Tibetans received “most favorable” support from Karnataka state: Dalai Lama at ‘thank you Karnataka’ event/ENG

2018. augusztus 10./Phayul.com/TibetPress

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By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 10: Almost six decades after Tibetan refugees arrived in the erstwhile Mysore state, or the state of Karnataka, the exile Tibetan government known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration on Friday held a ‘thank you Karnataka’ event in line with its ‘thank you India’ initiative at the Taj Hotel in Bengaluru city.

At the official function, Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his gratitude to the state for extending, what he said was the “most favorable” support among other Indian states towards Tibetan refugees. The event was aptly attended by the state’s Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy and leading governmental and non-governmental organisations in the state, as well as the head of Tibetan polity, CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay and Tibetan Parliament in Exile’s Speaker Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel.

“I feel great honour that we Tibetan refugees, a small community, found an opportunity to thank the Karnataka state and we thank India. This depicts one of Tibetan values, which is we never forget other’s kindness. As a preservation of our own cultural heritage, it is our duty to thank and express our appreciation to all those people who were very kind to us,” the Dalai Lama said.

The Tibetan leader remembered the then CM of the state, late Shri Siddavanahalli Nijalingappa, for extending his “extraordinarily deep concern” for Tibetans.

The Tibetan President Dr. Lobsang Sangay acknowledged the state’s contribution in facilitating the revival of Tibetan religion and culture in the form of monasteries and learning centers that had been destroyed to the brink of extinction by China inside Tibet.

State CM H.D Kumaraswamy in his address said, “For centuries, Tibet and India have shared unique culture and historical relationship. Tibet’s connection with India had deepened after India offered exile for Tibetans. In Karnataka, the then CM of the state, warranted to provide shelter to Tibetans without any second thought and today they have become one among us.”

“Those living in these settlements have made their own contributions for Karnataka. And I believe that the Tibetan community is ever resilient and best positioned for the next journey,” he further said.

The State of Karnataka has 5 settlements; Lugsung Samdupling and Dickyi Larsoe in Bylakuppe, Doeguling in Mundgod, Rabgyeling in Hunsur and Dhondenling in Kollegal with over 70,000 Tibetan refugees in those settlements.

The Karnataka state government’s pioneering support towards Tibetan refugees continues with the state government becoming the first Indian state to implement the order for the RTC (Rights, Tenancy and Crops) in Dec. 2016 which ensures Tibetans can avail crop loans, incentives on agriculture equipment, farm loans, and have the land leased on their name in government records, as part of the Central government’s Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy Act. 2014.

Video Courtesy: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama