Dharamshala — Shri Shanta Kumar, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and current BJP member of Parliament has appealed the central government to honor His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honor.

Noting the Nobel Laureate's significant work for humanity, Kumar said, "the Dalai Lama is spreading the message of peace through Buddhism in the world, and I demand the Government of India to honor the spiritual leader with the Bharat Ratna."

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of India. Originally instituted in 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of exceptional service. Originally limited to achievements in the arts, literature, science, and public services, the government later expanded the criteria to include any field of human endeavor. The recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President.

The MP made his comments during a book launch, held in the Main Temple of His Holiness in Mcleod Ganj. During the launch, the Tibetan leader released three books-- 'Red Shadow on Himalaya' by Kumar, 'If Autumn Comes' by Kumar's wife Santosh Shailza, and 'Self Reliance leader Shanta Kumar' by Hem Raj.

Dharamshala  — Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations, has been appointed as the official spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration, according to a circular issued by the Kashag Secretariat.

The appointment is effective from October 3^rd, 2016.

With over 25 years of experience, Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo is one of the senior most secretaries in the Central Tibetan Administration. During his long and accomplished career, he has undertaken various prominent roles in the Central Tibetan Administration including as Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Australia and as member of the Tibetan delegation that met Chinese representatives to resolve the issue of Tibet.

Dharamshala — Tibet Charity, a local nonprofit in Dharamshala, observed the 10th World Rabies Day today, September 28, in a local and international effort to eliminate the rabies disease.

In an effort to promote awareness and prevention, Tibet Charity held the event at the Tibet Welfare Society, and attending were over 80 locals, including special guests Danyi Tsegyal, Secretary of the Tibetan Department of Health, and Indian representative Dr. Ajay, assistant Director of the Animal Husbandry Department.

Rabies is a viral infection that is almost always fatal, and the worst rabies cases are within India and Africa.

As prevention is key to eliminating the disease, Tibet Charity gives free rabies vaccines to dogs at their facility.

Ravangla, Sikkim — Over 50 Tibetan co-operators including Chairmen and Secretaries of 15 co-operatives, managers and staff of Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives in India Ltd., met on Wednesday for the 16th Annual Conference of Tibetan cooperatives in India.

Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, Home Kalon, CTA presided over as a Chief Guest to mark the opening of the conference. Other notable guests and speakers included, Gyari Dolma, former Home Kalon. Also present were Shri Pema Dorjee (DRCS) Ravangla and Shri C K Rai (ARCS) Ravangla, Local Assembly Chairmen, Gangtok & Ravangala Settlement Officer, local BRDL representatives, representative of monasteries, leaders of various NGOs and camp leaders.

Organized by FTCI and coordinated by Ravangala Co-operative Society from 7th September to 8th September, the 3-day conference is focused on achieving sustainability of Tibetan settlements in general and productive cooperative activities in particular. For more information about the conference, please visit Tibet Digital Times

Strasbourg – The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama has reached France after a gap of 5 years where he will also address the Council of Europe, a statement issued said Wednesday.

The Nobel peace laureate arrived in Paris on Monday for a six-day visit that will take him to the European Parliament and Paris. The visit, his first in five years, will be spent largely in Strasbourg.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama will pay a visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, on Thursday, 15 September, where he will meet Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, President of the Parliamentary Assembly Pedro Agramunt and Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks," the Council of Europe said.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama will deliver an address (Palais de l'Europe, 10.45 am) to the diplomatic community and representatives of Council of Europe bodies, focusing on the development of compassion and ethical awareness in a secular world," the Council added.

It will also be possible to follow the event live on the Council of Europe website.

Washington D.C. — Members of the Tibetan Youth Conference, Washington DC chapter brought the plight of the Panchen Lama before the White House on his 27th Birthday.

There are about 300 Tibetans in exile living in the Washington DC metro area. Karma, who fled western Tibet for India when he was about 6 years old has been involved in bringing Tibetan awareness before the White House for 19 years .

When in India, he was involved in the Tibetan Youth Congress and later the Charter for Tibetans in Exile. He was one of the first who was exposed to multi-lingual needs.

Karma said, "hopes that the children who are made aware of the Issues surrounding the Tibetan people will be in a place to use their influence to stand up for Tibet in the future.

Karma hopes that he can return to Tibet during this lifetime.