Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with President Obama this morning at the White House. President Obama said that he was honored to meet His Holiness again.

This was the third meeting between the Tibetan spiritual leader and the US President. The earlier two official meetings took place on February 18th 2010 and July 16th 2011.

US President Barack Obama on Friday offered "strong support" for Tibetans' human rights in a meeting with the Tibet's spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama at White House.

"The president reiterated his strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural, and linguistic traditions and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People's Republic of China," a White House statement said.

The White House said that President Obama supported His Holiness the Dalai Lama's "Middle Way" path of peaceful dialogue and encouraged China to resume long-stalled talks with the exiled leader or his representatives.

The statement rejected Beijing's charges that His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace laureate and self-described pacifist, had a separatist agenda and that his meeting was part of a plot to split China.

"The president reiterated the US position that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China and that the United States does not support Tibet independence.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama "stated that he is not seeking independence for Tibet and hopes that dialogue between his representatives and the Chinese government will resume," it said.

Dharamshala: - Sikyong or the political leader of Tibet Dr. Lobsang Sangay on Friday left Dharamshala for visits to the United States and Canada from 18 February – 6 March.

According to the Central Tibetan Administration, Sikyong will accompany His Holiness the Dalai Lama when the latter visits Washington, DC, San Francisco and Minneapolis from 22 February – 7 March.

His Holiness will give a series of public talks on peace, compassion, ethics during the visit. He will give a talk at the 26th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum at the Minneapolis Convention Center organised by The Nobel Peace Prize Forum and Augsburg College on 1 March.

Sikyong will address the Tibetan community and meet with dignitaries in Vancouver and Calgary during his visit to Canada from 26-27 February.

Dr Sangay will also address the Tibetan community in Denver. He is expected to return to Dharamshala on 8 March.

Dharamshala: - A delegation from the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) led by its newly-elected President, Mr Matteo Maccaci, is on a three-day visit to Dharamsala from 10-13 February.

According to the CTA, delegation are Mr Steve Schroder, ICT Board Member and Ms Tsering Jampa, Executive Director, ICT Europe. The group met Mr. Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Tuesday, 11 Feb.

The group met Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information and International Relations on Tuesaday. it said that 'they exchanged views on how to strengthen and garner international support for the issue of Tibet. Also present at the meeting are secretaries of the DIIR, Mr Tashi Phuntsok and Mr Ngodup Dorjee.'

The report said that the group will also meet 'Tibetan political leader Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and have an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They will also visit educational institutions and non-governmental organisations such as Tibetan Youth Congress, Gu-Chu-Sum, Tibetan Women's Association, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy and the Tibetan Children's Village School.'

Dharamshala: - To mark 55 years of occupation of Tibet by China and to high light the current urgent crisis in the country, the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), began a month long Tibetan Uprising March from Dharamshala.

'The march intended to show solidarity with Tibetans will cover 600 Kms and culminate in India's capital, New Delhi on March 10,' TYC said in a statement.

Demanding 'Return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet', Freedom for Tibet and Independence for Tibet, the Tibetan population residing in Tibet have been protesting by resorting to self immolations.

A total of 126 verified cases of self immolations of men and women have been recorded by neutral observers and Tibetan organisations living in exile.
The long march aims at highlighting the current crisis inside Tibet, supporting their demands and showing solidarity with them.

The Tibetan Youth Congress also plans to present a memorandum with a set of five demands to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.

TYC has also appealed to UN and other countries to support their demand for an occupation free Tibet. Chinese forces occupied Lhasa in the spring of 1959.

Dharamshala: - US Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed his concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet during his talks with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, 14 Feb.

Secretary Kerry's comment in Beijing came a day after one more Tibetan set self on fire in Ngaba County, where 35 of the self-immolations have taken place since 2009 to protest against China's repressive policies.

"I emphasized that respect for human rights and the exchange of information in a free manner contributes to the strength of a society in a country. Recent arrests of peaceful advocates for reform run counter, in our judgment, to all of our best interests and the ability to make long term progress. I emphasized that the United States remains concerned about these situations here in China, human rights situations – especially with respect to the Tibetan and Uighur areas," Secretary Kerry was quoted as saying by Lawyer Herald.com.

Secretary Kerry underscored that "human rights and the free flow of information are paramount for an open society."

"We had a frank discussion about some human rights challenges and the role of rule of law and the free flow of information in a robust, civil society; the challenges of the cyber-world that we live in today," he added.

The US government has consistently urged China to address policies in Tibetan areas that have created tensions and threaten the distinct religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of the Tibetan people.

Secretary Kerry also met Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State Councilor Yang Jiechi. This is Kerry's fifth visit to Asia and second to China since becoming the US Secretary of State.

Dharamshala: - The tenth Governing Body Meeting of Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society (STSS) was convened at the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi on 7 February 2014.

According to the Central Tibetan Administration, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Chairperson of the Society welcomed the new members and highlighted the recent developments and new responsibilities of STSS to improve the over all education level of the Tibetan community.

The main agenda of discussion during the meeting was the amendment of Memorandum of Association of STSS as desired by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Government of India for the transfer and administration of CTSA schools.

The Governing Body considered and approved the needed amendment as per the agenda. Six items, including sanction approval of budget for the Society 2014-15 were discussed and approved accordingly. The meeting was concluded with vote of thanks to the Chair.