By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, June 30: The new Tibetan ‘City and Swayambhu Chief’s Office’ was inaugurated by Hon. Drubthok Rinpoche at Kathmandu’s Lazimpat area in the presence of over 50 prominent Tibetan figures in the city including four members of the exile Tibetan parliament,Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies; managers of exile Tibetan Government institutions; local Rangzen Committee members; Tibetan Media and others.
The office was reopened on orders received from the Kashag (exile Tibetan Cabinet) since there was no proper Tibetan office looking after the welfare of Tibetans living in the city and Swayambhu areas of Kathmandu after the then Representative of the exile Tibetan governmnet was compelled to close it down a year ago. There is a separate Tibetan welfare office in Boudha, which looks after the welfare of Tibetans living in Boudha and Jorpati areas of Kathmandu and one in Jwalakhel for the Jwalakhel Tibetan Refugee Settelment.
Mr. Lhoudup Dorji, Manager of the Tibetan Refugee Transit Center addressed the gathering and introduced the new Chief Mr. Norbu la and said, “He is an ex-TCVian and a college graduate of Punjab University. His official service to date was secretary of Rawangla Settlement and Representative of Tashiling Tibetan Settlement in Pokhara and also looked after small remote Tibetan settlements in west Nepal like Nubri, Tsum, Dhorpatan and Tserok. He is a very honest person, loyal to our people and a social worker. I am sure he would continue to perform his duty very well and I would like to request all concerned to co-operate with him”.
The new Welfare officer, Mr. Norbu la while addressing the gathering said that his foremost job was to survey the number of Tibetans living in various locations of the city and Swayambhu areas of Kathmandu and look after the welfare of Tibetans. he said the work of previous welfare office in assisting poor households, elders and children would be continued more efficiently. According to previous record, about 4000 Tibetan people are living in City and Swayambhu areas of Kathmandu.
People present at the gathering offered traditional scarf to the new Chief Mr. Norbu la. In the end Hon. Drubthok Rinpoche performed a ‘rabney’ (consecration) prayer service for the new office and concluded the ceremony.
