Bylakuppe, Karnataka: Kalon Pema Tso of the Department of Health, CTA, visited Tibetan settlements in Bylakuppe to assess the health facilities and gain an understanding of the settlement’s situation in general to bolster the 17th Kashag’s undertakings on the community’s welfare over the next few years of its tenure.
Upon her arrival on the evening of 6 November, Tibetan Settlement Officers of Lugsung Samdupling and Dickyi Larsoe, representatives from the monastic communities, school principals, executive director of the cooperative society, president of the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, directors of Tibetan health clinics, members of the sports association, representatives from the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association and Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, and camp leaders of the settlement accorded a warm reception.
On 7 November, the Health Kalon visited the branch clinic of Men-tsee-khang, Tso-jhe Khangsar Hospital, the medical facility of Namdroling Monastery, and the local old age home.
At Men-tsee-khang, the director and staff briefed
At Men-tsee-khang, the director and staff briefed her on the clinic’s departments, patient visits, astrological consultation services, annual expenditure on free medicine distribution, and institutional challenges. The Health Kalon emphasised the importance of preserving and further promoting Tibetan traditional medicine as an invaluable heritage of the Tibetan people.
During her visit to Tso-jhe Khangsar Hospital, the hospital administrator and medical staff briefed her on its departments, workforce, facilities, prevalent health conditions in the settlement, and the status of the Tibetan Medicare System in the settlement. They also highlighted the monthly visits of specialist doctors to treat serious medical conditions and the hospital’s distinctive preventive healthcare programme.
While lauding the staff for their dedication, the Health Kalon stated that a hospital’s performance could be assessed partially through its internal functioning and partially through public perception. She instructed the administration to increase the use of Tibetan on signboards, noticeboards, and other displays, emphasising the importance of preserving the Tibetan language and cultural identity. Referring to the recent advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the importance of using one’s own language, she noted the growing international interest in the Tibetan language and traditional medicine.
The Health Kalon also raised concerns over
The Health Kalon also raised concerns over the Chinese government’s implementation, beginning in July this year, of its so-called “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress”, which she described as aimed at eradicating the distinct identity of the Tibetan people. She further instructed the hospital to display photographs of prominent personalities who have made significant contributions to Tibetans and to educate outside visitors about their contributions.
She also encouraged the hospital to introduce facilities unavailable at other local hospitals and collaborate with Tibetan schools in organising cleanliness drives and community service activities at the old people’s home, particularly on occasions such as World Health Day. She informed the staff that a Health Advisory Committee had been established during this year’s Health Review Meeting to provide recommendations for formulating healthcare policies. She also addressed the concerns raised by staff members and offered guidance.
In the afternoon, the Health Kalon visited the hospital of Namdroling Monastery, where she was received by Tulku Choedhar Rinpoche and the hospital administrator. She briefed them on the purpose of her visit and the Department of Health’s recent activities, while expressing appreciation to the monasteries for their continued contribution to community healthcare.
Tulku Choedhar Rinpoche subsequently shared the hospital’s history
Tulku Choedhar Rinpoche subsequently shared the hospital’s history and current activities and presented a souvenir to the Health Kalon. During the tour, the doctor introduced the hospital’s various departments and explained the healthcare facilities and concessions available to both monastic and lay members of the community. The Health Kalon commended the institution’s services and encouraged younger members of the settlement to continue volunteering and supporting the monastery.
The Health Kalon concluded her day’s programme with a visit to the local old people’s home, where she personally met and interacted with each of the elderly residents.
On the second day of her official visits in the settlement, the Health Kalon paid obeisances at Sera Lachi, Sera Mey Monastery, Sera Jey Monastery, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, and Drikung Kagyu Monastery, where she offered prayers and conducted visits to their respective healthcare facilities.
During the visits, she was received
During the visits, she was received by the respective abbots and treasurers. At Sera Mey Monastery Hospital, the hospital administrator briefed the Kalon on its various departments, facilities for both allopathic and Tibetan medical treatments, and the visiting medical services provided by Men-tsee-khang doctors to Namdroling and Sera Jey hospitals. The hospital also provides free medical services not only to monks but also to settlement residents and the wider local community.
During a meeting with hospital administrators, concerns regarding waste management, water shortages, staff certification, and other operational challenges were raised. The Health Kalon assured them that the Kashag and particularly the Department of Health would extend possible assistance in addressing these issues.
At Sera Jey Hospital, the administrator introduced its various departments, specialised facilities not available at other hospitals, and the visiting services of specialist doctors. The Health Kalon commended the staff for their dedicated work and encouraged the younger generation to continue serving the community. She also visited the ongoing construction project of the monastery’s new hospital.
