Tibetan social worker honoured for ‘exemplary service’ in Nepal

A report by Shree Bhakta Khanal in Pokhara and Tsering Passang in London

30 July 2010:

In the presence of senior regional Nepali officials and dignitaries, the annual Pokhara Rotary Club function on 24 July at Hotel Fewa Prince, Pokhara witnessed the Rotary International and Rotary Club of Pokhara Mid Town, bestowing Mr Sonam Sangpo, a resident of Tashi Ling Tibetan Refugee Settlement, with a special ‘Vocational Award’ for his public service primarily in the fields of tourism, education, health & sanitation.

“It is our pleasure to confer the Vocational Award on you for your exemplary service in the field of Tourism, Education, Health and Sanitation. Maintaining high ethical standards you have excelled in your vocation/career & made a difference in the lives of people in the community both within Nepal and Abroad,” the award credential reads.

Mr Sonam Sangpo has been at the forefront when it comes to providing social services to both Tibetan Refugees and their local Nepalese communities. His tireless dedication and work has been recognised many times before by various regional and national bodies primarily in tourism and social service sectors in Western Nepal. Having previously received ‘Outstanding President’ and ‘Outstanding District Chairman’ of the Lions Club International, the Kathmandu-based Rising Circle of Nepal presented its ‘Social Service Award’ to the Tibetan social worker over a decade ago. Only last year the Buddha Jayanti presented him with its ‘Samaroh Samithi Award’ for promoting religious harmony in the Pokhara valley- being the third largest Nepalese city and home to  around 200,000 people and 3000 Tibetan refugees.

Three years ago, Sangpo played a pivotal role in organising the First International Food Festival in Western Nepal that attracted over 20,000 people including foreign ambassadors and dignitaries from America, Britain, Germany, Australia and Japan based at their embassies in Kathmandu (200 kilometres east of Pokhara.)

The latest award is in recognition of Sangpo’s continued service to Community Development in both rural and urban areas, helping with relief efforts in local Nepalese villages to provide clean drinking-water, building local sanitation, helping school children in their education and creating social business enterprises for women and less-able people whilst promoting eco-tourism in the region as well as abroad.

In India, Sangpo was also involved in community projects that benefited Tibetan refugees living in Kunphenling Settlement in Ravangla (Sikkim), Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Manali and Dharamsala with the cooperation of regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Women’s Association. In addition, his involvement in social development work included supporting young unemployed Tibetan refugees as well as ethnic Tibetans from the Himalayan region whilst fostering better relationships with the host community, and creating a greater understanding of the Tibetan’s plight in Nepal through proactive interactions with local Nepalese Human Rights organisations and concerned authorities. In 2009, Mr Sangpo led a delegation of Nepalese Rights group to Dharamsala (headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile) where they met Tibetan leaders and government officials including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament.

Nepal, currently home to some 20,000 Tibetan refugees, is the second largest concentration of Tibetan refugees outside Tibet (after India). This country is frequently inflicted with internal political turmoil often creating a battleground with Chinese authorities, who regularly give directives to Nepalese officials to ban Tibet protests. A number of individual Tibetans and organisations have been advocating for a stronger voice and rights for Tibetan refugees in Nepal and perhaps it’s time to encourage, support and harness credentials such as Mr Sonam Sangpo’s and others to improve the lives and create a better environment for Tibetan refugees residing in the Himalayan country, which is sandwiched between two Asian giants – China and India.

Mr Sonam Sangpo, a fluent Nepalese speaker, is well-respected both within the host country for his continued social service to the Nepali people and in the Tibetan community for his active service through various Tibetan NGOs based in India and Nepal. He has also been active in highlighting the Tibetan refugees’ deteriorating situation in Nepal including bringing issues relating to their exit permits to the concerned authorities of the host government, local and international human rights organisations and various governments.

