Bylakuppe: The Department of Information and International Relations successfully completes the week-long Umaylam (Middle Way Approach) Awareness Outreach Program in Bangalore, Mysore, and Bylakuppe. The program was primarily designed to create awareness about Umaylam, the official Policy of the Central Tibetan Administration to resolve the Sino-Tibet Conflict through negotiations.

The Awareness Outreach Program includes an introductory talk on the Middle Way Approach by Parliamentarian Mingyur Dorjee who has served for 37 years in various posts in the Central Tibetan Administration, followed by an awareness workshop by Tibet Advocacy Section staff Tenzin Kunkhen and Rinchen.

In Bangalore on 10 May, the awareness program kicked off at the Dalai Lama Institute of Higher Education, Bangalore where parliamentarian Mingyur Dorjee spoke to the participants about the nature, evolution, achievements and importance of the Middle Way Policy as the official policy of the Central Tibetan Administration. The speaker also answered the questions and doubts of the participants at the end of the talk. Following the talk, participants actively participated in the workshop consisting of group discussions, activities and presentations. A total of 47 students took part in the workshop. On the evening of that day, a public talk was delivered by the parliamentarian which was attended by 90 staff and students of the institution.

The Umaylam Awareness Outreach Program in Mysore was held on 13 and 14 May and was attended by around 40 Tibetan students studying at different colleges. In Bylakuppe, the two-day outreach program was held at TCV Bylakuppe on 15 and 16 May for the students of class XI. A total of 63 students actively took part in the workshop.  The Umaylam Outreach program concludes with public talks at the Tibetan settlement.

On the morning of 16 May, parliamentarian Mingyur Dorjee spoke on the origin, nature and importance of the Middle Way Policy to the Tibetan public of the Lugsam Tibetan Settlement, Bylakuppe. Around 90 people, including elders and youth, attended the event. In the afternoon, the Tibetan public of Dekyi Larso Settlement gathered in the community hall for a similar talk on Umaylam. The speaker gave a brief introduction on the origin and background of the Middle Way Policy and enlightened the public on the importance and achievements of the Policy. The afternoon program was attended by around 80 Tibetan people.

-Filed by the Middle Way Desk, Tibet Advocacy Section, DIIR