Dalai Lama retuns to his exile home in Dharamsala this afternoon, after a very successful visit to Japan

By Vijyender Sharma
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama retuns to his exile home in Dharamsala this afternoon, after a very successful visit to Japan.

His Holiness was received with hearty welcome by the Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche , Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari, Kalons of the various departments, Secretary Chhime Rigzin of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and presidents and responsible officials of the Tibetan NGOs at Gagal, Kangra airport.

Many followers welcomed His Holiness on his way to Tsuglag Khang, Mcleod Ganj with incense, flowers and khatas .

Vijyender Sharma
Dharamshala: Mevon Peton School students held an open dialogue with the Prime Minister of Tibetan government in exile Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche in their school near Lower Tibetan Children's Village School in Dharamsala.

Rinpoche in simple terms explained the “three trainings of the mind” to the students of sixth and seventh standards. The students asked questions ranging from the hot topic of election of next Kalon Tripa to environment issues to women's power.

Students of 10 to 13 years old asked questions regarding Kyigudo earthquake relief and if aid was received from the PRC government.

A girl named Ngawag Wangmo asked, “ Why is Tibetan language very important?”. Kalon Tripa said because Tibetan language has originated from Sanskrit, Tibetan Buddhism from the Nalanda tradition can be studied through Tibetan language. The Tibetan language has the largest body of literature and is a rich language. For the identity of the Tibetan people Tibetan language is very important.

“Tibetan culture based on the Buddha's teaching has an enormous power to benefit the world, added Kalon Tripa.

One of the last questions was “ Why there is direct relation between greed and environment?” For this question Kalon Tripa replied by quoting Mahatma Gandhi's saying that human need can be fulfilled by the earth but not our greed. Kalon Tripa explained the reasons why human greed causes deterioration of the earth and living beings.

For two hours this dialogue went on. There were 67 students. This is the third visit of Kalon Tripa to have an open dialogue with the students of Mevon Peton school.

Mevon Peton School is the model school based on the Basic Education Policy, unanimously endorsed by the 13th Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies in 2004. This school was first opened on 10 October 2005.

Photo--Rinpoche
Vijyender Sharma
Dharamshala: The Tibetan Parliament in Exile sent letters to Honourable Mr. Matteo Meccaci, MP Italy and Honourable Mr. Thomas Mann, MEP Germany, Co-Chairs of the newly established International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPaT) expressing gratitude for having raised issues of Tibet with the World leaders and for having urged the leaders of G8 countries to take a proactive role in achieving a negotiated solution to the crisis in Tibet through dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama's envoys.

In a letter to Prime Minister of Canada, INPaT strongly appreciated the concerns of Canada on the issue of Tibet. The letter categorically stated that the Dalai Lama's Middle Way Approach seeks to secure genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the scope of the constitution of the People's Republic of China, based on the mutual benefit and long-term interest of the Tibetan and Chinese people. The Parliamentarians also urged multilateral co-operation in protecting Tibet's fragile environment, highly critical to the rest of Asia and the world.

Dolma Gyari, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said: "We are encouraged by the unwavering support of INPaT. Since 2008, seven members of the G8 have already expressed support for the dialogue between the PRC government and representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the ongoing differences. I believe that G8 and G20 leaders have far more concrete support to offer to bring more effectiveness in resolving the issue of Tibet peacefully through dialogue".

INPaT has urged G20 leaders to consider the proposals :

1.To undertake independent, International scientific assessments of the changes in the Tibetan Plateau's ecosystems, water resources and land use policies. The participation of scientists and relevant stakeholders from Tibet and those nations that depend on Tibet's water resource which is necessary for examination, analysis and interpretation of conditions on the plateau. This will facilitate an equitable and durable approach to adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change in the region, including ecosystem restoration and management of the plateau's grasslands and forests.

2.To integrate the participation of Tibetans, especially nomads, in the decision-making and management of the plateau's natural resources. Their experience is essential not only for understanding ecosystem changes, but also for addressing the threats of desertification and erosion. Government policies removing nomads from the grasslands are a misguided attempt to reduce desertification. There is scientific evidence that nomads' management of the grasslands facilitates ecosystem stewardship and helps restore areas already degraded.

3. To encourage multilateral collaborative decision-making and governance of the Tibetan plateau's water resources, including all regional and local stakeholders. Such cooperation will enhance the effectiveness of mitigation policies and promote equitable adaptation strategies that can reduce the risk of conflict over competition for water resources.

International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet first convened in Rome last November during the Fifth World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet which is being represented by around 133 parliamentarians from 30 different parliaments around the world. The International Campaign for Tibet has been designated as the Secretariat of the network.