School Welcomes Class XI Students

The school director, Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee la talking to the class XI students in Dekyi Tsering hall – 2022

The School principal Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la talking to the students of class XI in Dickyi Tsering hall – 2022

30th June, 2022: The school extended a warm welcomed for the students of XI for their new academic year 2022. A total number of around 97 students from different schools including Upper TCV itself had reported and at 6.30 p.m. an orientation meeting was held in Dicki Tsering Hall. The meeting was attended by a new batch of class XI students, hostel wardens, school guidance counselor, their teachers and advisory committee members. The school director, principal, and the headmasters of senior section made their presence at the meeting as a mark of great respect for this welcome event.
The program began with the welcome note by the principal, Mr. Nawang Lhamo la and
introduction of the teachers and members of the Advisory Committee. In her speech, she advised all to be more responsible of their studies and conduct. She reminded all about the importance of producing good academic results to get admission in good colleges in this competitive world.
Mr. Tsultrim Dorje la the director spoke about the codes of conduct that has to be observed at hostels at all times. The next speaker was the chairperson of the Advisory Committee Gen Tsering Khando la. She familiarized the students about the major school rules and possible penalties for the breaking them with the help of PowerPoint presentation.
There was tea and sweet rice ‘Desil’ served to all to mark the meeting special and auspicious. Mr. Wangchuk la the senior section Headmaster thanked all staff members and school prefects for making the event successful. He wished the new batch of class XI student good health and success.

Action-packed Social Day

The members of Social Science Department, Quiz participants with the school principal, headmaster and assistant headmaster (Photo@ Kadol and Lobsang Wangmo Class X)

29^th June 2022: Annual Social Day was observed on 29^th June by the Social Science Department of Upper TCV School chaired by Mrs. Tenzin Choekyi la in Hermann Gmeiner hall with the presentation of a short didactic play on “Consumer’s Rights” followed by felicitation of students who had excelled in various activities held a couple of days’ back by the chief guest. The chief guest for the morning program was none other than the Education Director, Rev. Tenzin Tsenlek la who was on a day long inspection of the senior section. Others present were the school Principal, Headmaster, Assistant headmaster, teachers and students. The short play was beautifully executed; dialogues were well articulated; and their final message about consumer’s rights was loud and clear. After the play, the chairperson of the Social Science department distributed the prizes for the winners of various activities conducted a couple of days’ back. The chief guest congratulated the winners and gave them the prize. The headmaster thanked the Social Science teachers and the students for their hard work and dedication.

Class XII Social Day Quiz in Dickyi Tsering hall (Photo@ Kadol and Lobsang Wangmo Class X)

In the evening, there was a quiz contest for the students of class XII in Dickyi Tsering hall. In the midst of the beautifully adorned stage, Mrs. Tenzin Choekyi la, the chairperson of the Social Science Department welcomed the audience once again on behalf of her department members. She then called the 12 participants who had been selected from preliminary rounds, by their names and put them into four groups named after the four layers, Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere. The quiz masters were all female and thus the quiz mistresses took the rounds namely General Knowledge round, Cartography round, Buzzer round and Rapid Fire round. The entire quiz session was very informative, interesting and exciting too. Everybody in the hall thoroughly enjoyed the quiz which was time bound and well prepared collectively. The quiz ended with the final round i.e. Rapid Fire round which saw a rapid rise and fall in the scores.

A Play on “Consumer’s Rights” on Social Day (Photo@ Tenzin Kalsang VIII S and Tenzin Chonden X)

Before the result was announced, the chairperson presented a video showing social day activities like painting competition for class VI students, map work, CTA quiz, exhibition etc. assigned to all classes from VI to XII for the past few days. The short video spoke a volume about the cooperation, leadership, planning and hard work of the entire social science department. The video received a huge round of applause from the audience for providing various activities and opportunities for the entire grades.

TCV Education Director Rev. Tenzin Tsenglek la with the winners (Photo@ Tenzin Kalsang VIII S and Tenzin Chonden X)

Finally, team Atmosphere came out triumphantly scoring more than 200 points. The chief guest of the evening program, Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la, the school Principal gave away the prizes for the winners and the consolation prizes for the remaining participants. She spoke highly of the kind of work and preparation undertaken by all the members of Social Department headed by Mrs. Tenzin Choekyi la for many weeks in advance. She also thanked the members on the floor for maintaining the decorum of the program. Mrs. Tenzin Choekyi la extended her gratitude to all her colleagues for their cooperation and support. She also thanked each and everyone involved in making the Social Day programs and activities successful.

