Kushinagar: The India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) began its Tibet Awareness Talk Series themed “India–Tibet Relations: Shared Heritage, Shared Future” in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled from 10 to 17 December 2025. Beginning in Kushinagar, Bharat Tibbat Samvad Manch – a Tibet Support Group under its National General Secretary Dr Shubhlal Shah – together with the ITCO team led by Coordinator Tashi Dekyi and Ven. Kunchok Tenkyong of Namgyal Monastery, Kushinagar, held a programme in the presence of the Chief Guest Shri Rajnikant Mani Tripathi during the 36th anniversary of H.H. the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize Day at Namgyal Monastery Hall, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Dignitaries included Chief Guest Ex-MLA Shri Rajnikant Mani Tripathi; Guest of Honour Professor Vinod Mohan Mishra, Principal of Buddha PG College, Kushinagar; Dr Shubhlal Sah, Bharat Tibbat Samvad Manch – Tibet Support Group, National General Secretary; Ven. Kunchok Tenkyong, Namgyal Monastery, Kushinagar; Master of Ceremony Diwakar Mani Tripathi, District Vice President, BJP, Kushinagar; Shri Chandra Bhushan Singh; Dr Abhai Kumar Ravi, Principal of V.D.M. College, Tamkuhiraj, Kushinagar; Ex-Principal Shri Ranjeet Upadhyay; Principal Dr Arvind Vidya; Lecturer and NCC Head Ved Prakash Mishra of Maharshi Arvind Vidya Mandir, Kasia; and Sontosh Dutt Rai, District Secretary of BJP, Kushinagar.

Around one hundred participants gathered at the venue, including the Chairman of Kushinagar Municipality and his colleague; professors from Buddha PG College, Kushinagar; Buddha Degree College, Gorakhpur; and Buddha Intercollege. Participants also included representatives from print and news media such as Rashtriya Sahara, UPNTV, HNT News, and Dainik Bhaskar, along with over fifty NCC students from BIC College, monks, and local businessmen.

A video compilation on Tibet was displayed as dignitaries and participants gathered in the Namgyal Monastery Hall. The programme began with the lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest Shri Rajnikant Mani Tripathi, Ex-Member of the Legislative Assembly, BJP, followed by the singing of both the Indian and Tibetan national anthems. A short introduction of the programme was delivered by the Master of Ceremony, Diwakar Mani Tripathi, after which the dignitaries on the dais were felicitated by the India Tibet Coordination Office.

The momentum of the day continued with Dr Shubhlal Sah, Bharat Tibbat Samvad Manch – Tibet Support Group, National General Secretary, who introduced the significance of Tibet and why it matters to India. This was followed by V. M. Mishra, Principal of Buddha PG College, who enlightened the audience on India–China diplomatic engagements, specifically the failure of the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement. Principal Mishra, also a professor, provided academic insights on India–Tibet relations.

Keynote speaker Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), New Delhi, shared detailed insights on India–Tibet relations in line with the theme of the Tibet Awareness Talk Series. Highlighting the ground realities of the human rights situation in Tibet under repressive policies aimed at the sinicisation of Tibetan identity, she also briefed the audience on the dark realities of China’s colonial-style boarding schools and the geopolitical threat to India’s Himalayan borders. Tashi Dekyi emphasised what China has done in Tibet and how India could face similar challenges.

Chief Guest Shri Rajnikant Mani Tripathi, Ex-MLA, BJP, shed light on the strategic location of Tibet and India’s deep cultural, spiritual, and moral connections with Tibet. He stated, “India’s support for promoting human rights and moral principles in Tibet will always continue. Such programmes are much needed for the youth of this region to become aware of India–Tibet relations.” He further urged ITCO to continue visiting and organising such programmes.

The programme continued with a PowerPoint presentation on the event’s theme, offering pictorial and quantitative information on Tibet—its location, size, language, historical independence, diplomatic engagements, and the current Central Tibetan Administration’s Middle Way Approach to carrying forward the Tibetan movement. The presentation was well received, followed by active participation during the photo session and further interactions over tea and snacks.

A day prior to the programme, on 9 December, the ITCO team led by Coordinator Tashi Dekyi held a preliminary meeting with members of Bharat Tibbat Samvad Manch, led by National General Secretary Dr Shubhlal Shah, along with Ven. Kunchok Tenkyong of Namgyal Monastery, Kushinagar. As ITCO’s last visit to Kushinagar was in 2023, the meeting revisited various instances of past programmes jointly organised, recalling memorable stories, the enthusiasm shared, challenges faced, and the successes achieved. This face-to-face interaction allowed ITCO to witness the strong bond shared between Tibetans and Indians in the region, marked by a lively and warm atmosphere among the TSG members, professors, journalists, the head of Namgyal Monastery, and the ITCO team.

We are now more encouraged and committed to continue our Tibet Awareness Talk Series titled “India–Tibet Relations: Shared Heritage, Shared Culture”. Stay connected with us for further reports filled with special moments, shared cultural memories, and the unique bond between Indian and Tibetan brothers and sisters.

– Report filed by India Tibet Coordination Office