DHARAMSHALA, January 23: A new branch office of the Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Office was inaugurated today in the Norbulingka, Sidhpur region of the exile Tibetan headquarters, to cater to the needs of the growing population of Tibetans living in the region.

Located at a distance of over 12kms from the main settlement office in Mcleod Ganj, the Sidhpur area has over the years become the seat of major monasteries, the famous tourist destination - Norbulingka Institute, and over 2,000 Tibetans living in scattered communities.

The inauguration of the small one room office was attended by local Indian Panchayat members of Sidhpur, Sonam Dorjee, the Dharamshala Settlement Officer; Rinzin Choedak, Principal of Dolma Ling Nunnery; and Ngawang Lhamo, former Tibetan MP among others.

A brief consecration prayer ceremony was performed by monks of the Gyuto Monastery, also located close to the newly opened branch office.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dorjee said the purpose of the branch office is to “provide direct assistance to the Tibetans living in Sidhpur area."

"With several thousand Tibetans under the Dharamshala Settlement Office living in scattered communities, it is difficult to reach out to all the people,” Dorjee said. “The Central Tibetan Administration has always felt the need of establishing the branch office in Norbulingka.”

The Settlement Officer announced that he will be visiting the branch office once a week every Wednesday. A permanent staff at the branch office will also be appointed.

The Tibetan Settlement Office caters to the social welfare of the Tibetan people in Dharamshala and implements projects in social, cultural, economic, and environmental fields aimed at bringing sustainable development.

Dharamshala is the exile seat of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration.