TCV Suja Celebrates 25th Anniversary

His Holiness Karma pa enjoying the cultural presentation

6th April 2011: Few thousand people comprising of staff and students of TCV School Suja gathered in front of the newly constructed open stage to celebrate the school's 25th founding anniversary. Among those who made their valuable present were the main chief guest, His Holiness Karmapa, who had been been given a warm welcome a day in advance. Other dignitaries present were the Honorable Education Minister, Mr. Thupten Lungri la, The secretary Ven Yuthok, the Director of TCV schools, Mr. Tsewang Yeshi la, the Representatives of the Tibetan settlements, the Directors and Principals of TCV schools, and Sambhota schools, the TCV head office, the local Indian dignitaries and the local Tibetan people. Other than that were a group of ex-TCV Suja students and staff members, who had been given a very special invitation for this special anniversary.

The guest enjoying the exhibition in Phuntsok Deshi Hall

The guest enjoying the exhibition in Phuntsok Deshi Hall

The Magazine published by Ex TCV School Suja

Cultural Presentation by Suja Students

The celebration began with the singing of the Tibetan and Indian national anthem followed by the welcome and introductory speech of the Director, Mr. Ngodup Wangdue la. He went down the memory lane and gave a clear picture of the over all history of the school in few minutes. He thanked His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ama Jetsun Pema la, our sponsors  and former and present staff members for their help in taking TCV Suja where it stands now. After the speech, there were a couple of award ceremony. First of all, His Holiness Karmapa gave the certificate and souvenir to the staff who have completed their 25 years of service. Next, the ex-students of TCV Suja everywhere have arranged one present for those staff members who have the maximum service years. Mr. Thupten Lungrig gave away the awards. The school didn't miss the chance of thanking the two students who had recently covered  nearly 2000 kms on their bicycle in protest against the recent destruction of Tibetan Language in Tibet. After that, Karmapa unveiled the Tri-language Magazine "  Katrin Che Mayum Suja Bhoekhim"published by the ex Sujian. The magazine carried articles by ex students of Suja. As a part of the celebration, sweet rice " Daysi" and tea was served in between. There were then a couple of speeches including that of Mr.Tsewang Yeshi la, who briefly discussed the history of the school and Mr. Thupten Lungri la, who requested the students to develop good character along with the education. Both of them congratulated the school for having successfully reached its 25 years of service for the education of the young Tibetans. After that, His Holiness Karmapa blessed the gathering with his speech extending his sincere heartfelt thanks to all who have made this school reach its 25th year. He requested everybody to learn new language apart from Tibetan. At that point he also shared one anecdote/story of  two mice, mother and her daughter, who were always harassed by a cat. Fed up with such fear, one day the mother mouse told her daughter to learn the language of the dogs. So, the mouse learnt the language of the dogs and finally she could produce bark like the dogs. So, one day the cat came as usual to bully the mouse but this time the mouse just barked like dogs. The cat thought that a dog had come and he just ran away. Since then on wards they were free from the fear of the cat. This story  showed the importance of learning a new language.The story Karmapa shared not only had so much meaning but so aptly used that the whole gathering had a difficult time controlling their laugh.

After His speech, there was demonstration of  philosophy debate ( Dialectic )followed by various cultural presentations, including song and dances from various parts of Tibet. The school itself had been known for ages for the quality of song and dance it produced.Everybody gathered there irrespective of their ages had a wonderful time enjoying various cultural presentations. Thus the main morning function came to an end with the singing of the school song " Khenpai Yeshi".

Dialetic Demonstration by TCV Suja ( Tsenyi )

Then the guest were taken for lunch, which was prepared by the students of Food and Beverages, TCV Dehradun. Both the ex suja staff and students took that break to exchange some greetings and interact with one another. It was one of the most wonderful gathering in the history of this school, where a large number of ex students and staff members get to see one another after so many years. There were smiles on everyone's face and song in everyone's heart. It was also an emotional motion when the school has seen her students submerged in various vocations. And it was also a time for the future students to see the love and respect the ex Sujians have for their Alma mater.

The guests were taken for lunch. After the lunch a grand exhibition was arranged in the school hall " Phuntsok Deshi". After that a basketball match between Ex Suja and school team was arranged. Large number of staff and students had assembled to cheer up both the teams.

After that a football match between the staff and ex Suja was arranged. Same number of spectators had come to cheer up the teams. There were so many reactions from the ex students as they played on the school ground after so many years. To beat the chill wind, hot soup was served for the players as well as the guests.

In the evening, Tibetan Department had arranged one Elocution, quiz and Tibetan repertoire. The program was attended by Karmapa, who stayed fully enjoyed till the end, irrespective of the bad and rather cold weather. In between the program, there was a slide show presentation of SUJA, depicting the daily routine of the students. The program lasted little more than an hour. In the end, His Holiness Karma gave away the certificates and prizes for all those participated in that event and the program finally came to an end, and everybody made their way home humming the one and the only song, Thundrel Gi, which was played loudly.

Tenzin Dhargyal