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.