HAPUR, Uttar Pradesh: Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Acharya Yeshi Phunstok inaugurated the newly-constructed library at International Buddha Educational Institute (IBEI), Hapur (UP) on 20 January.

He was warmly received by its Director, Rev L Ashvanghosh, member of Minority Commission, Government of Uttarakhand and other dignitaries upon his arrival at the institution.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Library, Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok expressed his greetings and his utmost delight for being present at the momentous ceremony on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. He spoke about the evolution of library from private libraries of the rich, collecting prized and celebrated work of arts to becoming more and more accessible to the public.

Deputy Speaker had donated over fifty books on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s culture and religion, present situations in Tibet, self-immolations, the struggle for Tibet’s cause and the India-Tibet relations, which he donated to the new library.

“Library, intended for the learners and the learned, should not be subverted into the functions of museums and exhibitions. Therefore, the scholars and learned here should set examples and utilize it to the best by going there and reading and studying in your daily life. I hope the locals would also be able to utilize the library to its optimal,” he said.

Citing examples of the various types of libraries, viz., National Library, Research Library, Children’s Library, Public Library etc., Deputy Speaker stated that the recognition of libraries as place for study and reference emerged especially after the 13th Century, when both the government and public alike, started expanding it.

He intimated the audience on the current situation of Tibet, leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, global support for Tibetan movement and the escalating number of self-immolations inside Tibet under the repressive policies of People’s Republic of China (PRC).

He further appealed for their support, stating the border disputes between the PRC and India as a substantive consequence of the invasion of Tibet.

While expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the International Buddha Education Institute and the District’s officials for supporting the Tibet’s cause and issue as well as for facilitating the seasonal Tibetan sweater-sellers in winter, he expressed hopes for the support to continue in the future too.

With the benedictions to invoke divine blessing by the Buddhist monks and the Chief Guest, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok formally inaugurated the library. The ceremony also saw welcome addresses by Retd IRS and former Director of IBEI, Dr HP Kain, Rev L Ashvaghosh, Chairman of International Buddha Education Institute and a member of the Minority Commission, Govt of Uttarakhand.

Rev L Ashvaghosh assured the continuity of his support for the Tibetan cause and expressed his pleasure at the presence of numerous high Tibetan  Lamas and the Deputy Speaker.

Deputy Speaker presented certificates to the member of the institute and also felicitated the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the institute with the mementos of Tibetan Parliament Secretariat.

-Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat-