Dharamshala: The auditorium of Dharmashala Government College was filled to capacity with hordes of youngsters, particularly students of various colleges and schools who turned up for the musical afternoon on Tuesday to celebrate the One Billion Rising event organised by Jagori Rural Charitable Trust (JRCT).
The One Billion Rising is a global campaign founded by Eve Ensler, to end violence against women. Incepted in 2012, the major involvement JRTC is with marginalised communities, with a special focus on women, young girls, boys and farmers.
Kalon Dolma Gyari of the Department of Security presided over the function as the chief guest along with other dignitaries comprised of Nipun Jindal, IAS Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Dr Khushal Chand Sharma IPS, Settlement Officer Kunchok Migmar, JRCT’S Executive Director Abha Bhaiya and representatives of local NGOs.
In the keynote addresses delivered by Kalon, she extolled JRCT for its positive contribution to the growth and development of society. Meanwhile, Kalon reminded the gathering of the prevailing grim situation inside Tibet as she detailed the brutality and unceasing repression Tibetans go through in Tibet. She raised concerns about the recent development taking place in Tibet vis-a-vis the implementation of a mandatory colonial boarding school system, a program that is practised to deliberately uproot Tibetan children from their cultural heritage and assimilate them into the dominant Han culture. Kalon Dolma Gyari urged the gathering to keep those children in their prayers whose rights and freedom are deprived at a young age. Resounding chants of love for children in Tibet echoed throughout the auditorium as Kalon concluded her compelling address.
Several performances lined up at the event led the uproarious crowd of youngsters to dance and cheer ending the day on a pleasant note.