Himalayan Region Underlines Tibet’s Autonomy for Peace in India

Saturday, 5 July 2008, 2:41 p.m.

(4th from right) Karma Chophel, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Kiren Rijiju, MP from Arunanchal Pradesh and National President of the Trans Himalayan Parliamentarians Forum, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal at a function in Shimla on 3 July, to mark the 94th year of the 1914 Shimla convention on Indo – Tibet border/Photo: Jigme Tsering, Tibet Museum, DIIR, CTA

Dharamshala: Hundreds of
delegates from the entire Himalayan region of India voiced their strong
support for peace and stability in Tibet, during the function marking
the 94th anniversary of Shimla convention signed to mark the boundary
between China, Tibet and India on 3 July 1914.

The Trans Himalayan Parliamentary Forum and the Himalayan Parivar
jointly organised the function at Peter Hoff in Shimla on 3 July. The
event was organised with an objective to raise the issue of Tibet on
the basis of the McMohan Line that was drawn 94 years ago at the
historic convention in Shimla.

Participants from Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti attended the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem
Kumar Dhumal said having peace and stability in the Himalayan region
was a must for ensuring India’s security for which Tibet’s autonomy was
a prerequisite.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pro Prem Kumar Dhumal (R) at a photo exhibition by Tibet Museum on Tibet’s rich history and culture, Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom, and their hopes for the future

He said it is only after India wholeheartedly supports
the Tibetan cause that the international community will raise its voice
in support of human rights violations inside Tibet.

He said peace inside Tibet was a sure guarantee for India’s
security. “Protecting the Himalayas from security point of view as well
as saving it from environmental degradation was important for India,”
he asserted. He said had India supported the Tibetan cause, way back in
1950’s the scenario could have been totally different today.

He also said that safeguarding the interests of the people of
the Tibet was important for maintenance of peace in the Himalayan
region and amicable solution was required to be found to maintain the
autonomy of the area.

He appreciated the endeavour of the organizers to organize a
conference on the vital issue to draw the attention of the global
community towards the genuine problem of the Tibetans.

A Tibetan Parliamentary delegation headed by Speaker Karma Chophel and
Dolma Gyari, deputy speaker, and members of Parliament, including Ven
Beri Jigmey Wangyal, Ven Tse Ringpo, Sonam Damdul, Dolker Lhamo and
Dolma Tsering attended the convention.

Kiren Rijiju, MP from Arunanchal Pradesh and National President
of the Trans Himalayan Parliamentarians Forum, Ven. Tsona Rimpoche,
former Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Phuntsok Rai, former Minister of
Himachal Pradesh and others delved into the historical importance of
the Shimla convention of 1914 and its importance in the present day
context.

Dr Mallika Nadda, Convenor, Himalaya Parivar, Himachal Pradesh,
welcomed the chief minister and other dignitaries and said that such
forums must to be created to draw the attention of the world towards
the genuine problems of the Himalayan countries so that environment of
the region was protected.

Lama Chosphel Zotpa, Secretary, Trans Himalayan Parliamentarians Forum proposed the vote of thanks.

Tulsi Ram, speaker of HP Vidhan Sabha, Khimi Ram, deputy speaker, Jai
Ram Thakur, president, State BJP, members of the Legislative Assembly,
former members of Parliament, former MLAs, representatives from
different religious and social organizations, NGOs and senior officers
from different areas of the state were present.

A photo exhibition by Tibet Museum of the Department of the
Information and International titled ‘A Long Look Homeward’, provided
vivid perspectives of Tibet’s rich history and culture, Tibetan
people’s struggle for freedom, and their hopes for the future.

On 2 July, the Dharamshala chapter of Tibetan Solidarity
Committee held a candle light vigil in Mall, attended by Vidya Strokes,
Leader of Opposition Party, H.P. Vidhan Sabha and Tsono Rinpoche,
Congress MLA, Arunachal Pradesh. Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari along with
members of Parliament Dolker Lhamo, Beri Jigmey Wangyal, Dolma Tsering
also joined the procession.

–Report compiled from The Tribune and ANI news service