The Statement of Kalon Tripa, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, at the
6th International Tibet Support Group Conference
5 – 7 November 2010
Surajkund, Haryana
It
is my great honour and privilege to welcome you to the 6th
International Tibet Support Group Conference. On behalf of the Central
Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan community in exile and the
long-suffering people of Tibet, I thank you for setting aside your
precious time to attend this important conference.
is my great honour and privilege to welcome you to the 6th
International Tibet Support Group Conference. On behalf of the Central
Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan community in exile and the
long-suffering people of Tibet, I thank you for setting aside your
precious time to attend this important conference.
First
of all, I would like to pay the Kashag’s sincere tribute to the Tibet
Support Group (TSG) movement and its outstanding work. The worldwide
Tibet movement is one of the longest running, most sustained and
widespread movements in the world. This movement is propelled forward
by the energy and enthusiasm of all of you involved in advancing the
just cause of the Tibetan people. Your sustained and concerted
campaigns over the years have resulted in promoting the awareness of
the Tibetan issue all over the world and kept it as a burning topic and
mobilised governments and parliaments around the world to speak up for
the people of Tibet.
of all, I would like to pay the Kashag’s sincere tribute to the Tibet
Support Group (TSG) movement and its outstanding work. The worldwide
Tibet movement is one of the longest running, most sustained and
widespread movements in the world. This movement is propelled forward
by the energy and enthusiasm of all of you involved in advancing the
just cause of the Tibetan people. Your sustained and concerted
campaigns over the years have resulted in promoting the awareness of
the Tibetan issue all over the world and kept it as a burning topic and
mobilised governments and parliaments around the world to speak up for
the people of Tibet.
The
efforts and dedication of TSGs have inspired a new generation of
committed Tibetans in Tibet. They are risking their lives to preserve
Tibet’s spiritual and cultural heritage by their non-violent resistance.
efforts and dedication of TSGs have inspired a new generation of
committed Tibetans in Tibet. They are risking their lives to preserve
Tibet’s spiritual and cultural heritage by their non-violent resistance.
For
these reasons, the Tibetan people are blessed by the expanding network
of friends and supporters around the world. No other cause, however
just, no other struggle, however long, has been blessed as the Tibetan
people are by the commitment of the Tibet Support Groups for the
political cause of Tibet and the Tibetan Buddhist and cultural centres
for the preservation and promotion of Tibet’s rich cultural and
spiritual heritage.
these reasons, the Tibetan people are blessed by the expanding network
of friends and supporters around the world. No other cause, however
just, no other struggle, however long, has been blessed as the Tibetan
people are by the commitment of the Tibet Support Groups for the
political cause of Tibet and the Tibetan Buddhist and cultural centres
for the preservation and promotion of Tibet’s rich cultural and
spiritual heritage.
Here
I feel it is important to say a few words on the nature and composition
of the worldwide Tibet movement. The nature of the entire Tibet Support
Group movement is voluntary participation, inspired by love for
justice, by using your own time, resources and energy with full
awareness that no personal, political or material benefit, whatsoever,
could be gained for your tireless and unceasing effort. Therefore, His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama always says that Tibet Support Groups
should not be considered as pro-Tibet or anti-China. They are rather
pro-justice and anti-injustice. The Tibet Support Groups consist of
multi-faceted groups of experts and professionals in the fields of
human rights, environment, development, culture and religion and so
forth.
I feel it is important to say a few words on the nature and composition
of the worldwide Tibet movement. The nature of the entire Tibet Support
Group movement is voluntary participation, inspired by love for
justice, by using your own time, resources and energy with full
awareness that no personal, political or material benefit, whatsoever,
could be gained for your tireless and unceasing effort. Therefore, His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama always says that Tibet Support Groups
should not be considered as pro-Tibet or anti-China. They are rather
pro-justice and anti-injustice. The Tibet Support Groups consist of
multi-faceted groups of experts and professionals in the fields of
human rights, environment, development, culture and religion and so
forth.
Some
TSGs work for the overall improvement of the human rights situation in
Tibet. These include efforts to highlight cases of individual prisoners
of conscience and their eventual release and documenting the atrocities
committed on them. Other TSGs produce a constant stream of high quality
research work on the negative impact of ill-conceived development works
in Tibet, and on its culture and people. Some focus on the expanding
railway line, rampant mining, indiscriminate deforestation, forced
resettlement of nomads in permanent structures on the grasslands and
the growing expansion of Chinese settlement on the Tibetan plateau and
their negative impact on the fragile environment of Tibet.
TSGs work for the overall improvement of the human rights situation in
Tibet. These include efforts to highlight cases of individual prisoners
of conscience and their eventual release and documenting the atrocities
committed on them. Other TSGs produce a constant stream of high quality
research work on the negative impact of ill-conceived development works
in Tibet, and on its culture and people. Some focus on the expanding
railway line, rampant mining, indiscriminate deforestation, forced
resettlement of nomads in permanent structures on the grasslands and
the growing expansion of Chinese settlement on the Tibetan plateau and
their negative impact on the fragile environment of Tibet.
