Architecture for Tibet & Manjushree Orphanage
The surroundings could not have been better: the beautiful, peaceful Rubin Museum of Art was the venue for a gala fundraiser for a new school building for the children of Manjushree Orphanage in Tawang, India. Over 250 people had gathered to support the cause including Consul General Prabhu Dayal, Tibet House’s Dr. Kazuko Tatsumura Hillyer, and renowned Buddhist scholar Dr. Robert Thurman. Longsang Nyandak, a representative of the current Dalai Lama, also brought a message of support from His Holiness himself.
The event just went to show the power of persistence and passion. The founding organization for this academic center is Architecture for Tibet, which was started just two years ago by Brooklyn architect John Ullman. With its state-of-the-art plans for this much needed center for the children of Tawang, Ullman hopes to make a difference in the lives of these children living in poverty in the cold of the Himalayas.
Ullman is looking for support from the Indian community too for this project and Children’s Hope India has extended a hand in this new school for the children of Tawang.
“Like so many of our graduates, John is combining a career in design with a strong mission of public service,” said Thomas Schutte, president of Pratt Institute of which Ullman is a graduate. “And he has ventured a very long way from his New York City home to do so.”
As guests tried delicious vegetarian snacks created by the chef Vikas Khanna, they got an opportunity to listen to speakers as well as watch musical performances by noted Tibetan star Yungchen Lhamo. A spirited performance by the Milarepa Children’s Chorus made one aware of the reason for everyone being there – to give similar opportunities of music, joy and education to the children of far-off Tawang in India.
(Above photos by Indu Jaiswal)
Related article: Building A Dream in Tawang
