Change of Directorship

Change and impermanence are the reality of a Dharma centre, with volunteers who come for differing periods of time. In April 2014, the Tushita ship had a change of captain, when Dr Anita Kamath Dudhane joined us, and had the difficult task of replacing the wonderful Linda Gyatso. Linda is pictured above left when she first joined us in 2008, and above centre with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Kalon Tripa (Tibetan Prime Minister), Lobsang Sangay at Tushita in May 2012.

Tushita was very lucky to have Linda as a director for 5 years and she has left behind a thriving centre; Tushita saw a surge in the number of students in her time, now numbering over 48,000 since 2009! During Linda’s tenure Tushita saw many changes, especially overseeing the new Gompa building being beautifully painted and filled with holy objects exactly according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision, and 3 retreat huts now almost ready. Building projects and raising funds for them are difficult in any centre but in India the effort required is quadrupled due to local conditions and Tushita’s geographical inaccessibility.

Linda’s quiet, unassuming efficiency got these done in record time and will be a tough act to follow.

We wish Linda every success in her new role as Director of FDCW (Foundation for the Development of Compassion and Wisdom), and the happiness of her family life with husband Jamyang and son Norbu in London.

Anita was born and bred in southern India, but completed her medical training in the USA. Since returning to India, she has become deeply involved with Buddhism and is also a founding member of Nalanda Shiksha: an initiative taken by Indian Students and Practitioners of Buddha Dharma to request and organise teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Anita is pictured above right.

Since the change in Directorship in April 2014, the Tushita team has been working hard to complete all the building work. In the next few years we hope to upgrade the living conditions for our students, to ensure a better overall experience, and to maintain the marvellous work done by Linda in recent years.