Lobsang's Office

[ the office: introduction | proposal | budget | contact lobsang ]

introduction

In its full realisation, Lobsang's Office will provide multimedia and technological services and employment to the residents of the Mcleod Ganj community. The premises will house an internet cafe, sections for graphics production, audio/visual production, and web designing, and through these facilities will serve as a training centre. It will also have a gallery/mini-conference room, a small kitchen, and a bathroom/toilet.

The headquarters of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, many non-governmental organisations, other political organisations, schools and arts institutions are situated in this town. They all have a growing need of these services to be effective. There are also many people, mostly young people, who are intelligent, educated and very interested in multimedia and web development. The centre will be able to provide training and employment to many of these people.

There are other centres offering design services and training, but only at the basic level. There is no one providing the sound recording and production or advanced level web development which we can. So we can be complementary and give something more to the community. And due to our long-time connections here, we can be synergetic with the services and resources of other local organisations which are providing technical services to Dharamsala.

People from all walks of life will be able to use this as a place to come together, to learn, and to create better avenues of expression for their ideas, hopes and dreams.

what the centre will provide

a complementary means of preserving Tibetan culture

The members of the above-mentioned organisations may have the ability to preserve traditional Tibetan culture using conventional means. However, when given the opportunities to combine this knowledge with modern technology, they will have the ability to expand their scope.

business services

facilities for multimedia and web development

Currently, there is no place in the area where intellectually and visually talented individuals or groups can go to create multimedia projects, especially at any advanced level. Lobsang's Office will provide facilities for web and graphic arts designing, audio/visual editing, and website development.

graphics and website production

The office will be a business providing graphics design and website development. Money from the business will be used to become self-sustaining, provide employment, and produce art and media related events.

fee structure

Fees will be nominal, and will depend on extent of the production and its application. This means, if the work involved is commercial and big the fees will be charged accordingly. But if the purpose is for charity causes, even if the work is big, the fees will be quite small or services may even be free of cost.

training

The office will provide education so that individuals and groups can learn about how to use these services and incorporate them into their projects. There will be two paid teachers to give classes and to help people with their projects. In addition there is a local volunteer, a professional web developer and programmer, who has been teaching many people and helping with many organisations here, and has been able to help much more effectively by having a full-time desk in this office.

employment

There is a growing number of educated and intelligent, but unemployed, youth in Dharamsala. As a viable business, this centre will be able to provide employment opportunities through the positions created with the establishment of the office. Further positions will be created as we are able to take on paid media and web development projects. People who have gained skills here will be able to get jobs elsewhere.

gallery cum conference hall

The centre will serve as a venue for conferences, movie screening and displaying visual works of art.

productions of the centre

art and media events

Lobsang Wangyal has successfully produced many events over the past six years. He will be able to apply his experience to this new enterprise. With this office he will be able to have a more effective base for future productions, and can provide employment and experience to more local people. Again, any money made will be used to become self-sustaining, provide employment, and support further community events.

magazine

A weekly magazine "Mcleod Ganj" is planned. The magazine will contain news, and also will publish opinions and views for cross-cultural interactions and development of the area.

websites

www.tibetsun.com and www.mcleodganj.com will also be run under the office. www.tibetsun.com will be about Tibetan and international news and analysis and www.mcleodganj.com will be about Mcleod Ganj and the events around here. Advertisement revenues from these two websites will be used to sustain the websites in the future.

Other websites that are already functional are:

• www.misstibet.com
• www.musictibet.com
• www.freespiritfestival.com
• www.freespiritfilmfestival.com
• www.lobsangwangyal.com
• www.tibetanolympics.com

summary

Our mission is to help build professional quality works and create new things — as web sites, graphics design, music, and whatever new technology may come – and enable people to become skilled, self-sufficient and creative. We hope to inspire and create many talented people who could further enrich Tibetan culture today.

Thank you,

— Lobsang Wangyal, Director

references

For independent verification of the proposal, the following long-time residents in Mcleod Ganj may be contacted:

Gerrie, hardware and network engineer:

James Walker, web programmer: Through this contact form or read James' reference.

how you can help

If you would like more information or to help support Lobsang's Office, please contact Lobsang here You can also send a donation through

Also see the introduction and budget.