Chandigarh, September 5 – The inaugural function of the 3-day All India Tibet Support Group conference, organized by Indian Core Group for Tibetan Cause was held at Agarsen Bhavan, Chandigarh today. 200 delegates representing various Tibet Support Groups from 15 different states of India, scores of local Tibet supporters and 20 members of state legislative assemblies from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh attended the function.
Shri Brij Bhushan Tewari, former Lok Sabha member presided. Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and Shri Pema Jungney, Chairman of Tibet’s parliament in exile were the Chief Guests. Shri Indresh Kumar, patron of Himalaya Parivar and Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, Ven Lama Chosphel Zotpa, Vice Chairman, National Commission for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe, Dr. N K Trikha, convener of Indian Core Group for Tibetan Cause addressed the gathering and Dr. Anand Kumar national co-convener, conducted the meeting.
Dr. Trikha presented the activities report and the status of Tibet Support Group in India.
Shri Pema Jungney while thanking the Tibet supporters for their continued support in this time of crisis, sought the active support for the pragmatic initiative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to declare Tibet, a zone of Ahimsa as enshrined in his 5 point peace plan.
Lama Chosphel Zotpa said that there is a great improvement for the Tibet support movement, which still needs to be strengthened from the grass root level to bring change in India’s foreign policy on Tibet. He also said that unless Tibet is declared a zone of Ahimsa, there would be no security for India.
Shri Indresh Kumar said that Tibet never was, is not, should not be a part of China. He emphasised that while dealing with China, India should be very cautious recalling Chinese aggression on India after the euphoric Hindi – Chini bhai-bhai, understanding Chinese psychology. He said that this conference should discuss ways and means to seek negotiation for genuine autonomy of Tibet and recognition of the exiled government as the legitimate government of the Tibetans.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal supported the government’s stand on the recent joint Sino-India declaration and praised the Indian Foreign Minister for refuting Chinese lies on their own soil. He assured continued support for the Tibetan cause in future and hoped that the Tibetans will return to Tibet with full autonomy.
Shri Brij Bhushan Tewari said that there is no two opinions about Indian support for the Tibet movement and that India as a big power should shoulder the dharmic responsibility of protecting the Tibetans.
Shri Pema Jungney presented each of the dignitaries a citation of appreciation and a Tibetan national flag as a souvenir.
The meeting will continue for the next two days.
Immediately after the inaugural session, the Tibetan members of Parliament Ven. Thubten Phelgye, Dawa Tsering (nominated), Dolkar Lhamo and Penpa Tsering had a fruitful exclusive discussion with the Indian state legislators. The Indian legislators have assured that after thorough discussion a forum of state legislatures from Haryana, Punjab Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir would be constituted under the guidance of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Submitted by Jamyang Dorjee
ITCO
