A short tale of resent events, May 2009 by Morten Rolighed Jensen
Architect of the Tarab Ling Building Project
Strategy and considerations
Coming to India in December 2008, Lene, my wife and I knew there still were some problems getting the building permit, in spite of the fact that all the formal objections had been cleared on a board meeting in the administration in February 2008. Since then our General Secretary Norbu Wangchuk had been working relentlessly satisfying the different official issues and clearing forth coming demands.
Our resent problems can be traced to the people who has bought land next to ours and who is working hard on obstructing our project. We suspect that there real objective is to grab our land.
Even though our file by then had passed every possible administrative rulings, bylaws and offices, we were still being held up by false accusations and this time, we ware even denied to see the latest complaint letter.
In view of this we decided on a two fold strategy - first to carry on even harder getting the building permit as it in principal should have been given almost a year back. Secondly we would also look for alternative plots for the project, even it would mean a loss for the society and probably set us back at least a year.
Getting the final permission
During the end of December I then went looking for optional plots together with our legal advisor Mr. Jayant Dwarkads. During one of our excursions we was shown land by a local developer Mr. Prashant Duval, whom I knew from before. We talked about our problems in the local administration and although it really was not in his own interest, he suggested, to go with us to the administration (MDDA) and help us out.
So we did and this time there was no problem getting a copy of the latest complaint letter from our file and on top of this the Executive Engineer looked through our fat file and asked us to bring the check for the development charges, the matter would then be settled and we would get the building permit the next day. In India you don't wait when you get such a proposition and next day we gave in the revalidated check that Norbu Wangchuk in vain had been trying to deliver for the last 6 month.
Of course it was not that easy, in fact it took us 6 solid weeks of 'running' to the different offices before we finally succeeded in fulfilling the last of the outstanding formalities and getting the stamped maps and building permit. All this without paying the heavy bribes that seems to be the norm. But I must say that most of the senior officials, we have encountered, have asked us not to pay bribes. Following this advice has no doubt cost us time, but also kept us clear of bending rules and putting us on the wrong side of the law, that in the end would have made us vulnerable and I am sure also would have backfired. In fact it is one of our adversaries' accusations that we have bribed to get the permission, they simply cannot imagine it done without.
Getting started
After this 'mission impossible' that Prashant Duval helped us with free of costs, we happily accepted his offer to employ him as our Project Manager and we have now formed a building committee consisting of Norbu Wangcuk, Prashant Duval, Jayant Dwarkadas and my self as the architect.
The project has thus commenced and at this point we are gathering materials to be ready at site before the monsoon, during which it is not possible to access our land. This work is difficult both in regards to the terrain and the fact that we are in a small village where everyone is looking for a bite of the cake. Prashant is very capable in this work, we are buying the stones and bricks through the villagers who would other vice block the work, but we buy to a market price.
Foundation stone
A laying of the foundation stone ceremony was held at the site the 17. May 2009 by our protector the Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) of the Tibetan Exile Government Samdhong Rinpoche as well as a local Hindu Priest. Samdhong Rinpoche spent 3 hours at the land and was really very pleased with the place, the project and the fact that Tarab Rinpoches teachings is being brought to India. Please see Samdhong Rinpoches speech on this web site.
Planning and funding
Providing the funds are available, it is possible that the whole project can be finished in 2-3 years. For the moment we are planning to start the building project constructing the main building, a guest house and the dining and kitchen facility. We can get pretty far with this first half of the project with the funds that we have and for this year there should be funds enough.
In order that the building process is continuing in an uninterrupted and smooth manner it is important that the necessary funds are available. It is now time for you who are considering supporting the project to do so. Whether it be in the form of direct donations, studio flat sponsorships or your help in connecting us with foundations, companies or alike that would be liable to give some support. Any help and effort will be much appreciated. [Join the Sponsorship Scheme]
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Tarab Tulku
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Samdhong Rinpoche
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