Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement, Ravangla | May 2025
Since officially assuming charge as the Tibetan Settlement Officer (TSO) of Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement on 19th February 2025, Kunphenling TSO has undertaken a series of proactive engagements with government officials, administrative leaders, and prominent public figures in Sikkim. These visits, which took place between March and May 2025, reflect his commitment to building cooperative partnerships and addressing key concerns of the Tibetan community in the region.

The series of official engagements commenced on 13th March 2025, when TSO paid a courtesy visit to Hon’ble Forest Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pintso Namgyal, and Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri Karma Legshay, in Gangtok. A scroll bearing a meaningful quote by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was presented to the dignitaries, along with a formal request to resolve issues concerning the land lease agreement and boundary demarcation of Kunphenling Settlement under the State Forest and Environment Department.

On 21st April 2025, TSO met with Shri Wangyal Sherpa, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Ravangla, to discuss several ongoing administrative challenges and seek collaborative solutions. As a token of goodwill, a copy of Voice for the Voiceless by His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented to the SDM.

Later that day, Shri Bishnu Sharma, retired Naval Officer and respected community figure, visited the TSO Office on behalf of the Cho-Zho Fest Organising Committee to express gratitude for the Tibetan community’s wholehearted participation in Cho-Zho Fest 2025. He too was presented with Voice for the Voiceless in appreciation of his outreach.

On 28th April 2025, the TSO visited Buddha Park OSD Mr. Tseten and Tourism Officer Mr. Sonam to explore avenues for future cultural and tourism-related collaborations. Both officers were gifted a copy of Voice for the Voiceless during the meeting.

Continuing efforts to improve local services, TSO met with the Branch Manager of the State Bank of India (SBI), Ravangla, on 1st May 2025, to discuss ways to enhance banking accessibility for Tibetan residents. A copy of Voice for the Voiceless was presented as a gesture of appreciation.

On 2nd May 2025, Lieutenant Colonel of the 6th Vikas Special Frontier Force (SFF) visited the TSO office. The TSO provided a guided tour of the settlement and discussed the long-standing historical and familial ties between Kunphenling and the SFF, many of whose veterans and recruits hail from the Tibetan community. The Lieutenant Colonel was presented with Voice for the Voiceless.

A key infrastructure-focused engagement took place on 5th May 2025, when the TSO met with the Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding the status of ongoing road repair works in the settlement. The engineer assured continued support for future projects and received a copy of Voice for the Voiceless.

One of the most significant meetings occurred on 8th May 2025, at Zumthang Hotel, Ravangla, where TSO Kalsang Tseten convened with senior forest officials including Mr. Sujoy Dutta, Chief of Kolkata Forest Department, Ms. Peggy Venchungpa, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Namchi, Range Officer Namchi and Ravangla Range Officer Mr. Nishant. The discussion focused on advancing the resolution of the settlement’s land lease and demarcation matters. All officials were presented with Voice for the Voiceless.

On 12th May 2025, during the Buddha Purnima celebrations at Buddha Park, TSO Kalsang Tseten had the distinct honor of presenting Voice for the Voiceless to Shri Sangha Lama Sonam, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development Department (RDD) and Minister of Religious Affairs, Government of Sikkim, for his continued support.

On the same occasion, Burfung MLA Shri Rigshal Dorjee was also presented with the book as a token of appreciation for his consistent engagement with and support for the Tibetan community.

These engagements mark a significant step forward in reinforcing mutual respect and strategic cooperation between the Tibetan settlement and regional authorities. More high-level meetings are planned in the coming months, reflecting TSO’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the well-being, dignity, and development of the Tibetan people in Kunphenling Settlement and beyond.