Kalon Tripa to speak on the “Significance of Democracy and its implements” at the first Public Discussion Forum
By Phurbu Thinley
Phayul Correspondent
Dharamsala, 22 December – A discussion forum Tibetans called, Public Discussion Forum is being jointly initiated by Dharamsala based National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) and phayul.com to facilitate intellectual public discussions within exiled Tibetan community.
The collaborative undertaking aims to facilitate general Tibetan public a space to have a better understanding of various contemporary issues concerning Tibet and Tibetans by moderating intellectual discussions at varying levels.
Mr. Chime Yungdrung, the President of NDPT, says, “Such a forum is needed to give Tibetans a common platform to exchange opinions concerning all-round Tibetan issues in a meaningful way; and we will do our best to achieve this through our newly initiated forum”.
“Besides, there is an urgent need to have a more clear understanding of contemporary political ideologies among Tibetan diasporas. So, we hope this forum will go a long way to raise intellectual awareness in our society”, Mr. Chime adds.
At the newly formed Forum’s ever first public discussion, Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche will speak on “Democracy and its Implements” this Saturday. This will be followed by more interactive discussions in future on other different issues.
The discourse programme will start at 2:00PM local time here at Yongling School.
This forum will be the first joint collaborative project undertaken by phayul.com in an attempt to play and assume a more responsible role within its ambit in Tibetan community in exile as a prominent media.
Phayul.com reasserts the unchallenged notion of powerful and influential role free media can play in promoting democratic spirit and, more so in the constantly evolving democracy within the Tibetan community in exile.
In future, phayul.com intends to facilitate access to the live coverage of the forum’s programmes to its viewers.
Although known more popularly as a site for news and views on Tibet; Phayul.com has, in recent times, also launched a unique free online Tibetan language tutorial class besides the newly launched live audio webcast undertaking covering major Tibetan events and religious teachings. The next audio webcast of phayul will be done from Sera monastery in Bylakuppe where His Holiness will give sermon. The recent teachings in Varanasi was webcast live and amplified through loudspeakers in Samyeling Tibetan colony of Majnu Ka Tilla, Delhi. Phayul aims to bring this facility to other Tibetan settlements as well. Phayul’s director Tenzin Norsang says that this will enable many Tibetans, especially old and infirm people in our settlements to listen to teachings, speeches and news without having to spent money and energy on travel.
“We require internet connection and a computer each in these settlements and we are raising funds. We welcome people willing to lend computers and internet connection to us during such events,” he said.
The forthcoming discussion on the chosen topic will be the first public discourse by the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile right after concluding his brief official tour of Italy. Rinpoche arrived here today from Italy.
