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Group photo of Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India (CGTC-I) delegation with ITFS Kalimpong members.
Kalimpong: With the aims to re-strengthen and re-ignite the flame of Tibbat Mukti Sadhna in this crucial time, the Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India (CGTC-I) in coordination with India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) continued its campaign to visit and meet with Tibet Support Groups in North Bengal and Sikkim; and at the same time, their coordination with Tibetan communities based in the respective regions to work together for the Tibetan movement.
On 31 August 2023, the CGTC-I delegation involving Shri Surendra Kumar, National Co-Convener for the Core Group for Tibetan Cause-India (CGTC-I) and Shri Soumyadeep Dutta, Regional Convener for CGTC-I, Shri Sonam Lhundup Lama, Secretary of Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet (HIMCAT), Siliguri and former Regional Convener of CGTC-I; along with India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) Coordinator Thupten Rinzin and Deputy Coordinator Tenzin Jorden paid a courtesy visit to Kasur (former Tibetan Cabinet) Gyalo Dhundop, elder brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at his residence in Kalimpong. The delegation also met with P.T. Bhutia, long-time Tibet supporter and President of India-Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) Kalimpong.
Later in the afternoon, India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) in collaboration with India-Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) Kalimpong organised a public meeting at Mani Lakhang, Kalimpong, in the presence of Chief Guest Shri Surendra Kumar and Special Guest Shri Soumyadeep Dutta, Shri Sonam Lhundup Lama, along with Kalimpong Tibetan Settlement Officer Karma Gelek, among others. The event was attended by representatives from local and Tibetan communities. Chungdak from ITFS Kalimpong introduced and read out the program details. Karma Gelek, Tibetan settlement officer of Kalimpong, welcomed the delegation and discussed the current situation in Tibet, emphasising the need for individual contributions to the Tibetan cause.
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The delegation members interacting with Kasur Gyalo Dhondup, the elder brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Chief Guest Surendra Kumar introduced the aims, objectives and backgrounds of ITFS. He expressed that the Government of India (GoI) should reset its Tibet policy, and ITFS would continue to appeal to GoI in this regard. He also stressed the need to put pressure on the Chinese Government to hold a dialogue with the representative of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He underlined the threats posed by China to India and its Himalayan communities, calling for the restoration of Tibetan independence. He also pointed out China’s resource exploitation in Tibet and the security risks due to extensive military infrastructure and dam construction.
ITCO Coordinator Thupten Rinzin provided the background of the delegation’s visit and the need to strengthen the Tibet Support Group in India, especially the Himalayan communities. He shed light on the current situation in Tibet and the draconian policies carried out by the Chinese Government in Tibet, including the colonial boarding schools. He also appealed to the local Tibetan community to actively participate and support the activities of ITFS Kalimpong. He also assured the ITFS Kalimpong of all the possible assistance and support from ITCO in conducting awareness programs in Kalimpong.
The meeting resulted in the formation of a Five-member committee to oversee and facilitate the election of the regional working committee of ITFS Kalimpong within 15 days. Prominent members from both local and Tibetan communities shared their views on enhancing the Tibet support base in Kalimpong during the event.
-Report filed by India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), New Delhi
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The delegation members with P. T. Bhutia, long-time Tibet supporter and President of ITFS Kalimpong.