Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs (C), Home Kalon Dolma Gyari (R) and Mr. K.K Pathak, Joint Secretary of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Bylakuppe, March 23: Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, in his maiden visit to the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe, Mysore, assured Tibetans he would continue to work for the welfare of the Tibetan people, adding that the recent Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy of 2014 was only the beginning of initiatives aimed at benefiting Tibetans residing in India.
Mr. Rijiju was accompanied by Senior official Mr. K.K. Pathak, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India . Ms. Gyari Dolma, Kalon for the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) also accompanied the visiting delegation. Deputy Commissioner of Mysore District Ms. C. Shikha, I.A.S, and Superintendent of Police of Mysore District Mr. Abhinav Khare, IPS, also visited with the delegation.
At a public function in Bylakuppe, the Representatives of the 5 Tibetan settlements and 5 Tibetan Co-operative Societies in Karnataka jointly felicitated Mr Rijiju and Mr. Pathak for their relentless pursuit of and achievement in the formulation of the landmark Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy – 2014. They were also felicitated for their work towards the general welfare of the Tibetan people and their tremendous contributions towards the preservation and promotion of the Tibet’s unique culture and identity. As a token of appreciation and in recognition of her contribution toward the welfare of the Tibetan people, in particular her outstanding effort, determination and successful collaboration with Government of India in achievement of Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy Ms Dolma Gyari, Home kalon for CTA was also felicitated on the occasion. The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of the Mysore District were also presented souvenirs for their generous support and assistance to the Tibetans in Karnataka.
Mr. Rijiju, in his address to the large public gathering at Bylakuppe, thanked the government and people of Karnataka for the generosity and hospitality towards Tibetans living in Karnataka. Mr. Rijiju also said he considered it his duty to help Tibetans to the best of his ability as they are the honored guests of India. He promised to ensure all Tibetans were able to live a peaceful life in India, with access to various government welfare schemes and subsidies.
He further urged Tibetans to follow the path shown by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to heed his teachings, as this would be beneficial for Tibetans and for humanity at large. He said the Dalia Lama is a source of knowledge and wisdom and also the most loved personality on earth.
Representatives from the Tibetan community welcoming the minister on his arrival at Bylakuppe, Karnataka state.
During the public meeting, Mr. Karma Singey, Chief Representative, CTA (South Zone), Bangalore in his welcome speech had noted that Mr. Rijiju is a long-time supporter of the Tibetan people and has a very high regard and respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mr. Singey also lauded Mr. Rijiju’s role and efforts in ensuring the formulation of the Government of India’s landmark policy for Tibetans in India, called the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy of 2014.
In her address, Kalon Gyari Dolma extended a warm welcome to the delegation and expressed her deep sense of gratitude to the Central and State Governments for their generosity and hospitality towards the Tibetan people for the last 56 years in exile. She particularly thanked the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Home and Joint Secretary for their unwavering support and assistance to the Tibetans. She also expressed her appreciation to the people and Government of Karnataka and to the Deputy Commissioner and SP Mysore District.
Earlier in the day, the delegation received a warm welcome by Tibetans and Central Tibetan Administration Representatives in Karnataka. At the Mysore Airport, Mr. Rijiju and his entourage were received by Chief Representative, South Zone, CTA, Representatives of Mundgod, Kollegal and Hunsur Tibetan settlements of Karnataka, President of Tibetan Co-operative Societies in Karnataka, Presidents of local Tibetan assembly and Tibetan Freedom Movement .
En route to the Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement, around 300 people from Hunsur Rabgayling Tibetan settlement lined up on the highway with silk scarves to extend a warm welcome to the delegation. Thereafter, Tibetans from the Chowkur settlement also extended a warm welcome on the highway.
At the main entrance of the Bylakuppe settlement, the delegation was received by Representatives of the CTA, Heads of various monasteries in Bylakuppe, Members of the Tibetan Freedom movement, Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association. The Sera Lachi Monastery hosted a lunch in honor of the delegation.
The delegation paid a visit to Sera Je Monastery, Sera Mey Monastery and Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery. They also visited the Organic Research Training Centre, which is managed by the Home Department of the CTA, and were appreciative of the exhibition of various agricultural practices and produces of the Tibetan settlements.
Report filed by: Office of the Chief Representative of Southern Tibetan Settlements, Bangalore.
A token of gratitude being presented to the minister by Home Kalon Dolma Gyari and Mr. Karma Singey, Chief Representative of Southern Tibetan settlements.
Minister Kiren Rijiju visiting Organic Research and Training Centre at Bylakuppe.