Indian students in New Delhi attend ‘A Day for Tibet’ event [Tuesday, 1 September 2009, 2:50 p.m.]

Kalon Tempa Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,  delivers a talk at Delhi College of Arts and Commerc/ITCO photo

Dharamshala: The schoolchildren and college students in New Delhi are dedicating their time for ‘A Day for Tibet’ program, a year-long event organised by India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Tibetans in exile and to pay gratitude to India.“This program is aimed to express our gratitude to the government and the people of India. It is also to create awareness about the issues of Tibet to the Indian students,” said Mr Tenzin Lekshey, ITCO’s coordinator based in New Delhi.The program features talks on Tibet, film screening and photo exhibition.Program at Delhi College of Arts and CommerceIndia Tibet Coordination Office and Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC) jointly organized ‘A Day for Tibet’ at DCAC Auditorium on 31 August 2009. The program started with the screening of ‘Thank You, India’ theme song presented by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts to commemorate “Thank You India: 50 Years of Tibetans in Exile”.Dr. M.S. Rawat, Principal of DCAC inaugurated the program with few lines on Tibet issues. Kalon Tempa Tsering, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke on Tibetans in Exile and outlined the the historical background of Tibetans refugees since 1959. He mentioned that India is a good host for the Tibetans for the past 50 years and had helped Tibetans in many ways to rehabilitate and educate the Tibetans. He also dealt upon the non-violent struggles of Tibetans during the early stage of exile in terms of psychological trauma and physical hardships.

Students of Dayanand Public School listen to a talk on the present   situation in Tibet

Mr. Tenzin Lekshay, Coordinator of India-Tibet Coordination Office spoke on the importance of marking this day for Tibet. He emphasised that it is not only to show our gratitude to the Indian public and her government but also to create awareness on Tibet which is very much needed for the Indian younger generation to understand. Later, ITCO presented several Tibet related books to the college. A film of His Serenity the Panchen Lama, “Tibet’s Stolen Child” was screened.This program was held with the support of History Department, DCAC and Mr. Arun, President of the History Association along with his colleagues coordinated this program.Dayanand Public School On 22 August 2009, ITCO organised a program in Dayanand Public School in Model Town-3, Delhi. The program was held in the school hall packed with students and staff. Students above class VI attended the program. The program began with the screening of ‘Thank You India’ song presented by Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Mr. Lobsang of ITCO spoke on Tibetan culture and Mr. Tenzin Lekshay, Coordinator, dealt on the present situation in Tibet.After the talk, a documentary film on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, A Compassion in Exile was shown.Photo exhibition was also displayed for the understanding of students.Mrs. Sandhir, the school principal, showed immense concerns on Tibet and agreed to carry on further awareness programs in the school in future.

Students of Green Fields School visit a photo exhibition on Tibet

Green Fields School On 19 August 2009, ITCO launched its first program of ‘A Day for Tibet’ in Green Fields School in Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi. All the class IX students (more than a hundred) attended the program along with teachers and headmistress Mrs. Bedi in the school auditorium. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile talked on Tibetan culture and Mr. Tenzin Lekshay, Coordinator, ITCO spoke on Sino-Tibetan relations.Photo exhibition on Tibet was on display and leaflets on Tibet was distributed to all the students.A Day for Tibet program is scheduled to held in Kamla Nehru College, Hindu College and Indian Institute of Mass Communication from 2 – 4 September.