Dr. Gmeiner Cake Tournament

Staff and Student team with the Headmaster on SOS Day. (Photo@ Gen Kalsang Phuntsok la)

23^rd June: Twenty third June is celebrated all over the SOS villages and schools as the SOS Day remembering the birthday of Dr. Hermann Gmeiner who founded the SOS children’s villages. Every year, the day is celebrated with great pomp and show in various SOS schools all over the world with school remaining closed for the day. Pre-Covid times, there were programs like painting competition, outdoor activities, cake tournament, sing a song nite for children. This is the day each and every children look upon as they present song and dance on this day. Unfortunately, due to the recent pandemic and lockdown, the day had lost its charm everywhere especially when gathering of large people was curtailed.

A specially ordered Gmeiner Cake on SOS Day (photo@ Gen Kalsang Phuntsok la)

Nevertheless, this year a special football match was arranged by the school PET Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok la, whose appointment in the school had seen lots of games and activities lately, the most recent being the farewell basketball match between the staff member and the out-going class XII students a couple of weeks’ back. The regular cake tournament which would last for a little more than a week had to be reduced to mere single friendly match. So, on 23rd June, a football match was arranged between the staff team and the student team to commemorate the SOS day. The friendly match ended with the cutting of cake as customary.

Dr. Hermann Gmeiner was an Austrian philanthropist and the founder of SOS Children’s Villages. He was born on 23^rd June 1919 in Austria .He died on 26^th April 1986 in Austria. He is lovingly known as the father of SOS children’s villages. It is also a time to pay gratitude for the philanthropist who nurtured millions of orphan and semi-orphans.

Youth Engagement on Climate Change

Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la, the principal welcoming Mr. Tenzin Jamyang la, former ATPD member (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

The Senior Headmaster, Mr. Wangchuk la giving introductory speech during the talk show (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

Mr. Tenzin Jamyang la interacting with the senior students in the hall (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

24th June, 2022: Students of class XII attended a talk ‘Youth Engagement on Climate Change’ on 24th of June, 2022 at 2.30 p.m. The program was initiated by Mr. Tenzin Jamyang la, who is a climate reality leader and former MP of Central Tibetan Administration. His visit and interaction with students was a part of his self driven action plans scheduled for the year to save Earth from drastic Global Warming.
The school principal, Mrs Nawang Lhamo la gave a brief introduction of the speaker and threw some light on the popular project CFL initiated by Mr. Jamyang la during his service at UTCV as a science teacher.
The talk was about the climate crisis of ‘Global warming’ our earth is facing today. Gen la in great detail explained how earth is being warmed at very alarming rate and its grave effect being experienced in all parts of the world. With the visuals, facts and data he created awareness among students about the ongoing global warming and the climate change which we are witnessing.
In conclusion, gen la talked about the various steps some countries and environment activists are taking to combat global warming. The talk motivates the students to contribute their share of service and initiative to save the earth from warming at this pace and help it heal and restored. Gen la treated the students with a banana and mango as refreshment. As a gesture of gratitude, Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la offered him a traditional scarf and Mr. Wangchuk la, the senior headmaster summarized the talk briefly and thanked the speaker.

Workshop on Differentiated Instruction

Principal Mam receiving the resource person, Mr. Tenzin Dorjee la, the Education Officer, DoE, CTA (photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

24th to 25th June, 2022: Teachers of TCV School upper attended a workshop on a very important topic ‘Differentiated Instruction’ from 9.30 to 1p.m. The program was planned and initiated by the school principal, Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la. The workshop was given phase wise: Teachers of junior and infant section on 24th and Teachers of senior section on 25th of June.
The workshop was organized as a follow up of the workshop on the Effective Lesson Planning and Students Engagement arranged in the month of April. The main objective of the workshop was too equip teachers with deeper understanding of Differentiated Instruction and smart strategies to face the challenges of teaching hundreds of students with varied aptitude, family background, needs, attention span and language ability.
The resource person for the very workshop was Mr. Tenzin Dorjee la the Education Officer of Education Department, CTA. He had been a math teacher for many years, now conducts workshop, sharing knowledge he acquired in his years of studying such crucial issues which are prevalent in every school.
24th June, 2022: It was day one of the workshop meant for teachers of junior section, infant section and Mcloed Dayschool on the same topic ‘Differentiated Instruction. In total there were 29 teachers. The workshop commenced at 9.30 a.m. and concluded at 1 p.m.

