Tibetan exiles” football team wants recognition by AIFF

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), May 8 (ANI): Tibetan exiles” football team played for the first time in a local tournament here in Dharamsala eyeing upon recognition by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The 22nd Shaheed Durga Mal Dal Bahadur Memorial Gold Cup Football Tournament is organised in the memory of two Gorkha-Nepali soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for their motherland.

Thirteen teams from different parts of India, including the Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) football team, are participating in the five-day tournament.

TNSA General Secretary Kelsang Dhondup said the All India Football Federation (AIFF) did not recognize them, proving to be a major handicap for the Tibetan exiles” budding players.

“This is a step for us to go for a tournament and then the problem for us is the All India Football Federation, sometime they say we are not allowed to play the Indian league. It”s a big problem for us,” said Kelsang Dhondup.

“We have requested the All India Football Federation to give us a chance to play in the domestic tournament,” he added.

“Definitely, if All India Football Federation supports the TNSA it will be very helpful in the development of Tibetan national football,” said Tashi Tsering, the team”s coach.

The Tibetan exiles” football team had earlier played in the Sikkim Gold Cup, held in Gangtok. (ANI)

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Tourists enjoy fresh snowfall in Dharamsala

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), May 8 (ANI): Tourists turned up in large numbers in Dharamsala to experience fresh snowfall.

Rain across the valley and snow on the Dhauladhar mountains range brought down temperatures in the region.

Wearing warm clothes, tourists enjoyed the weather sipping tea.

“The weather is of course fantastic, and I find after the rainfall and the snowfall in the higher reaches of course the temperature has come down, as compared to Delhi,” said Dasgupta, a tourist.

“I can”t believe the snowfall has arrived just now,” he added.

Prem Sagar, a travel agent, said the snowfall is a gift for the region.

“The quality of snow and haze in the morning is little more than expected. It will bring tourism to the state of Himachal Pradesh, not only in Dharamsala, but to the entire Kangra Valley, the Chamba Valley, the Kullu valley and other areas,” said Sagar.

The snowfall has brought a sigh of relief as the temperature had gone up to 33 degrees. It has now come down to 17degrees. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama included in 2011 census

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), May 8 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, endorsed his relevant details in the form for the 2011 census.

His inclusion in the census has paved the way for bona fide Tibetan refugees residing in India to be reckoned in the census.

“We visited Dalai Lama and he signed the census form with great happiness. He said that he is staying here for the last 50 years and is very happy to be included in the 2011 census count of India,” said B R Chauhan, Census Officer.

“He also assured that all Tibetans in-exile would include their names in the census so that they can get their ensuing UID (Unique ID Card) that is at par with any authentic document of an individual,” he added.

The Dalai Lama expressed his delight at the inclusion of Tibetans-in exile in the 2011 census of India, asserting that he himself has been residing here for the past five decades.

The Tibetan population in-exile is being counted in the census of India 2011 for the first time.

The census of 2011 is regarded as the gateway for every citizen to obtain the proposed Unique ID card that the Central Government has proposed to launch. (ANI)

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Mummy of revered Tibetan monk now on Public display

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Tashi Jong (Himachal Pradesh), May 3 (ANI): The mummy of a revered Tibetan monk, Tokden Amtrin, has now been put on display at a monastery near Dharamsala.

After about five years of Amtrin”s death, his mummy has been put on display at the Khampagar Monastery in Tashi Jong, about 85 kilometres from Dharamsala.

The disciples of Amtrin preserved the body of their guru using only salt and no chemicals.

A special meditation hall at the monastery has been built where the mummy, covered in traditional attire, has been put on display for people to pay their obeisance.

Popa Ramjam, a disciple of Amtrin, said they did not want their guru to leave them and that is the reason why they decided to preserve his body.

Ramjam spent almost thirty years with his guru assisting him before the latter”s death.
“It was my desire and his other disciples” desire that he stay with us forever. Besides, when people come here for ”darshan” (to pay obeisance) they will get inspired,” said Ramjam.

Ramjam also said that the mummy”s face would remain concealed and the cloth will not be disturbed when people come to pay their obeisance.

“People can pay their obeisance to the mummy that way it has been kept. We will not remove the clothing from it. We built this meditation hall so that people can come and pay obeisance to Tokden Amtrin,” added Ramjam.

In the 17th century, the 4th Khamtrul Rinpoche started the Yogi Sangha called ”Tokden”, meaning those who have realized the nature of the mind.

Although these yogis are fully ordained monks, the Tokdens keep their hair matted and wear white robes.

