Ravangla, Sikkim: Kalon Palden Dhondup of the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), accompanied by the Department’s Acting Secretary Tsering Youdon and the Head of the Northeast Division, Uma Thinley, conducted an official visit to Tibetan settlements in Sikkim and West Bengal, where they met with local officials and members of the Tibetan community.

Following their arrival at Bagdogra Airport on 2 June, the delegation reached Ravangla Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement in the evening. Upon arrival, they visited the Settlement Office and held a meeting with the office staff, during which the Home Kalon offered guidance on matters related to public service and administrative affairs.

On 3 June, Kalon Palden Dhondup inaugurated several newly completed community projects, including the Community Hall at Camp No. 4, the Multipurpose Cooperative Hall, and the Settlement’s Gyalyum Chenmo Community Hall. Following the inauguration ceremony, he addressed members of the local Tibetan community at the Gyalyum Chenmo Community Hall and responded to questions from the public.

Later that day, the delegation visited Thupten Dhargyeling Monastery, Nelung Monastery, the Office of the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, the Tibetan Primary Health Centre, the Office of the Local Tibetan Cooperative Society, the Men-Tsee-Khang branch clinic, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Office, the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association Office, Dangsur Hall, the Local Tibetan Assembly Hall, and Sambhota Tibetan Day School.

The following day, the delegation visited the Temi Tea Garden and Factory, where they observed the tea processing and drying stages and learned about the history and operations of the factory.

The delegation also paid a visit to Palchen Choling Monastery, where they were granted an audience with Kyabje Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche.

In the evening, the delegation visited Tathagata Tsal, located near Ravangla Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement. Together with local officials, they discussed potential sites for tourism and recreational development within the settlement, including plans for the construction of a guest house.

Later that day, at the invitation of Sikkim Legislative Assembly Member Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia, the delegation attended a dinner reception as special guests and held cordial discussions with him.

On 5 June, the delegation departed Ravangla Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement for Gangtok.

On 6 July, the Home Kalon attended, as the special guest, the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Associations’ Hall in Gangtok, built by the Government of Sikkim. The inauguration was held in conjunction with the celebration of the 91st birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. During the programme, a message from the Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration was read aloud. The Home Kalon also responded to questions from members of the media and visited each association’s pavilion to personally greet participants and extend his greetings on the occasion.

On 7 July, at the invitation of the Gangtok Settlement Office, the local Ghoton Organising Committee, and the five local Tibetan associations, the Home Kalon-led delegation attended the celebration marking the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the concluding ceremony of the Year of Compassion. During the programme, the Home Kalon delivered remarks on the significance of the occasion and officially announced the conclusion of the Year of Compassion observance.

The delegation is scheduled to continue its official visit from 8 to 18 July to the Tibetan settlements in Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim, as well as Sonada, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Siliguri in northern West Bengal.

Report filed by the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration.