New Delhi--Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister requested the Centre Government to amend the norms of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna so that States like Himachal Pradesh which were investing maximum in agriculture sector would become eligible for grants under the yojna. Chief Minister called on the Union Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar at New Delhi today. Prem Kumar Dhumal pleaded that State was spending around 12% budget on agriculture and allied sector which was very high in comparison to national-level and there is limited scope for further increase of budgetary allocation under this sector. He said that Planning Commission had accepted that states where plan allocation to agriculture and allied sector has already reached to a level of 10% should be automatically eligible for RKVY. He said that parameters of allocation that gives 50% weightage to incremental increase on year to year basis was not fair to States with already higher allocation for agriculture sector and suggested that for such states RKVY assistance be given at level of 50% of the allocation these states make in their plan for agriculture and allied sectors . He pleaded that Planning Commission needed to set up bench mark of previous years allocation in order to ensure that such States do not reduce their plan allocations.
Chief Minister told Union Minister that State Government had formulated a plan to set up Modern Subzi Mandi at Parala in Shimla district under P P P Mode to facilitate the horticulturists and agriculturists from Shimla and Kinnaur district so as to provide them marketing facilities at their nearest point. He said that modern facilities like controlled atmosphere , air conditioners and latest weighing machies etc would be set up in the Mandi and requested the Union Government to provide financial assistance of Rs 50 crore in this regard so as work on it could be expediated soon .
Chief Minister also requested the Union Agriculture Minister to direct the manufactures/suppliers of S.S.P fertilizers to supply the fertilizers up to HIMFED godowns on the pattern of other fertilizers supply and further demanded that SSP Fertilizers should be supplied at notional rake points at Bilaspur, Kullu and Hamirpur. He told that at present the manufacturers were offering the supply at Chandigarh rail head only. He said that allocations of food-grains for APL families of the State was not sufficient and should be increased. He requested the Union Government to increase in current allocation of rice to 21000 MT and also requested that adhoc allocation made from August 2010 should be made permanent so as at least 27 kilo grams of food-grains per ration card holder is provided without any change .He told that Centre Government was allocating food-grains to only 7.43 lakh ration card holders while the State hds 10.97 lakh registered ration card holders . He demanded 38395 MT food-grains to supply 35 KG per ration card per month to 10.97 lakh ration card holders and told that current allocation is only 21608 MT which is sufficient for 21KG per ration card holder per month .He demanded the supply of 5172MT levy sugar per month to provide 700 grams levy sugar per head per month to current population of 73.89 lakhs and added that Government of India was providing only 4704 MT levy sugar per month. He pleaded for continuation of allotting food-grains under special schemes such as open market sale scheme and told that State Government had lifted the entire quantity under special schemes and provided wheat atta in 10 kg pack to all ration card holders @Rs 112/- per pack which has provided relief to common citizens of the State.
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar assured the Chief Minister that Centre would provide adequate food-grains to the State to meet its demands and will take positive view of all the demands made by State Government soon.
Inadequate RGSY Funds to Himachal Pradesh
New Delhi--Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Dr.C.P.Joshi today informed the Rajya Sabha that The Government of Himachal Pradesh has been released an amount of Rs. 18.98 crore under various components of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana from 2006-07 onwards, out of which the State has so far utilised only Rs. 10.97 crore. The unspent grant includes Rs. 3.82 crore released for construction of Resource Centres at Gram Panchayat level. Further, no proposal for construction of Panchayat Bhawans has been received from the Government of Himachal Pradesh during the current year.
Replying to a written question the minister said Ministry of Rural Development has issued detailed Guidelines for construction of Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras (BNRGSK) under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), at Gram Panchayat and Block Panchayat level, on priority and in a time bound manner. The BNRGSKs would serve as Panchayat Bhawans also. State Governments have also been advised to converge the resources available under the RGSY and Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) programmes to expedite the construction of Panchayat Bhawans / BNRGSKs and provide the same to all GPs by 31-03-2012.
Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Shipping Meets to Discuss Lighthouses and Lightships
New Delhi---The Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Shipping met here today. The meeting was chaired by Shri G.K. Vasan, Minister of Shipping. The discussions focussed on Lighthouses and Lightships. Welcoming the Members, the Minister of Shipping highlighted the importance of lighthouses in the present day context and the work being done by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) in facilitating the very important economic activity of guiding the vessels at Indian ports and ensuring their safety and security. The Minister informed the Members of Parliament that the Directorate through the Differential Global Positioning System (GPS) chain of 23 stations, provided at the lighthouses, seamlessly cover the Indian waters and provides better than five meters positional accuracy upto 100 Nautical Miles from the cost. He also informed that the ultimate objective of the Directorate is to provide a lighthouse at an interval of 30 Nautical Miles all along the coastlines and islands of India by 2017 so that a seamless visual and video coverage of the Indian coastline is available. The Directorate is in the process of establishing an offshore lighthouse (Lushington Shoal) about 20 Nautical Miles from Okha which will facilitate in reducing the voyage of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and Ultra-Large Crude Carriers (ULCCs) coming from the Gulf, by about 30 Nautical Miles. The Directorate is also presently implementing Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) for the Gulf of Kachchh which is in final stages of completion. The partial trial run of the system has started from the Kandla Master Control Centre. The Minister also informed the Members that after the terrorists attack of 26 November, 2008, the process of establishing a surveillance network using lighthouses has gained momentum which has expedited the establishment of an Automatic Identification System (AIS) Network which will enable the tracking of vessels up to 25 Nautical Miles from the Indian coasts. Lighthouses are also being used for the establishment of Radar Network. Combined together this will form the most formidable coastal surveillance network. The DGLL is also establishing a Navtex Chain which will facilitate in broadcasting weather and safety related information – vital to mariners during natural disturbances. A detailed presentation on lighthouses and lightships was also made to the Members of the Committee by the DGLL. The Members were informed that as per the Lighthouse Act, 1927, light dues are levied and collected on monthly basis in respect of any ship arriving at/departing from any port in India. The dues are collected at the rate of Rs.8/- per tonne on Foreign Going Vessels. The estimated collection for the current year is Rs.170 crores.
The Members were also informed about the achievements of this Sector in the 11th Plan. They include:
• Replacement of Lighthouse Tender Vessel MV Deepstambh.
• Automation of Lighthouses in Mumbai LH Distt.
• Establishment of 10 Lighthouses at Iskapalepallem, Honavar, Kundapur, Tadri, Satpati, Minicoy North, Mayabandar, Chidiyatapu, Mallipatnam and Poompuhar.
• Establishment of DGPS station at Rameshwaram.
• Establishment of 19 Radar Beacon (Racon)
• Restoration works after Tsunami
• Establishment of Vessel Traffic System (VTS) for Gulf of Kachchh. (Rs.165 crore)
• Establishment of National AIS Network. (Rs.75.2 crore)
• Remote Control & Automation of Lighthouses – Port Blair, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata & Visakhapatnam Dist. (Rs.27 crore)
• Establishment of New Lighthouses at Maipura Point & Chilka (Odissa), Rava Port & Baruva (AP), Betul (Goa), Redii & Achara Point (Maharashtra) & Lushington Shoal (Gujarat). (Rs.25 crore)
• Restoration of Tsunami affected DGPS stations at Keating Point & Indira Point. (Rs.3 crore)
During the discussions, the Members raised a number of significant issues including speeding up of work at the Kandla Port, Automation of Lighthouses across the country, Identification of Shoals across the coastline, Marking of the International Boundary Line so as to protect the Indian fishermen, Development of Maritime Training Institutes, Disaster Management Plans, Piracy in Indian waters, Emergence of Lighthouses as high-tech areas with capability to contribute toward the country’s security requirements etc. The meeting was attended by Shri Franscisco Cosme Sardinha, Shri Anirudhan Sampath, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Shri Dinu Bogha Solanki, Smt. Poonamben Veljibhai Jat, Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel and Shri J.M. Aaron Rashid of Lok Sabha.
