Three honoured for compassionate care of stray dogs in Dharamshala

Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, July 9: In a heartfelt celebration marking the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the first anniversary of the Tibetan Sorig Luksung Clinic, three extraordinary individuals were honoured for their long-standing commitment to the welfare of stray dogs in Dharamshala on June 7. 

In a ceremony held at the Kailash Restaurant near McLeodganj Chowk Square, the Tibetan Sorig Luksung Clinic presented its inaugural “Manifest Compassion Award” to Ama Tenzin Dolma, Acha Bhuti, and Dr. Milli. Each recipient received a cash award of ₹50,000 in recognition of their tireless and selfless service to street animals.

Ama Tenzin Dolma, fondly known as Ama Tendol, from Norbulingka, was celebrated for nearly three decades of dedicated care. A symbol of unwavering compassion, she has been feeding and caring for stray dogs for 28 years. Currently, she provides food and water daily to around 150 stray dogs, with an additional 40 housed in her own compound. Her actions, motivated by nothing but love and empathy, were described as “radiating the light of genuine compassion.”

Dr. Milli, a veterinarian from Mumbai, has been working in Dharamshala since 2015 despite having qualified for international practice. Choosing to stay in India for the sake of its voiceless strays, she now serves as a vet at the Tibet Charity Dog Clinic and a visiting surgeon at Dharamshala Animal Rescue. Living with more than 70 rescued dogs, five kittens, and six white mice, Dr. Milli and her partner, Dawa, continue to foster sick animals and advocate for adoption, facing daily struggles of funding and resources with relentless devotion.

Acha Bhuti, known simply as Bhuti, has been feeding stray dogs across McLeod Ganj and the Gangkyi CTA area since 2014. What began as a simple act of kindness became a life’s calling. Every day for over a decade, she has walked the streets with food, compassion, and deep familiarity with the dogs she serves. “They wait for me, and I don’t want to let them down,” she shared. Her consistency through storms, hardship, and personal sacrifice earned her a standing ovation at the event.

The Tibetan Sorig Luksung Clinic, based in Dharamshala, emphasised that this tribute was not only to honour these “silent warriors” but also to express gratitude toward His Holiness the Dalai Lama by promoting his message of nonviolence and compassion through action.