By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, April 28: The Tibetan government in exile, officially known as the Central Tibetan Administration, held a special prayer service on Monday for those who have lost their lives in the Nepal earthquake and also announced a donation of NPR 2000000 Nepali Rupees rescue and relief efforts in the country.
The death toll from the earthquake rose to 4362 on Tuesday morning.
Thousands of Tibetans including officials of Tibetan exile government, monks, nuns and students attended the prayer service presided over by Kirti Rinpoche, the exiled abbot of the Kirti monasteries in Tibet.
“On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and the entire Tibetan people, I express my profound sympathies and condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and whose lives have been severely devastated by this horrific natural calamity,” said the Tibetan Prime Minister Dr Lobsang Sangay.
“Our sincere prayers are with the people affected by the earthquake and the governments at this time of national tragedy.”
Tibetan PM Sangay also confirmed the death of two Tibetans in the quake in Nepal- one in Boudha area and a nun from a village near the border.
The earthquake with epicenter at Gorkha district was the worst to hit the South Asian nation in more than 80 years damaging many historical monuments and buildings in Kathmandu, capital of the Himalayan nation hugely dependent on tourism for its economy.
On Sunday, Tibetans, Indians and foreigners gathered together at Mcleod Ganj square in solidarity with people of Nepal and light candles for the victims of earthquake. The solidarity vigil was jointly organized by Dharamshala regional chapters of Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association.
Expressing its concern for situation of Tibetans in Nepal, Tibetan Youth Congress has announced the dispatch of two central executive members to assess the situation in Nepal.
TYC has also urged all its regional chapters to hold prayer service and start an “Earthquake Relief” donation drive.
In Dharamshala, Tibetan Women’s Association, National Democratic Party of Tibet, Gu- Chu-Sum Movement for Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet, India and Dharamshala regional Tibetan Youth Congress have began a donation drive for Nepal earthquake victims.
The donation drive will continue till Friday and 40 percent from donation will go towards the Tibetan community in Nepal and 60 percent towards people of Nepal.