Setting up of 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) with Public Private Partnership (PPP)
New Delhi---The Union Cabinet today approved the setting up of 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) with a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model with an outlay of ` 2808.71 crore (` 2558.71 crore for non recurring, ` 200 crore for recurring expenditure and ` 50.00 crore for faculty development expenditure). The proposal includes:
• The capital cost of each IIIT will be ` 128.00 crore to be contributed in the ratio of 50: 35: 15 by the Central Govt, the State Govt, and the industry respectively (57.5 : 35: 7.5 in case of North-Eastern region). In addition, ` 50.00 crore will be provided by the Central Government for faculty development programme for the faculty of new IIITs as well as existing IIlTs and IISERs. During the first four years of setting up each IIIT, the Central Government will provide partial support towards the recurring expenditure upto ` 10 crore to each IIIT depending upon actual requirement of IIIT.
• The project shall start from the financial year 2011-12 with setting up 5-10 IIITs depending upon the response of the State Governments and private partners.
• Each IIIT shall meet its operating expenditure on its own within 5 years of commencement out of students fees, research and other internal accruals.
• The concerned State Government will provide 50-100 acres of land, free of cost.
• The Governing Board of IIIT will be empowered in the matters relating to student intake, fee structure, faculty/non faculty salaries, creation of faculty and non faculty positions, recruitment norms etc
• In principle approval for introducing the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Act, 2010 for setting up new IIITs and declaring them as Institutes of National Importance. Since this process is time consuming, the IIITs may, initially, be registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
• To put in place a tripartite MoU document spelling out the role and responsibilities of private partners vis-a-vis that of the Government. • To work out the modalities and detailed plan for the faculty development for new IIITs as well as existing IIITs and IISERs in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.
The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IITs) will be world-class Institutes and will be set up as autonomous institutes based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Each Institute is meant to specialize in application of IT skills in one or more domain areas. One of the important criteria for setting up IIIT in a State will be availability of 50-100 acres of contiguous land or a minimum of 50 acres of land, with additional land available at another site in the State, which shall be made available, free of cost, for the establishment of the Institute. Initial capital for establishment of the Institute shall be contributed by the Central, State Governments concerned and industry.
The new IIITs will produce world-class high quality technical personnel, which will generate manpower for emerging industries, science departments and laboratories. This will, in turn contribute to the development of industries and finally boost the economic growth of the country. IIITs will develop professional expertise and skilled manpower in IT and its applications to certain domain areas.
New Delhi---The Union Cabinet today approved the setting up of 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) with a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model with an outlay of ` 2808.71 crore (` 2558.71 crore for non recurring, ` 200 crore for recurring expenditure and ` 50.00 crore for faculty development expenditure). The proposal includes:
• The capital cost of each IIIT will be ` 128.00 crore to be contributed in the ratio of 50: 35: 15 by the Central Govt, the State Govt, and the industry respectively (57.5 : 35: 7.5 in case of North-Eastern region). In addition, ` 50.00 crore will be provided by the Central Government for faculty development programme for the faculty of new IIITs as well as existing IIlTs and IISERs. During the first four years of setting up each IIIT, the Central Government will provide partial support towards the recurring expenditure upto ` 10 crore to each IIIT depending upon actual requirement of IIIT.
• The project shall start from the financial year 2011-12 with setting up 5-10 IIITs depending upon the response of the State Governments and private partners.
• Each IIIT shall meet its operating expenditure on its own within 5 years of commencement out of students fees, research and other internal accruals.
• The concerned State Government will provide 50-100 acres of land, free of cost.
