NY&NJ Tibetan community hall inaugurated

DHARAMSALA, 4 June: The community hall of Tibetans in New York and New Jersey, Phuntsok Deshi was on Sunday inaugurated by Sakya Gongma Rinpoche and the President of the Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by the consecration of the community centre by Sakya Gongma Rinpoche.

President Sangay has praised the unity and hard work of the members of the Tibetan community in the successful completion of the community hall and commended the sponsors for their generous donations in his address.

“The successful completion of the Phuntsok Deshi community hall was the fruition of collective efforts of the Tibetan community and this,” he added, “shows the potential of Tibetan community when working in unison.”

Sakya Gongma Rinpoche also called on the Tibetans to work together and strive for unity besides congratulating the community for the inauguration of their hall.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Jimmy Van Bramer, Council Member of the 26th District, Ngodup Tsering, Representatives of Office of Tibet, Washington DC, North America Members of Tibetan Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Tsewang Rigzin and Pema Chagzoetsang and sponsors.

Apart from the inauguration event, the gathering witnessed the naming of the street outside the community hall as Tibet Way. The ceremony was said to be attended by some 2000 strong crowd.

The community hall, first-of-its-kind in the area, has been a long time goal of the Tibetan community of New York and New Jersey.

It is meant to serve as a sanctuary where all individuals can unite as one and learn from one another and that it will serve as a backbone and a support system for all Tibetans, the Tibetan community of New York and New Jersey maintains.

New York and New Jersey is home to the largest amount of Tibetans living in America. The largest concentration of Tibetans is in Queens district, which also houses immigrants from across the world who have made their home in the area over the years.

Phuntsok Deshi Tibetan Community Hall will now serve as the venue for Tibetan language school, events, weddings, private parties, community services as well as training venue among others.

Founded in 1979, Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey (TCNYNJ) is among the oldest and largest organization serving Tibetans in North America.