By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 27: President of the Central Tibetan Administration (Sikyong) Dr. Lobsang Sangay was awarded the ‘Mahatma Hansraj Gaurav Samman’ for his ‘stellar contributions to the cause of Tibet as an expert on International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution’ at Hansraj College’s 70th Foundation Day on Wednesday.
An alumnus of the college, Sangay was awarded a citation and a copy of his signed admission form as a souvenir. The award wishes him ‘greater laurels’ and more ‘esteemed future’. While accepting the award, he said, “For me to be here and to receive the award means a lot because this award reflects the generosity of Hansraj since I was not necessarily a good student and had a poor attendance record. So I accept this award with humility.”
He, however, added that he was not bunking the classes to watch movies but working for the Tibetan cause. He jokingly said that if the attendance record of the Chanakyapuri police station near the Chinese Embassy and the college’s were combined his record would be 100 percent.
Acknowledging the college’s contribution towards him becoming the President, he said, “I would like to thank the college because while I was here for three years, Hansraj gave me the passion and freedom to do the things that I wanted to do for the Tibetan cause.”
“At a bigger level, this (award) reflects the generosity of India, this great country, because no other country has done for Tibetan people, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause than this great Government and People of India,” he said.
While referring to fellow alumnus and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who was also conferred the same award; Sikyong reminded the minister, who is an important part of the Modi Administration, that the ‘Tibetan movement’ is the original ‘Make in India’. “We follow the Gandhian principle of Ahimsa, Indian democracy in our (exile) parliament and most of the present leaders in the administration were born, brought up and educated in India,” he said.
He also added that it would be a success of India’s Ahimsa, democracy and education if the Tibetans succeed. Confident of achieving success, President Sangay added that the contributions of this ‘great nation’ towards Tibet’s success would be written in history.
President Sangay studied English Literature at Hansraj College from 1988 – 1991.
