Dharamsala Hands Over Donation to Charity For Quake-hit Tibet
[Thursday, 13 May 2010, 2:30 p.m.]
Dharamshala: The 4-14 Yushu Earthquake Charity Committee has received a total amount of Rs. 2.5 million donated voluntarily by Tibetans living in Dharamsala to help those affected in one of the deadliest earthquake that hit Kyegudo in Tibet, which left thousands dead and injured, and many thousands homeless.
The Kashag had appealed to the Diaspora Tibetan community in India, Nepal, Bhutan and other countries to contribute any relief, materially and monetarily, through the charity committee.
The contribution from Tibetans in Dharamsala was handed over by Kalon Tripa to the Charity at a special prayer service held for the victims of Kyegudo tragedy at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala on Tuesday, 11 May. The Tibetan Settlement Office assisted in coordinating the collection of donation from various offices and departments of the Central Tibetan Administration, monasteries and nunneries, non-governmental organisations, schools, Tibetan associations and individual Tibetans.
Tibetans in Dharamsala join for candle light vigil to mourn the tragedy in Kyigudo, Tibet
Addressing the solemn memorial service, Kalon Tripa said those affected by unimaginable catastrophe in Kyegudo were helped by their brethren living in Tibet and comforted with prayers from Tibetans living far away from Tibet. We commend the spirit of solidarity displayed by Tibetans during the crisis as the symbolism of the Tibetan people’s unity, he added.
Kalon Tripa spoke on series of religious services initiated by the Tibetan communities based across the world led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We hoped that the prayers would bring solace to all those affected by the calamity, he said.
In the aftermaths of the tragedy in Kyegudo, some of senior leadership of the Chinese government, including President Hu Jintao, CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Executive Vice Minister of the Central United Front Work Department Zhu Weiqun, of whom some paid visits to the affected regions to express their solidarity with the victims. They had discharged their responsibilities of being political leaders, which was commended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and we also must thank them as a gesture of our gratitude, Kalon Tripa said.
Kalon Tripa spoke about the long-term plans to help the rehabilitation of quake victims under the supervision of Vice Premier Hui Liangyu. He said Premier Wen Jiabao gave recognition and praised the rescue efforts led by Tibetan monks, he added.
We Tibetan people must express our gratitude to the exemplary rescue efforts made by Tibetans in Kyegudo and other areas of Tibet, including Tibetan monks and students, and students from China and other countries. We must also pay our gratitude and praise the Chinese people, including general public, intellectuals, writers and journalists, for showing their solidarity by giving donations, assisting those injured and highlighting the tragedy, Kalon Tripa said.
Kalon Tripa conveyed the Tibetan people’s gratitude and appreciation to the media, including BBC and CNN, for taking interest in making transparent coverage of the events to the whole world following the earthquake in Tibet.
He said the clear message conveyed by CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin to overseas Tibetans to make material donation or visit family members in Tibet has encouraged and showed to the Tibetans in exile a way forward. We firmly hope and belief that our wishes in accordance with the path shown by the Chinese leadership will come true, Kalon Tripa added.
Kalon Tripa reiterated the unwavering wish of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit the affected regions in Kyegudo to pray and comfort those affected by the earthquake. His Holiness has expressed his eagerness to visit the affected areas as Tibetans in the region yearn to seek his blessings. The Central Tibetan Administration led by His Holiness Dalai Lama does not have any desire to politicise the issue or gain any political mileage out it, he said.
(Reporter: Lobsang Choedak)
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