• The Governing Board of IIIT will be empowered in the matters relating to student intake, fee structure, faculty/non faculty salaries, creation of faculty and non faculty positions, recruitment norms etc
• In principle approval for introducing the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Act, 2010 for setting up new IIITs and declaring them as Institutes of National Importance. Since this process is time consuming, the IIITs may, initially, be registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
• To put in place a tripartite MoU document spelling out the role and responsibilities of private partners vis-a-vis that of the Government. • To work out the modalities and detailed plan for the faculty development for new IIITs as well as existing IIITs and IISERs in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.
The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IITs) will be world-class Institutes and will be set up as autonomous institutes based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Each Institute is meant to specialize in application of IT skills in one or more domain areas. One of the important criteria for setting up IIIT in a State will be availability of 50-100 acres of contiguous land or a minimum of 50 acres of land, with additional land available at another site in the State, which shall be made available, free of cost, for the establishment of the Institute. Initial capital for establishment of the Institute shall be contributed by the Central, State Governments concerned and industry.
The new IIITs will produce world-class high quality technical personnel, which will generate manpower for emerging industries, science departments and laboratories. This will, in turn contribute to the development of industries and finally boost the economic growth of the country. IIITs will develop professional expertise and skilled manpower in IT and its applications to certain domain areas.
Monika Sharma/SHIMLA
Himachal Pradesh is a land of gods where silver tiara of snow capped mountains qualifies for the magnificent head gear. The gushing brooks and whispering woods sing the chorus to welcome the visitors thronging the State in large numbers. Tourism is one of the main sources of income and employment generation in the State. Keeping in view this fact, the State Government has accorded top priority for the development of tourism in the state. This is evident from the soaring number of tourists flocking to the State every year. Adventure tourism, religious tourism, heritage tourism, rural tourism or eco- tourism are some of the areas which has got special attention in tourism development.
Tourism is being given a veritable facelift with the introduction of several schemes by the State Government. To harness the tourism potential of the State, a 20 year master plan is being prepared for integrated development of tourism in the State. For further strengthening the tourism infrastructure in the State, the State Government plans to spend Rs. 400 crore with the assistance of World Bank. Hotel units of over Rs. 50 crore investments are being granted all clearance under Single Window Clearance scheme. Himachal Pradesh has emerged as 'Best Tourist Destination' and Shimla town the 'Best Mountain Town' in a survey conducted by CNBC Awaaz.
The State Government is leaving no stone unturned in promoting tourism related activities in the State. Last year, in the month of June, the Tourism Department organized CII conclave and Tourism Mega Mart which was first of its kind. Besides, representatives and organizations from various parts of the country, nations like Pakistan, Brunei and Indonesia also participated in the conclave. In order to take tourism to the nook and corner of the State, efforts are afoot to start Heli- taxi services in the State.
With a view to provide tourists a glimpse of the rich heritage and culture of the State in natural environs, Home Stay Scheme was launched in the State in the year 2008. Within a short span, the scheme is already a favourite among the tourists. Besides this, the scheme has been instrumental in generating employment opportunities to the rural population. Over 150 Home Stay units have been registered in the State during last two years.
To ensure quality education to the students near to their houses and provide professional training in the art of hospitality, a Hotel Management, Catering Technique and Practical Nutrition Institute is being set up in Hamirpur at a cost of Rs 12 crore. Similarly, a Food Craft Institute complex is being set up in Dharamshala at a cost of Rs 4.75 crore.
There has been a tremendous flow of tourists to the State in last few years. In the year 2008, 9372697 domestic tourists and 376736 foreign tourists visited the State. New places are being developed from tourism point of view by the State Government.The feasibility to establish six new rope-ways namely Kullu-Bijli Mahadev, Shahtalai-Deotsidh, Shri Anandpur Sahib-Shri Naina Devi, Dharamkot-Triund, Palampur-Neogal and Manali- Rohtang is being worked out.
The State Government is keen on preserving the rich culture and heritage of the historical town of Shimla. In order to enlighten the tourists about the bygone golden epoch of the town, Shimla Heritage Tourism scheme 'Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai' and 'Shimla Ki Kahani Itihas Ki Jubani' is on the cards.