A workshop on Differentiated Instruction in full swing at Upper TCV School (Photo@ gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

25th June, 2022: It was day two of the workshop aimed for the teachers of senior section. The total number of attendees was thirty-five. The two Tibetan mentors of TCV: Mr. Minchung la and Mr. Nawang Jinpa la also participated in the workshop. Like the first day, the session began at 9.30 a.m. with a brief introduction of the resource person by Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la the school principal. To prepare the attendees for the workshop Gen Tenzin Dorjee la had shared some articles and videos on Differentiated Instruction a couple of days before the workshop. As expected some attendees seemed to have gone through and shared what little they have understood.

A child’s cry

Teachers engrossed in their discussion during the workshop (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

“If I cannot learn the way you teach, kindly teach me the way I learn.” On a very touching note, the session started. With a short testing of previous knowledge, the speaker delivered his talk with PowerPoint presentation, allowing the attendees to understand what differentiated instruction is. He pointed out that Differentiated Instruction is about tailoring instructions to meet individual needs. It is regarding the use of wide varieties of systematic instructional strategies. It is seen crucial for the teachers to practice Differentiated Instruction for its profound benefits: inspires student for learning, increases learning-outcome, more student engagement and better self-
awareness.
The second session at 11.30 a.m. was on Elements of Differentiated Instruction. Gen la
explained in great detail how we can successfully differentiate instructions based on a
learner’s interest, readiness and learning profile. With the few group activities and interaction,
teachers were made to differentiate content, process and product for better understanding of the ways to differentiate instruction effectively.
The main take-away from the workshop was a dozen of quick and smart strategies for
Differentiating Instruction that we can take into consideration as we work on our daily lesson plan. Several websites and books are recommended for deeper understanding of Differentiated Instruction. It was indeed an eye-opening experience for many attendees and no doubt it was worthwhile. The attendees are convinced and enriched with lots of ideas and knowledge. The program ended with vote of thanks by Mr. Dorjee la the assistant headmaster of Senior Section.

Prayer Service Held at TCV

A Special Prayer for the deceased Gen Phuntsok Namgyal la by the staff members of Upper TCV school on the open stage

20^th June, 2022: Upper TCV mourns the sudden demise of one of the dedicated senior most staff member late gen Phuntsok Namgyal la. The school pays homage to the deceased and extends condolences to the family and friends. All staff members gathered for an hour long prayer session from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. at the open stage. Students chanted Mani and Monlam prayer at their home and hostel simultaneously. May the prayers and the butter lamps offered, help to facilitate the soul as they journey into next life.

Prayer services were held in various parts and condolences messages poured in from his students, colleagues, friends, well wishers, family and relatives from all across for his good 48 years of service for the Institution he loved the most and the institution  where he would loved to be reborn even as a dog.

An Obituary: Gen Phuntsok Namgyal la (1955 – 2022) (Source: Tibetan Children’s Villages School: Main Facebook Page)

Black and White photo of Gen Phuntsok Namgyal la (late) 1955 -2022

Gen Phuntsok Namgyal la joined TCV Upper as teacher in 1975, a fresh college graduate when the TCV was in very urgent need of Educated Tibetans to teach Tibetan students in exile.

In those early years, life was tough for everyone but as time goes by Tibetans schools were established and communities start to grow up as and Tibetans start to move west but gen la remained dedicated to cause of Tibetan Children’s education and well-being till his last breathe.

Gen Phuntsok la was Born in Lhasa, Tibet in 1955 and came on Exile with family and resettled in Mundgod. After completing his schooling from CTS Mussoorie and St. Joseph College, he joined Upper TCV in 1975 as a teacher.  In 1980-1982, he was appointed as the Assistant Headmaster of UTCV Junior Section and then from 1983-1990 as the Head Master.

From 1990-95, gen la was appointed as the Principal of TCV Patlikuhl and then 1995-96 went for Full bright Scholar in US (Virginia University).

With Amala at TCV Gopalpur in its formative years

From 1996 – 2004 he was appointed as Director of the TCV Gopalpur School which was under construction and in its formative years and Gen la along with his dedicated staff members had worked day in and out to build what we see today – fine and fascinating TCV Gopalpur.

From 2004 – 2013 again Gen la was recalled to Upper TCV as a Director and did many numerous wonderful jobs around.

