participating. The workshop focused on secular ethics and youth engagement with the Tibetan cause. There was unanimous agreement to hold this workshop annually at the Garrison Institute.
Aug 17: Strengthening Democracy
A workshop on strengthening democracy at the grass root level was held for the local Tibetan Assemblies of Ladakh Leh-Jang on August 8 - 12 at Sonamling Tibetan Settlement, Ladakh. The five day workshop was organised by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Participants were given detailed information on the procedures of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile, Budget Policy and proceedings of Parliamentary sessions.