Mainpat: On the morning of 5 August 2025, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the incumbent Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Home, began his visit to the Mainpat Tibetan Settlement with prayers at Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery in camp no 1, a branch of Dagpo Rinpoche’s monastery, who became the first Tibetan honoured with France’s Legion of Honour, acknowledged Rinpoche’s long-standing commitment to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.
Following the monastery visit, Sikyong visited Sambhota Primary Tibetan School in Mainpat, where he was warmly received by the school headmaster, staff, and students. School headmaster Dawa Tsering presented a summary report of the school, after which Sikyong highlighted the importance of children spending their formative years with their parents and underscored the relevance of the New Education Policy. He also stressed the important role of teachers in shaping the future of the Tibetan community.
Following his school engagement, Sikyong Penpa Tsering toured several key institutions of the Mainpat Tibetan Settlement, including the Settlement Office, the Tibetan Cooperative Society, Local Tibetan Assembly, Primary Health Centre, Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement Office, Men-Tsee-Khang branch and the Old Age Home. He also visited Camp no 1, Palyul Chokor Ling Monastery, Tsori Dechen Chokhor Ling Monastery and Camp no 3.
In the afternoon, he continued his tour of settlement camps 4, 5, and 6, and specifically inspected the ongoing land allocation project site. He also toured camp no 7 and camp no 2, Pal Karma Dargye Chokor Ling Monastery, the local cooperative guest house, and the new market construction project site.
On the morning of 6 August 2025, Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressed the public at Mainpat Phendeling Tibetan Settlement. The program began with a summary report presented by Tibetan Settlement Officer Tsewang Yangtso. Following this, Secretary of the Department of Home, Palden Dhondup, remarked that the Sikyong’s visit to the settlements highlights significant concerns of the community and represents a collective effort to address important issues with due recognition from the Home Department.
In his public address, Sikyong Penpa Tsering underscored the importance of unity and solidarity among Tibetans to support Tibetan settlements and preserve their language, culture, and identity. He reiterated that the core responsibility of the Department of Home is to ensure the welfare of the Tibetan people and called on the public to work collectively for the broader cause of Tibet and, in particular, the Mainpat Settlement.
Speaking on the conditions observed during his visit, Sikyong expressed concern over the dilapidated state of the Sambhota Lower Primary School staff quarters in Mainpat. Despite the challenges, he commended the teachers for their unwavering dedication to educating the children.
He also addressed ongoing local land disputes, urging for proper land record maintenance and transparent resolution. Emphasising the achievements of the Tibetan exile community, Sikyong credited the progress made to the immense kindness of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the tireless efforts of the elder generation which he expressed his profound and continued gratitude.
Regarding the broader responsibilities of the Central Tibetan Administration’s Kashag, he stated, “Whether the Tibetan administration can survive depends on whether people trust it and whether it maintains strong relations with the public.” Emphasising the critical link between public trust and the legitimacy of governance, he remarked, “The future existence of the Tibetan administration and its legal standing are directly tied to these factors.”
Sikyong underlined that for any administration to remain relevant, it must stay connected to the people. “That is why not only the Sikyong, but each Kalon (minister) is making efforts to visit Tibetan settlements whenever possible,” he said, adding that such outreach will continue if the administration remains stable.
He then turned to the Tibet-China issue, noting the strategic importance of how the conflict is framed. He asserted, “It is not just a ‘Tibet issue’ but a problem between two countries – Tibet and China – and this distinction must be clear to the international community.” Regarding the Middle Way Policy of the Central Tibetan Administration, Sikyong explained that its political significance hinges on understanding two facts: “China’s occupation of Tibet, and Tibet’s historical status as an independent country.”
Highlighting the growing interest and concern of the international community on the status of Tibet, Sikyong encouraged the public to read and refer to important books. He recommended several key publications, including “Tibet Brief 20/20” by historian Michael van Walt van Praag, scholarly works by Chinese professor Hon-Shiang Lau, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book “Voice for the Voiceless.”
Sikyong Penpa Tsering also shared that seven European countries – France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Estonia, and Iceland – recently issued a joint statement through the European Union’s Special Representative for Human Rights regarding the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The statement asserted that “there should be no external interference in this matter,” reflecting that the issue of His Holiness’s reincarnation is not only significant for Tibetans but holds global relevance.
He further emphasised the need to raise awareness about Tibet and the Tibetan cause within India, noting that very few people in India are fully informed about the Tibetan issue. In this context, Sikyong stressed the importance of educating the Indian public, especially by introducing that the Tibetan language originated from India, highlighting the deep cultural and linguistic ties between the two countries.
In conclusion, Sikyong Penpa Tsering explained the structure of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and its seven departments, outlining their key responsibilities, work methods, and current projects. The gathering ended with a public Q&A session, after which the visit to Mainpat Phendeling Tibetan Settlement concluded successfully.
On 7 August 2025, Sikyong departed from Mainpat Phendeling for Varanasi. During this visit, he was accompanied by Secretary Palden Dhondup and Joint Secretary Tenzin Kunsang of the Department of Home.
