Ravangla 9th Sept : Over 50 Tibetan co-operators including Chairmen and Secretaries of 15 co-operatives, managers and staff of Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives in India Ltd., met on Wednesday for the 16th Annual Conference of Tibetan cooperatives in India.
Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, Home Kalon, CTA presided over as a Chief Guest to mark the opening of the conference. Gyari Dolma, former Home Kalon and advisor of FTCI graced the function as Guest of Honour. Also present were Shri Pema Dorjee (DRCS) Ravangla and Shri C K Rai (ARCS) Ravangla, Local Assembly Chairman, Gangtok & Ravangala Settlement Officer, Local BRDL Representative, Representative of monasteries, leaders of various NGOs and camp leaders.
Organized by FTCI and coordinated by Ravangala Co-operative Society from 7th September to 8th September, the 3-day conference is focused on achieving sustainability of Tibetan settlements in general and productive cooperative activities in particular.
A minute’s silence before the proceedings on the first day was observed in solidarity with martyrs who have immolated themselves for the Tibet cause.
After rendition of Tibetan and Indian national anthem and a very beautiful welcome song was sung by the Tibetan school student.
FTCI CEO welcomed the dignitaries and gave a brief introduction and the present status of FTCI.
Followed by FTCI Chairman who spoke on the development in FTCI and on the future projects. He said that there is a positive trend with regard to participation from the general public towards cooperative initiatives in respective settlements, more number of youngsters are coming up through election in the board members and showing active part, deliberating on how to bring various improvements in their respective settlements and benefit of share members and general public. He thanked Kasur Dolma Gyari for accepting the request of FTCI to be the advisor. It’s an immense source of encouragement and opportunity for the FTCI as their advisor, he said.
During the inaugural function, the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour felicitated Orissa Co-operative Society and Sonada Co-operative Society for successful completion of 50 years of community service respectively.
Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and other invited Guests then picked 10 lucky student’s name from the box for Nyamdel Scholarship.
Speaking on the occasion, Kasur Dolma Gyari said that she is happy to accept the role as advisor and contribute to the society through FTCI, which is directly linked with the welfare of the general public. She outlined that during the initial difficult times when settlements were first established the cooperatives played a major role in the development of the settlements.
Home Kalon Mr Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang spoke on the importance of an Organization such as the FTCI and the 15 Cooperatives in the respective Tibetan settlements, outlining the initial aims and objective, the role it plays in making settlement self reliant.
He lauded the efforts of the FTCI in catering to the growing needs of the Tibetan community and urged for further development. He stressed on the need for effective management and administration following the rules and regulations of the cooperative society, host nation and of the Central Tibetan Administration.
In this regard, training and workshops should be provided to the concerned members. He emphasized the importance of accountability in realizing the goal and in making the cooperatives successful.
He also suggested public involvement in the business to take it forward to another level. He also spoke on the 15th Kashag’s five-fifty strategy and on the The Rehabilitation Policy 2014 and its implementation. The cooperatives need to avail benefits from the Central as well as from the respective state government under this policy.
He assured that now with the Kasur Dolma Gyari as advisor, there will be better coordination and cooperation between the Central Tibetan Administration and FTCI. The Department of Home, CTA will render all the possible assistance. Our united coordination will strengthen, sustain and make the cooperatives successful, thereby making settlements viable and sustainable.
Organised by FTCI and coordinated by Ravangla Co-operative Society, the conference primarily discuss on subjects relating to revival of existing business units, starting new innovative project in future; concerted efforts to secure financial support and assistance from the respective state government for benefit of share members and general public and other agendas.
The cooperative societies of Tibetan settlements are nothing less than a backbone to Tibetan government in exile, for they carry forward the responsibilities to benefit its share members and bring various improvements in their respective settlement.
During the conference, 15 co-operatives present their annual report and financial statement, followed by question and answer session. Also, review on implementation of resolutions passed in the previous meeting is done.
On the following day, conference participants discuss on agendas in group and submit their report and subsequently resolutions are passed for implementation.
Besides resolution on starting new business activities and strengthening sustainability of settlements, one of unanimous resolutions passed during the conference is to organize prayer in all the 15 settlements for the long life of HH the Dalai Lama, to express heartfelt gratitude and for the fulfillment of all the wishes of HH the Dalai Lama.
On the evening of 9th September, Certificate of Appreciation was given to 3 cooperative societies for the financial year 2015-16. TDL Bylakuppe cooperative society and Dharamsala cooperative society received the certificate of Appreciation for providing maximum service to its members and for making gross profit in all sections and net profit respectively. Bylakuppe Lugsam Cooperative society received the certificate of appreciation for starting new business activities and for exemplary presentation of Annual Report and Annual Financial Statement.
On 6th September 2016, 12th AGM of FTCI was held at Ravangala settlement. The 2-day Board of Director Meeting of FTCI for the year 2016-17 was also held at the same venue.
