New Delhi September 3 – The Core Group for Tibetan Cause, the apex coordinating body of all the Tibet support group throughout India today organizes a seminar on “The Current Situation of Tibet” at India International Center, New Delhi.
The seminar had a panel of experts and journalists who have recently been to Tibet under Chinese government sponsored project as well as self-funded project. More than 120 participants from all walks of life attended the seminar with keen interest.
While giving an inaugural speech Dr. N.K. Trikha, National Convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause, gave a brief outline of the purpose of seminar and also presented the speakers Ms Jyoti Malhotra, Mr. Vijay Kranti and Mr. Dawa Tashi (a student of Xitsang University, Lhasa recently escaped from Tibet) to the audience.
Jyoti Malhotra, one of the members of the delegation visits Tibet and China from 14-27 July 2004. In her presentation about her visit to Tibet which was blended with surprisingly materialistic development and grave concern for the future of Tibetan people and the regional geopolitical situation. She said “Despite China’s control over Tibet and the policy on the restriction on the photograph of Dalai Lama, what is amazing is I think that in the heart of many Tibetans, at least few who are brave enough to, very anonymously, very quietly and briefly and just even very elliptically indicate to us that they still continue to pray him and hoped that they would be able to see him one day”. “Once the Gormo-Lhasa railway line will finish then the Chinese government will very easily be able to transport arms and equipment, what ever they like and that’s when the control of China over Tibet is absolute and completed” said Jyoti.
While giving an account of his recent personal extensive tour of some 5000 thousand kilometers in Kham, Amdo and U-Tsang three traditional providences of Tibet, Mr. Vijay Kranti told that Kham and Amdo were developed beyond his imagination, indeed there is a very fast development but these are not mend for the Tibetans. There are big stores, houses and cars but mostly owned by Chinese. Tibetans in general in Tibet are poor oppressed. He has sensed the ethnic cleansing of Tibetan people in Tibet.
Dawa Tashi, a student from Lhasa University, who was arrested by the Chinese government for so called ‘Counter-revolution activities’ because they has established an association called the ‘Tibetan Youth Democratic Association’ and he was imprisoned for two months in Lhasa’s Sangyip Prison. In his statement he said that in Lhasa University out of 3000 total Students more than 40% are ethnic Chinese and most of the course offered are related to Chinese political system. Political subject are considered more important than specialized subject.
He further told that any media person may not be able to understand the actual situation if they only look at what is visible before them. If one wishes to understand the real situation then one must carefully listen to both sides of the story, and specially, think about its background and carry out discussions with others to arrive at a certain conclusion.
Prof. Krishna Nath Ji an eminent scholar and Tibetologiest, give a concluding remarks by stating that may be we are running a loosing race but still we have to keep running because there is no other alternative and I sincerely hope that the true sense will prevail on our Chinese friend. Tibet will be free only when China is free.
At the end Shri. Amrit Lal Sharma, on behalf of Indian Tibet support groups in Delhi proposed a vote of thanks to the resources persons and all the participants.
