Tibetan Headlines
Nov 20: Social Workers
The 17th Karmapa, head of Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, has acknowledged the Tong-Len Charitable Trust for their work on educating and empowering underprivileged Indian children in Himachal Pradesh. He was speaking on the Trust's 11th anniversary. Tong-Len’s three major programmes focus on providing hostel facilities, ten schools, and health care for children from poor families. Currently, 150 students are under the benefit of their programmes.
Nov 19: China Questioned
The United Nations Committee against Torture questioned China for nearly three hours over the widespread use of torture in the country’s prisons, crackdowns on activists and lawyers, and deaths in custody. The ten-member committee periodically reviews the records of countries that signed an international convention against abusive practice.
Nov 18: Press Conference
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and United States Congress members following their visit to Tibet held a press conference at Washington DC. Pelosi said that there is an opportunity to find “common ground” with Chinese authorities on Tibet. Jim McGovern, Chairman of a congressional Human Rights Commission said that they came back from the trip feeling doors are not entirely closed on anything.
Nov 16: Environment Protection
The 6th Khorgyug (environmental) conference for Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries in the Himalayas was held at Norbulingka Institute, presided over by the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee. Karmapa announced that an environmental award would be given to monasteries or nunneries working on environmental protection projects with innovation and consistency. The conference was started in 2009, under the Karmapa’s guidance.
Nov 16: Tibet Support Group
On the 125th birthday of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India Tibet Support Group has demonstrated at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in support of a Tibet free from China’s occupation. President of the organisation Pankaj Goel led the protest of around 200 people. Mr Goel said that the organisation’s aim is to work for a free Tibet and India’s security.
Nov 15: Sikyong Offers Condolence
In the wake of the terrorist attack in Paris, the capital of France, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-exile offered his sincere condolences to the victims of the attack. He was speaking on behalf of all Tibetan people and condemned the inhuman act. He said that terrorism is an attack on mankind and it reinforces the need for a collective international approach to combat terrorism.
Nov 14: Visit to Tibet
A group of United States Congress members has made a rare visit to Tibet during the delegation’s official trip to China. They said that the delegation recognised China’s commitment to building infrastructure in Tibet but remain concerned about the cultural, religious and linguistic heritage. US House of Representatives Minority leader Nancy Pelosi led the delegation. She was denied permission to visit Tibet six years ago.
Nov 13: Quantum Physics and Madhyamika
His Holiness the Dalai Lama graced the two-day conference on Quantum Physics and the Madhyamaka Philosophical View at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Scientists and philosophers from the US, Europe and India, and Tibetan monk scholars were invited to the conference. Arthur G Zajonc and Professor Bob Thurman from the USA, Professor Michel Bitbol from France, Professor N Mukunda from India, among others were present.
Nov 12: Tibet House Brazil
Tibet House Brazil has been officially launched. Mr Tashi Phuntso, the former liaison officer of Latin America has been appointed as the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the new office of Tibet. Tibet House was founded in New Delhi in 1965 by His Holiness to provide a centre for Tibetan and Buddhist studies. Since then many liaison offices have been set up around the world.
Nov 11: Abdul Kalam Seva Award
His Holiness the Dalai Lama launched the first edition of the Abdul Kalam Seva Ratna Awards in Chennai.. The award ceremony was introduced by the Abdul Kalam Vision Movement and supported by the Madras Management Association. The award aspires to recognise and honour individuals/organisations who contribute to creating a developed India as envisioned by the late former President of India Dr ABJ Abdul Kalam.
Nov 10: Authorised Repression
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy has exposed Chinese government documents which detail Chinese government authorised repression over the past few years in Diru County in Nagchu Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. “Document No 224” was issued by the Diru County government on September 19, and calls for the intensification and deepening of the campaign to purge and reform religious institutions.
Nov 8: US Backs Mine
The United States is loaning US $627 million, together with Chinese banks, to expand the Gyama Copper Gold Polymetallic mine in Meldro Gungkar County in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The mine, although publicised as a model project, has a history of landslides, in which people have died; pollution; environmental damage and detrimental impact on the socio-economic conditions of the area which includes a crackdown on local Tibetans protesting about the mine.
Nov 7: Tibetan Awarded
Tashi Topgyal, a Tibetan photojournalist with the Indian Express is among this year’s winners of the Indian national award for excellence in journalism 2015. Tashi, a photographer for nine years, will receive his award for the photo feature category from India Press Council President Pranab Mukerjee on National Press day, Nov 16. In his blog, The shutter speed journal, Tashi writes “At the end, all that remains is stories”.
Nov 6: TYC Pressures Modi
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has urged Indian Prime Minister Modi to raise the issue of Tibet with China’s Vice-President Li Yuanchao. A statement released by TYC said, “While we recognise that this meeting is a great opportunity for India and China to push for progress, we strongly urge for Tibet to be a part of the agenda.” Li Yuanchao is in India on a five-day official visit and is scheduled to visit all the top Indian leaders.
Nov 5: Land Ownership
The Karnataka state government has implemented a new policy enabling Tibetan refugees to legally obtain land records with their names on it, for lands they have been cultivating for the past five decades. In addition, they will be eligible for loans, subsidies and other amenities previously availed only to Indian citizens. The land will be leased to the Central Tibetan Relief Committee which will allocate the records to individuals.