All India Tibet Support Group Conference to Begin September 5
Dharamsala, 30 August 2003: A 3-day conference of All India Tibet Support Groups will be held in Chandigarh from September 5-7, 2003 under the banner of the Core Group for Tibetan Cause.
The Delhi based India Tibet Coordination Office is organising the conference which is expected to witness a gathering of about 200 participants including the representatives of the 145 units of Tibet Support Group spread all over India, individual supporters and well wishers. In view of the latest developments in Sino- Indian and Dharamsala-Beijing relations, the conference will ‘deliberate’ on the various issues concerning Tibet.
A press release issued by the India Tibet Coordination Office pointed out that the participants of the conference will discuss the ways and means of ‘expanding the support in India into a mass movement’ keeping in view the fact that the issue of Tibet is linked with the security of India.
The newly elected Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Raja Virbhadra Singh, has sent his good wishes for the success of the conference and hoped that the ‘assembly of large number of Tibet support groups would deliberate and exchange views to help Tibetans achieve their objectives’. He also said that his state is privileged to be the home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his exile administration.
Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and Shri Pema Jungney, Chairman Assembly of Tibetan Parliament will inaugurate the conference. General V.P.Malik, former Chief of Staff, Indian Army, and Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration will be present for the valedictory function.
The number of Tibet support groups increased from 54 in the year 2001 to 145 units today. Many important personalities both from Indian and Tibetan sides are expected to attend the three day conference which will turn out to be one of the largest and important gatherings ever in India of Tibet Supporters.
The conference is expected to touch a wide range of issues like defence, environment, economy and international relations etc.
The Central Tibetan Administration earlier expressed its pleasure over the improving ties between China and India saying that a positive development in the relation between India and China will lead to a positive outcome for Tibet as well.