BANGALORE, 10 March: Hon. Shri Kegari Vishweshwara Hegde, Minister for Primary & Secondary Education, Government of Karnataka presided over the 53rd March 10 Anniversary meeting of the Tibetan Community in Bangalore.  

Mr N A Harris, MLA of Shantinagar and Mr S Manjunath, nephew of former State Chief Minister Shri N Nijalingappa & Vice Chairman of Nijalingappa Memorial Trust were other guests.

The Minister addressed the audience and encouraged them to fight for their rights and freedom and gave the example of Israel. He also recounted the sacrifices made in Indian struggle by heroes like Chandrashekar Azad, Subash Chandra Bose and Mahatama Gandhi. He made special mention for the youths to bear the responsibility.

He further said, “He would take up with Chief Minister and other authorities on the basic needs of the Tibetans in South India, including road, water, electricity etc as requested by Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Chief Representative, South Zone, Bangalore.

While speaking in Kannada which many Tibetans in audience understood, he urged the Tibetans to learn the language as they were living in Karnataka state of India.

The organisers also screened two short documentaries on recent self-immolations in Tibet and a smuggled clip taken by the Chinese securities on the brutal arrests of Tibetans in Drogde, Tibet.

Mr Harris was most affected by it. He said that such brutality should not happen in modern world. He assured that India would help Tibetans in giving their country as it did with Bangladesh once it became more powerful. He also promised to take up Tibetan problem with the state government and, on his own behalf, he assured every help if any Tibetan in Bangalore needed his assistance.

The meeting was held at TCV Youth Hostel as Section 144 was clamped in Cubbon Park and areas under 10 police stations in Bangalore because of Lawyers and media disturbance. The Tibetans had earlier obtained permission to hold the meeting at the Minsk Circle.