By Tenzin Nyima
Delhi, December 6 – A fire broke out at Ladhak Budh Vihar, one of the most well known Tibetan Markets in Delhi and a favorite shopping place for Indian college goers.
“I lost everything!” says a victim of the fire.
“I came to know about the fire around 6 this morning. Nothing is left. I had two shops,” She added.
Mr. Lobsang Tsultrim, the leader of the market union, says the cause of the fire is still not known though he believes it happened due to short circuit. “Six shops owned by Tibetans had turned into ashes” says Mr. Lobsang. “A few shops owned byf Ladhakis and Indians were also gutted by the fire. 19 other shops owned by Tibetans got affected.”
According to him, the fire was controlled at right time due to the timely arrival of fire brigade. The total damage to property is yet to be expected. But Lobsang says that goods worth at least 2-3 lakh rupees may have been lost. The welfare officer for Tibetans in Delhi has visited the site and expressed his condolences to the victims. No immediate relief has been announced as yet.
The market started taking shape in 70’s when some five or four people set up few shops and then the market gradually started growing after1985. Budh Vihar has some more than 200 shops, most of which are owned by Tibetans.
