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Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Ajay Singh, Committee Chief and President of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association and Settlement Officer Kunga Tsering at the press conference, 9 December 2019.
Dharamshala: The Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association and the Tibetan Settlement Office, Dharamshala is organising the 24th Himalayan festival from 10 to 11 December at Dharamshala.
The Himalayan festival is a joint initiative of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association and the Tibetan Settlement Office, Dharamshala. The festival was started in 1995 to commemorate the international recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s peace initiatives with the prestigious Nobel Prize for peace on 10 December 1989. It is aimed at bringing different cultures and people across the Himalayas on a common forum, and foster understanding, appreciation, exchanges, and dialogue among the people of the region.
Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Deputy-Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Committee Chief and President of ITFA Mr Ajay Singh and the Settlement Officer Kunga Tsering addressed on the initiative at a press conference on 9 December.
Settlement Officer Kunga Tsering began by greeting the attendees present during the announcement of the 24th Himalayan festival. He introduced the chief-guests and then invited them to speak briefly about the event.
Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok detailed the history and achievements of the ITFA in garnering closer partnership between Tibetan and Indian people and mobilising support for the Tibetan cause. He also gave an overview of ITFA’s activities year-round which include panel discussions on the missing Panchen Lama, environment conservation in accordance with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wishes, essay writing competition in Indian schools on the achievements of the Dalai Lama and Tibet’s environment and Himalayan environment and other social service commitments.
The Deputy Speaker described the nature of work and involvements as essentially to extend political support to the Tibetan cause and secondly, as communities coexisting together- Tibetans and Indians-strengthening the mutual support between the two people.
He also gave a brief account of the fund sources for the Himalayan festival which are supported by the CTA, state government, Tibetan community and local Indian businesses that amounted to about 7- 8 lakhs.
“In the initial years, Indian supporters of Tibet and the Office of the Dalai Lama had gathered donations among themselves to celebrate the conferring of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Dalai Lama. However, the committee for ITFA did not accept any remuneration even for costs incurred for expenses on invitation cards, documents and announcements. They volunteered out of support for Tibetans and the Dalai Lama,” he said.
He further expressed his admiration for the diversity of cultural and artistic expressions at the Himalayan Festival.
“Whether from outside the state or country, the festival is open for everyone. The purpose of this festival was to promote and spread the distinct cultural traditions practised among various ethnic groups.” The Festival is also participated by renowned businesses as sponsors including Mahindra, Bajaj and SJVN.
The 24th Himalayan Festival is expected to be presided by important Indian state dignitaries as well as the President of Central Tibetan Administration and dignitaries.
Mr Ajay Singh, the Committee Chief of the ITFA said that with the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the labours of the organizers are bearing fruit. More than the total 30 troupes have applied for participation, exceeding the limit for participants.
He emphasized how the festival should reach all the different corners of India and across and create awareness on the cause of Tibet. He noted that awareness on the Tibetan cause is virtually unknown among some Indians due to the lack of media coverage and other factors.
The press conference concluded with the Settlement Officer’s vote of thanks.
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Shri Ajay Singh, Committee Chief and President of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association addressing the press conference, 9 December 2019.