Detail for the 3rd General Election on Kalon Tripa in 2010/2011

{{üü zôh-M¾-¾ôü 2137 xÛ-¾ô- 2010ü

Detail for the 3rd General Election on Kalon Tripa in 2010/2011

No.	Activities
1	03/10/2010 Preliminary election (within 1 day)
2	04/04/2010 --10/10/2010 Counting of votes and submission of result to center election committee (within 7 days)
3	11/10/2010--25/10/2010 Days allotted for regional sub-commission to submit their result (number of votes) to the centre office. (ballot box submission) (within 15 days)
4	26/10/2010--29/10/2010 Days allotted to centre office for not receiving the results from regional sub-commission on time. (wait for ballot boxes) (within 4 days)
5	30/10/2010--18/11/2010 Centre election committee starts the counting of the preliminary voting of the people (days taken for counting) (Within 20 days)
6	19/11/2010--21/11/2010 Preparation to announce the result of preliminary voting. (Within 3 days)
7	22/11/2010--21/12/2010 Before announcing the candidates from the result, the centre expect the consent from the candidates whether to stay on for election, their letter of acceptation or denial. And if yes then their short bio and 3 photograph. (centre waiting for application from candidates) (within 30 days)
8	22/12/2010--02/01/2011 Preparation by the centre for announcing the name of the candidates. (Within 12 days)
9	03/01/2011--19/03/2011 Days for Announcement to be given by the election commission of the preliminary election, and time for regional sub-election commission to receive the announcement and the result. (within 79 days)
10	20/03/2011 Day for conducting the Final election of the Kalon Tripa. (in 1 day)
11	21/03/2011--31/03/2011 Counting and preparation of the conclusion of the final election conducted in the region by the regional sub-election commission. (in 11 days)
12	01/04/2010--12/004/2011 The final report from the regional should be submitted to the centre election commission. (within 12 days)
13	13/04/2011--26/04/2011 Counting by the centre election commission (the total sum) (Within 14 days)
14	27/04/2011 Declaration of the 3rd time people elected Kalon Tripa in exile government (Within 1 day)

Source:- Office of Central Election Commission,Dharamsala

Kalon Tripa Debate at Delhi

12th Sept 2010

On the very day that finishing a Katri debate at Dharamsala, TIPA hall on 11th September 2010, in the afternoon, NDPT President along with Katri nominees left to the Delhi and reaching there On 12th September, 2010 Kasur Tenzin Namgyal Tethong la and Dr lobsang Sangay la has participated in a debate held in TCV day school at MT around 2pm with staffs and president of National Democratic Party of Tibet with the enthusiastic publics of Delhi. Many Tibetans all around the Delhi has took an active participate in the debate.

Moreover they are lots of youngster who took keen interest in the debate and they have cleared many of their doubt about Kalon Tripa position during the debate. Both Katri nominees have patiently listened to all the questions from the public and answered all the questions which time allowed without any hesitation. The debate at Tibetan Day school in MT has finished at around 5.30 pm with great success which was partly due to the unfailing supports and lending hands by the RTYC and the related people over there. So we would like to thank all the people for their sincere helping and participating in the debate. After the debate at Delhi day school due to busy schedule of Kasur Tethong Tenzin Namgyal la, he couldn’t attend any other campaign programs at other Tibetan settlements along with Dr. Lobsang Sangay and NDPT representatives as planned.

Final Debate On Kalon Tripa

Under the organization of National Democratic Party of Tibet, debate in between party’s 2 endorsed Kalon Tripa nominees was held this morning at Tipa hall. Where as, lots of public took an active participatation that the TIPA hall was overloaded, where many people arrived before 9 o’clock to get a place to seat. After the welcome speech given by Mr. Chime Youngdung the President of National Democratic Party of Tibet to whole loads of listeners and two debaters whole heartedly to be at Tipa. After that moderator Mr. Tashi Wangchuk begins the moderation by stating that it was more of introduction of NDPT’s nominees to the public. With that the actual debate begun at 10 a.m with Dr. Lobsang Sangay’s talk and then Kasur Tethong Tenzin Namgyal la’s. First both conveyed greeting to public and stated how important role that National Democratic Party of Tibet is playing in our society and how its messages of Democracy is conveyed to the people of both Tibetans and China. Kasur Tethong Tenzin Namgyal la stated how NDPT taking its better part in the democracy by endorsing its nominees and doing campaign in various places as its duty, which he consider it to be very humility and kudos job. To public how people have to investigate the background of nominees to vote and chose someone as Kalon Tripa.  Need to vote for best and most appropriate person to lead us instead of going through differentiation of region and religion matter. Moreover without discrimination in terms of one’s religion sector and region.Both nominees Dr. Lobsang Sangay la and Kasur Tethong Tenzin Namgyal la took an oath to work sincerely and determinedly to the cause of Tibet and for the people of Tibet under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to fulfill the aims and objectives of Tibet. And to serve our Nation in his own capabilities till their last breaths.  