In 1958, having foreseen the imminent coming of the communist Chinese, the eight Khamtrul Rinpoche came to India with a group of ten Tokdens and other reincarnated monks.

Tokden Amtrin was one of the ten Tokdens, who accompanied the eight Khamtrul Rinpoche. Tokden Amtrin passed away on July 1, 2005, in Tashi Jong at the age of 84. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama offers prayers for Tibet earthquake victims

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Apr 28 (ANI): The Dalai Lama and hundreds of Tibetan monks and nuns offered prayers in Dharamsala here on Tuesday for victims of the recent Tibet earthquake.

Prayers were held at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple, and were attended by many locals and representatives of different non-profit organizations.

“The official report from the Chinese Government says that over 2,000 people have died, so because of the earthquake in Tibet, thousands of Tibetan people died. There are many people, who are suffering right now; there are many orphans who don”t have any parents,” said Tibetan Youth Congress President Tsewang Rigzin.

“We are gathered here today to pray for the deceased and show solidarity with our brothers and sisters inside the Tibet,” he added.

Reportedly, over 2,000 people died last week in the tremors that rocked the Qinghai province in the autonomous Tibet region of China. (ANI)

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Modi separated IPL from BCCI: RCA official

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Jaipur, Apr 16 (ANI): Rajasthan Cricket Academy (RCA) Secretary Sanjay Dikshit has taken Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi to task over the Kochi bidding controversy and accused him of separating the IPL from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“IPL lacks discipline,” said Dikshit, adding that Modi took all decisions in his own self-interest.

Further criticizing Modi, Dikshit said: “Modi is an autocrat in cricket.”

Pointing fingers at Modi”s character, Dikshit said two cases were registered against him in a drugs deal in America, where he had gone for his studies.

“One case was registered on March 1, 1985, while the other was registered on April 2, 1985,” said Dikshit.

Meanwhile, IPL Governing Body members have called for a meeting in Dharamsala to discuss the issue.

Sources said Modi has not been invited for the meeting. BCCI President Shashank Manohar may preside over the meeting as Co-IPL chief.

Income Tax officials on Thursday conducted a raid at the IPL headquarters and at Modi”s office in Mumbai. They also quizzed Modi on the bidding process and the ownership of all IPL teams.

The officials are probing the source of funding for the Twenty20 league and any increase in income of the franchisee owners. They are expected to look at the IPL bidding process in detail.

They will also examine various contracts by the IPL and its demands of Rs 120 crore advanced tax.

The Income Tax Department had earlier issued four notices to the IPL, asking it to clear income tax dues.

Kochi franchise spokesman and former MP Satyajit Gaekwad had alleged that Modi was acting under pressure from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who after failing to secure a franchise for the state-based Adani Group, wanted the Kochi franchise to shift base to Ahmedabad. (ANI)

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Tibetan PM in exile refutes Chinese delegate”s statement on the Dalai Lama

March 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Mar 15 (ANI): Tibetan Prime Minister in exile Samdhong Rinpoche has dismissed all reports that confirm Chinese delegates at their annual parliamentary meeting charging spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who earlier said that unrest in Tibet was caused by resentment over Chinese rule.

Rinpoche”s reaction came in the wake of the statement made by the Chinese delegates on Sunday rejecting as groundless and rumoured, the assertion of the Dalai Lama that the reason for unrest in Tibet was caused by resentment over Chinese rule.

The delegates also claimed that China is very stable and united and that relations between Tibetans and the Han majority are harmonious and the Chinese people are furious with the Dalai Lama.

Sunday marked the two year anniversary of the day protests led by Buddhist monks gave way to torrid violence, with rioters torching shops and turning on residents, especially Han Chinese, who many Tibetans see as intruders threatening their culture.

At least 19 people died in the 2008 unrest, which sparked waves of protests across Tibetan areas.

Pro-Tibet groups overseas say more than 200 people were killed in a subsequent crackdown.

Rinpoche said that what Tibetans are saying is the truth, which the whole world knows and now this is for the world community to see who is speaking the truth.

“I have nothing to say. We have never noticed what they are saying. What we are saying is the truth, which the whole world knows. This is now for the world community who are true and who are false,” said Rinpoche.

China has defended its iron-fisted rule in Tibet, saying not only did it free a million Tibetan serfs but it also poured billions of dollars into the Himalayan region for development.

It blames the region”s problems and the 2008 unrest on exiled spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner the Dalai Lama, a man reviled by Beijing as a ”separatist” and instigator of anti-Chinese violence. (ANI)

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China should allow international agencies to see Panchen Lama: Tibetan parliament

March 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, Mar 8 (ANI): The Speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, Pempa Tsering, has said that China should allow international agencies to see the Panchen Lama, the successor of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Tsering was reacting to a statement made by the new Chinese-appointed governor of Tibet, Padma Choling, an ethnic Tibetan appointed in January on Sunday that the Panchen Lama is safe and is living in Tibet.

“If they (Chinese) are really serious about what they are saying, I think they should allow international agencies, neutral agencies to see how he (Panchen Lama) is staying, what kind of studies he is getting. And, we are for sure that he is not in Tibet, that”s for sure, must be somewhere in China, if he is alive, that we don”t know. So, there”s no evidence and as long (as) there is no evidence we don”t see anything new in what they have stated so far,” Tsering said.

The Dalai Lama”s selection of the Panchen Lama, a six-year-old boy, led to Beijing swiftly picking him up and taking him away.

Human rights groups dubbed the child as “the world”s youngest political prisoner”.
Tsering further said that if such statements about the Panchen Lama are made by China, then they should be supported with evidence.

“We have always been demanding that if they are making such statements it should come up with evidence, it should come with proof, at least have some photographs to say that this is Panchen Lama and he is studying and so. Even if they can”t divulge where he is studying, at least they can say that he is safe and there should be some photograph or evidence or if possible there should be neutral people to go and meet him and his family,” he said.

China has defended its iron-fisted rule in Tibet, saying not only did it free a million Tibetan serfs but it also poured billions of dollars into the Himalayan region for development. (ANI)

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Dharamsala holds seminar on Tibetan studies

September 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, Sep 4 (ANI): To mark 50 years of Chinese occupation of Tibet, a three-day international seminar on Tibetan and Himalayan studies is being hosted at Dharamsala.

The seminar was inaugurated by Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, the Tibetan Prime Minister in-exile here on Thursday.

Many scholars and intellectuals from India as well as across the world including Tibetans are participating in the seminar to exchange information on Tibetan history and developments over the past five decades.

“It is an international seminar on Tibetan and Himalayan studies and it will be three days in which a great number of outstanding scholars are participating,” said Samdhong Rinpoche, Tibetan Prime Minister in-exile.

An Austrian delegate termed the first day of the seminar as an enriching experience.

“This is especially important because we pay tribute, as I said to this 50 years of Chinese occupation and all the…… which has been in Tibetan studies of this let’s say the elite group of Tibetan authorities that gathered here to exchange the latest research,” said Andra, a participant from Austria.

China has controlled Tibet since People’s Liberation Army troops marched into the region in 1950 and Beijing considers Tibet as an integral part of its territory. (ANI)

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Corporate trophy to boost employment opportunities for cricketers

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, Sep 2 (ANI): The eight day ‘Inter-Corporate National Cricket Tournament’ featuring 12 corporate teams to be held at four centres, is expected to generate employment opportunities for domestic cricket players in India’s corporate houses.

The tournament began simultaneously in Bangalore and Dharamshala on Tuesday.

The participating teams are set to compete for the winning amount of Rupees 1 crore.

Cricket players believe that the tournament, given official status by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI), is a good opportunity especially for domestic cricket players.

“It is a very important tournament, the BCCI has given it official status, even if it hadn’t it would still be important for cricketers as they are playing for their company. It is also an opportunity for cricketers to get employment and it will be good for them, so it is a good tournament,” said Rohan Gavaskar, cricketer.

A season starter, the tournament is believed to be good for the players who haven’t played for the past few months and a warm up for top players before the one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka starting on September 11 and the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

“Keeping in mind the timing of the tournament, the guys have had a couple of months break, they haven’t played for a couple of months before the season starts again. So it will be a good time for them to have a hit and also for the selectors to have look at some of the new youngsters,” said Hemant Badani, another cricketer.

Known players such as Harbhajan Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, RP Singh, VVS Laxman, Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar are also participating in the tournament. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama inaugurates school for underprivileged kids of Ladakh

August 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Leh, Aug 18 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has inaugurated a school for the underprivileged children from remote and isolated areas of Ladakh region such as Zanskar, Kargil and Nubra valley.

Built with support from the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust and managed by Nalanda Dharma Centre, Leh, the institution named the Jamyang School will impart education in both Tibetan Buddhism and modern sciences to these children.

It is said that the much acclaimed Oriental wisdom originated from Nalanda, which presently is in ruins and under the care of Archaeological Survey of India.

“Children from remote areas, who are deprived of basic education… representatives of our board and representatives of those remote areas and Director of Jamyang School visit these areas and then select children accordingly and grant them admission in our school,” said Tshering Sonam, Secretary, Jamyang School, Leh.

