DHARAMSHALA: Human Rights desk, Department of Information and International Relations organised a drawing and essay competition at Sherab Gatsel Lobling to mark the 21st anniversary of enforced disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, one of the most revered religious leaders in Tibet. Till date, his whereabouts and well-being remain unknown.
Chief guest Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary of International Relations distributed prizes to the winner of essay and drawing competition, themed as ‘Remembering 21 years of Enforced Disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’.
In his keynote speech, the Secretary asserted vital role of the Panchen Lama lineage in preservation of Tibetan culture, tradition and language. The 10th Panchen Lama in particular, played a significant role and he further emphasised the 70,000-character petition forwarded by 10th Panchen Lama to the Chinese Government.
He said, “It is important to know the special relationship between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama called as the tutor-student relation. The elder has responsibility to recognise the reincarnation of the younger.”
“The case of Panchen Lama is not only a story of an innocent six-year old child disappeared for 20 years, it is a blatant symptom of human rights violation, political repression and lack of religious freedom.”
He briefly talked about the reincarnation of 11th Panchen Lama. “Armed with Beijing’s approval, the head of the Panchen Lama search committee, Chadrel Rinpoche, maintained private communication with the Dalai Lama in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable candidate for both the Dalai Lama and Beijing authorities. After the Dalai Lama named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th incarnation of the Panchen Lama on 14 May 1995. Within three days of the announcement, he was abducted, making him one of the youngest political prisoners in the world. Chinese authorities had Chadrel Rinpoche arrested and charged with treason later,” he added.
Mr Dawa Tsering, Headmaster of Sherab Gatsel Lobling school delivered a vote of thanks.
A documentary on Panchen Lama’s disappearance Tibet’s Stolen Child was screened to students and staff of the school.