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>>US ambassador lays the foundation of new constructions at TRC
By Thupten shastri, Photos by Lhuboom
Kathmandu January 11:
The US ambassador James Morairy and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) chief in Nepal Mr Abraham Abraham have laid the foundation stone of new construction of rooms at the Tibetan reception center in kathmandu, Nepal on 11th of January 2006. The Tibetan reception center which looks after the influx of Tibetan refugees fleeing into exile acroos the Himalayas every year has been facing shortage of residential rooms, and it is more problematic in the winters as more number of Tibetans use to arrive during winter. laying the foundation stone of new construction of rooms, venerable Drupthop Rinpoche performed the Buddhist ground breaking ritualistic pujas, and the US ambassador laid the foundation stone.He also briefly spoke to over one thousand Tibetan refugees currently stranded at the Tibetan reception center in kathmandu due to Nepal governments restriction to issue them transit permit to India since 25th October last year. The US ambassador said;
“ It is an honor for me to be here today to represent my government. We understand the conditions in which you live and we think that this new building is very urgently needed. The ties between the people of Tibet and the people of the United States grows stronger all the time, this is part of that process and I hope to see this project successfully completed.’ The US ambassador also praised and thanked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for supporting the Tibetan refugees for many years.
While responding to reporters querries, the head of the Tibetan reception center Mr. Lhudup Dorjee said that the reception center has been facing shortage of rooms for the new arrivals from Tibet and they have planned to build accommodation for some 250 more people. The project is mainly being financed by US and some part from the Tibetan exile government at Dharamsala, India. Also present during the ground breaking ceremonal function are the heads staff of the Lutharane World Federation, an international non-governmental organization which become responsible for supervising the TRC under the directions and guidiance of the UNHCR afterthe Dalai lama’s office In Nepal was closed by Nepal government in Febuary last year.
The US ambassador, the UNHCR chief and others also toured each and every sections of the Tibetan reception center and observed its activies.
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US ambassador James Morairy at the TRC in Swayambu. The US is largely funding the dormitory, urgently needed, especially during the cold winter months when previous refugees have often had to sleep on the basketball court due to overcrowding.
James Morairy puts cement on the foundation stones.
James at the plaque unveiling.
James Morairy meets Lhundup Dorje(far left), head of the TRC.
The plaque.
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