Submitted by Chhime R. Chhoekyapa
The late Panchen Rinpoche’s daughter, Rinzin Wangmo la (age-20) is currently on a ten-day visit to Switzerland. Her mother, Mrs. Dechen Wangmo (Li Jie) and a Tibetan Nima Tsewang are accompanying her.
In Switzerland they also met with officials of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC).
On Saturday evening, 20th September, Rinzin Wangmo la attended a Tibetan Concert organised by the Regional U-tsang Committee in Switzerland. Mr. Tashi D. Wanghang is its President.
The artistes included Mr. Tsering Gyurme (Tsawai Lama) from Nepal and four from Switzerland, namely, Tsegon Yari, Ms Sonam P. Kharigtsang, Ms Drukmo and Tersey Tsering Phuntsok.
The hall was overflowing with over 500 Tibetans – both young and old – who seemed to have an enjoyable evening. To cap the successful evening, Rinzin Wangmo la spoke to the Tibetans gathered on this occasion. She said that she was very thrilled to be among fellow Tibetans. She said her father the late Panchen Rinpoche had worked very hard for the preservation of Tibetan culture and for their well-being as a result of which he was imprisoned for over 10 years. She further told the adoring crowd that not only was she proud to be the daughter of the 10th Panchen Rinpoche but at the same time, when she was very young, she had also promised herself that she would continue her father’s efforts to unite people, develop Tibetan culture and promote world peace.
In addition to the Abbot of Rikon Tibet Institute, Ven. Phuntsok Tashi, Representative Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, and Jampa T. Samdho, President of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland, representatives of various other Tibetans organisations also greeted her.
Representative Chhime Rigzing Chhoekyapa in his brief speech paid tribute to the courageous contribution of the late Panchen Rinpoche and pointed out that it was very auspicious that Rinzin Wangmo la was able to meet with and speak to many Tibetans gathered that evening. It might be recalled that three days before his mysterious death in 1989, the late Panchen Rinpoche had told a public gathering that the destruction of Tibet far outweighed any benefits that the Tibetans might have received following China’s invasion and occupation of Tibet.
