A Norwegian Parliamentary Group for Tibet delegation is visiting India from October 10 to 16 during which they will have a scheduled audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, headquarters of the exile Tibetan government. The three-member delegation lead by the group’s chairperson, Mr. Olav Gunner Ballo, MP, also will meeting Mr. Pema Jungney, Chairman of the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (parliament in exile) and Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa (chief of the Tibetan cabinet or Kashag). They also plan to interact with NGOs and visit Tibetan refugee schools, the Reception Center for recent arrivals from Tibet, as well as popular learning places like the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Tibetan Medical and Astro. Institute and Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
“I am looking very much to the visit and it will be useful for us to see the set up of the exile Tibetan community,” said Mr. Ballo who took over the responsibility of leading the Norwegian Parliamentary Group for Tibet from Mr. Borge Brenda, Norway’s current Minister for Industry.
The Norwegian Parliamentary Group for Tibet was established in 1990. Its members include members of parliament (MPs) from all the political parties and they have attended World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet so far held in New Delhi, Vilnius (Lithuania) and Washington DC. The group strives to champion the just cause of Tibet in the parliament and its current chairperson Mr. Ballo has on several occasions, on behalf of the group raised the issue of Tibet during question and answer sessions in the parliament. The Norwegian government has been expressing its support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way approach in resolving the issue of Tibet through dialogue with the Chinese government.
While in Delhi, the Norwegian Parliamentary Group for Tibet delegation will be meeting Mr. Tashi Wangdi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Bureau of H. H. the Dalai Lama which will host them a lunch. The Norwegian Embassy also will be hosting a separate lunch for them. The parliamentary group for Tibet delegation is being accompanied by Tsomo Gyachungtsang, Amalia Carli and Chungdak Koren of the Norwegian Tibet Committee.
