NEW DELHI: New Delhi based India-Tibet Coordination Office ( ITCO) organized a educational trip to the Students of Himalayan and North East Region to Dharamshala, the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration from 24-27 January 2013.
18 students from Himalayan regions fromTibet’s neighboring countries such as India’s Arunachal Pradesh, Kinnaur, Lahaul, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Myanmar, Ladakh and Sikkim as well as Bhutan participated in the program.
The Students had meeting and interaction with various senior officials of Central Tibetan Administration and with the Leaders of Tibetan Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO).
The students even visited Tibetan Children Village, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and Tsuglakhang Temple during the program.
The educational visit included talks on the organizational structure of Central Tibetan Administration, relationship between India, China and Tibet, importance of Tibet’s environment, present Human Rights situation in Tibet, interaction with Tibetan NGO’s, importance and introduction of Tibetan Buddhism and the democratic set up of the exile administration.
The students also had an opportunity to meet Dr. Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong (Democratically elected political Leader of Tibet) on the 2nd day of their visit.
The Sikyong said , as a leader of tomorrow, you must take every responsibility to help the community building and nation’s security. He welcomed the students to Dharamshala and thanked them for their interest in the issue of Tibet. The students had an interaction session and a group photo at the end.
On the last day of the visit, the students were asked to fill the evaluation form and present the report of the meeting. Most of the students appreciated the vast information that they received on the cause of Tibet and the Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom since coming into exile.
Mr. Yeshi Wangchu Kharma, Vice President, Arunachal Students Union said that the democratic structure of the CTA, the Present Human Rights situation and the series of Self immolations in Tibet, Destruction of Tibet’s Eco-System, Violations of Religious rights and Tibetan struggle for freedom is clear now.
Mr. Sernya, President, Sikkimese Student Union said that The Tibetan Freedom Movement has been an international issue for a very long time but coming here made me feel I was way too ignorant in understanding the emotions and sentiments of the Tibetan people.
Ms Zainab Akhter, M.Phil in International Relations, JNU said that “This workshop is a great initiative to present the cause to the people of Himalayan Region and Tibet’s neighboring countries.
Mr. Urgyan Skaldan, Member, Ladakh Students Welfare Society said that “I will also give my contributions to the cause of Tibet in every possible way in my life.
This is the second year of organizing such educational program by India Tibet Coordination Office. Prior to the trip the students had a meeting with Mr. Tempa Tsering, Representative of Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday, 1 December 2012.
