By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 7: The largest pro-independence group of the Tibetan Diaspora celebrated its 47th year of inception here today with the gesture of remembering martyrs who had sacrificed their lives and exhibited selflessness while struggling for Tibet over the years, being the main agenda during the proceedings.
The President of the Tibetan Youth Congress while recounting the nearly five decades of TYC history acknowledged the contribution and the ground work laid by the older generation and the leadership of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He said, “TYC has now reached a stage where Tibetans from both inside and outside Tibet trusts the organization and the Chinese government view us as a threat.”
The commemoration of TYC’s founding day saw the 2015 edition of the “Tibetan Martyrs Memorial Cup” conclude with finals of the basketball tournament for both men and women contingents vying for the annual honor of being Champions. In the women’s final, Ex- TCV Suja team beat the Mentsekhang team in a low scoring game albeit a very defensive game from both sides.
The men’s final was retained by last year’s Champion Nomad club who beat the Bodthuk team with an eventful four quarters of basketball. Nomad club was crowned the Champion, two years in succession with a final score of 86 points against the 68 points scored by a physical Bodthuk team who had three players marked down with 5 fouls each. The hard fought match was reminiscent of TYC’s journey over the years with passion, anger, laughter and fighting spirit exhibited during the course of the match. The tournament was organized by TYC Dharamshala.
Besides guests such as Dept. of Home Under- Secretary Ngawang Yonten, Dhasa CRO, executive members of the TYC Headquarters and the heads of various NGO’s, a vibrant and divided crowd of over 500 Tibetans cheered emphatically for their teams.
TYC is a nongovernmental organization that strives for an independent Tibet with over 30,000 members spread all over the world from New York to Darjeeling. The organization was founded in the year 1970 on this very day in Dharamshala.
