From left to right: Faculty Shri Arvind Nikose, Co-convenor of CGTC-I; Shri Santosh Rohidas Gharat, State Secretary (Political) of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra; Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator, ITCO; Principal Shri Kongere ji; Shri Bala Saheb Raste; and Teacher Suhas Shinde.

Mumbai: The India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) organised a Tibet Awareness Program in Mumbai, engaging stakeholders across education, media, politics, and Tibet Support Groups to promote advocacy and solidarity with the Tibetan cause. The program aimed to strengthen advocacy and solidarity with the Tibetan cause, with events and meetings held across the city.

As part of the awareness initiative, “A Day for Tibet Program” was held at Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji High School in Navi Mumbai. Approximately 70 students, along with Principal Shri Kongere and faculty members, attended the program themed ‘Why Tibet Matters to India’. The session was attended by chief guest Shri Santosh Gharat during which, ITCO Coordinator Tashi Dekyi shared insights on the historical, cultural, and geopolitical connections between India and Tibet in her address. The program highlighted the strategic relevance of Tibet, including environmental concerns and the importance of India’s support for Tibet’s cause. Students and teachers actively participated, making the session highly engaging and informative.

Likewise, an another advocacy meeting was held at Mehboob Studio with Bollywood producer Shri Raj Satyam and his nephew, Anish Vajjala. Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of the ITCO, and Shri Raj Satyam discussed about creative ways to reach out the Indian masses; by making the Hindi cinema fraternity more aware about Tibet, and building mass mobilisation through them.  

Coordinator Tashi Dekyi also met with Shri Shashi Ranjan, an actor, filmmaker, and producer at Sony Entertainment Television, at his office in Lokandwala, Andheri West. The discussion centred on integrating Tibetan narratives into media and entertainment projects to generate public awareness.  

On the political front, the program involved an advocacy meeting with Shri Santosh Rohidas Gharat, National General Secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra. Shri Gharat expressed his support for the Tibetan cause and assured his involvement in political advocacy efforts to raise awareness at the state and national levels.  

Coordinator Tashi Dekyi also made a courtesy call on Smt. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, a Congress Member of Parliament from Mumbai, at her office. The discussion focused on encouraging parliamentarians to engage with Tibet-related issues. Smt. Gaikwad expressed her willingness to support initiatives promoting human rights and the preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage, signalling strong political backing for the Tibetan cause. The Coordinator also addressed the challenges faced by the Tibetan Refugee Market in Mumbai. She was joined by representatives from the Tibetan sweater-selling community in the city during this meeting. This dialogue underscored the need for continued support to sustain the livelihood and rights of Tibetan refugees in Mumbai.

Representatives from TSG Mumbai along with Tibetan Refugee Association, Sweater Seller community.

Photo 1: Shri Shashi Ranjan ji. Photo 2: Left: Producer Shri Raj Satyam ji; Right: Nephew Anish Vajjala. Photo 3: Shri Santosh Rohidas Gharat ji with his wife.

Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of the ITCO, interacting with local news media from News Centre 24/7 about the “Tibet Awareness Program” in Mumbai, briefing on its theme “Why Tibet Matters to India” at the Mumbai Press Club.

Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of the ITCO, giving a courtesy call to Smt. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad ji, Congress Member of Parliament from Mumbai.