17 Feb: Management and Development Council Meeting at TYH, Delhi
The TCV Annual Management and Development Council Meeting has been kick off and is under progress at the Tibetan Youth Hostel, New Delhi where all the Project Heads like respective Village Directors, School Principals and Administrators of Tibetan Children's Villages including the President and General Secretary.
The meeting will be held from 13-18 February 2008 and during the 6 day meeting, they will discuss in detail various issues ranging from the past year's financial performances to the future development plans and discuss on the New Year Projects, etc
1-7 Feb: "Losar" Tibetan New Year (2135 Earth-Rat)
The year of the Earth-Rat begins on 7-9 February, 2008. The Tibetan calendar is based on a lunar cycle of 60 years which was initiated in 1027 AD. The cycle consists of 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Donkey, Bird, Dog & Hog), which are then combined with the 5 elements (water, wood, fire, earth and iron).
New Year's Day is a time for much celebration, best or new clothes are worn to signify a new beginning. A special prayer takes place in the family shrine room, each person throws a pinch of tsampa in the air whilst praying, to ensure a good summer harvest or successful business, etc. Various food treats are passed around and thick butter tea is served. After the home celebrations, everyone goes to the monasteries and temples to offer katah and to make donations of food and other gifts to the monks and nuns. Juniper incense fills the air of the monastic courtyard, whilst the monks chant and all circumambulate clockwise around the burning incense throwing tsampa into the air, before returning home. The past year's negativity has been dealt with, to ensure that the New Year will be auspicious.
In the Tibetan Children's Villages and Schools, staff and children woke up early morning and assembled at school temple for losar prayers and then the traditional Drothuk (Porridge), Changkol (Hot Fermented Drink), Salted Butter Tea, Cupsaey (Roasted Cake) and Daesey (Multi-Ingredient Rice), etc were served. The same day afternoon, all the children come in different colour dresses and filled with joy and excitement were distributed with the Losar gifts.
During the Losar, special foods, drinks and fruits were served for the children in all the TCV Schools and on the third day, children and staff gathered at school temple to offer prayers, sangsol and prayer flags for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for the Tibet's Independence as well as the successful livelihood of every sentient beings in this world.
TCV wishes all its children, staff, alumni, friends and supporters all over the world a very warm and prosperous Tibetan Losar!
