By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, August 15: The Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay expressed his greetings to the people of India on the 68th independence day of India. At a brief ceremony held at the Kashag Secretariat, Sangay unfurled the Indian national tricolour amidst the singing of the Indian national anthem. Senior officials of the Tibetan government in exile were also present at the ceremony.
Speaking to reporters at the Kashag, Sangay congratulated the people of India around the world on their independence day and wished “success” for the new government. “Tibetans all over India and around the world are celebrating 68th anniversary of India’s Independence Day because the Indian freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi was an inspiration for the Tibetans. Today marks the first 15th August for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and on behalf of all the Tibetans, I wish Shri Narendra Modi and his team of cabinet a very successful term because we always see success for India as success for the Tibetans.”
“The aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet is that His Holiness the Dalai Lama returns to Tibet and freedom be restored one day and we hope it will be soon and when that day happens, Tibetans inside and outside will be united as one, and we will also celebrate in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa,” said Sangay.
Following the ceremony, Sangay attended the official Independence Day celebrations at the Police Ground in lower Dharamshala and left for Ludhiana where he will preside over a meeting of Tibetan sweater sellers and Ludhiana Lalas (Dealers of woolen garments) tomorrow.
Regional chapters of Tibetan Women’s Association, Tibetan Youth Congress and Students for a Free Tibet, India also celebrated the 68th independence day of India.
“My ancestors struggled hard everyday for many years to win independence for my country, where I enjoy freedom today,” said Jyotsna Sarah George, Campaigns Director of Students for a Free Tibet-India. “Today, we remember those who fought for freedom, with a firm belief in the principles of non-violence. As an Indian, I find it my responsibility to take their spirit of resistance forward by standing in solidarity with the Tibetan freedom movement, also grounded in non-violent resistance.”
Tibetan Children’s Village and Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala also celebrated the day.
