By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 21: The Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association (ITFA) along with the Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Office today organized a Tibet awareness gathering at the main square of McLeod Ganj and a mass cleaning of the town.
With an aim to aware more local residents and tourists on the current situation in Tibet, an open awareness gathering was organized, said Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Advisor to ITFA, and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament.
“People from all over the world come here, and express support to the Tibetan cause. However, the local residents do not hold much concern or interest. If they really respect His Holiness the Dalai Lama as they say, they should be the first ones to come out to extent their support,” he said.
He also added that anyone from a vegetable vendor to a cobbler can support and that it should not necessarily be someone holding a high post or an influential person.
The Directors of Dharamshala International Film Festival, Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam also participated in the event. The duo appreciated the clean up event and lauded the initiative.
The clean up campaign started from the main square till St. John’s Church and the premises of Theckchen Choeling, residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“His Holiness often speaks on the importance of environment. Therefore, I urge everyone to keep good cleanliness around their homes, restaurants, and hotels and more importantly cleanliness of our hearts and minds,” said Ajay Singh Mankotia, President of ITFA. “So through this program lets try to clean our city and clean ourselves.”
Today’s date also marks the day when Chinese troops attacked India in 1962 leading to a brief war. Acharya Yeshi Phunstok reminded how the occupation of Tibet has led to various border and river issues with neighboring countries India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
