Due to the ongoing 2021 Sikyong and Chithue election coupled with the rising COVID-19 cases all over India, Home Kalon cut short his visit by skipping Hunsur and Mundgod Tibetan settlement visit.
Kalon visited the Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement on 10 April and inaugurated the Tara Kissan Villa guest house and the Padma Exotic Citrus nursery project at the Organic Research and Training Centre.
Tara Kissan Villa houses 19 rooms with 2 suite rooms and 17 single rooms, the rooms are all well furnished and has all the necessary amenities. It has been beautifully landscaped with good lighting and plantation to provide an overall pleasant ambiance. The project has been funded by The Charitable Foundation (TCF), Australia and German Aid to Tibetans (GAT), Germany.
At the inauguration of Citrus nursery, the experts and the technical persons behind the establishment of the project Mr Ken from KJB Agro, Croog in-person explained in detail about the project and informed that the nursery facility built is of world-class and the standard is among the best in India using Israel Netafim equipment of the highest quality and also bringing technology into Agriculture, the high tech nursery’s irrigation system is all operated through mobile from anywhere.
Mr Ken informed that the citrus mother plant is brought from the USA and there are a thousand plants, it is one through the technology transfers that the Tibetan agriculture extension officers (AEO) have been trained and they propagate it in the budding station where Kalon was demonstrated on the phase of budding In the root-stock nursery block.
The citrus variety is of grapefruit and it is the only project growing commercially in India and the team is very excited, said Mr Ken.
Later Kalon distributed the 1st batch of micro budded grapefruit seedlings to the Tibetan farmers and thanked Mr Ken for his support and the great initiative, he also informed the farmers to take good care of the plant and if needed seek guidance from the AEO for any assistance. The project is funded by USAID through Tibet Fund.
On 11 April, Kalon cast his vote for the 2021 Sikyong and Chithue election. It was followed by a visit to the Gepheling retired staff quarter to inspect the ongoing remaining five quarters construction and the fifty thousand litres overhead water tank construction project. Kalon was offered high tea reception by the retiree staffs. This was followed by a dinner reception hosted in honor of Home Kalon and a brief felicitation ceremony was held. Kalon was presented a Lord Buddha statue by the Tibetan community of Bylakuppe Lugsam and Delar settlement.
On 12th Kalon inaugurated the open gym at Golathalla for the residents of Lugsam camp 5 and 6. The project is funded by the Karnataka state government’s grant-in-aid.
On 13th morning, Kalon left for Bangalore and on the way attended a brief program to inaugurate the newly constructed Rabgayling Tibetan Settlement office and Rabgayling Primary Agriculture Credit Co-operative Society office.
The project is funded by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration.
The settlement officer informed the gathering of the project background and thanked Kalon for the support extended in the realization of this important project.
Kalon expressed that the office was in a dilapidated condition during his last visit and therefore he proposed its construction.