Gen Phuntsok Namgyal used to be a continuous learner and he is famous for his Tibetan hand writings and his love and interest for computers led him to somehow master MS Excel. From 2013 till his untimely last breathe 19 June 2022, he took the job of TCV Head Office Data Administrator.

Upper TCV School Junior Section in 1980s

Gen la’s sudden and untimely passing away on 19 June 2022 Sunday night at Tanda hospital is a big loss for the TCV and Tibetan community at large. Gen worked his whole life in TCV right from young age say right after his college education  till his last breathe. Gen la put his whole life in the service of TCV and Tibetan Children’s Education and welfare and served over 48 years in the TCV for the betterment and the well being of Tibetan Children’s village and school.

We the TCV – Children, staff and alumni mourn the demise of our great colleague, a teacher, mentor, leader – Gen Phuntsok Namgyal la for his journey from this life to new life…

Om MaNi PedMe Hum

Om MaNi PedMe Hum

Om MaNi PedMe Hum

Our deepest condolences to his immediate family, wife and daughter, relatives and friends. TCV as a whole family will always miss your service, love, wonderful deeds and life long company.

Class XII Graduation Ceremony Held

Out-going class XII students throwing their graduation caps to express their jubilation on their graduation day (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

11th June: A grand graduation ceremony was held on 11^th June in the Herman Gmeiner hall for the 70 class XII students, right after they had their last paper, History, on the morning of 10^th June. As usual, it was a very special, memorable and also emotional moment for many students especially those who had spent entire 12 years in the same school under the parental care of the dedicated teachers and  staff members. The function was attended by around 800 attendees including the school Director, Principal, headmasters, teachers, staff members and students of class VI and above. Mr. Choeying Dhoundup la, the general secretary of TCV schools and most importantly alumni, was the main chief guest on class XII graduation ceremony.

Boys with their graduation caps on listening attentively on their graduation day (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

The students are being offered scarf by the chief guest, Mr. Dhoundup la (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

The present class XII students headed by the school captains and prefect had beautifully made the main decoration for the photo session. The graduating class XII boys and girls were seated separately on two columns of the hall all wearing the graduation caps and a paper batch on the chest. The ceremony began with the singing of school song “Khenpai Yeshi” along with the school band. The headmaster Mr. Wangchuk la welcomed everyone and requested Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee la, the school director to address the gathering. On the very outset, he congratulated the students for successfully completing their formal schooling. He spoke in length about the importance of having a sense of gratitude in one’s life. He also advised the students to keep following the school motto “Others before Self” and to learn and study the four commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “As you are leaving this school, don’t think that your learning is over. In fact, it is the beginning. Remember that you are fully equipped to face the outside world. Don’t ever feel low. There isn’t anything you can’t do. Just believe in yourself and be a true representative of TCV family who had groomed you all these years under the motto “Others before Self”.”

2022-22 Class XII Batch posing with the school heads and the subject teachers (Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

After the director’s address, there was a scarf ceremony. The out-going class XII students were called one by one on the stage and the chief guest, Mr. Choeying la congratulated and offered traditional white scarf to them with the whole audience giving them a rousing cheers. This is the first time after two years of the pandemic, that a proper full-fledged graduation function was held with much fun and vigor.

Miss. Tenzin Tseyang la, the school captain and the representative of the out-going class XII extended her words of gratitude to each and everyone in the school on behalf of the out-going XII students. She delivered her own speech talking about her personal experience  and expressing how grateful she is for all the staff members of the school.

The school band playing the school song “Khenpay Yeshi” on Class XII graduation Day (Photo@ Gen Tenzin Lhawang la)

Mr. Choeying Dhoundup la spoke to the out-going students on the importance of preserving Tibetan language. He urged the students either to pursue a career which is most needed in our community or to specialize in one particular discipline. In his address, he told the students about the prospect of studying in Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, Bangalore. As such, both the speakers left no stone unturned in giving their final parting words on behalf of this whole family. Throughout the function, the students were seen listening attentively and many were seen swaying their head in agreement.

The school principal Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la, gave the final vote of thanks thanking the chief guest, the director for their sincere parting words, Miss Tenzin Tseyang la for her message  and the out-going class XII students. Before she concluded, she reiterated the important points spoken by the two speakers. She thanked the class XII teachers and the home mothers for their timely support and guidance. She praised them for their hard work and sincerity during the unfortunate lockdown days. She reminded the students the importance of being a true representative of TCV school and not to disgrace the reputation of the school and community. Thus, the morning function concluded with the singing of Tibetan national anthem along with the school band. After that, there was a photo session and informal interaction between the students and the teachers.

