On August 25, 2025, the Choephelling settlement officer and the secretary of the Tibetan Cooperative Society warmly welcomed the CTA Home Secretary, Palden Dhondup, upon his arrival at Dibrugarh airport. The visit marked a critical engagement aimed at strengthening the welfare and development of the Choephelling settlement and as a chief guest on the inaugural day of Cooperative Society’s General Body Meeting.

On August 26th, the newly constructed staff quarter for the settlement officer was officially inaugurated. This facility is expected to enhance the living conditions for the settlement officer and improve administrative efficiency.

At 9:00 AM on August 26th, CTA Home Secretary Palden Dhondup addressed the residents of the Choephelling settlement. The talk focused on three main topics:

1.           Secretary’s Experience and Settlement Welfare:

The CTA Home Secretary, Palden Dhondup, shared insights from his tenure as the Home Secretary of the CTA Home Department, highlighting ongoing efforts and strategies implemented to promote the welfare of Tibetan settlements.

2.           Youth Empowerment (YES+) Initiative:

The CTA Home Secretary discussed the YES+ program, emphasising its role in empowering Tibetan youth. Plans were announced to establish YES+ branches in Ladakh and the Miao Tibetan settlement to support youth engagement and development further.

3.           Significance of Joining the SFF Estt. 22 Army:

The CTA Home Secretary stressed the importance of Tibetans joining the SFF Estt. 22 army as a means of contributing to the broader Tibetan cause and enhancing community security.

Following the public meeting, the CTA Home Secretary toured the Demo-Farm, observing and supervising plantation and maintenance of demo farm. He discussed and underlining the critical role of agriculture in making the settlement self-sustaining. Additionally, he emphasised the need for the Demo-Farm’s expansion and requested that relevant authorities support this initiative.

In the afternoon, the secretary held an informal meeting with all the heads and camp leaders of the settlement, during which he gave a motivational talk addressing local governance and community issues.

The Secretary then visited the old people’s home and the settlement office, expressing concern for the welfare of the elderly and the operational efficiency of the settlement administration.

Lastly, he inspected several structures requiring renovation, including the old staff quarters and the old hostel, and urged that necessary improvements be undertaken promptly to enhance living conditions.

The visit by CTA Home Secretary Palden Dhondup was a significant step toward reinforcing the welfare, empowerment, and sustainable development of the Choephelling settlement. The initiatives discussed and the commitments made during the visit are expected to have a positive impact on the community’s future growth and resilience.