By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 29: The largest pro-Independence organization of the Tibetan Diaspora today kicked off the 16th General body meeting here at the MCD hall in Lower Dharamshala in attendance of close to 200 people, many of whom were delegates from the NGO’s regional chapters from India and abroad.
The once – a – three – year meeting will elect a new executive committee for the TYC head office as well amend a set of guiding principles or rules of the organizations which has become a bone of contention among members in the recent past. The President of the TYC told the reporters, “This meeting is an opportunity once and for all to clear the air concerned with the rules which have been deemed contradictory by some. We hope to device amendments both in words and in meaning regarding the rules in question.”
Of the four core objectives/tasks that bind any member or chapter, the first calls for “serving one’s country and people under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” while the fourth seeks “total independence for Tibet,” leading to contradictory views within the organization.
The Chief Guest, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, while acknowledging the importance of the institution said that, “the youth who will carry the baton forward will have to be well versed with the many dynamics at play to better assume their roles in the coming times.”
Kasur Kirti Rinpoche, also among guests, mentioned that he had been a supporter of the youth organization since many decades and that the work done in exile by the youth congress had been pioneering. However, he suggested that the TYC should strive to represent the aspirations of the Tibetans all over and not just the inner circle of the organization. Rinpoche further added, “The youth is now being represented in the parliament as well. The divide in the house seen while electing the Speaker of the Parliament which pointed to stagnancy and rigidity should not be repeated.”
The meeting attended by delegates from over 40 chapters included two newly rejoined chapters (Mundgod and Bangalore) as well as a three man Tibetan Muslim delegate from Kashmir who will partake in the five day proceedings. Self immolators Kalsang Wangdue and Dorjee Tsering were posthumously felicitated with the “Rangzen Award” for their contribution to the cause as were others who have volunteered to serve the organization for over a decade. Parents of Dorjee Tsering received the award for their son.
Also among the guests were Tibetan members of Parliament, local dignitaries and the Deputy Speaker of the TPiE Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok.
The General body meeting will go until September 3, 2016.
