Under the banner of Core Group for Tibet Cause, Indo-Tibet Friendship Society and India Tibet Coordination office organized a two days’ seminar (9th – 10th Oct, 2004) on Tibet: Kailash Mansarovar at the Social Development Centre in Ranchi.
Mr Vipin Bihari Sinha Freedom Fighter and former Member of Legislative Council chaired the opening function of the seminar. Other renowned persons present at the seminar were Shri. Bashisht Narayan Singh Rajya Sabha Member, Ven Yungdrung Gyaltsen-Member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Prof Anand Kumar and Dr Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, National Co-Convener of Core Group and Dr. Shravan Kumar Goswami – a renowned novelist. Around 200 representatives from Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa attended the seminar.
The meeting began with a beautiful welcome dance by members of the Potala Tibetan Sweater Market, Ranchi. Mr. Surinder Kumar, the Co-Convener of Eastern Region welcomed all the participants. This was followed by the speeches of other dignitaries.
Rajya Sabha Member and the Convener of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, Mr. Bashisht Narayan thanked the Core group and said, “Tibetans are getting world wide support for their cause that would make China realize the demand of present age of globalization.” He further went on to inform that parliamentary groups have been formed in as many as 31 countries to bring China on the negotiating table with the Dharamsala based Tibetan Government-in-Exile. He believed that both India and Tibet are equal sufferers of the Chinese aggression.
Ven. Yungdrung Gyaltsen, Member of Tibetan Parliament said, “The presence of large number of Chinese army and nuclear missile base in Tibet has turned this once peaceful buffer state between two Asian giant into the most dangerous zone”. While urging the Indian Government to continue their help and support to the issue of Tibet, he said “India being home to more than one lakh Tibetan in Exile and World’s Largest Democracy could help negotiate with China”.
Prof Anand Kumar also highlighted his views on the issue. He believed that the prosperity of India is basically associated with the freedom of Tibet. Ending his address on a positive note he said, “the struggle for Tibet’s independence will soon succeed.” Dr Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri echoed similar views and asked the mass to recognize the true threat to India.
In the evening all the participants and members of Potala Tibetan market took out solidarity march carrying Tibetan and Indian flags, and play cards with slogans like “ Free Tibet: Save Kailash Manasrovar” and “long live India Tibet Friendship” etc. The march started from the Social Development Centre and took round of Albert Eikka Chowk (built in memory of renowned war hero) and returned back to seminar venue.
On the 2nd day of the seminar, participants discussed the threadbare Tibetan issue and passed following resolutions:
- East Zone Indian Tibet Support Groups meet in Ranchi calls upon the Government ofIndia;
- To recognize the Tibetan Government-in-Exile as the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people without any further delay
- To prominently raise the issue of Tibet at both National and International platforms
- To create political pressure over the People’s Republic of China to start a substantive dialogue with the Tibetan Government-in-Exile without any pre-conditions.
- Calls upon the President, Parliament and Government of India to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address the Indian Parliament. This will not only increase the prestige of the tradition of dialogue with eminent international figures in the Parliament House but also strengthen the path of truth, non-violence and peace.
- Calls upon the Indian Government to hold immediate talks with the People’s Republic of China to re-establish the traditional way of pilgrimage to the Kailash Mansarovar, which was free of any charges and restrictions to all the devotees.
At the concluding session, apart from National Co-conveners and Regional Convener of the Core Group, Shri. Sarju Rai (MLC) State BJP Leader, Shri. Vednath Mishra Chief Editor Prabhat Khabar (the most circulated newspaper) and Shri. Sudendu Member Khadi Com. Certification Committee presided over the function and expressed their support for the cause of Tibet.
The seminar had wide coverage in print as well as electronic media. Prominent papers of the region covered both the days’ programs. Doordarshan T.V. channel also gave good coverage of the seminar.
Working committee of Tibetan Potala Sweater Market, Ranchi extended their best possible cooperation and assistance in making the seminar a successful event.
