Ongoing projects

A group of newly arrived Tibetan dispersedly residing in Mundgod Camp 10 proposed to establish a tailoring center to make themselves and their community self-reliant. For doing so the ISDP program supported the purchase of tailoring machines and other necessary items.  At the present the tailoring center is successfully producing the monk’s robes, children’s uniform, traditional Tibetan dresses, Thangka bordering and other religious items.

Mr. Sonam Dhargey ran a very small-scaled noodle-making unit in Dirang with a high demand for noodles from locals and nearby markets. The surplus demand for the noodle was met by importing it from the neighboring state Assam at a higher price. With the prime objective of meeting the surplus noodle demand locally, stopping the money circulation outside the settlement, Mr. Sonam wanted to upgrade his noodle-making factory and expand the production center. He is now successfully supplying noodles not only to his former market but also to the areas which he did not cover formally earlier after upgrading his unit. ISDP program supported to upgrade noodle making equipment such as noodle making machine, noodle cutter machine and Atta kneading machine.

The Tibetan community hall commonly referred to as Mani Lhakhang in Kalimpong is a two-storied building used for all the formal, social, and religious gatherings by Tibetans living across Kalimpong for more than twenty years without any renovation. It plays a vital role in the preservation of culture and religion through conducting language classes to both Tibetan children and local interested children on every Sunday. ISDP program supported to renovate the hall and procure necessary equipment.

All members of this group are unemployed and currently engaged voluntarily in some leadership activities such as president, vice president, manager in different Tibetan associations around Kalimpong. This group realizes the importance of having a travel agency owned and run by Tibetan themselves to become self-reliant. Moreover Kalimpong is one of the popular tourist destinations in the Northeastern part of India and with which comes a great business prospect for running a travel agency to facilitate the tourist industry and self-employment. ISDP program supported to buy required items to start up a new travel agency.

Camp 6 community hall at Ravangla settlement was constructed more than 30 years ago and since then Camp didn’t witness any major renovation. There have been minor renovations taken from the residents’ contribution. However, it was in a dilapidated state, it got worse especially during the rainy season, therefore, there was an urgent need for the renovation. Community centre/hall is the sole congregational center for all the formal and informal activities. With the support from ISDP program, the community hall had wall coverings, wall paintings, flooring repair and replacement of doors and windows.

Camp no.1 Community Hall at Ravangla settlement was established in 1999 and since then Camp didn’t witness any major renovation. There has been a minor renovation taken from the residents’ contribution, however, it is in bad shape, it gets worse especially during the rainy season. Therefore, ISDP program supported the renovation of cracked walls, painting, floorings, windows and doors.

The co-operative society is a registered society. For quite some time now their business is spiraling downwards and they are failing to renovate family quarters which is one of their income-generating sources due to the lack of working capital and they don’t have suitable capital to invest for the purpose. There are a high number of expats in need of rooms. To attract people to rent the society’s quarters, renovation was needed to be done to make it more suitable for people to live in. ISDP program supported to renovate the quarter and procure necessary items for the quarter.

Budget: ₹ 348,000/-
Project Implemented by: Mr. Tsering Ngodup (Individual Project Holder)
Year of Implementation: 2019-20

Mr. Tsering Ngodup has a small dairy farm and he took a loan from the Department of Home, CTA at a low interest a few years ago to start this dairy farming and it has been very helpful for the business. Mr. Tsering wanted to upgrade and expand the dairy farming so as to increase earnings and meet the high demand for milk and allied products within the settlement. Therefore, with the support from ISDP program, Mr. Tsering purchased two hybrid cows, a chaff cutter and milk cluster machine. Mr. Tsering has also done a minor renovation for his cow shed.

Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement, Ravangla has a small monastery known as Thupten Dhargayling which is the main and central place to hold important events and mass prayers for the whole settlement since it is located at the center point. The erstwhile fencing is all broken now. The little fund they have is used for monastery’s monks’ daily meals, robes, classes, etc. so there is nothing left to engage in fencing. The monastery was facing trespassing loss and damage of property due to poor fencing. Therefore, ISDP program supported to protect the monastery from loss and damage of their property and trespassing the monastery by procuring barb wire and GI pole materials for fencing.

The present community hall was built many years ago but there are very limited amenities which make it difficult for them to conduct any community activity effectively and efficiently. They have to request from each household for the things needed during a gathering every time. Having these facilities in the community hall will empower community members to organize official functions, gatherings, and prayer sessions and allow people to socialize and share/impart traditional and cultural values especially with or to the younger generation. ISDP program supported to procure all necessary furniture and equipment required in the community hall.

The beneficiary is running a restaurant for many years for her livelihoods. This is the only source of income to feed her family, educate children, medication expenses, and other miscellaneous expenditures. The current restaurant is old and is in bad condition and does not have proper modern machines and facilities available in the restaurants. It is very high time that the restaurant is upgraded with the pace of time before running out of business. ISDP program supported the renovation of her rented restaurant to make it look hygienic and procure necessary kitchen items.

Rongay Tibetan refugee settlement is located in a remote area of Sikkim. Due to its geographical constraints they do not have a proper car workshop center in the region. The beneficiary group of five people wanted to set up a small vehicle repair workshop centre which they plan to expand gradually to include more services. On the other hand it can help alleviate the unemployment of Tibetan youths residing in the settlement by providing employment opportunities in the workshop. With the support from ISDP, beneficiaries have purchased workshop equipment, furniture and supplies.

Being alone and having no family member, tailoring center is the only source of income for the beneficiary.  The current machines are old and not upgraded until now due to financial restraints. Moreover, the beneficiary’s house where she runs the tailoring center is dilapidated and very dingy throughout the year damaging the machines and fabrics. The beneficiary is working very hard and is dedicated to strengthening her livelihood. Purchase of new machines and cosmetic improvement will empower the beneficiary to take more orders and finish orders on time, which will ultimately improve her standard of living. Therefore, ISDP program has supported her in upgrading her center by procuring sewing equipment, supplies and a minor renovation.