GUJARAT: A Tibetan Parliamentary delegation, currently on a lobbying tour to seek international intervention in Tibet crisis, called on Chief Minister Mr Narendra Modi, Governor Dr Kamala Beniwal and Speaker Vajubhai Vala of Gujarat state on 6th September, the first day of their arrival in the city.

The Tibetan parliamentarians were accorded a warm reception by the Chief Minister Narendra Modi at his office despite his hectic schedule. The delegates greeted him with ceremonial scarf and a memento and also briefed him about the ongoing crisis in Tibet especially the unprecedented spate of self-immolations as a result of Chinese repression. The delegates urged him to raise the issue of Tibet and render his support for early resolution of the issue of Tibet.

The chief minister told the Tibetan delegation of his awareness of the Tibetan struggle and his long association with the Tibetan cause. He assured his solidarity with the Tibetan people and vowed to do his utmost in future. Mr Modi also told the delegates that he knows how much the Tibetans inside Tibet revere, love and miss their spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Therefore when he visited Mt Kailash, despite warnings by the security people, he secretly took photos of Dalai Lama and offered them to Tibetans in Tibet. “The Tibetan people in Tibet were so delighted to receive the gift,” Mr. Modi said.

Mr Modi, who is also in the news as India’s BJP Party’s prospective Prime Ministerial candidate for the forthcoming election, also told the Tibetan parliamentarians to convey his heartfelt greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Earlier that day, the delegates were received with great honour at the Legislative Assembly of the Gujarat State by Speaker Vajubhai Vala and the entire staff of the Secretariat.

During a reception organised in honour of the Tibetan parliamentarians’ visit, Speaker Vajubhai Vala expressed his steadfast support for the Tibetan struggle and inspired the Tibetans to fight for freedom with resolve and determination.

Mr Vala affirmed, “Though your struggle is very tough you should not be discouraged. You must continue to struggle and take lessons from the Jews who fought for their nation for thousands of years. They were once scattered like today’s Tibetans, but they were united and worked hard with the belief that they will achieve their goal one day. They encouraged and greeted each other by resolving “Next Year in Jerusalem”. You should also say, “Next Year in Tibet,” Mr Vala stressed.

Later in the afternoon, the Tibetan delegates called on Dr Kamala Beniwal, the Governor of Gujarat state. Dr Beniwal expressed her admiration for the Tibetan people’s firm determination and perseverance amidst so much sufferings and losses. “I am overwhelmed by your dedication and wish you all the best in your struggle. The Chinese government is a government lacking human morality,” she said.

During the briefing on the grim situation in Tibet, the delegates stressed on the need of urgent diplomatic actions by Indian Government in pressuring Chinese leadership to address the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people inside Tibet.
Later today, a press conference and a public talk will be organised at the Circuit House, the government guest house; where the delegates were hosted by the Tibet-supporters on their arrival in the city.

A four-member south zone Tibetan Parliamentary delegation comprising of 1) Ms. Tsering Youdon, 2) Ven. Atuk Tseten, 3) Mr. Jigme Jungney, and 4) Mr. Lobsang Yeshi are on a lobby tour in Gujarat State. The delegation will leave for Rajasthan on 10 September for the next phase of the campaign.