The State Government is making concerted efforts to make Himachal Pradesh a favourite destination for all reasons and for all seasons. Una-Hamirpur-Bilaspur circuit, Shimla-Theog-Narkanda tourist circuit and off beat tourist circuit is being developed at a cost of Rs. 7.60 crore, Rs. 7.15 crore and Rs. 7.50 crore respectively. Besides, a number of tourist circuits are being developed in the State- Solan tourist circuit at a cost of Rs. 4.20 crore, Hamirpur circuit at a cost of Rs. 6 crore, Naldehra at a cost of Rs. 2.69 crore, Jogindernagar-Bir-Billing at a cost of Rs. 4.28 crore, Chail destination at a cost of Rs. 4.80 crore, Sundernagar tourist destination at a cost of Rs. 4.75 crore, Jubbal-Kotkhai tourist destination at a cost of Rs. 4.05 crore. All these efforts of the State Government would certainly bring about quality transformation in the tourism infrastructure of the State.
Union HRD Minister and French Minister for Higher Education and Research Meet: MOUs Signed in Their Presence
From Our Correspondent
New Delhi---Ms. Valerie Pecresse, Minister for Higher Education and Research, France met Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Human Resource Development, here today. A large delegation of senior academics and scientists accompanied the French Minister including President of UTT University Mr. Christian Lerminiaux. The Indian side consisted of Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, DST, Shri Ashok Thakur, Addl. Secretary, MHRD, Shri Amit Khare, JS(ICC), MHRD, Prof. Devang Khakhar, Director, IIT-Bombay and Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Head, International Division of IISc, Bangalore.
Both leaders appreciated the increasing cooperation between the two countries in the field of education and scientific research and discussed the need to have more arrangements for cooperation in the field of education and research such as Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Weather prediction, Aerospace engineering, Advanced Mathematics, etc.
The following two MOUs were signed during the meeting:
1. Memorandum for setting up an INTERNATIONAL JOINT LABORATORY between INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT (France) and the INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, Bangalore (India)
This MOU is for setting up a research and training partnership structure in the form of a Joint International Laboratory called: Cellule Franco-Indienne de Recherche en Sciences de l’Eau (CEFIRSE) or Indo-French Cell for Water Sciences (IFCWS). The Laboratory could strike partnerships with other research structures and organisations in India, France and abroad.
2. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Academic Collaboration between The Indian Institutes of Technology, India and ParisTech – Paris Institute of Science and Technology, Paris, France
This MOU is between 7 Indian Institutes of Technology (Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, Delhi, Guwahati and Roorkee) and Institutions under ParisTech namely:
- AgroParisTech (Institut des Sciences et Industries du Vivant et de l'Environnement),Arts et Métiers ParisTech ( Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers),Chimie ParisTech (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie Paris),
- Ecole des Ponts ParisTech (Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées),
- Ecole Polytechnique,
- ENSAE ParisTech (Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Administration Economique),
- ENSTA (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées),
- ESPCI Parisech (Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris),
- HEC Paris (Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales),
- Institut d'Optique Graduate School,
- MINES ParisTech (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris), and
- Telecom ParisTech (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications)
This MOU is for collaboration in research and education like:
· Promotion of institutional exchanges ;
· Student exchanges,
· Organizing symposia, conferences, short courses and meetings on research issues ;
· Joint research and continuing education programs; and
· Exchange information pertaining to developments in teaching, student development and research at each institution.
The MOU also provides that IITs and ParisTech may collaborate to participate in the European Commission initiatives such as the Erasmus Mundus, External Cooperation Window by partnering with other interested institutions.