With that, overflow of public names came up to question two of Kalon Tripa nominees and took more time than scheduled for the event allowed.  If schedule wasn’t that much tight the debate would surely go on for whole day long. But since everything is limited and we couldn’t afford to dismiss the next Kalon Tripa debate that was due to hold at Delhi Day School tomorrow, lots of questions are still left unanswered due to lack of time to both questioner and nominees.

Through questioning session, many interesting and exciting things came up, relating to all sorts of things like; on responsibilities, education, social problems, and Tibetan cause and so on.

With that at 1 p.m the debate got concluded since NDPT is going to organize similar debate in Delhi and two of Kalon Tripa nominees’ are to get there on time. And Mr. Wanga la, an accountant a of NDPT has given a word of thanks to everyone present in the hall for a wonderful cooperation and to be here.

9th Sept,2010,Dharamsala------Press Conference on Kalon Tripa

According to the press conference that NDPT did after the 3^rd General Body Meeting of National Democratic Party of Tibet in terms of endorsement of Kalon Tripa nominees for the 14^th term and 15^th term of Chithue nominees which was purely followed on the Agenda on May 2010.  Various campaign tours, and democracy awareness talks had successfully took place in about 21 place all over the India and some other Europe places, like Belgium, German, Spain, France, Switzerland and in India; Deckyiling, Rajpur, Clement town, Poanta, Tsering Dhonden Ling, Puruwala, Lakhanwala, Bylakuppe, Mundgod, Hunsur, Kollegal, Bangalore, Ooty, Orissa, Bhandra, and Varanasi, where over 50 big banners were hanged and over 5000 colorful posters of Kalon Tripa Nominees were pasted on the walls of all these places as well as same number of banners and colorful posters of Chithue nominees were pasted. And so far we have produced over 9000 Kalon Tripa nominees’ bio-data in leaflet and more than 8000 small booklets of Chithue nominees’ bio data in Tibetan.  Over 10 thousand copies of Kalon Tripa and Chithue nominees of 2011 posters had been developed so far and 200 of bookmarks of Kalon Tripa nominees are produced and distributed.  Other than that we did campaign for our nominees through English cum Tibetan websites and through face book, as well as had created blog of its own known as NDPTBLOG- ndp4tibet.blogspot.com ,www.2011campaign.ndp4tibet.org specially to campaign Kalon Tripa and Chithue nominees of NDPT. On 11^th September 2010, National Democratic Party of Tibet to present its Kalon Tripa Nominees to the people as its 2^nd Program;On  September 11, 2010 at morning 10 o’clock at TIPA hall, NDPT will present a debate that was in between our two endorsed Kalon Tripa nominees; Kasur Tethong Tenzin Namgyal la and Dr. Lobsang Sangay. And on 12^th September 2010 there will be same debate at Delhi day school hall in the afternoon at 2 p.m. With one of our nominees Dr. Lobsang Sangay la, we are going to organize a talk around Deckeyiling, Clement town, Poanta, Ladakh, Nepal and Pokhara Tibetan settlements to do campaign on the way.

3^rd Program of campaign is to begin before the final election which is coming very near;

We pray for a very success in the election of Kalon Tripa and Chithues for the betterment of our society and best wishes to the nominees of NDPT for the success.  Under the guidance of our Leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and greater effort of our Kalon Tripa nominees we hope and pray that to resolve Tibetan cause as soon as possible. With best wishes and regards to all, from National Democratic Party of Tibet Centrex Office.

National Democratic Party of Tibet issued a press statement about Dr. Lobsang Sangay

On 8th August 2010, National Democratic Party of Tibet issued a press statement about Dr. Lobsang Sangay's position at Harvard Law School, particularly that on 17-6-2005, the Department of Education granted him a waiver for the community service and advised him to continue his academic work in the US and outreach to Chinese scholars/students towards Track II Sino-Tibetan dialogue, and his present academic position and employment status at the Harvard Law school.

Given the interests expressed by some, please find below the translation of all the relevant documents. Also find copies of the originals on our website at  www.ndp4tibet.org On a related note, he is not an American citizen and continues to carry his Identity Certificate (IC). These documents should reaffirm, as stated by Harvard Law School, Dr. Lobsang Sangay's impeccable reputation both as a persona and a scholar.