There
is another aspect of the Tibet Support movement. This aspect is the
Tibetan Buddhist centres, academic institutions for Tibetan studies and
Tibetan cultural centres. These Tibetan cultural centres attract an
ever-expanding circle of devout friends for Tibet in every corner of
the globe, every year. This component is important for us because the
activities of these centres ensure that Tibet’s spiritual and cultural
heritage can and will survive outside of Tibet. These centres also
reflect the abiding relevance of the values of Tibetan culture and
spirituality. That an expanding international civil society, beholden
to no one, no government, no sovereign, flourishes is an eloquent
message of the international community’s recognition of the universal
values of compassion and non-violence inherited by the Tibetan people
from ancient India. This I feel gives us the confidence to say that
with or without the Tibetan people, their culture and the values that
underpin it will be cherished by the world. This is because Tibetan
culture speaks not just the language of the Tibetan people. It speaks
the universal language of humanity.
is another aspect of the Tibet Support movement. This aspect is the
Tibetan Buddhist centres, academic institutions for Tibetan studies and
Tibetan cultural centres. These Tibetan cultural centres attract an
ever-expanding circle of devout friends for Tibet in every corner of
the globe, every year. This component is important for us because the
activities of these centres ensure that Tibet’s spiritual and cultural
heritage can and will survive outside of Tibet. These centres also
reflect the abiding relevance of the values of Tibetan culture and
spirituality. That an expanding international civil society, beholden
to no one, no government, no sovereign, flourishes is an eloquent
message of the international community’s recognition of the universal
values of compassion and non-violence inherited by the Tibetan people
from ancient India. This I feel gives us the confidence to say that
with or without the Tibetan people, their culture and the values that
underpin it will be cherished by the world. This is because Tibetan
culture speaks not just the language of the Tibetan people. It speaks
the universal language of humanity.
The
Tibetan people’s movement for our cultural survival is invigorated by
the fact that an increasing number of our Chinese brothers and sisters
are embracing it. This appreciation of the values of Tibetan culture is
growing amongst Chinese both in and outside of Mainland China. We are
deeply grateful to many brave Chinese individuals and organisations in
China for speaking up for the Tibetan people in the aftermath of the
brutal crackdown on the widespread and peaceful protests in 2008 that
called for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama to his homeland. Many of these individuals organised an open
letter expressing their support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
Middle-Way policy and called on the Chinese government to stop its
propaganda against Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan people’s movement for our cultural survival is invigorated by
the fact that an increasing number of our Chinese brothers and sisters
are embracing it. This appreciation of the values of Tibetan culture is
growing amongst Chinese both in and outside of Mainland China. We are
deeply grateful to many brave Chinese individuals and organisations in
China for speaking up for the Tibetan people in the aftermath of the
brutal crackdown on the widespread and peaceful protests in 2008 that
called for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama to his homeland. Many of these individuals organised an open
letter expressing their support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
Middle-Way policy and called on the Chinese government to stop its
propaganda against Tibet and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In
this context, a conference was held between Tibetans and Chinese in
Geneva in the first week of August 2009. The final document drawn by
the Chinese participants at the conference identified Tibetan culture
as “a precious treasure among the many cultures of humanity… The
extinction of Tibetan culture would not only be a tragedy for the
Tibetan people, but … an irreplaceable loss for the whole of
humanity.”
this context, a conference was held between Tibetans and Chinese in
Geneva in the first week of August 2009. The final document drawn by
the Chinese participants at the conference identified Tibetan culture
as “a precious treasure among the many cultures of humanity… The
extinction of Tibetan culture would not only be a tragedy for the
Tibetan people, but … an irreplaceable loss for the whole of
humanity.”
To
our Chinese brothers and sisters who are participating in this
conference, I would like to express the Tibetan people’s gratitude for
your support. Your continued support is strength of the Tibetan
people’s non-violent movement. Your presence here is a clear message
that the Tibetan people’s movement is not anti-China.
our Chinese brothers and sisters who are participating in this
conference, I would like to express the Tibetan people’s gratitude for
your support. Your continued support is strength of the Tibetan
people’s non-violent movement. Your presence here is a clear message
that the Tibetan people’s movement is not anti-China.
We
Tibetans were overwhelmed with pride and joy when Liu Xiaobo won the
2010 Nobel Peace Prize. On the day the announcement was made, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama said to the world, “I would like to offer my
heart-felt congratulations to Mr. Liu Xiaobo for being awarded this
year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Awarding the Peace Prize to him is the
international community’s recognition of the increasing voices among
the Chinese people in pushing China towards political, legal and
constitutional reforms.”
Tibetans were overwhelmed with pride and joy when Liu Xiaobo won the
2010 Nobel Peace Prize. On the day the announcement was made, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama said to the world, “I would like to offer my
heart-felt congratulations to Mr. Liu Xiaobo for being awarded this
year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Awarding the Peace Prize to him is the
international community’s recognition of the increasing voices among
the Chinese people in pushing China towards political, legal and
constitutional reforms.”
