On August 4, 2003, the Prime
Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Kalon Tripa
Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche, visited Pema Ts'al Mundgod
to inspect the school and speak with the children. Below
is a firsthand account from the Executive Director of Pema
Ts'al, the Venerable Guru Gyaltsen.
Dear
Lama Pema Wangdak and all the friends, supporters and members
of Pema Tsal,
I am very happy to inform you all that today at 17:00hrs,
Kalon Tripa Ven. Samdhong Rinpoche (the Prime Minister of
Tibetan Govt. in Exile) visited Pema Tsal School accompanied
by the Secretary of Department of Home Mr. Tsering D., Mrs.
Tsering Norzom, MP., Chief Representative of South Zone;
Mr. Ngodup Dorjee and Mr. Ngawang Dhondup, the Representative
of the Tibetan Colony, Mundgod. Rinpoche inspected the whole
building and bedrooms and also inquired about the education
that we impart to the students. I requested him to address
the students and he readily agreed.
First, Rinpoche asked in general why we study. Tenzin Tsering
answered 'to become successful and a good person'. Rinpoche
again asked 'will a good education make a good person? Mao
was an educated man.' Tenzin Tsering answered 'it depends
on the motive and aim'.....and so on. Rinpoche gave a very
lucid speech covering a variety of subjects such as Buddhist
tenets, naturopathy, science, politics and the environment.
Rinpoche asked if any one wanted to ask a question and Tenzin
Dolker asked 'what is the political situation in the context
of the recent visit of Atal Bihari Vajpai, the Prime Minister
of India to China" and Rinpoche answered in detail
about the subject. He also had some interesting diplomatic
happenings in Beijing with the Indian and Chinese officials
regarding the drafting of the joint-statement. 
Rinpoche
took about 2 hours at Pema Tsal and his speech lasted for
about 1:20 minutes. Rinpoche hinted that he had heard about
the wonderful works of the Pema Tsal Project. Rinpoche also
said that he knew me and Lama Pema, and he greatly admires
the social work in the field of educating Tibetan children.
I
had met with Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche on 2nd August,
and after lunch I sought his audience and informed him about
the project Lama Pema and I are involved with here in Mundgod
and in Pokhara. I requested that he visit Pema Tsal if he
could spare some time from his hectic schedule, and Rinpoche
readily agreed. Rinpoche also signed the Pema Tsal Visitor's
Book. Most of the students had not seen Kalon Tripa Samdhong
Rinpoche in person. They were really awed and inspired by
his speech. We have reason to be glad that despite his hectic
schedule of more than a month on tour of the Tibetan Settlement,
he still had the energy to spend that much time with Pema
Tsal.
We are all encouraged and happy with his visit and naturally
got extra energy to work harder for society.
I hope that you all will be glad with the recognition Pema
Tsal enjoys in the Tibetan community.
Best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
Guru Gyaltsen
(Executive Director)
