Over 18 Indian and foreign eminent experts, scholars, strategists and leaders trained 60 young Tibetan leaders during the recently concluded Youth Leadership Training organized by Tibetan Youth Congress in New Delhi.
According to UNFPA survey, over half of the worlds populations are youths below the age of 25 and a large number of them the current world leaders, administrators and businessmen in their respective countries. That the youths are the pillar of the future world is also evident from the great many revolutions and reforms initiated and spearheaded by the youths in the annals of the world history. Consequently great efforts are being made all over the world in the education and the empowerment of the youths through different campaigns and missions.
Likewise, the Tibetan Diaspora also witnessed a spurt of growing young population with youths below 30 years, exceeding over 65 percentage of the exile population. As the third generation Tibetans in exile take up the onus of the Tibetan freedom struggle, it has become ever more important to oversee the perfect grooming and nurturing of these current and the future leaders. From about 85 Tibetan schools in India, about 900 Tibetans students graduate from high schools and about 800 students join colleges each year. Approximately about 450 Tibetan students graduate each year and look for jobs and take responsibilities in the community. The growing young brigades of the Gangchen Kyishong vouch the fact that the onus of the running of the Tibetan exile government and the community has already been transferred to the next generation Tibetans whose ability, integrity and perseverance will determine how successful our movement would be in exile.
Speaking to the TYC members on the occasion of the XII GBM of TYC in 2004, His Holiness the Dalai Lama remarked, “Future holds more challenges for the young generation, therefore, they should be well prepared for those challenges”. Likewise, TYC in its attempt to groom and prepare future leaders, Youth Leadership Trainings were organized on regular basis irrespective of the availability of the fund. Over the years, Leadership Training has evolved into one of the major curriculum in the Tibetan Youth Congress since the conduct of the first ever youth Leadership Training in the summer of year 1980s in Dharamshala. Through these trainings, efforts were made to provide an integrated program focusing on developing a wide variety of knowledge, values, skills and ability, to be carried forward into a lifetime of leadership, activism and service in the Tibetan Community.
Tibetan Youth Leadership Training has since then, come a long way training successfully, over several hundred young Tibetans through scores of such Programs. The present Tibetan Youth Leadership Training from 5 – 10 January, 2006 at Tibetan Youth Hostel, Delhi is a follow-up to similar major trainings held at Bangalore, Bylakuppe and Delhi in recent years.
During the present 2007 TYLT, which successfully concluded on 10th January in Youth Hostel, New Delhi, more than 60 Young Tibetans from 14 cities in India and Nepal attended the 6 daylong Tibetan Youth Leadership Training. The Curriculum for the weeklong training included Morning Prayer and Buddhist teachings, Yoga exercise, Talks by eminent scholars/experts and interactions, group discussions meetings, presentations, action and campaign trainings, media management skills, lobbying tactics, Internet advocacy, motivational talks, personality developments, law for activists, leadership trainings and skills etc.
The Training opened with a ceremony attended by Mr Karma Choephel, Speaker, Tibetan Parliament in Exile as the Chief Guest. Others present during the ceremony included MP Karma Yeshi, Former TYC President Lhasang Tsering and Tibet Supporter and Yoga Master Mrs. Asha Reddy etc.
The ceremony was followed by the Talk session by Mr Karma Choephel, delving on Independent Tibetans History and its Independent nature and international relations etc. He stated that Tibet had survived, as an independent nation for thousands of years but every Nation has to go through ups and downs. He further stressed the importance of studying history as to avoid past mistakes and also to get inspirations for future struggle.
Later, Mr Lhasang Tsering gave an inspiring motivational cum historical and critical analysis of the Tibetan freedom struggle. He further delves on the adoption of truthful introspection by the Tibetan people vis-à-vis Tibetan freedom struggle and their responsibility for the cause and the society. He also added that by acknowledging the disease, we can find the solution and not vice versa. He stressed, Freedom is a basic necessity which will not come by waiting. Freedom is not free and must be fought and won
Later in the evening, Mr Karma Yeshi spoke on the Youth Initiatives and Movement. Besides speaking on the Tibetan freedom struggle and the campaigns etc, he also stressed that Tibetan people have dedication and love for their country and are ready to sacrifice if we lead the struggle properly.
