Thank you everyone for sharing your views and pictures. It is always great to hear what the Lamas have accomplished, who they are, their work, and the reach and influence of their Dharma activity. Gangchen Rinpoche is no exception of course, especially with long-standing endorsement from the United Nations.
There has also been "bad" press about Gangchen Rinpoche, because of the Dorje Shugden issue. Mainly, it is anti-DS supporters and people of the TGIE. Amazing and terrible that even a master so great can have haters and such bad publicity.
So, this is important I think: we must check out the lamas ourselves. It is very good to read what others have to say about each teacher - there will be lots of good and lots of bad and if we are to be swayed by what people are saying on either side, we will never find a teacher and we will never be firm with anyone. Ssee what the teachers have done, attend or read their teachings if you can, speak directly to their students (and don't rely on hearsay). Ask questions and find out whatever you can. If you have doubts or uncertainties, try to clear them by asking the right questions. Find out for yourself if a teacher is good for you or not. Sometimes it could be that the teacher is highly praised and a wonderful teacher, but just not the right one FOR YOU, or you can't click with or you feel you can't relate to. Remain respectful always, of course, even if you can't really connect to a particular teacher, but you don't have to accept him as your teacher. Accepting someone as your teacher JUST BECAUSE many people say he is great is also not quite correct because it may not be what YOU need at this time.
This process of choosing a teacher is a delicate one and the process of checking is just as important as accepting a teacher. So please read the books on Guru devotion - and what it means to choose someone as your teacher.
Lastly, even if you don't choose to take someone as your teacher, it is always great to rejoice in the works of great teachers like Gangchen Rinpoche and find inspiration and strength for your own practice. Thank you again everyone for your sharings. I enjoy these threads about the lamas very much.