Tibetan Headlines
Jan 5: His Holiness in Dharamshala
His Holiness the Dalai Lama returned to his residence in Dharamshala this morning after a a month of teachings and visits to Tibetan settlements and monasteries in Karnataka state, South India. Residents of Dharamshala, devotees and visitors welcomed him on his arrival at Mcleod Ganj. His Holiness was received at Gaggal airport by Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, Speaker Penpa Tsering and other officials from the Central Tibetan Administration.
Jan 4: Another Earthquake
Another earthquake, 6.8 magnitude, struck India’s northeastern regions with Manipur as its epicentre. It also affected parts of Tibet: prefectures in Nyingchi, Shannan, Qamdo and Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Xinhua, the Chinese state-run news agency reported that many residents in Lhasa said they felt earth shaking and were woken up from sleep.
Jan 2: 70% Subsidy
The Department of Health of the Central Tibetan Administration has announced a subsidy of 70% (equating to Rs 2,500 of Rs 3,565) under the Tibetan Medicare System (TMS), for the most vulnerable section of Tibetan people. TMS is a community based health scheme which aims to reduce the burden of out of pocket medical expenses. The announcement also states that next TMS enrollment is from January 20 - February 29.
Jan 1: 34th Kalachakra
At the conclusion of Jangchup Lamrim teaching at Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka state, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave his followers New Year greetings and also announced that the 34th Kalachakra will be held in January 2017.
Dec 31: China Admits its Actions
A Chinese government spokesperson has told journalists that China influenced South Africa in decision to deny the Dalai Lama a visa to visit the country. Referring to South Africa and China’s current economic collaboration worth $60 billion/£40 billion/R913 billion to S Africa, Lin Songtian said “We invest a lot of money in South Africa and we can’t allow [the Dalai Lama] to come and spoil the good relations.”
Dec 30: 7th in the World
A YouGov survey of 25,000 people from 23 countries has found that the Dalai Lama is the seventh most admired man in the world, after Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Xi Jinping, Jackie Chan, Narendra Modi and Pope Francis. Angelina Jolie is the most admired woman, closely followed by Malala and Hillary Clinton.
Dec 29: New Museum
A new museum dedicated to the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama has opened in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe, south India. Gyawa Yabsey Museum has evolved from a photo exhibition in 2009 which travelled around India and to America. The name Gyawa Yabsey Nyi [Great Father-Son Duo] alludes to the special relationship between the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama and the part they both play in recognising each other’s reincarnations.
Dec 27: Eye Checkups
Free eye checkups are being offered by the Delek Hospital in Dharamshala and the Association for Ophthalmic Co-operation in Asia, Japan, for local Indians and Tibetans over the next four days. This is the 16th year this has been offered, with a team of 10 Japanese doctors and nurses providing the treatments. 200-500 people attend the clinic each year, with 45-75 people having cataract surgery.
Dec 26: TIPA in S Korea
The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) has been on a cultural performance tour of South Korea during December. The first performances were in Yeosu city, attended by thousands of Korean spectators as well as local and state dignitaries. This was the first visit by a Tibetan cultural dance troupe to South Korea, making this the first ever cultural interaction between the two ancient countries.
Dec 25: Family Detained
The brother and two uncles of Tashi Dhondup, the man detained after a solo protest in Dzoge, Ngaba last week, have themselves been detained. Gonpo Kyab, Yeshe, and Lobpon Kyab were later released after questioning about the role they may have played in supporting and encouraging Dondrup’s protest. There have been no reports that they were beaten or tortured. Dondrub’s whereabouts are not known.
Dec 24: Tibetan Leader Speaks Out
Qiangba Puncog (Jampa Phuntsok), an ethnic Tibetan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee and former chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region, has been reported in Phayul as saying that the Chinese government needs to tackle the recurring instances of discrimination against people with ethnic backgrounds. "Such practices which run counter to the regional ethnic autonomy law must be resolutely rectified" he continued.
Dec 24: More Restrictions
There are reports that next year the Chinese government will extend the repressive policies currently imposed in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to other Tibetan areas. Currently, these areas suffer less repression than those inside the TAR. This is seen as seen as an indication of the Communist Party’s intention to impose a centrally unified policy in all Tibetan areas. It is expected that this will particularly affect travel.
Dec 23: Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche
His Eminence the third Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, 89, the spiritual head of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, died in Bodh Gaya. Rinpoche was born in central Tibet and recognised as an incarnation of the great master Ngok Chöku Dorje by the 9th Dorje Drak Rinpoche Thubten Choewang. He came via Nepal to live in India and gave instruction and teachings right up to the end of his life.
Dec 23: Travel Restricted
Wang Lixiong, 62, the well-known Chinese writer and scholar, has been prevented from boarding a Beijing flight bound for Japan because, officials say, of his support for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Independence, and “threatening national security interests”. He planned to travel to Japan and Taiwan to observe their forthcoming elections. Wang is married to Woeser, the Tibetan writer known for her outspoken condemnation of Chinese policies in Tibet.
Dec 22: US Ups Aid
The United States has sanctioned $6 million (£4 million) in aid for Tibetans in India and Nepal during 2016, a 100% increase over last year. The bill states “not less than $6,000,000 shall be made available for programmes to promote and preserve Tibetan culture, development, and the resilience of Tibetan communities in India and Nepal, and to assist in the education and development of the next generation of Tibetan leaders from such communities”.