On 6th morning, after a prayer session lead by Varanasi College students, an hour-long yoga was conducted by Mrs Asha Reddy who came all the way from Chennai, to teach the young leaders how to keep ones mind and body healthy and sound. Later Mr Lhasang Tsering took another session on how to stir the Tibetan freedom struggle ahead with concrete actions and strategies. He emphasised that after recognising the ills and having clarity of purpose and goals, we must believe in ourselves and work towards the goal. He further emphasised that we want to go back to Tibet but with our heads held high and not on our knees.
This was followed by two consecutive sessions by Mr. Claude Arpi, Indo-Sino specialist and a Tibetologist and the author of book titled: Fate of Tibet: Big insect eating small insect. Mr. Claude is based in Pondichery, South India. He spoke with great elaboration and illustrations on India, China and Tibet: Historical Perspective and Diversion of Brahmaputra and other environment and strategic issues. He sarcastically remarked that India and China indeed share a friendship of over 2000 years because of a buffer Tibet. He further warned, China is popularly known for shifting posts and cheating nations He also spoke on the Mega Projects of China including diversion of major rivers originating from Tibet like Brahmaputra and Yangtze etc to resolve their three national Headache of Water, Energy and Food and its disastrous impact on India and the Indo-China region. Later in the afternoon, Mr Lugar Jham spoke on the topic; Sino-Tibetan Dialogue and the ground realities. Mr Jham critically analyse the past and the ongoing process of dialogue between China and the Tibetan Government in Exile. This was followed by a group discussion amongst the students on the previous sessions with a submission of personal views and feedbacks.
On 7th morning Mr Vijay Kranti, senior Journalist, editor of Tibet-Desh and a Tibet supporter spoke on Media Management and Lobbying tactics and Public Relations. Besides speaking on media and tips on lobbying etc, Mr Vijay stated that, Govts are made of a small art of a country and changes in Time. He cited how Canadian Govt that once refused a Visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama had recently accorded Citizenship to His Holiness. Mr Vijay Hiremeth, Advocate and Vice Chairman, India Center for Human Rights and Law, based in Mumbai spoke on Law for Activists and Legal status and Rights of Tibetan Refugees. The evening session saw group leaders of the participants presenting the group views and suggestions on different aspects of topics and actions therein.
On 8th morning, Mr Bharat Karnad, Research Fellow and Strategist of Center for Policy Research, New Delhi spoke on Geo-Strategic Implications of Tibet vis-à-vis India and China. He stated, Tibet served as a geo-strategic bridge, bridging East and West, making China nearer to Oil-rich Central Asian Nations. It also serves as a source of water to feed the entire China with water projected as a reason for future wars. He further stated that India lacks political will to resolve issues with China not a military strength. He advised that Tibetans must retain their struggle, which would receive support from outside world over a time. Tibetans must include India in their Freedom Struggle, he added. This was followed by a session on Organizational Management and Leadership by Mr Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, Convenor, Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch. He said, Leadership qualities are to be cultivated and an urge for leadership should be intrinsic. Leader is a one who tries to convince the masses with his concept and ideals. For a nation, which is struggling for freedom, inefficient leaders cannot be tolerated. They will lead to destruction of a struggle. Mr. Shams Kazi, the editor and web manager of Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi, took the afternoon session. Mr Shams taught the participants, Internet Advocacy and E-Campaigning. He trained the participants on bridging Online-offline gap, forming newsgroups and mailing-lists, creating blogs, podcast, content management system and how to advocate through Web and pace up news distribution and sharing etc and advocacy and lobbying supporters for political campaigns.
A moving talk by former Prisoners alias Singing Nuns; Ani Rinzin Choenyi and Lhundup Sangmo who shared their prison experiences to the students followed this. They vividly spoke on the tortures they underwent in prisons and how they continue to launch political campaigns inside the prison despite further worsening repercussions. They also spoke of the political indoctrination campaigns being thrust upon them by the Chinese officials in prisons under poor food and shelter conditions. Ani Rinzin said that they use to prayed for death instead of becoming mad.
