Paris, 10 December : On the last day of her visit to France, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang attended the 25th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in Paris. Senator Andre Gattolin and Deputy Patrick Bloche also came to celebrate the occasion.

Speaking first in French and then in Tibetan to an over 700 strong audience, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang strongly urged the Tibetans to make efforts in preserving their language and culture.

Kalon Dicki Chhoyang specially underlined the important role that parents have in inculcating into their young children the Tibetan values and interest for their language and culture.

She also appealed the gathering to educate the young Tibetan children about the works and efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama while we celebrate the year 2014 as the “Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama”. She asked the parents and elders to engage with young Tibetans in retelling the story of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life, so that the legacy, vision and mission of the Great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet will be etched in the hearts and minds of Tibetans for generations to come.

To mark the occasion and to express gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his guidance and leadership, a photo exhibition was also organised on the life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, which was facilitated by Bureau du Tibet, Paris, with financial assistance from the Tibetan Community in France.

Senator Andre Gattolin and Deputy Patrick Bloche also addressed the gathering reaffirming their unflinching support to the Tibetan people and for the restoration of freedom and peace in Tibet.

The address was followed by presentation of Tibetan traditional performances by different cultural groups.

Earlier in the day, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang met with the members of Tibet Group in the National Assembly, French lower house. Mr. Jean-Patrick Gille and Mr. Noel Mamere, both members of the French Parliament and Co-Presidents of the Tibet Group chaired the meeting which was attended by another six members from the National Assembly and a senator apart from the assistants and representatives of other members who could not be present.

Kalon Dicki Chhoyang was also greeted by Deputy Sandrine Mezatier, the Vice President of the French National Assembly, before the meeting.

The meeting discussed on carrying forward the work of Tibet Group and to strengthen its presence in the house, by means of different initiatives.

Kalon had her lunch with the members of Tibet-China Alliance, a local Tibet-China Friendship group and discussed with them the ways and means to expand the Chinese Outreach programme of the Central Tibetan Administration.

She also gave an interview to the French national daly, Le Monde.