By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, FEB 22: The Tibetan Prime Minister Dr. Lobsang Sangay today inaugurated Druzin Gatsel, a residential building for former political prisoners in McLeod Ganj.
Joined by Mimmi Guglielmone and Debbie Carrani of Vimala Association, the co-sponsor of the project, and dignitaries of the Tibetan government in exile, the Tibetan PM expressed his gladness over the fruition of the project. “Those who have braved and fought the repressive goverment in Tibet are the freedom fighters or the political activists. As His Holiness has often advised that the duty to look after them falls upon us once they escape into exile. So we are doing our best,” PM Sangay said.
The PM also urged the residents to maintain and keep a clean environment around the new building, whose construction began in Aug 2014 and was completed by Jan 2016. Built with a budget of rupees 176,00,000, Vimala Association contributed rupees 126,00,000 and the rest by CTA.
“I am really glad to see it complete. I would like to wish the people who would live here all the happiness and peace, which they could not have before,” said an emotional Mimmi, President of Vimala Association, at the inauguration ceremony.
Built under the supervision of Department of Home, 11 out of the total 16 rooms have been allocated to former political prisoners and the remaining five kept to accommodate staff of Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Office.
Dhondup Wangyal, a 69 year-old former political prisoner who arrived in exile in 2006 after spending over 15 years in Chinese prison welcomed the initiative taken by the Tibetan government in exile.
He said, “I have been looked after by the Tibetan government in exile and today I am very happy for the gesture shown to us. All my well wishes to them (Vimala Association) for all their support.”
Nagwang Samphel, a nun who was arrested in 1987 said, “We have got a house without having to spend a single rupee. So I have nothing but gratitude towards them.”
The Italy-based association is well known for its contribution in various Tibetan settlements.
