Dharamshala: In a meeting held with Settlement Officers on 8 June, Sikyong Penpa Tsering had directed all the settlement offices to update the progress of the vaccination drive in the respective settlements.

As such, Tibetan settlements in Dehradun, led by its Settlement Officer (Retd) Lt Col Norbu, initially approached the Offices of District Magistrate and CMO (Chief Medical Officer) to discuss vaccine roll out and other assistance required in the Tibetan settlements across Dehradun and Distt Sirmour (H.P). Both the DM and CMO assured to facilitate the vaccination for the Tibetans; however, the dates had not yet been set.

Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen through Sakya Dolma Phodrang graciously sponsored the vaccination for the Tibetans and local Indians between the ages of 18-44.

On 14 June, a virtual meeting was held between Sakya Dagmo Kalden and Dekyiling’s Covid-19 Task Force Committee to discuss vaccines’ procurement. It was then decided that a team of medical staff from Synergy Hospital in Dehradun would administer the vaccines.

The first day of the vaccine drive covered around 322 Tibetans in Dekyiling.

The next phase of the drive is expected to cover Tibetans in Gepheling, Tsering Dhodenling, Dhondupling, Rajpur, Mussorie, Kham Lingtsang, Raptenling and Tibetan Homes School in Gori Marfi.

Tibetans residing in Distt Sirmour will receive the vaccines on 17 June, Tibetans in Herbertpur on 18 June and on 19 June, local Indians residing around these settlements will receive the Covid vaccine.

The Doon Tibetan community expresses heartfelt gratitude to Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen and Sakya Dolma Phodrang for sponsoring the vaccination.

-Filed by TSO, Dehradun

Sakya Dagmo Kalden, Settlement Officer (Retd) Lt Col Norbu with the frontliners

Vaccination drive in Doon Tibetan community

Local Indians in Doon receive free vaccines