By Tenzin Tsering
Bylakuppe, Aug 30: Hundreds of Tibetan delegates from all over the world that are participating in the first Tibetan General Meeting in Bylakuppe, the largest Tibetan settlement in India, voiced their concerns over problems plaguing the people under their purview, and sought solutions to these challenges.
The Tibetan General Meeting — which is on the lines of the special meeting of 2008 that drew hundreds of Tibetan delegates representing all aspects of the exiled Tibetan diaspora – is being organized by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, in an effort to explore ways to reform the exile government’s policies. The ongoing meeting saw over 300 Tibetan representatives meet and express their opinions on a wide array of issues, including policy, promotion of democracy and education, sustenance of Tibetan settlements and status of Tibetans living in foreign countries, among others.
The delegates, who were divided into eight sub-committees, met from August 26 to August 29 to brainstorm ideas as well as discuss pertinent issues. They are currently in a joint session wherein each sub-committee would voice their respective resolutions, consider the issues raised by the different groups and come to a conclusion before the closing ceremony of the meeting that will be presided over by the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The sub-committees discussed issues ranging from the threat to the preservation of Tibetan culture, especially among the younger generation, to the viability of Tibetan settlements, to the difficulty that Tibetans in the West face in obtaining a ‘Green book’ that is issued by the Tibetan exile government.
Pema Jungney, Member of the Parliament-in-exile, speaking on behalf of the sub-committee on “Sustenance of Tibetan settlements,” said his committee was recommending the establishment of a research office in the settlements to investigate the decline in the three primary means of livelihood in Tibetan settlements, namely agriculture, vocational and handicrafts industry.
Separately, International Support Network’s Tsering Choedup said the sub-group on “Status of Tibetans living in foreign lands other than India, Nepal and Bhutan” is calling upon the Department of Education to look into and address the recent phenomenon concerning the deterioration of Tibetan values among exiled Tibetans, as well as the lack of cultural understanding, especially among the younger generation in the West.
Local Tibetans in Bylakuppe are cautiously optimistic about the meeting. While one resident of the south Indian settlement welcomed the democratic spirit of the meeting, saying “This is a very important opportunity for all Tibetan citizens who through their representatives can express their views to the government,” another hoped the “big meeting” will give tangible results, adding it would otherwise be a “…waste of time and money for the organizers and also for us.”
The Tibetan General Meeting will formally conclude on August 31, following which a traditional long life prayer offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be organized by local Tibetans at Sera Monastery.
On September 2, Tibetans will commemorate the 50th founding anniversary of Tibetan democracy, during which the Tibetan parliament, on behalf of the Tibetan people, will honour His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a ‘Golden Seal’ for leading the Tibetan freedom struggle and for establishing democracy in Tibetan polity. Over 30 parliament members from 14 different countries, legislators of Karnataka and local dignitaries will also attend the event.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on September 3, is set to visit the schools and monasteries located in the settlement.
