By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, November 19: The Tibetan Youth Congress yesterday organized a concert, Unite for Tibetans: ‘A Benefit concert for Lal Qila Tibetans’ at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) in Dharamshala to raise fund for the Tibetan sweater sellers of Lal Qila who lost their shops to a massive fire on Nov. 8.
With power-packed performances from Singer Indian Idol sensations Prashant Tamang and Abishek Kumar, JJI Exile Brothers and Mariko, the largest pro-independence group in exile’s concert attracted good crowd and donations, which would directly go towards the relief fund for the victims.
“We are here tonight for the victims of the unfortunate event at the Lal Qila. We have plans to gather the entire fund collected by all the chapters of TYC around the world by Mid December. It will be sent to them through the TYC centrex,” said President of TYC Tenzing Jigme, who also performed with JJI Exile Brothers.
He added that the organization has always come forward to help whenever there is a calamity and that the organization believes in the importance of serving the Tibetan society.
A fire broke out reportedly from a short circuit in the wee hours of November 8 resulting in a damage to property worth 12 Crore rupees.
The star attraction of the benefit concert was the singer duo of Prashant Tamang and Abhishek Kumar who approached the organization willing to contribute in their way to help support the cause.
“When I heard the news, I was really sad and devastated. As we are big support of the Tibetan community, we wanted to do something or contribute in the best way possible through music,” Prashant Tamang said adding, he has always felt great and blessed for the love he receives from the Tibetan community.
Accompanying him was Abhishek Kumar, “This is an honor for us to be here and support the cause in our way. Since I have been associated with the Tibetan community over the years, it is truly a sad moment for us.”
The Tibetan government in exile announced 15 lakh Rupees for the reconstruction of the market. TYC earlier had already provided a relief fund of one lakh rupees.