Earlier, senior officials of France and India discussed in detail and finalized the draft MOU regarding IIT-Rajasthan which provides for a French Consortium to academically and scientifically accompany the Institute to develop areas in which France possesses considerable expertise such as: Technologies for Health; Renewable Energy (especially Solar Energy); Aerospace; Quantum Computing; Systems Integration and Design; Mechanical Engineering; Technologies for Art, Conservation and Heritage; as well as any other areas to be decided by mutual consent. This Consortium will be composed of French higher education, research institutions, and universities. When applicable, it will also have French and Indian industrial partners. The MOU also provides for the French parties to commit to work together, and to contribute substantially towards the establishment of a joint Center of excellence and also research laboratories in the top priority fields of the Institute in the next five years.
Large number of of Buddhist devotees from the Russian Federation have descended on Dharamsala, the exile abode of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to attend his teachings for three days.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama preaches Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of A Boddhisattva (laklen sodunma) and confer a Guhyasamaja Initiation at the request of a group of Russian Buddhists.
In his introductory address, His Holiness said the teaching is being given as those interested in studying Buddhism in Russia had expressed their wish to come to Dharamsala some years ago.
"I truly believe we can balance external factors but in order to do it we must first balance our mental state and learn to think in a positive way. I believe His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teachings will lead us away from the darkness of ignorance and negative karma and will bring immense benefit to humanity in the 21st century. I also wish that the positiveness will be passed down to generations yet to come," he said.
Around 1,035 Buddhists from Kalmykia, Tuva and Buriyat in addition to about 4,000 people from 54 countries are attending the discourse.
Dignitaries including four members of Russian Parliament, finance minister of Kazakhstan and the former prime minister of Kalmykia were present.
"Last year we had over 800 pilgrims attending the teachings from Russia alone. And it was well beyond our expectations. But I am glad to say that all went well and I want to take this opportunity to thank Elo Rinpoche for his support and precious guidance, Office of Tibet Moscow, Save Tibet Foundation as well as all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the teachings run so smoothly," Telo Rinpoche said.
"This teaching is basically requested by Russian Buddhists, for many years, we have been trying to bring the Dalai Lama to Russia. Due to reasons, we haven't been able to bring him to Russia. So, therefore, we have arranged these teachings here in Dharamsala," Telo Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Republic of Kalmykia, told reporters.
"... We are very fortunate to be here in the holy land of India, a wonderful country where all the major religions of the world coexist in peace and harmony," Telo Rinpoche said in a statement
Large number of of Buddhist devotees from the Russian Federation have descended on Dharamsala, the exile abode of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to attend his teachings for three days.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama preaches Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of A Boddhisattva (laklen sodunma) and confer a Guhyasamaja Initiation at the request of a group of Russian Buddhists.
In his introductory address, His Holiness said the teaching is being given as those interested in studying Buddhism in Russia had expressed their wish to come to Dharamsala some years ago.
"I truly believe we can balance external factors but in order to do it we must first balance our mental state and learn to think in a positive way. I believe His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teachings will lead us away from the darkness of ignorance and negative karma and will bring immense benefit to humanity in the 21st century. I also wish that the positiveness will be passed down to generations yet to come," he said.
Around 1,035 Buddhists from Kalmykia, Tuva and Buriyat in addition to about 4,000 people from 54 countries are attending the discourse.
Dignitaries including four members of Russian Parliament, finance minister of Kazakhstan and the former prime minister of Kalmykia were present.
"Last year we had over 800 pilgrims attending the teachings from Russia alone. And it was well beyond our expectations. But I am glad to say that all went well and I want to take this opportunity to thank Elo Rinpoche for his support and precious guidance, Office of Tibet Moscow, Save Tibet Foundation as well as all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the teachings run so smoothly," Telo Rinpoche said.
"This teaching is basically requested by Russian Buddhists, for many years, we have been trying to bring the Dalai Lama to Russia. Due to reasons, we haven't been able to bring him to Russia. So, therefore, we have arranged these teachings here in Dharamsala," Telo Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Republic of Kalmykia, told reporters.
"... We are very fortunate to be here in the holy land of India, a wonderful country where all the major religions of the world coexist in peace and harmony," Telo Rinpoche said in a statement