Dharamshala: In commemoration of the 78th Indian Independence Day, the Central Tibetan Administration held a brief ceremony at the Gangchen Kyishong to mark the joyous day alongside Indian brothers and sisters.

The celebration was attended by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Education Kalon (minister) Tharlam Dolma Changra, Security Kalon Dolma Gyari and Secretaries of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The proceedings began with Sikyong unfurling the Indian national flag and singing of India’s national anthem. Sikyong then spoke to the media, offering congratulatory remarks to the government and people of India on this landmark occasion. “On behalf of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, we wish to extend our warm greetings to the leadership and people of India on the 78th Independence Day celebration.”

While acknowledging the sincere assistance that India has rendered to Tibetan refugees during the latter’s worst period of history for the last more than sixty years, the Tibetan political leader expressed gratitude on behalf of every Tibetan to the government and people of India.

Sikyong further said, “It’s ironical that India got its independence in 1947, and three years later we lost our independence. In fact, many countries around the world, particularly after World War II, gained independence from colonial rulers. But unfortunately, the wave of communism that enveloped the region also enveloped Tibet under the forceful occupation by China. We still remain as political refugees here, and we also take inspiration from India’s independence that we too will get to return back to Tibet as a free nation, as a people who can practice its freedom in the preservation of and promotion of its identity in terms of language, culture, religion, and way of life, and particularly Tibet’s environment, that’s not only important for Tibet but for the whole world. So it is a joyous occasion for Indians to celebrate, but for us, as Tibetans, we enjoy it with you. At the same time, we also think about and long for the day when we also get to celebrate our freedom.