The first batches of students enrolled at the school are from Drokpa tribe of Da-Hanu area in Ladakh.

The school, with classes up to the fifth standard also has hostel facilities.

Around 60 underprivileged students have taken admission at the school at present.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers ever since they fled from their homeland after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama urges China to exercise restrain in dealing with ethnic tension

July 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, July 9(ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday asked the Chinese government to exercise restraint in dealing with the ethnic violence in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighurs province, which has claimed 156 lives and left thousands injured.

“I am deeply saddened and concerned with the worsening situation in East Turkistan (Xinjiang), especially with the tragic loss of lives. I earnestly urge the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the situation in a spirit of understanding and far-sightedness,” said Thubten Samphel, spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile while reading the message of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.

“I offer my prayers for those who lost their lives, their families and others affected by this sad turn of events,” he added.

About 1,434 people have been arrested in the unrest between Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs since Sunday in Urumqi.

It is being feared that demonstrations and rioting could break out in other parts of the vast region, especially in areas which are heavily populated by minority Muslim Uighurs. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama urges China to exercise restrain in dealing with ethnic tension

July 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, July 9(ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday asked the Chinese government to exercise restraint in dealing with the ethnic violence in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighurs province, which has claimed 156 lives and left thousands injured.

“I am deeply saddened and concerned with the worsening situation in East Turkistan (Xinjiang), especially with the tragic loss of lives. I earnestly urge the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the situation in a spirit of understanding and far-sightedness,” said Thubten Samphel, spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile while reading the message of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala.

“I offer my prayers for those who lost their lives, their families and others affected by this sad turn of events,” he added.

About 1,434 people have been arrested in the unrest between Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs since Sunday in Urumqi.

It is being feared that demonstrations and rioting could break out in other parts of the vast region, especially in areas which are heavily populated by minority Muslim Uighurs. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama meets Advani

July 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama called on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader Lal Krishna Advani at his official residence here today.

The visit was termed as a courtesy call.

During his birthday celebrations here on Monday, he termed his stay in India for the past 50 years as an enriching experience.

“Fifty years passed since I came to this country because of some tragedy beyond human control. When I look back last 50 years, I think my life has not been wasted. I got the opportunity to learn from other religious traditions,” he said.

The Dalai Lama was born in 1935 in a hamlet at Takster in Tibet.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers ever since a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. (ANI)

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Tibetans celebrate Dalai Lama’s 74th birthday in Dharamsala

July 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, July 6 (ANI): Tibetans living in exile in Dharamsala celebrated the 74th birthday of Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama today.

Born in 1935 in Tibet, Lhamo Thondup was recognized as the reincarnation of 13th Dalai Lama, at the age of 2.

Scores of Tibetans gathered at main Buddhist temple, Tsugalgkhang and prayed for the long life and health of their leader.

“He (Dalai Lama) himself is in Delhi to attend another meeting where former President of India Mr. Kalam is the chief guest. Here, it is the official’s celebration of the Tibetan government in exile, and six parliamentarians from Australia are also here as chief guest,” said Lobsang Wangyal, a Tibetan youth.

The Central Tibetan Administration organized the function.

Hoping to celebrate Dalai Lama’s birthday in Lhasa one day, thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns and exiled government officials took part in the celebrations.

“All our effort is based on this firm conviction and hope that we will return to Tibet in circumstances which satisfy the majority of Tibetan people and will celebrate both our Losar and his Holiness’ next birthday in Lhasa,” said Thubten Samphel, Spokesperson Of The Government-In-Exile.

The Dalai Lama was brought to Lhasa in October 1939, and formally installed the head of the state of Tibet on February 22, 1940.

About 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, the vast majority in India or Nepal, and of them less than half were born in their homeland. (ANI)

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Celebrations planned for Dalai Lama’s 74th birthday

July 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, July 4 (IANS) Thousands of Tibetan exiles are expected to assemble in this Himachal Pradesh town Monday for celebrations to mark the 74th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

“Exiles, monks and well-wishers will join the birthday celebrations of His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) Monday. They will pray for the well-being and long life of their icon of peace and wisdom,” Tenzin Taklha, joint secretary at the Dalai Lama’s office, told IANS.

Special prayers have been planned at the hilltop Tsuglagkhang temple close to the official palace of the Dalai Lama at McLeodganj near here.

“Representatives of the Tibetan parliament and the Tibetan cabinet will also attend the celebrations. Visiting Australian parliamentarians will be the chief guests on the occasion,” said Taklha.