The evening was a fun and emotion filled staging of Mock Demonstration and Press Campaigns in groups and discussion over the activities with subsequent guidance and reviews being provided by the Centrex members.
The 9th Morning saw an inspirational speech delivered by Honourable Member of Rajya Sabha (Indian Parliament), Mr Bashist Narian on topic titled, Youth Activism and Movement Mr Bashist, who was a pioneer and compatriot of Renowned activist, leader Jayaprakash Narayan spoke how a movement is taken forward and the commitments and sacrifice needed for the same. He also asserted that he will always be there for Tibet and the Tibetan Cause and that he will never fail Tibet. Later Mr Jampel Monlam, Asst Director of TCHRD, spoke on the Human Rights condition inside Tibet. He explain how the Chinese Constitution is an eye wash for the world and how everything in reality is controlled by Communist Party of China. He also spoke in detail about the ongoing human rights violations in Tibet and the deaths in prisons and the imprisoned Tibetans. Later in the evening Mrs Asha Reddy spoke about her experience and views on Tibet and the Tibetan issues. She stated that Tibetans need to take their struggle seriously and not weakened by complacency. She further stated that she is encouraged and assured by seeing the dedication, patriotism and sacrifice demonstrated by the young Tibetans. She also assured that Tibetan Struggle has become hers too.
Later in the evening, Mr Kalsang Phuntsok, President of Tibetan Youth Congress spoke on the topic; TYC and the Tibetan Freedom Struggle. He delved on the Organization, its contribution and further relevance for ongoing and future Tibetan Freedom Struggle. He also stated that TYC is a major platform for the youths to serve the Tibetan cause. This was followed by a talent competition between the participants and between the groups. The talent exhibition included song and dance and speech making etc.
The last day was started by a talk on Motivation and Personality Development and public relation skills etc by Mr Vishvanathan, Corporate and Administrator Trainer and a Motivational Speaker. Mr Vishvanathan, who is also Trustee of Moral Re-Armament of Pune, was also a freedom fighter and a student leader based in Bangalore. He trained the participants on the nuance of Public speaker, leader and a human being who is confident, knows what you want and express likewise. His moving, powerful and effective speech moved the entire participants into frenzy of questions and discussions. The afternoon saw a talk on Chinas Diplomacy and International Campaign etc by Mr Mohan Guruswamy, Chairman, Center for Alternative Studies, New Delhi. Mr. Swamy besides speaking on Strategic and Chinese diplomacy etc warned that, India cannot fight Tibetan Freedom war. Tibetans must fight themselves. Others will only support.
Mr Tempa Tsering, Minister of Dept. of Information and International Relations attended a brief closing ceremony of the Training in the evening, as the chief guest. In his speech, he emphasised that Tibetans in exile should work harder and contribute more for the Tibetan freedom struggle given the freedom and facilities here. And must employ to use the knowledge, skills and inspirations received from the present Youth Leadership Training conducted by the TYC. Thus concluded successfully the 4th Major Youth Leadership Training 2007.
In its 37 years of existence, TYC has successfully produced numerous dynamic and efficient leaders to serve the Tibetan Community who continue to play consistent and vital role in the political and social life of the Tibetans in the exile Community. In fact, TYC, not only serve the Tibetan Cause but also nurture young leaders of Tibetan Community. Therefore, TYC considers the Youth Leadership Training as a significant means of realising these objectives so that the Tibetan Struggle could be synergized with the youth power.
This year, we are especially happy and overwhelmed with the fact that we have received the support of over 18 eminent scholars and experts across India, to spearhead the present Youth Leadership Training with their precious knowledge, expertise, insight and wisdom. This is, of course, the high points of the present TYLT, which would do wonders to the future leaders of Tibet. We, therefore, thank all our resource persons for sparing their invaluable time and concern for Tibet and the Tibetans. RANGZEN
Issued by: Tibetan Youth Congress
13th January, 2007
