Rajgir: India-Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) – one of the oldest Tibet Support Groups in India, held its 9th National Conference in the holy city of Rajgir in the state of Bihar for two days from 31 October to 1 November. The theme of the conference, “Save Tibet, Secure India”, discussed India-Tibet Friendship and the support for the freedom of Tibet.
The two-day conference was inaugurated by His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche (Former Kalon Tripa, Central Tibetan Administration and ITFS Patron) along with Kalon Norzin Dolma, CTA’s Department of Information and International Relations, Dr. Narendra Pathak, Representative of Bihar Government, Swami Basava Madara Chennaiah, and Dr Anand Kumar, ITFS National General Secretary at Rajgir.
International Convention Centre (RICC).
More than 150 members from all over the country attended the conference.
Dr. Anand Kumar, in his introductory address, commended India – Tibet Friendship Society for standing with truth and justice, adding it was their moral responsibility to support the Tibetan cause. He also shared the significance of Rajgir for the conference venue as the land of Nalanda tradition to which Tibet has a spiritual connection.
Kalon Norzin Dolma, in her address, appreciated the India-Tibet Friendship Society for organising the conference deliberating for the Tibetan cause. She expressed her gratitude to the successive Governments and the people of India for the kind support and help to Tibetans, including their contributions to safeguarding the Tibetan language, culture and religion for the last six decades. She highlighted the current developments in regard to Tibet and the steps being taken by the Central Tibetan Administration in garnering support and advocating for the Tibetan cause all around the world while stressing the importance of local-level support, capacity building and empowering of Tibet Support Groups for the
the greater cause of Tibet.
Noting the ITFS as one of the oldest organisations working for the Tibetan cause, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche commeded their morality and services. He emphasised the imperative need to ‘revive the ancient Indian knowledge’ as part of universal responsibility.
“Tibet issue is not an issue of a small country, but an issue of humanity. Gautam Buddha’s message of friendship and compassion is the only solution to the Tibet issue. Mahatma Gandhi’s path of truth and non-violence is the need for the freedom of Tibet,” said Rinpoche.
The gathering celebrated in advance the birthday of Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, who is highly regarded for being the patron of ITFS and one of the significant figures in the Tibetan freedom movement.
Dr. Narendra Pathak, a Representative of the Bihar Government, read the message of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the ocassion.
On the second day conference, Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Shri Shravan Kumar, Minister of Rural Development &Parliamentary Affairs, Bihar Government, presided.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, in his keynote address, shared the background of India-Tibet Friendship from socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan to the formation of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet by Madhu Limaye, which was further led by George Fernandes. To get a deeper understanding of the dire situation inside Tibet, Sikyong recommended the gathering, a book written in 1984 by George Orwell. He briefed the delegates about the legal status of Tibet under international law and his continued advocacy for Tibet internationally.
Minister Shravan Kumar assured his support for Tibet and to follow the footsteps of socialist leaders like Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaparakash Narayan, Madhu Limaye, George Fernandes and others who have ardently supported the cause.
Dr Vijay Kranti, an Expert and Supporter of Tibet, gave a virtual presentation on Tibet, highlighting the illegal occupation of Tibet by Communist China vis-a-vis the current situation of Tibet and the recent developments in regard to Tibet.
A panel discussion on India’s Tibet Policy/Himalayan Policy was held among distinguished members and delegates, with each presenting their points.
An organisational discussion on the report of the Central Committee, State Committee and Students’ and Women Forum was held, followed by state wise meeting.
The conference partook in the ITFS organizational restructuring and in adopting the Rajgir Declaration action plan.
The two-day conference concluded with the participants’ tour of Rajgir town.
-Reported by ITCO, New Delhi