Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India’s campaign to strengthen the Tibetan movement in Uttarakhand and Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh

August 30, 2021

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Tibet Support Groups’ meeting with the Tibetan NGOs and Associations of Dehradun Tibetan
Settlements at Potala Community Hall, Dekyiling Tibetan Settlement, Dehradun

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 Indian Tibet Support Groups in Uttarakhand and Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh and at the same time, their coordination with Tibetan communities based in the respective regions to work together for the Tibetan movement.

Starting the campaign on 26th August 2021, the Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India represented by Shri Surendra Kumar, National Co-Convener, CGTC-I accompanied by ITCO Coordinator Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim in coordination with Tibetan Settlement Office, Dehradun held a meeting of Tibet Support Groups at Potala Community Hall, Dekyiling Tibetan Settlement, Dehradun. The meeting was attended by Sardar Indrapal Singh Kohli, Member, Indian Tibet Support Group – Uttarakhand; Dr. Ram Chandra Upadhayay, Convener, Bharat Tibbat Maitri Sangh – Dehradun; Lt. Col (Rtd) Norbu, Tibetan Settlement Officer, Dehradun; Members of Tibetan NGOs and Associations in Dehradun including Dekyiling, Rajpur, Dhondupling Clement Town and Tsering Dhondenling Raipur.

On 27th August 2021, Shri Surendra Kumar and Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim visited Doegu Yugyaling Tibetan Settlement in Herbertpur and held a meeting there in coordination with Tibetan Settlement Office, Herbertpur. The meeting was attended by Shri M. K. Otani, Expert Advisor, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and Indian Tibet Supporter; Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee, Tibetan Settlement Officer; Members of Tibetan NGOs and Associations of Doegu Yugyaling Tibetan Settlement in Herbertpur including Lakhanwala, Baluwala and Khera Camp.

In the afternoon of 27th August 2021, the delegation reached Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh where they were accorded a warm welcome led by the TSOs of four Tibetan Settlements of Paonta Sahib, Puruwala, Sataun and Kamrao; and members of the Tibetan NGOs and Associations of the four settlements. Later in the evening, a meeting of Tibet Support Groups in coordination with the Tibetan Settlement Offices of Paonta Sahib, Puruwala, Sataun and Kamrao in Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh was held at Hotel Yamuna, Paonta Sahib. The meeting was attended by Dr. Madan Lal Khurana, President, Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society – Sirmour; Shri Geeta Ram Thakur, General Secretary, ITFS – Sirmour; ITFS members from Paonta Sahib, Puruwala and Sataun; Members of Tibetan NGOs and Associations of Paonta Cholsum, Puruwala, Sataun and Kamrao.

During these series of meetings held in Dehradun, Herbertpur and Paonta Sahib, ITCO Coordinator Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim introduced and highlighted the members on the purpose and objectives of the meeting to re-strengthen and re-ignite the flame of Tibetan freedom movement, and the significance of support and help of Indian Tibet Support Groups in this regard.

From left: Sardar Indrapal Singh Kohli, Senior Member, Indian Tibet Support Group
Uttarakhand; Shri Surendra Kumar, National Co-Convener, CGTC-I; Dr. Ram Chandra
Upadhayay, Convener, ITFS – Dehradun and Mr. Norbu, TSO Dehradun with ITCO’s souvenir
book

Shri Surendra Kumar during the meetings addressed the members about the journey of Tibbat Mukti Sadhana from its early days under the leadership of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan and others Indian leaders who had considered the Tibbat Mukti Andolan very sacred and emphasizing that it’s the duty of every Indians to stand and support the Tibetan movement.He shared about the activities and programs carried out after the pandemic till now in Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Maharashtra by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India in coordination with India Tibet Coordination Office to strengthen and keep the flame of Tibbat MuktiSadhana burning. Shri Kumar stressed on the significance of Tibet’s freedom for India’s security. He emphasized on the fact that it’s not Indo-China border rather it’s Indo-Tibet border. China exists there only through the illegal and forceful occupation of Tibet. He requested all to adhere to that fact and use to call the same in any reference, and also for the Government of India to refer the same.

Shri Kumar further mentioned that the Indian Tibet Support Groups have to prepare the Indian masses to create strong support for Tibet and at the same time, Indian people to give pressure to the Government to take proper stand and have firm policies on Tibet. He assured his full support to Tibbat Mukti Sadhana and said that the freedom of Tibet is a truth and Tibet will be free someday for sure.

Dr. Ram Chandra Upadhayay shared that there are centuries old relations between India and Tibet and it’s the duty of India to support Tibet. He said that China in current scenario is powerful but it doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. We have to keep trying because one day, truth will triumph and Tibet will be free. He suggested for an environment to strengthen the Tibetan movement and mass awareness on Tibet among the Indian masses.

