Mundgod, July 16, 2024: Education Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra commenced her visit to Tibetan schools in southern Tibetan settlements, accompanied by Mr. Tsering Dhondup, Director of STSS and Mrs. Tsering Yangkyi, Under Secretary of DOE, CTA. She was warmly received at Hubli airport by Ms. Lhakpa Dolma, Settlement Officer of Mundgod Doeguling Tibetan Settlement, Geshe Monlam Gyatso, Chief Administrator of Drepung Gomang Monastery and Mr. Namgyal Yemphel, Principal of STS Mundgod.

Upon arrival, she was escorted to the Drepung Gomang Guest House, where local Tibetan dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Local Tibetan Assembly, Chairperson of Doeguling Cooperative Society, President of RTWA, and Camp Leaders, welcomed her.

Day 1: Mundgod

On the first day, the Honourable Education Kalon visited STS Mundgod, receiving a traditional welcome from the students and staff, led by Principal Mr. Namgyal Yemphel. She observed the morning assembly and addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits, classroom attentiveness, diligent studying, good discipline, and avoiding bad habits and drugs. She then toured classrooms and various departments, engaging with both students and teachers to evaluate the learning standards and educational facilities in the school. During her classroom visits, she particularly focused on assessing students’ reading, writing, and handwriting skills, as well as the quality of classroom teaching. She provided constructive feedback to both students and teachers based on her observations.

In the afternoon, she visited Branch I Primary School, observed student activities, observed classroom teachings, and interacted with the students. Later, she visited the pre-primary sections of Camp 1 and Camp 2. That evening, she met with Shri Amruth Joshi, National Co-Convener – Southern Region, Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India.

Day 2: July 17, 2024

The next morning, Honourable Education Kalon visited STS Mundgod at Camp 6, where she was warmly welcomed by the students and staff. She observed the morning assembly, toured classrooms, and visited the pre-primary sections of Camps 6, 7, and 8. In the afternoon, she visited the pre-primary sections of Camps 3, 4, 5, and 9, assessing the educational facilities.

Day 3: July 18, 2024

On the third day, the Honourable Education Kalon attended the official ceremony of Mundgod Doeguling Tibetan Settlement, celebrating the US President signing into law the “Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act”. On behalf of the 16th Kashag, she expressed gratitude to the President of the United States for signing the act into law and thanked all those involved in its enactment. While addressing the public gathering, she advised parents to take active roles in educating their children. Following the ceremony, she visited the boys’ and girls’ hostels to monitor ongoing projects at STS Mundgod. In the afternoon, she spoke to the staff of the three STSS schools in Mundgod at STS Mundgod.

Day 4: July 19, 2024

On July 19, she visited all the monasteries in the Mundgod Settlement and was warmly received by the respective abbots during her visits. She made offerings at all the monasteries. She also observed the ongoing semester exams at the monastic schools.

Day 5: July 20, 2024

On July 20, 2024, Honourable Education Kalon departed for Bangalore via Hubli on an early morning flight. Upon arrival at Bangalore airport, she went directly to meet Shri Madhu Bangarappa, Honourable Minister for Primary & Secondary Education, Karnataka State Government. The meeting was attended by Shri Ritesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government Department of School Education & Literacy, and Smt. B.B. Cauvery, IAS, Commissioner for Public Instruction, along with the Tibetan delegation led by Honourable Education Kalon. Kalon thanked the Minister for providing the NOC for Gaden Shartse Thoesam Norling Monastic School but requested his support for issuing a recognition certificate from the State Education Department and similar NOC and recognition certificates for other Monastic schools for CBSE affiliation. The minister assured his support and promised to provide the necessary documents within a few weeks.

In the evening, Honourable Education Kalon met with Tibetan college students studying in various colleges in Bengaluru at the Tibetan Youth Hostel, Bengaluru. She reminded the students of their rights and duties, the importance of maintaining discipline in colleges, stopping bullying, and taking care of their health. The talk was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Day 6: July 21, 2024

In the early morning, Honourable Education Kalon left Bengaluru for Kollegal. On her way, she visited the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education (DLIHE) and Men-Tsee-Khang (Sowa-Rigpa) Medical College & Hospital in Bengaluru. The students and staff of both institutes gathered in the hall of DLIHE, where she addressed them.

Following this, Honourable Education Kalon will visit Tibetan schools in Kollegal, Gurupura, and Bylakuppe. On her way to Gurupura from Kollegal, she will meet with Tibetan college students in Mysuru.