The Kalimpong Tibetan Settlement Office was founded in 1959, with the assistance of the Indian government, for an initial population of 1925.It is a scattered area, and there are six additional areas under Kalimpong jurisdiction: Algarah, Lava, Pedong, Salugara, Jaigaon and Oodlabari.Salugara is one of the largest places in Northeast India and is projected to experience significant Tibetan settlement in the next years. Jaigaon is 190 kilometers from Kalimpong and borders Phuntsholing, Bhutan. It is a significant Indo-Bhutan border area.
Settlement location:-
Kalimpong is a town and the headquarters of an eponymous district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located at an average elevation of 1,250 meters (4,101 ft) above sea level. The maximum summer temperature is 27℃ and the minimum 16℃.Temperature in winter between a high of 17℃ and low of 5℃.
No,Village:-
Kalimpong is a scattered area with six areas under our jurisdiction: Algarah, Lava, Pedong, Jagaon, Salugara, and Oodlabari.In comparison to other areas under our control, Kalimpong has the highest concentration of Tibetan residents.
Settler’s Livelihood:-
Because it is scattered, their livelihood primarily depends on Traditional Crafts, restaurants, Army and some are manufacturing Tibetan traditional products like incense, Thukpa, and Tra-zhug.Shops.
Facilities in the settlement:-
School and education:-
Education is becoming increasingly crucial to the younger generation in order to adapt to modern life and expand the Tibetan issue to the rest of the globe. Almost all of the elderly Tibetan refugees who fled to India following China’s takeover of Tibet were illiterate. And, even in exile, they believe that educating the exile children is one of the most constructive and positive things they can do to help get the Chinese out of their homeland. Education is so crucial for defeating the Chinese. Schools were established in the settlements to educate their children. Sambhota Tibetan School Kalimpong was established in 1964 and currently has 453 in school students with a total of 46 staff members. The main school is up to +12. There are approximately 30 to 45 students per class. The school is supposed to follow the core Indian syllabus while including Tibetan elements.Besides schools under monasteries, such as Jamgon Kongtrul Memorial School, Munselling School, and Sakya Tsechen Thrinley Dargye Ling Monastery School.
Health and Hospital:-
Kalimpong, there is one allopathic clinic run by the Department of Health, as well as three branches of Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute) at Salugara, Kalimpong, and Jaigaon.One Indian Government Hospital is nearby for emergencies.
Old People Home:-
There is one Old People’s Home that is administered by the Department of Home and direct supervision of the Settlement Office with 11 elderly residents and 4 staff members. There is one more old age home managed by Jamgon Kongtrul Memorial
Monasteries:-
There are 10 monasteries in Kalimpong namely:
In Kalimpong
- Gaden Tharpa Choling Monastery
- Palden Sedgyed
- Zhekar Choede Monastery
- Tsechen Trinley Dhargyeling (Sakya Monastery)
In Salugara
- Sed-Gyued Institute of Buddhist Studies
- Ewam Nunnery
In Lava
- Thekchenling Monastery
- Ugen Mindrol Samtenling Monastery
- Jangchup Choelling
In Damdim
1) Bokar Shedra Obar Chimeyling Institute
Cultural Preservation association:-
1) Kalimpong Tibetan Opera Association
2) Gangjong Dhoekhar
3) Tibetan Language preservation committee: – They are conducting free Tibetan language school on Sunday for children and elders.
Administration set up:-
A settlement officer appointed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Dharamsala, serves as the Department of Home’s representative in each settlement. As the settlement’s principal position, the settlement officer is responsible for overseeing the general management of the settlement. The settlement officer takes all major decisions in collaboration with the three provinces and is the primary liaison between the settlement office and the community.
COMMUNITY Leader’s:-
Since Kalimpong is a scattered place, there are no camps or group leaders like in other settlements, so the three provinces of Doetoe, Doemey, and Utsang act as camp leaders. They are elected by settlers in each of the three provinces, and their function is to act as an intermediary between the Tibetan Settlement Office and relevant authorities, passing on information and resolving issues. Three provinces play a significant part in the growth of the community. Other than that, we have Local Tibetan Association chairman, Rangdhen Tsokchung chairman, RTYC Chairman, TWA Chairman, Tibetan Opera Association, Gangjong Doekhar, Four Monasteries from Kalimpong and STS Kalimpong taking a key role in any crucial meetings in the progress of the community.
TRAVELING MODE :
Nearest Railways Station:- New Jalpaiguri Railway, Siliguri station at a distance of 73.1 Kms from Kalimpong.
Nearest Airport:- Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri at a distance of 77.8 Kms from Kalimpong.
