DHARAMSHALA: Tibetans and supporters of the just cause of Tibet around the world on 10 December celebrated the 24th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel peace prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and observed the World Human Rights Day.

Four Kalons of the Central Tibetan Administration attended the celebrations with members of the Tibetan communities and supporters in different parts of Europe. Religion and Culture Kalon Pema Chhinjor, Home Kalon Dolma Gyari, Finance Kalon Tsering Dhondup, DIIR Kalon Dicki Chhoyang and Heath Kalon Dr Tsering Wangchuk joined the Tibetan communities and supporters in Belgium, Italy, Paris, the Netherlands and Germany respectively.

Kalon Dolma Gyari who arrived in the Italian city of Torino on 9 December spoke at a public conference on Life of Tibetans living in Tibet and in exile.
 
On the International Human Rights Day on 10 December, Kalon Dolma Gyari met with Mr Valerio Cattaneo, the president of the Regional Council of Piedmont Region and Mr Gianpiero Leo, the president of the Regional Association for Human Rights and Tibet and other councillors of the assembly. 
 
Mr Bruno Mellano and Mrs Rosanna Degiovanni of Radical Party accompanied Kalon Dolma Gyari. During their meeting, President Valerio Cattaneo expressed the solidarity with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people.
 
Kalon Gyari also met with Mr Silvio Magliano, the Vice-President of the Municipality Council of Torino city.
 
During a short visit on 10 December evening to Cuneo, the capital of Province of Cuneo, she met President Mrs Gianna Gancia of the Province and Mayor of Cuneo Municipality Mr Federico Borgna. They both expressed support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people.

Meanwhile, Kalon Tsering Dhondup of the Department of Finance joined the celebration of the 24th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Paris. The event was jointly organised by the Tibetan Community in France and the Office of Tibet in Paris.

The celebration brought together members of the various Tibet supports groups in France and Mr Patrick Bloche, a member of French Parliament, who also serves as the Vice President of the Tibet Group in the French lower house, and Senator Andre Gattolin representing the Senate Tibet Group in France’s Senate.

Addressing the gathering, Kalon Tsering Dhundup underlined the need for a co-ordinated and unified approach among the various French Tibet support groups towards raising the issue of Tibet at national and international forums.

Kalon Tsering Dhundup underscored the importance of the preservation of Tibetan culture and language, which he said is inherently inspired by basic human values, such as compassion and warm-heartedness that need to be treasured. He spoke on the Central Tibetan Administration’s firm belief and faith in the democratically adopted Middle Way Approach, as the most pragmatic and viable path towards the resolution of Tibet issue. He also met with the executive members of the Tibetan community in France to discuss of certain issues of our common interest.

Mr Ngodup Dorjee, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for EU, read out the Kashag’s statement on the occasion.

Mr Patrick Bloche, a member of French Parliament from the ruling party and a long time supporter of Tibet, also addressed the gathering.

Over 30 French members of Tibet support groups representing various associations had earlier gathered to discuss on strengthening of coordination among the group and to chalk out future course of action in view of the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet.

The Office of Tibet and Taiwan Tibetan Association jointly organised a week-long exhibition on Tibet on the occasion. Over 30 panels are on display, which showcase the unique history, culture, language and religion, the current situation in Tibet in view of the wave of self-immolation protest by over 123 Tibetans, and the efforts made by the Tibetan leadership in exile to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue with China.

“The exhibition was held at Taipei’s liberty square near Chiang Kaishek memorial hall, one the areas frequently visited by tourists from the mainland China. It was organised to seek global intervention to end repression in Tibet and to draw the attention of our Chinese brothers and sisters to know the truth about of the issue of Tibet and the current situation prevailing there,” Representative Dawa Tsering told Tibet.Net.

In Russia, Buddhists, friends and supporters of Tibet and Tibetans gathered in capital Moscow to commemorate the day. The event in Moscow was jointly organized by Tibet Culture & Information Center, an official agency of Central Tibetan Administration, Lama Tsongkhapa Center, and Tibet House in Moscow.

The ceremony began with the long-life prayer service for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and it was led by Geshe Jampa Thinley, spiritual teacher of the Je Tsongkhapa  Buddhist Organisation in Russian Federation. Addressing the gathering, Dr Nawang Rabgyal, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative to Russia, spoke about the significance of the event, the noble activities and the three main commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He then read out the statement of the Kashag in Russian. It was followed by a speech by Mrs. Nadya Berkengeym, vice-president of Moscow-based Tibet House, who spoke on the current human rights situation in occupied-Tibet.

Russian and Kalmyk artists presented cultural songs and dances in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In three traditional Buddhist Republics in Russian Federation, Tibetans and friends also celebrated the event with prayers and cultural performances.

Tibetans leaving in Darjeeling in northeastern India organised a function at the Central School for Tibetans to mark the momentous day.

Two senior Indian officials in the region, Mr Kunal Aggarwal, Superintendent of Police and Mr Gopal Lama, Additional District Magistrate, joined the function.
 
In her address, the Tibetan Settlement Officer expressed gratitude to the people and government of India for their generosity, hospitality and their unflinching support to the Tibetan refugees for the last many years.

The Indian and Tibetan community jointly celebrated the 24th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Suja.

Speaking on the occasion, His Eminence Ringu Tulku, head lama of Palyul Choekhorling Monastery Bir, who is also a Patron of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Bir-Chauntra, underlined the importance of Indo-Tibetan relations and how it would benefit both the community in knowing each other much better.

Mr Pankaj Jamwal, President, Bar Association, Jogindernagar, assured that they would work hard to involve more Indian members to participate in this association in the near future. He is elected as the president of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association.

The recently formed Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Bir-Chauntara, has 14 executive members, including 8 Indians and 6 Tibetans. Till date, around 100 Indian members have joined this association. The association aims to bring peace, cordial relationship between Tibetan and Indian communities, and to gather more support for the peaceful freedom struggle of Tibet.

Mr Tsering Phuntsok, Settlement Officer of Dege, thanked the people and government of India for their support to the Tibetans.

Staff members and students of TCV Suja presented cultural performances on the occasion.