In the afternoon, the Health Kalon visited Tashi
In the afternoon, the Health Kalon visited Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, where she was received by the abbot and treasurers. The Kalon toured the monastery’s hospital, during which the administrator informed her about the visiting medical services provided by Men-tsee-khang and requested arrangements for a visiting modern medical doctor. The Health Kalon assured them that the request would be considered and facilitated. She further assured the monastery that the Department of Health would extend the necessary medical support whenever His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits the locality.
The Health Kalon subsequently visited Drikung Kagyu Monastery in Bylakuppe’s Dickyi Larsoe settlement, where she was received by the monastic administrators. During the visit, they provided a brief introduction to the monastery’s history and presented several concerns. The monastery also expressed its appreciation for her visit and presented a souvenir as a token of appreciation.
On 9 November, Health Kalon addressed the residents of Lugsung Samdupling and Dickyi Larsoe at the community hall and further visited the remaining monasteries in the settlement.
During the public address in the morning,
During the public address in the morning, the Kalon first paid her respects before a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and lit a ceremonial butter lamp, followed by a brief overview of her ongoing official engagements by the Tibetan Settlement Officer.
Speaking to the gathering, the Health Kalon outlined the undertakings of the 17th Kashag during its first five months in office. She emphasised that the two principal responsibilities of the CTA are to seek resolution to the long-standing Tibet-China conflict by raising international awareness of the Tibetan cause and safeguarding the welfare of Tibetans living in exile.She also spoke about the Kashag’s Vision Paper and highlighted the need to strengthen the preservation of Tibetan language and culture. Referring to the language policy and guidelines communicated to Offices of Tibet abroad, she stressed that protecting Tibetan linguistic and cultural heritage was an essential responsibility of Tibetans living in freedom. She further recalled His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advice in March this year that it was deplorable for Tibetans to have to communicate among themselves in other languages.
Speaking on healthcare, the Health Kalon said that extensive discussions on major health challenges and serious illnesses had taken place during the Health Review Meeting in August. A separate Health Advisory Committee had subsequently been established to formulate a comprehensive health policy, which is expected to be finalised and circulated across all health institutions within six months.
The Kaon also briefed the public
The Kaon also briefed the public on her recent visits to healthcare institutions and community facilities in Himachal Pradesh and explained that her ongoing tour of Tibetan settlements in South India aimed to assess the functioning of local hospitals, existing facilities, staff conditions, prevalent health concerns, and areas requiring further development.
The Health Kalon expressed concern over the prevalence of hepatitis, diabetes, stomach cancer, and hypertension within the Tibetan exile community. She emphasised strengthening public awareness and preventive healthcare programmes, noting that many illnesses were associated with unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyles and therefore required greater individual attention.
She also highlighted the need for collective efforts to address drinking water shortages and waste disposal challenges in Tibetan settlements. Acknowledging the Department of Health’s previous assistance in providing drinking water facilities, toilets, and water storage infrastructure, she assured the public of continued support wherever possible.
In the afternoon, the Health Kalon visitedSakya Tsechen
In the afternoon, the Health Kalon visitedSakya Tsechen Chokhorling Sakya Monastery, Karma Kagyu Monastery, and Drukpa Kagyu Monastery, where she offered prayers and inspected the progress of various healthcare initiatives.
She subsequently visited Karuna Phende Gatsal, where Lama Khube Rinpoche welcomed her and guided her through the classrooms, dormitories, kitchen, and administrative offices.
At the request of the director of TCV Bylakuppe, the Health Kalon also visited the school to assess the sanitation and toilet facilities.
On 10 November, the Health Kalon visited
On 10 November, the Health Kalon visited the Chowkur area of Bylakuppe’s Dickyi Larsoe settlement, where she met with members of the Tibetan public and reviewed various programmes of the Department of Health.
At around 10 a.m., the Health Kalon was warmly received by the settlement’s camp leaders and members of the community. Upon arriving at the community hall, she paid her respects to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by offering a ceremonial scarf. The settlement officer then introduced Health Kalon and provided an overview of her visit to Tibetan settlements in South India.
Reiterating the key points raised during her earlier public address in Bylakuppe, the Health Kalon highlighted the Kashag’s Vision Paper, the CTA’s twin responsibilities, and the importance of preserving Tibetan religion, culture, language and traditional medicine among younger generations when speaking separately to the Chowkur public. She also briefly outlined the Department of Health’s ongoing community welfare initiatives and responded to questions from the public.
The Health Kalon subsequently visited Chowkur Clinic, which
The Health Kalon subsequently visited Chowkur Clinic, which comes under the Tso-jhe Khangsar Hospital. She also visited a financially disadvantaged household in the settlement to learn about the family’s living conditions and discuss its circumstances.
In the afternoon, the Kalon visited the football ground of the Dickyi Larsoe Sports Association, where she inspected the facilities and met with the association’s president and members.
– Report filed by Department of Health, CTA
