TYC Social Service Activity in Bodh Gaya
The Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Tibetan exile communities, consistently extends its social services during the teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya or elsewhere in India. This year, TYC conducted its social service campaign from December 20th, 2024, to January 2nd, 2024.
The social service activity was spearheaded by Mr. Tashi Targyal, the Vice President of the Tibetan Youth Congress, alongside Joint Secretary Mr. Tsering Chomphel, Social Service Secretary Mr. Tenzin Jamphel, TYC Media Officer Mr. Tenzin Lobsang, and Tibetan Researcher Mr. Ngawang Yarphel.
On December 2nd, TYC Vice President and the Media Officer travelled to Bodh Gaya to secure permissions from railway stations for installing Tibetan Youth Congress announcement loudspeakers and setting up announcement centres. They engaged with relevant authorities to obtain the necessary permissions to provide social services to devotees and the public. The rest of the team joined them on December 19th,2024.
This year, over 60 volunteers from various age groups participated in providing social services to needy devotees, and they were assigned to different sections of announcement centers, offering essential information in multiple languages, as well as to the Lost and Found sections, assisting devotees in retrieving their belongings. Services were accessible 14/7 at railway stations, supporting the Department of security in maintaining peace and order at the teaching entry gates and around the teaching area.
Overall, TYC successfully provided social services to those in need, receiving expressions of gratitude from devotees through messages and appreciation donations during the teachings.
Following the volunteers’ successful service, TYC typically organizes a day-long pilgrimage around Bodh Gaya. However, this year, due to state governmental transport restrictions, we were unable to facilitate the same for volunteers. Nonetheless, we were honored with an audience with Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang and his eminence Kyabje Kundeling Rinpoche, who conveyed words of encouragement and appreciation for TYC’s work.