Graduating students in queue for the sumptuous lunch on the basketball ground (Photo@ Tenzin Samten XD)

A sumptuous lunch was presented on the basketball ground for the out-going class XII students and the staff members by the organizing team. Both the staff and the out-going students had a great time while rest of the students had started leaving for their long awaited summer holiday which started today. The graduating students would be having their informal gathering in the school in the evening as customary practice. They would be leaving for their respective homes from tomorrow onwards. The entire staff members wish them good luck and colourful results.

A glimpse of class XII students serving their out-going students during farewell lunch (Photo@ Tenzin Samten XD)

“I really had a very good experience in this school. I am very grateful to our school. Today, I am graduating and there is both feeling of pride and sadness. Anyways, thank you all the staff members for all the love and care”, said an out-going class XII student. “It is a feeling of both happy and sadness during graduation. I remember myself graduating from this school once. Although I had been groomed properly to face the outside world, but on that day I remember I was quite frightened to know that I was actually leaving the school for good. I can understand their feeling too”, said a teacher.

“I am happy that I am leaving this school after twelve years. I am carrying lots of good memories with me. Thank you all. My advice for the present class XII is “Please work hard and very soon your graduation day will come. I wish you all the best”, said an out-going class XII student.

Gurukul visits TCV Sc-Kul

A group photo of Gurukul 2022 with the Education Director, the Principal, the Headmaster and the ED secretary on the baketball ground (Photo @ Tenzin Samten XD & Tenzin Tashi XS)

8^th June 2022: The 32 participants of the 26^th annual Gurukul 2022 initiated by the FUR (Foundation for Universal Responsibility, New Delhi, reached Upper TCV school on 8^th June. There was a welcome and introductory talk by the Education Director, Rev. Tenzin Tsenleg la followed by the guided tour of the school for the gurukul participants. They were also served lunch in different homes with the sole purpose of interacting directly with the students at homes.

A lively interaction between the class X students and the Gurukul at school Gompa (Photo @ Tenzin Samten XD & Tenzin Tashi XS)

Sharing of Skills during the Interactive Session at school Gompa (Photo @ Tenzin Samten XD & Tenzin Tashi XS)

Sharing your knowledge with others never makes you smaller and weaker (Photo @ Tenzin Samten XD & Tenzin Tashi XS)

A fully engrossed in their Interactive Session (Photo @ Tenzin Samten XD & Tenzin Tashi XS)

In the afternoon at 2:30 p.m., there was counseling and interactive sessions between the students of class X with the 32 Gurukul participants. The afternoon interactive program began with the school principal Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la giving a welcome speech and the purpose of this interaction. Along with the school principal, those who were present were the headmaster, Mr. Wangchuk la, the school counselor Mrs. Tsering Chodon la and the Education Director secretary mr. Migmar Tsering la. In her introductory speech, Mrs. Lhamo la requested the students to make the best use of this interactive session. After that, an ideal cluster of groups were formed in which a participant of gurukul program joined each group. For reaching more students, the Gurukul students were asked to swap their group as many times as they could. Both the parties made the best use of time talking about their interest, hobbies, career, and culture touching various topics. The interactive session was done seriously from both the groups and it lasted for a little more than an hour.”Although it was a short time yet I learned so many things about the girl in my group. She is a dentist and she advised us to be happy. She also told us that she is a big fan of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and she said she is preparing a birthday gift for him too”, said Stanzin from class X D. “I got chance to interact with only 2 people out of 32 participants. They both advised us to be a good person in our life. They both are doing different things in their life. This made me think about my future even more”, said Kunzang of class X D.

A glimpse of Basketball match in the evening (Photo @ Tenzin Samten XD & Tenzin Tashi XS)

In the evening there was a friendly basketball match for both the boys and girls team. Both the teams played so well and the matched was well received by everyone. The Gurukul students had a wonderful and event packed day at Upper TCV School. The Gurukul started in 1994 as a month long programme started by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi (FURHDLL). The main objective is to bring together the two communities of guru (teacher) and chela (student-), and revive the centuries-old relationship of learning exchange between Indians and Tibetans. This is the 26^th Gurukul.

