Leh, Ladakh: As part of the last-day engagements in Ladakh, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration met with prominent government officials and addressed the Tibetan community of Ladakh at Sonamling community hall on 16 July 2024.
In the morning, Sikyong made a courtesy call on the honourable Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri B.D Mishra, and interacted with him in a closed-door meeting, which was preceded by meetings with Ladakh’s Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Dr S.D. Singh Jamal (IPS), and other important officials.
Later that afternoon, Sikyong addressed the Tibetan residents of Ladakh in the fully packed community hall.
Chief Representative Officer (CRO) Dhondup Tashi presented the annual report of the CRO office and delivered the welcome speech, extending his greetings to the aides of Sikyong from Dharamshala and congratulating Central Tibetan Administration for the recent enactment of the “Resolve Tibetan Act” into law of the nation.
In his keynote address, Sikyong Penpa Tsering stressed that his entourage approached the respective office of the Ladakh UT administration to apprise them of the grievances of the Tibetan settlers of Ladakh and seek their assistance in enhancing their welfare. He succinctly briefed his official visits and engagements over the past several days.
While acknowledging the support accorded by the government of Ladakh UT, Sikyong implored the gathering to abide by the law and directions of both the local administration and the Central Tibetan Administration.
In addition, Sikyong credited His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the vibrant and unparalleled exile-Tibetan community and declared his Kashag’s firm commitment to following His Holiness’ noble guidance and farsighted visions. Given that the younger generation was informed about the geopolitical and strategic significance of the Tibetan plateau, Sikyong underscored the potency of Tibet’s altitude and water resources in bringing about harmony in the Asian regions. Hence, he said that as Tibet is sandwiched between the two of most prominent and most populated countries of the world i.e. India and China, protection of and conversion of Tibet a land of peaceful zone would have a tremendous advantages to the world that otherwise would cause a considerable disturbances in global politics and harmony. He further added Tibet’s Buddhist tradition to promote peace across the globe.
Given the absence of political space for Tibetans inside Tibet, Sikyong talked about the violation of human rights inside Tibet that has resulted in an unprecedented number of self-immolations that, too, belong to mostly younger generations. The systematic eradication of Tibet’s unique identity through forced enrolment of younger Tibetans into state-run colonial-style boarding schools and the CCP’s misappropriation and intervention in the Tibetan Buddhist system were also discussed in his talk. In light of that, Sikyong shared his concerns over the recent closure of an acclaimed Tibetan private school in Golog under groundless accusation.
Hence, to inform the gathering on 16th Kashag’s political and administrative endeavours, Sikyong said his administration has strategised to counter China’s false narratives on Tibet and its past independent status. He said the current Kashag considers informing the larger international communities of factual information about Tibet’s past status and current situations. Hence, Sikyong recommended publications by Professor Michael Vaan Walt Praag and Chinese Professor Lao to familiarise themselves with Tibet’s truth.
He added that it is of utmost importance for Tibetans to know more about their history and political status to advocate for Tibet. To strengthen and advance Tibet’s freedom struggle, Sikyong discouraged Tibetans from falling into petty factional infighting over differentiations in political views and, instead, urged both Umawa (middle way) and Rangenpa (independent) advocates to work together to pave a common path till the “river bank to cross it.” Having said that, Sikyong lauded every individual involved in the successful approval of the “Resolve Tibet Act”, the provisions of which have a future for both sides of advocates. “Our Kashag has prioritised working in alliance with the interest of collaborating nations to benefit both parties.
Regarding Kashag’s administrative policies, “We are dedicated to laying an actionable and efficient administrative structure at Central Tibetan Administration to allow upcoming Tibetan leaders to pour their whole energies into political undertakings. He said, “We have already ploughed the administration in Dharamshala, and we are ready to be seen and grow,” with fruitful results in the future. About undertakings the CTA has thus far achieved, Sikyong said we have digitised many elements of the administrative formats and gathered actionable statistics of the exile community for future planning. “We are committed to meeting the needs of every exile populace but are not in a capacity to satisfy the wants of someone.”
The president of the local Tibetan assembly delivered a vote of thanks at the end.
Sikyong later partook in laying the foundation of the TCV children’s village, which CRO Dhondup Tashi also attended.