By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, December 5: His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Friday expressed his sadness over the destruction to human life and property in Chennai where incessant rainfall has brought life to a standstill, the heaviest downpour in over hundred years. He also pledged a donation of Rs 15 lakhs towards relief operations.
The Tibetan leader who arrived in Bangalore earlier today wrote a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, “Chennai was one of the Indian cities I visited when I first came to India in 1956 for the Buddha Jayanthi celebrations. Over the years I have visited this beautiful city several times, most recently three weeks ago as these rains began.”
The Tibetan leader who will be giving religious discourses in Hunsur and Bylakuppee in the coming days conveyed his prayers for all who have suffered loss of life and property.
Meanwhile, Tibetans Students in Chennai are also facing lot of hardships, especially those who study at Madras Christian College since it is situated in Tambaram, one of the worst hit areas in the city.
Kalsang Rabten, Vice President of Tibetan Student Association, Madras (TSAM) told Phayul, “There are around 80 students still stuck in Tambaram after our exams were postponed. For those whose rented rooms are submerged, we are accommodating in other students’ rooms, which are on higher floors.”
Kalsang also complained about the sharp rise in the price of the rations. “The cost of daily rations has doubled”. But thankfully, he said, they are getting some relief from the local Municipal Council through their house owners.
Tibetan students staying in Tambaram area have been out of power, without Internet access or cellphone coverage, which made it harder for them to contact their families. Since the transportations are also in a fix, it made it harder for them to travel as well, said Kalsang.
Sonam Bhuti, TSAM’s City PRO and a student at Madras University said that those who are staying in the college hostels are fortunate since the institution provides them the daily meals.
