Men-Tsee-Khang to receive funds from Dalai Lama, Centre and Karnataka government

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, June 12: Men-Tsee-Khang, the Tibetan Medical and Astro. Institute based in Dharamsala is to receive a grant of INR 200 lakhs from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and INR 999.99 lakhs collectively from the center and state government of Karnataka for a new college and medicinal compound being build near the Dalai Lama Institute of Higher Studies in Bangalurru, Karnataka.

In addition to His Holiness grant of INR 200 lakhs, the Indian government’s Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) along with the Karnataka state government has pledged 333.33 lakh rupees annually for the next three years for Men-Tsee-Khang’s new college and medicinal compound. AYUSH and the Karnataka state government will offer 60 and 40 percent of the funds respectively.

“We would like to thank His Holiness the Dalai Lama and both the center and the state government of Karnataka, India for their generous funds,” Tashi Tsering, Director of the Tibetan Medical and Astro. Institute said at a press conference held earlier today at the institute’s auditorium in Dharamsala.

The Director further assured to follow the Dalai Lama’s advice and the Centre and state government’s guidance as the institute embarks on its endeavours.

“With the increase in patients seeking traditional Tibetan healing (sowa rigpa) treatment, we aim to increase the production of the medicines and seats for the students in our institute’s college,” the Director added.

The Tibetan spiritual leader has laid down the foundation stone at the site of the institute’s new college and medicinal compound on December 4, 2016.