Two Golden Jubilees for the Tibetan Community in September 2012

By Contact Staff / September 18, 2012;

The Dalai Lama and Kalon Tripa with Indian Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal at the CTSA Golden Jubilee

1959 is marked as a dark and painful chapter after the failed popular uprising against the Chinese which led to the Tibetan exodus. The Tibetan struggle continues unresolved to this day, but 1959 also marked the beginning of an extraordinary story of cultural survival that has touched the hearts and lives of millions of people around the world.

Former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru provided great assistance to Tibetan refugees settling in India, and initiated the Central Tibetan Schools Administration (CTSA) after discussion with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The CTSA first opened a school in Mussoorie, where 50 students attended daily lessons. Later on schools were opened in Shimla, Dalhousie and Darjeeling. Today, approximately 8,750 students receive modern education in 67 schools operated by the CTSA.

On 10 September the CTSA marked its Golden Jubilee, celebrating the completion of 50 successful years of service. On this special and joyful day, H.H. the Dalai Lama visited the headquarters in Delhi, where he attended the anniversary festivities.

A few days later, on 17 September, the Dalai Lama visited Mussoorie and was chief guest at the Tibetan Homes Foundation’s Golden Jubilee. THF is an organization which cares for orphaned and semi-orphaned children in the Tibetan refugee community.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with students and parents at the Tibetan Homes Foundation Golden Jubilee

On that early morning it rained and the entire floor was wet, but people were so excited that it the ceremony proceeded unaffected by the weather. Representatives from many satellite schools like Rajpur and Rishikesh, and others from the Central Schools for Tibetans, and various houses of THF all participated in the ceremonial march, showing their gratitude to His Holiness and the assembled officials. Many notable figures were in attendance, including former president of SOS Kinderdoff Mr. Hermut Kutin, and Sakya Rinpoche.

Thanking the Indian government for their support in the education and care of the Tibetan community, His Holiness stated in conclusion, “I sometimes refer to myself as a ‘Son of India,’ […] Even my body has been nourished for more than half my life by Indian dal and roti. I regard India as our Guru and us as your Chela, because, just as in ancient times you taught us Buddhism, so in the present you have given us modern education. […] We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this. I thank you on my own part, on behalf of the Tibetan refugee community, and on behalf of the 6 million Tibetans.”