Kalon Gyari Dolma Calls on New Government of Karnataka State

DHARAMSHALA: Kalon Dolma Gyari of the Department of Home of Central Tibetan Administration has met with the new Indian leadership in the southern state of Karnataka during her three-day visit to Bangalore from 20-23 June.

Kalon Dolma Gyari met with the newly-elected chief minister, Mr Siddaramaiah, in Bangalore on 22 June. She extended greetings to him on behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and wished him success in his future endeavours. She expressed gratitude to the successive state governments for providing their best support and care to Tibetans living in the state. With deep affection the chief minister described Tibetans are India’s guests. He spoke about plan to visit Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe when His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits there on the occasion of his 78th birthday on 6 July.   

Kalon Dolma Gyari also called on the leader of the Oppposition party, Mr H D Kumaraswamy. She requested him to give a 30 minutes slot for Tibet-related news in Tibetan language once a week on his private TV channel, Kasthuri. Mr Kumaraswamy accepted the request and suggested her to discuss the modalities with the concerned staff of the channel.

Earlier on 21 June, she met with Chief Secretary S V Ranganath and requested the state government to include Tibetan settlements as part of its developmental programmes for social and youth welfare.

Later in the afternoon, Kalon Dolma Gyari visited TERI (The Energy and Resource Institute), an NGO which conducts research and training to protect environment and develop energy from natural resources. She discussed with the officials about ways to seek support to some key ongoing projects in the Tibetan settlements such as organic farming, environmental cleanliness, and solar light.

In addition to meeting the government officials, Kalon Dolma Gyari met with Jawed Habib, one the most renowned hair stylists in India, on 20 June. They discussed future collaboration between the Neelamangala vocational training institute and Jawed Habib hair and beauty salon. The two met with Tibetan students at the Neelamangla institute. Kalon Dolma Gyari told the students to maintain good behaviour and study hard to become self reliant. Mr Habib encouraged the students to do their best during the training and invited applications from those who are interested in working in his hair salons. There are currently 39 students undergoing trainings in various courses, including hair dressing, beautician, tailoring, computer, medical transcription, and cookery. 1,113 students, comprising 558 boys and 554 females, have completed vocational trainings from Neelamangala institute since its inception in 2003.

courtesy: CTA