Tibetan Headlines
May 11: EU Support
The three-member European Union delegation visiting Dharamshala has condemned China’s re-education policy and the suppression of minority languages as well as expressing admiration of the “fair and democratic” Tibetan election process. MEP Thomas Mann said he hopes “That you have the chance to exercise real autonomy soon”.
May 10: Tibet Festival in Japan
Hundreds of people gathered for Prayer for World Peace, a nine-day Tibet festival held at the Aida Mitsuo Museum in Tokyo. Monks from Sera Jay Monastery in south India showcased the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism with morning prayer sessions, cham or ritual dance, tibetan buddhist meditation practice and talks on various topics.
May 9: “Access Denied”
The International Campaign for Tibet has released a report Access Denied: China’s enforced isolation of Tibet, and the case for reciprocity which draws attention to restrictions on press freedom in Tibet and the one-way influence of China who expects, and gains, access to other countries but deny reciprocal access to Tibet for people from those countries. The report and its implications ares being promoted and discussed internationally.
May 9: TCHRD Report
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has released their annual report on the human rights situation in Tibet, which claims that China has intensified and strengthened its surveillance programme throughout Tibet. The report gives an analysis of the major human rights abuses committed by the Chinese authorities in 2017 and gives recommendations for ending repressive policies and practices in Tibet.
May 9: AI Calls for Release
Amnesty International has called for Tashi Wangchuk’s release on his 33rd birthday – his third spent behind bars. Tashi is in prison for his campaign for the constitutional right for Tibetans to be educated in Tibetan to be honoured. “Imprisoning Tashi to silence him will not stop other Tibetans from struggling to preserve their language, culture and identity” said Amnesty International in a statement on their website.
May 8: EU Delegation Visit
A European Parliamentarian (EU) delegation visited the Central Tibetan Administration offices in Dharamshala; Thomas Mann, Csaba Sogor and Ramon Tremosa. The representatives assured the CTA of their support for the Tibetan people and promised to be the voice for the voiceless in regard to human right abuses. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the CTA, said their visit provides hope and trust in the EU for Tibetans.
May 7: HP Blessed
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Jairam Thakur, has said that Himachal Pradesh is blessed that His Holiness has chosen it as his second home after leaving Tibet to live in exile in India. He added that due to His Holiness's presence, the state has emerged as world famous destination. Shri Jairam Thakur was addressing the 20th All India meeting of the Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, held this year in Mandi
May 5: US Ambassador
The United States ambassador to India Kenneth Juster met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamshala. He said he found His Holiness “inspirational” and that he hoped that His Holiness will soon be able to travel to the United States. Mr Juster, together with a four-person delegation from the US Embassy in Delhi, also visited the Central Tibetan Administration.
May 4: National Award
Tenzin Kunchok, a young former Tibetan Village School student, has won a top award for a professional in the film and TV industry – the 2017-2018 National Award for editing. He has edited for the BBC and NDTV as well as the Tibetan film Girl from China. He was awarded at the 65th National Film Awards in New Delhi. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Shmt Smriti Irani presented the award.
May 4: Russian Dialogue
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has opened the second Dialogue with Russian scientists now taking place at Tsuglakhan, the main temple in Dharamshala, saying “The time has come to […] educate the younger generation […] that each of our futures depends on the rest of the world”. The Dialogue on Understanding the World is organised jointly Moscow Tibet organisations with the support of Moscow education instutitions.
May 3: Inspired by His Holiness
Anushka Sharma, the Bollywood actress, says she has been inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to celebrate her 30th birthday by building an animal shelter on the outskirts of Mumbai. She said she had been “deeply moved” by His Holiness’s words, “Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to a man. Just as one [..] to live and not die, so do other creatures.”
May 3: New ICT Course
A four-day Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) course for Tibetan school teachers is underway at the Tibetan Reception Centre in Khanyara, organised by the Department of Education at the Central Tibetan Administration. 38 teachers from the four major Tibetan school systems in India are attending the course, in addition to staff from the education department.
May 3: New Auditor General
Arya Pema Dadul has been voted in as the new Auditor General of the Central Tibetan Administration. He has previously served in the Office of Auditor General and as Director of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute. He was Secretary of Tibetan Homes School, Mussoorie and has served in the Chief Justice Commission, and the Department of Health. Now retired, he lives in Canada.
May 2: New Website
A new website tibterminology.net has been launched by the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Education, together with the 11th volume of the Glossary of Standardised Terms which is a compilation of the previous ten Glossaries. The website is aimed at increasing awareness and use of Tibetan terminology and was developed by a young Tibetan entrepreneur. The project was funded by DANIDA, Denmark.
May 2: Task Force
The Tibetan exile government’s Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Dialogue began its latest session in Dharamshala. The three-day meeting will review prospects for dialogue between envoys of HH the Dalai Lama and Chinese representatives. The Task Force expressed hope that the current political climate, with the recent meeting between the South and North Korean leaders, could bode well for Tibet. The last dialogue with China took place in 2010.