Books from Manjushri Educational Services (MES)

Books received from Manjushri Educational Services (MES)

Children holding the books and thanking the donor and funders

7^th June 2022: A set of 6 high quality children’s books in Tibetan language: My Library, Gya-Tak, Spiderman in Tibet, I Love Momo, Best Gift and Nursery Songs were donated by Manjushri Educational Services (MES), non-profit educational organization based in Dharamsala for the school library and classroom library. All these books were age-appropriate and published by MES with the kind support from Tibet Relief Fund (UK) and Khyentse Foundation (US).

Children browsing through the newly arrived books

The school extends its gratitude to Manjushri Education Services (MES) for the free distribution of these books on behalf of all the primary children. The school assures that the books will be productively used and spread the joy of reading in the homes and classrooms also. The school also looks forward to receiving more children’s books in future and as such wishes MES all the best and congratulate MES team for their wonderful educational services in India and Nepal.

Official logo of Manjushri Educational Services (MES) based in Dharamsala

MES, established in 2016, works towards promoting Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Tibetan and Himalayan communities in India and Nepal. Their program include production and  distribution of children’s literature, play-based learning materials in Tibetan language, conducting ECCE workshops for parents with newborns, and promoting early literacy through high-quality literacy programs. They can be reached at :manjushrieducation@gmail.com. Their Face book Id is: manjushrieducation and Instagram Id is: manjushrieducation

Three Days’ Kagyu Reading Underway

Class XII students were seen carrying the Kagyu on their shoulder and going around (Photo @ master Tenzin Tashi X S & Tenzin Samten XD)

7^th June 2022:  Saka Dawa’s annual 3 days’ Kagyu reading (Translated Words consisting of works in about 108 volumes supposed to have been spoken by the Buddha himself),  started on 7^th June. The three days’ mass prayer began with the cleansing of the respective classroom a day in advance for maintaining the sanctity of the manuscripts and to ward off any impurity of any form reach the Holy Scriptures. The actual day began with around 100 students neatly clad in their school uniform, all class XII students both boys and girls touring the entire boundary of the school, each carrying a bundle of the scripture on their shoulder as early as 6 a.m. while rest of the staff and students waited for the final arrival of the scriptures.

Senior students fully engrossed in reading Kagyu in their classroom (Photo @ master Tenzin Tashi X S & Tenzin Samten XD))

Apart from the classrooms of class VI to class XII, Dekyi Tsering hall was made the venue for the Kagyu reading for rest of the staff members. The students of class VI and above read the scriptures in their respective classrooms under the supervision of their class teacher and assistant teacher. Some of the students who were from different faith were exempted from the Kagyu reading while some did volunteering in discharging their service in refreshment group.

The Head Office dignitaries and other staff members doing the Kagyu reading in Dekyi Tsering hall (Photo @ master Tenzin Tashi X S & Tenzin Samten XD))

As usual the Kagyu reading programme is being organized by the school cultural committee including the school philosophy teachers. The committee had also arranged the tea and refreshment in both the venues with good number of volunteers. The Kagyu reading has been divided into three sessions with two refreshment and toilet break. The afternoon was a long break until the next day. Each and everybody was very sincere in whatever they were engaged in.

The school director Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee la is seen instructing the class XII students at school Gompa (Photo @ master Tenzin Tashi X S & Tenzin Samten XD))

Saka Dawa is the most revered Buddhist festival and it is celebrated every year in the fourth month of Tibetan lunar calendar. This month is sacred because this month commemorates Lord Buddha’s birth, his attainment of enlightenment and his final salvation from this world. Because of the congregation of three important events, Buddhist around the world believes that one merit turns into one hundred thousand times. So, there is a large scale prayer, offering, prostration, sacrifice, going vegan etc. The first day of Kagyu reading went smoothly with the smooth execution of various departments. the scriptures, refreshments, purifying incense and nectar were coming on time. This is the time to cultivate collective merits not just for our big family but for the entire world peace. The next Kagyu reading would start tomorrow at 7:30 am under the same schedule with the lunch break at 1:30 p.m. The final wrap up session would be on 9^th June. Coinciding with the holy 10th day of Saka Dawa, the school marked the conclusion day of the program with a grand Soltsok offering prayer session organized by the Cultural Committee under the guidance of the two tadrupp Lopons of the school at the Dickey Tsering hall. Students of class X and XII joined the staff members for prayer at 5 o’clock in the evening.
It was indeed a spiritually blissful and virtuous time for students and staff members.

To learn more about Saka Dawa, https://tibetpedia.com/lifestyle/religious-life/saka-dawa/