Tibetan children’s school celebrates 65th anniversary in Dharamsala

Hundreds of students, alumni, teachers and staff gathered to celebrate the 65th founding anniversary of the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School with great enthusiasm. The event was graced by Kyabje Yongzin Ling Choktrul Rinpoche as the chief guest and Officiating Sikyong (Prime Minister) Tharlam Dolma Changra, Kalon (Minister) for the Department of Education, as the guest of honour.

Among the distinguished attendees were Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo, Justice Commissioners Dawa Phunkyi and Phagpa Tsering, Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi, Auditor General Tashi Topgyal, Standing Committee members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Secretaries from the Offices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration.

The celebration began with a colourful march past by TCV students, witnessed by large crowds gathered along the school grounds. The ceremony opened with a minute’s silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause, followed by the singing of the national anthems of Tibet and India.

In her keynote address, Officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra extended warm greetings and commended TCV’s enduring contribution to education and cultural preservation. She paid heartfelt tribute to the pioneering efforts of the Dalai Lama’s elder sister, Tsering Dolma, and younger sister, Jetsun Pema, whose leadership was instrumental to TCV’s success.

Highlighting the Dalai Lama’s visionary role in establishing schools, monasteries and settlements for the Tibetan exile community, she urged all to remain grateful for his compassion. Noting that this year has been declared the ‘Year of Compassion’, she called on everyone to practise kindness and empathy in their daily lives.

Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, representing the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, read out the Parliament’s official message for the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, chief guest Kyabje Ling Rinpoche expressed deep gratitude to TCV School, recalling his own formative years spent there before being recognised as the reincarnation of the previous Ling Rinpoche. He praised the Dalai Lama’s vision in establishing TCV as a cornerstone for safe