Dharamsala, May 23
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was here today on a private visit, had an audience with the Dalai Lama and also interacted with Tibetan students at the Tibetan Community Village (TCV) school.

He also met the Tibetan Prime Minister, Mr Samdhong Rinpoche, and took a round of the main Tibetan temple and the museum, where he met a delegation of the striking medical students of the Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College and Hospital.

At the TCV, Mr Gandhi appeared moved by young orphans in the baby home located on the campus. He took a round of the school building and discussed the Tibetan education policy with teachers of the school.

Mr Tsewang Yeshi, Executive Director of the TCV, said Mr Gandhi was an emerging youth leader and it was important for him to meet the world leaders like the Dalai Lama.

“He said some touching words to the very young orphans in the baby home. He was very sympathetic to the children and offered whatever help possible,” he said.

Asked if Mr Gandhi was here to seek the blessings of the Dalai Lama to start his political career, Mr Yeshi said “absolutely, that is why he made this short visit. Otherwise, from his busy schedule, he couldn’t have found time for this.”

On the Tibet issue, he said the Congress leaders had always supported the cause of the Tibetans and the Tibetan community was hopeful that Mr Gandhi would carry forward the legacy.

After giving a patient hearing to a delegation of striking doctors, Mr Gandhi said at present the cake of seats was very small and the government was only trying to make it big so that every student got a share. To this, the doctors replied that there would not be a corresponding increase in jobs.

Mr Gandhi gave his e-mail ID and asked the protesting doctors to pass on the relevant facts to him so that he could pass it on to the authorities concerned.

Holding placards, the medical students and resident doctors shouted anti-reservation slogans outside the TCV. Mr Gandhi stayed away from mediapersons, who had converged on the TCV.

Talking to The Tribune, Tibetan PM, Mr Rinpoche, said Mr Gandhi liked the weather and scenic surroundings of McLeodganj as it was his first visit to Dharamsala. He also asked questions about the flow of tourists in the area.

“It was a courtesy call as the Tibetan government-in-exile had always had very close relations with the Nehru family. He also took a round of the Tibetan library,” he said.

Dr Munish Saroch, general secretary of the Resident Doctors Association, said their demands included deferring the proposed hike in reservation and constitution of an expert commission to explore all aspects of the issue.

Shimla, May 23
The striking medicos, junior doctors and resident doctors of Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla and R.P. Medical college Tanda (Kangra), took out a candlelight procession in protest against reservation to the other backward classes in central educational institutions.

The striking medicos and doctors also organised a blood donation camp in which 109 units of blood were collected, and ran parallel OPDs. The medicos vowed to continue their struggle till their demand to drop the proposal was accepted.

Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association also endorsed the call for one-day medical bandh on May 25.

The agitating medicos are also trying to muster the support of the people and students of other colleges for their cause and hoped a large number of students and traders would also join the medical bandh to express their solidarity. — PTI

Mandi, May 23
In a drive launched by the Mandi police with the help of the Forest and the Revenue Departments last week, a team of 80 personnel destroyed poppy crop cultivated illegally on 623 bighas of private and forest land in the Chauhar valley in the district.

The Mandi SP, Mr Ajay Yadav, said the team destroyed illegal poppy crop and booked 45 villagers in 13 cases under the NDPS Act in over 65 villages in the valley.

“At many places, the villagers themselves took initiative and destroyed poppy crop in over 105 bighas,” he claimed. Three cases related to the cultivation of poppy on the forest land, he added.

He said the team destroyed poppy crop in Tikker, Karshad, Dhanwahan, Dhangyan, Gahang, Latran, Tarswan, Uperla and Nichla Ropa.

He said the Home Department, along with the Horticulture and Agriculture Departments would sensitise villagers on cultivating alternative crops like vegetables and fruits.