Sardar Indrapal Singh Kohli stressed on the boycott of Chinese products both from the individuals as well as from the Government’s end to weaken the Chinese market which has been indirectly causing harm to India. He suggested for the active use of social media platforms to reach farther in highlighting the issue of Tibet and getting support and help for the Tibetan cause. Sardar Kohli said that our jawans are doing their duty at the border, and thus we commoners have to do our duty in the country as well.

Tibet Support Groups’ dignitaries with the members of Tibetan NGOs and Associations of
Dehradun Tibetan Settlements

Dr. Madan Lal Khurana shared that we have been saying Tibbat ki Azadi, Bharat ki Suraksha since many decades but no serious steps had been taken regarding that. Now it’s the time to proof it in words and actions that Tibet’s freedom is indeed India’s security. He said that China fears none so the only option for us is to make her weak by boycotting her economically and diplomatically and then China will be shattered. Dr. Khurana commended the Tibetans for their resilience and prayed for the freedom of Tibet as soon.

Shri Geeta Ram Thakur said that Tibetan culture is beautiful and rich and it’s needs to be protected and saved. He suggested for activities and programs between Tibetan and Indian youths to come together and empower the Tibetan movement. Shri Thakur mentioned that by supporting Tibet, Indians are doing favour to themselves especially Himachal Pradesh as it shares direct border with Tibet.

During the meetings, the other members carefully listened to the words of senior Tibet Support Groups’ members and shared their views and opinions in regard to supporting the Tibetan cause. Indian Tibet Support Groups members’ participated well during these meetings especially the participation in large number at Paonta Sahib.

The delegation’s program to meet with Tibet Support Groups’ members in Rishikesh got cancelled due to the road blockage caused by the incessant rain in the area.

On 28th Aug 2021, while on the way from Paonta Sahib to Haridwar, Shri Surendra Kumar and Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim met with the members of Bharat Tibbat Samanvay Sangh (Regd.) – Uttarakhand including Prof. Prayag Dutt Juyal, Former Vice Chancellor, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur and Hon’ble Member, Central Advisory Committee, BTSS; Prof. Vijay Kaul, Eminent Literary Scientist and Academician, and Vice President, BTSS-Uttarakhand; Shri Manoj Gehtori, General Secretary, BTSS-Uttarakhand and Shri Mohan Bhatt, Organizational Secretary, Western Uttar Pradesh Region in Dehradun.

On the last leg of the campaign on 29th Aug 2021, Shri Surendra Kumar and Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim visited Pantanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar and met with Swami Paramarth Dev Ji, Yog Guru, Patanjali University who had recently participated in one of the webinar organized by BTSS (Regd.) on the eve of World Yoga Day on 21st June 2021. The delegation briefed Swami Paramarth Dev Ji about the inception of ITCO and its objectives along with the exploration of future avenues for academic exchanges between Patanjali Yogpeeth and Tibetan Institutions in India. Swami ji was presented a souvenir entitled “Communist China, Hands Off Tibet” – a documented journey of various Indian Tibet Support Groups in India since 1959.

The campaign has been fruitful in letting CGTC – I and ITCO to meet and interact with known as well as unknown Indian Tibet Support Groups members who have been tirelessly and voluntarily working for the Tibetan cause since many decades. The campaign to re-strengthen and re-ignite the flame of Tibetan Mukti Sadhana among the Indian Tibet Support Groups will be continued in the days to come to get more support and help to the Tibetan freedom movement.

Filed by ITCO

Shri Surendra Kumar, National Co-Convener, CGTC-I paying tribute to the portrait of His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Doegu Yugyaling Tibetan Settlement, Herbertpur

ITCO Coordinator Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim addressing with Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee, TSO Herbertpur,
Shri Surendra Kumar, Mr. M. K. Otani, Expert Advisor, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and
other dignitaries on the stage

Dr. Madan La lKhurana, President, ITFS – Sirmour District addressing the meeting at Paonta
Sahib

An Indian Tibet Support Group’s member sharing his view during the meeting at Paonta
Sahib

Indian Tibet Support Groups’ members with TSOs and members of Tibetan NGOs and
Associations of Paonta Sahib, Puruwala, Sataun and Kamrao Tibetan Settlements.

Shri Surendra Kumar and Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim with the members of Bharat Tibbat
Samanvay Sangh (BTSS) – Uttarakhand including Prof. Prayag Dutt Juyal, Prof. Vijay Kaul, Shri
Manoj Gehtori, and Shri Mohan Bhatt in Dehradun.