Following recent trends of Tibetan polity it probably would have been more than obvious for an observer that the momentum of freedom struggle and to an extent its support had been overshadowed by the overwhelming obsession of the TGIE towards creating a congenial atmosphere for direct negotiations with China. But the struggle for ones right of freedom, as it is everywhere, never can be compromised and compensated upon, the XII General Body Meeting (GBM) of the TYC once again corroborated the irrefutable commitment and aspiration of the Tibetan people for Rangzen.
The XII GBM was the largest ever assembly of TYC’s regional chapters as well as members in the 34 year long prestigious history of the organisation, asserting the urgency and need being felt by Tibetans all over for a collective effort in realising Tibet’s independence. 55 regional chapters of TYC from all over India, Nepal and Bhutan participated in the 6 day long meeting from the 3rd – 8th of September at the auditorium of Lower Tibetan Children’s Village School, Dharamsala. Around 200 participants representing over 25,000 Tibetans converged with ideas and opinions of their respective regional chapters on the agendas of the meeting.
The inauguration ceremony was blessed with the presence of H.E. Kirti Rinpochen as the Chief-Guest and Guest of Honour Kasur Sonam Topgyal along with the members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, former TYC executive members and representatives of various NGOs and autonomous bodies. The XII GBM in accordance with the custom of giving recognition and acclaiming the achievements and outstanding contribution of individuals and institutions towards our society and freedom struggle, presented its prestigious awards as follows:
Rangzen Award – Thupten Jigme Norbu (Taktse Rinpoche)
Bravery Award – Phuntsok Nyidron
Culture and Literature Award – Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute
Social Service Award – Tulku Tenzin Delek
Most Efficient Regional Chapter Awards –
First Place: RTYC Dharamsala
Second Place: RTYC Bhandara
Third Place: RTYC Pokhara Tashiling
The annual reports and financial statements of the regional chapters and the TYC CENTREX were presented and reviewed. Important issues and agendas concerning relevant revisions of the TYC charter, strategic activities for our freedom struggle, methods of making our democratic set-up more efficient, various modes of tackling the White Paper released by China, H.H. The Dalai Lama’s security, ways of preserving Tibet’s rich culture, language and environment etc were tabled and deliberated upon. The meeting unanimously passed resolutions concerning the agendas and a petition letter to the British government and Her Royal Majesty Queen of England calling for their recognition of Tibet’s independence in correspondence with the centenary of British invasion of Tibet in 1904 was also signed.
On the sixth day of the meeting, elections for new executive members of the central Tibetan Youth Congress were held and six new executive members in addition to four former executive members were elected at the sitting. Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa and Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee were reelected to their respective posts of President and General Secretary while Mr. Lobsang Yeshi was elected to the post of Vice-President.
The XII General Body Meeting concluded with much fervour and promise of forgoing all differences of conceptions and working together collectively for the common goal of Tibet’s independence.