A delegation of six Australian parliamentarians comprising Labour MPs Michael Danby and Melissa Parke, Liberal MP Peter Slipper, Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, and Greens Senators Scott Ludlam and Sarah Hanson-Young are on a weeklong visit here.

However, the Dalai Lama won’t be present here Monday and will attend celebrations in New Delhi.

“The spiritual guru will attend the celebrations organised by the Himalayan Buddhist Association in Delhi. It is for expressing gratitude to their spiritual leader for completing 50 years of his stay in India,” said Taklha.

Last year, the Nobel laureate’s birthday celebrations were largely subdued due to unrest in Tibet.

Born on July 6, 1935 at Taktser hamlet in northeastern Tibet, the Dalai Lama was recognised at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso. He fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, basing his Tibetan government-in-exile here.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent campaign for democracy and freedom in his homeland. Ever since he fled to India, he has spent his time in exile pushing for autonomy for Tibet.

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been following a “middle-path” policy that seeks “greater autonomy” for Tibetans rather than complete independence.

The Dalai Lama has increasingly voiced his frustration with the situation and has said that he has now given up trying to win concessions from Beijing.

“Things are not going well… I have to accept failure… my trust with the Chinese leadership (is) now thinner, thinner, thinner,” the Tibetan leader has said.

Though he looks healthy, the deteriorating health of the elderly monk in recent months is a matter of concern for the community in exile.

He was admitted to Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi in October 2008, where he underwent a gall bladder surgery. Earlier, he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai twice with abdominal discomfort. Subsequently, he had also cancelled his visits to Europe, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

But he has returned to his gruelling schedule, travelling around the globe to speak on Buddhism and human rights.

After India allowed the Dalai Lama to settle here, Dharamsala became an attraction for Westerners in search of Tibetan culture and spiritual sustenance. Hollywood stars such as Richard Gere are frequent visitors here.

A total of 140,000 Tibetans now live in exile, over 100,000 of them in different parts of India. Over six million Tibetans live in Tibet.

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Australia to hold ‘Harmony March’ in solidarity with Indian students

July 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, July 4 (ANI): Australian lawmaker Michael Danby has said that Australia will hold a ‘Harmony March’ in Melbourne in solidarity with Indian students on July 12.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, Danby, who is heading a six-member Australian parliamentarian delegation said, “We are joining the premier of Victoria in a march to express the views of the overwhelming majority of Australians condemning these attacks. On July 12 something called the “Harmony March” which will be taking place in Melbourne…will be a public expression of the vast majority of Australians…about these attacks on Indian students.”

He also condemned the unending spate of attacks on Indian students in Australia recently.

“We want to react very strongly to these attacks on Indian students, because it is not the way of the Australians…it’s not Australia, all and all,” he said.he group of Australian lawmakers arrived in Dharamsala on Wednesday to meet the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, and representatives of Tibet’s government-in-exile.

The six-member delegation comprises, Labour lawmakers Michael Danby and Melissa Parke, Liberal lawmaker Peter Slipper, Independent Senator Nick Xenophon and Greens Senators Scott Ludlam and Sarah Hanson-Young.

The delegation are due to stay in Dharamsala till July 6. They are is accompanied by a handful of lawyers, journalists and activists.

The delegation met the Dalai Lama and sought greater access to Tibet for parliamentarians from across the world and media.

“We want that a group of Australian parliamentarians like European and Indian parliamentarians be allowed to visit Lhasa in Tibet, we want to (see) with our own eyes the condition of Tibetan people. We have told this to the Chinese authorities and we hope in good faith that they will respond to it,” said Danby. (ANI)

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Dharamsala reels under acute water shortage

July 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, July 2 (ANI): Residents of Dharamsala are facing a severe water shortage.

People are now relying on mountain spring water for daily use.

However, the spring water is far too less to meet average demand.

Even the famous ‘Dal Lake’ has completely dried up, resulting in the death of fish.

A resident, who had come to fetch water from a spring, said that filling water and then taking it back was quite problematic.

“The water comes after every two days. Sometimes, it doesn’t come for days,” claimed Tilak, a resident.

S K Malhotra, the Superintending Engineer, Irrigation and Public Health, said the late arrival of the monsoon has affected water supply by 20-25 per cent.

“If there is snow in the mountains, then the supply of water would be good. But unfortunately, this year, the amount of snowfall was less. We received minimal rainfall due to which the water supply has fallen by 20 to 25 per cent,” Malhotra added.

He said the State Government has plans to deal with the crisis. (ANI)

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