By Tenzin Dickyi
New Delhi
‘Why should Indians support Tibet?’, was the catchline for todays seminar where ‘2007: Year of Intensive support for Tibetan Cause’ was launched with a very modest function here at Shri Ram Centre, Auditorium in New Delhi. The event was jointly organized by India Tibet Friendship Society, Bharat Tibbat Salyog Manch, Himalayan Parivar and Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet (HIMCAT). The function was attended by about 100 audiences.
Mr. Vijay Kranti, a prominent journalist and a long-time friend of Tibet was the moderator for the event. Shri Satya Prakash Malvivya being the chief guest, lit the lamp to inaugurate the function.
Dr. N.K. Trikha, National Convener, Core Group for Tibetan cause in his introductroy speech, announced that the year 2007 will be observed as the Year of Intensive Support for Tibetan Cause all over India.
The Seminar included eminent and renowned people like Prof. Brahma Challaney, strategic expert, Prof. V.K. Malhotra (BJP), deputy leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha), S.P. Malviya, Congress leader and former Union Minister, JDU General Secretary K.C. Tyagi, RJD MP Vijay Krishna, JNU Prof. Anand Kumar and Lama Choesphel Zotpa, member-National Commision for Minorities.
The Kalon for Information and International Relations, Tempa Tsering, who is also the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at New Delhi, addressed the gathering and put forward his point of view. He said, ‘Our demand has been a Genuine Autonomy for Tibet and this approach has remain very consistent so far. And we pursue to stick on to this middle way path proposed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. But if the issue of Tibet is not resolved within the lifetime of Dalai Lama, then this is very sad and unfortunate’.
He also appealed to the people present at the seminar to make a unified commitment to move forward with the Tibetan issue.
Various print materials such as pamphlets, booklets and notes etc were distributed to the audience which highlighted and emphasized on the need for India to support Tibet. Besides this, a special poster and sticker of ‘Year 2007: Intensive support to Tibetan Cause’ was launched by the chief guest Shri Satya Prakash Malvivya, Congress leader and former Union Minister.
Mr. Brahma Chellaney, the key speaker for the Seminar, opened his speech by saying that supporting Tibet would not be a favour to the Tibetans but India must support Tibet for its own Interest. Calling China’s major efforts to colonize Tibet with the recent completion of Lhasa-Golmud Railway project, Mr. Chellaney said that Chinese have failed to win over Tibetans and Tibet very much remains an alive issue.
He also emphasized that Tibet is Asia’s major water reservoir and almost all the Asian counrties are dependent on Tibet for water. Therefore Government of India ought to support the Tibetan cause in a very subtle and measured way to revive the Tibet’s issue.
Other panelists also presented their views and thoughts in support of Tibetan cause. Eventually, the function ended on a very positive and encouraging note. Shri. Surendra Kumar, Core group member in conclusion thanked the speakers for their informed and inspiring speeches for remarkably highlighting the reasons for suppoting Tibet.
