DHARAMSHALA: Four new Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) are formed in Bir/Chauntra, Mandi, Rewalsar and Kullu Manali areas of Himachal Pradesh, India. The Tibet Support Groups are formed under the initiative of Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Mr. Dolkar Kyap, with the coordination of the local Tibetan settlement offices.

The new Tibet Support Groups are Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Bir, Chauntra and Jogindernagar; Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Mandi and Sundernagar; Tibet Support Group, Rewalsar; and Tibet Support Group Kullu/Manali. The Presidents of these TSGs are Shri. Pankaj Jamwal, Mrs. Sushila Shunkla, Shri. Bansi Lal and Mrs. Chemi Dolma respectively.

The TSGs were set up in these 4 areas of Himachal Pradesh for the first time with the sincere efforts of Tibetan settlement office & Tibetans and local Indians living in the area. The members of these TSGs expressed their support and genuine concern towards the issue of Tibet. The Himalayas are the source of water to the other states of India, they said.

The Tibet Support Groups are formed especially to work towards finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Tibet. It is also to raise the issue at national and international level. The groups will work to strengthen the Tibetan struggle movement at the local and regional level. They will also work towards maintaining cordial and friendly relations between Tibetans and local Indians.

The groups will organise events and activities such as seminars, conference, protest rallies etc. to express their solidarity and support for the just cause of Tibet. They will also organise cultural exchange programs in the coming years.

In India there are over 20 TSGs with various chapters, both at the national & regional level. Their primary purpose is to focus on finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Tibet.

Ven. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, who was on an official visit to these areas, met the leaders and members of these support groups. In his speech, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok said that India and Tibet is one of the closest neighboring countries. Tibet shares trade relations with India prior to its independence. Tibetan Buddhism which is spread all over the world is a gift of the great Indian masters who had visited Tibet in the past, he said.

Tibet’s environment have direct implications to the downstream Asian countries specially India. The issue of Tibet is an international issue,and to a large extent, it is also India’s own national interest, he added.

He even stated that many Indian leaders have sincerely and genuinely supported the Tibet cause and raised the issue in the Indian Parliament during early days of India’s independence.

Report filed by: India Tibet Co-ordination Office (ITCO), Delhi