Introduction
Inspired by His Holiness The Dalai Lama's desire to promote democratic development throughout the Tibetan community, Bod-kyi-Dus-Bab (Tibet Times) was established in 1996. With Tibet under the Chinese Communist control, Tibetans inside Tibet do not have the opportunity to study, much less experiment with democratic systems of government. Only Tibetans outside Tibet have this opportunity. In exile, by establishing institutions such as an independent press, we can study, learn and practice to foster greater democracy in the society, through which we can gain experience which will be invaluable in the future. Tibetans need democracy and democracy needs an independent press. In the Tibetan society, both democracy and the press are in their youth and face unique challenges due to the nature of life in exile. Prior to the establishment of the Tibetan government in exile in 1959, the Tibetan society did not have a single vernacular newspaper. Still today there are very few Tibetan language newspapers available in our society,independent or otherwise. In the Tibetan society, the responsibility of the print media is to give the Tibetan government and its people the opportunity to experience democracy. Newspapers serve to provide a forum for pleasant and unpleasant dialogue, good news and bad news, truth and facts. A free press gives the Tibetan government and its people the opportunity to exchange views openly, and the chance to accept criticism and grow from it. Print is the most important medium in our community; it serves to keep the public up to date on current affairs, especially for Tibetans living in India who have no television broadcasting system or radio network of their own and for those Tibetans living in Tibet who have no right to express their own opinions or beliefs.

Our main objectives are:
1. To promote the concept of democracy within the Tibetan community in exile.
2. To gather and disseminate information on the activities of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetan people both in and outside Chinese occupied Tibet.
3. To educate the Tibetan people and others about the cultural heritage of Tibet as well as the political, social, and environmental developments concerning Tibet and its people.
4. To develop an understanding between the Tibetans living inside Tibet and those living in exile.
5. To facilitate transparency between the Tibetan Government in-exile and the Tibetan people.

Why publish in Dharamsala?
As the seal of the Tibetan government in-exile led by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Dharamsala not only provides the hubbub for exile political activities but also a mecca for Tibetans and Buddhists from all over the world. As such, it is only natural that Bod-kyi-dus-bab be published from here.

Published every ten days, Bod-kyi-dus-bab has its major subscribers in India, Nepal, United States, Switzerland, Australia and Bhutan, but it also reaches an increasing number of subscribers worldwide.

What is included?
Happenings in Tibet
Developments in the Tibetan Government In-Exile
International affairs
Special coverage of Chinese affairs
Feature articles
Interviews
Guest columns
Letter to the editor