On
that day, the Kashag too issued a statement of welcome, saying that
whole of China should be proud of the singular honour bestowed on Liu
Xiaobo.
that day, the Kashag too issued a statement of welcome, saying that
whole of China should be proud of the singular honour bestowed on Liu
Xiaobo.
We
Tibetans are greatly encouraged by the surprisingly positive comments
occasionally made by the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of
China (PRC), Mr. Wen Jiabao. There must be millions of Chinese in and
outside China who are equally encouraged by their Prime Minister’s
comments. Premier Wen Jiabao said freedom of speech is indispensable
for any country. He also said that the Chinese people’s wish for
freedom and democracy is irresistible. This gives us much hope.
Tibetans are greatly encouraged by the surprisingly positive comments
occasionally made by the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of
China (PRC), Mr. Wen Jiabao. There must be millions of Chinese in and
outside China who are equally encouraged by their Prime Minister’s
comments. Premier Wen Jiabao said freedom of speech is indispensable
for any country. He also said that the Chinese people’s wish for
freedom and democracy is irresistible. This gives us much hope.
Regardless
of what these comments portend for the future of China and their
consequences for the Tibetan people, at the moment the situation in
Tibet is grim and getting worse. The policy pursued by Beijing with
ruthlessness in Tibet is called “grasping with both hands.” On one
hand, the Chinese authorities pursue rapid and relentless economic
activities in Tibet and on the other hand exercise an unprecedented
political repression on even the mildest form of dissent. The logic
here is that increasing economic prosperity in Tibet will drown any
attempt to assert Tibet’s separate and distinct cultural identity.
of what these comments portend for the future of China and their
consequences for the Tibetan people, at the moment the situation in
Tibet is grim and getting worse. The policy pursued by Beijing with
ruthlessness in Tibet is called “grasping with both hands.” On one
hand, the Chinese authorities pursue rapid and relentless economic
activities in Tibet and on the other hand exercise an unprecedented
political repression on even the mildest form of dissent. The logic
here is that increasing economic prosperity in Tibet will drown any
attempt to assert Tibet’s separate and distinct cultural identity.
However,
these attempts to throw money to solve Beijing’s Tibet problem have
been a spectacular failure. This is because most of Beijing’s
investment in Tibet has gone to infrastructure building of roads,
airports, and railway network that will connect Lhasa with Shigatse and
then extend to Tibet’s border with Nepal. There is another extension
plan to connect Dromo, Tibet’s border with Bhutan and the Indian.
Though the construction of roads, airports and a network of railway
lines have a distinct military implications for Tibet’s neighbours, for
the Tibetan people the result of easier travel to and within Tibet is
devastating. There is an onrush of settlers and migrant workers to the
Tibetan plateau to take advantage of the greater job opportunities in
Tibet. It is these new migrant Chinese workers who are the real
beneficiaries of Beijing’s financial generosity to Tibet.
these attempts to throw money to solve Beijing’s Tibet problem have
been a spectacular failure. This is because most of Beijing’s
investment in Tibet has gone to infrastructure building of roads,
airports, and railway network that will connect Lhasa with Shigatse and
then extend to Tibet’s border with Nepal. There is another extension
plan to connect Dromo, Tibet’s border with Bhutan and the Indian.
Though the construction of roads, airports and a network of railway
lines have a distinct military implications for Tibet’s neighbours, for
the Tibetan people the result of easier travel to and within Tibet is
devastating. There is an onrush of settlers and migrant workers to the
Tibetan plateau to take advantage of the greater job opportunities in
Tibet. It is these new migrant Chinese workers who are the real
beneficiaries of Beijing’s financial generosity to Tibet.
Tibet’s
greater connectivity with China has also resulted in a burst of mining
activities. A hungry mining industry has come to Tibet, devouring
Tibet’s rich mineral resources like copper, oil and natural gas, iron
ore, chromite, aluminum, potash, calcium, magnesium, lithium, gold,
diamond and uranium and host of other mineral resources. Although,
there is an official ban on logging, rampant deforestation is going on
in eastern Tibet. These resources are carted away to feed coastal
China’s dynamic economic growth. All these mining activities are done
by Chinese miners, contributing to Chinese population transfer onto the
Tibetan plateau.
greater connectivity with China has also resulted in a burst of mining
activities. A hungry mining industry has come to Tibet, devouring
Tibet’s rich mineral resources like copper, oil and natural gas, iron
ore, chromite, aluminum, potash, calcium, magnesium, lithium, gold,
diamond and uranium and host of other mineral resources. Although,
there is an official ban on logging, rampant deforestation is going on
in eastern Tibet. These resources are carted away to feed coastal
China’s dynamic economic growth. All these mining activities are done
by Chinese miners, contributing to Chinese population transfer onto the
Tibetan plateau.
Apart
from this, Tibet has the most precious resources: water, which is
getting scarcer by the day. Chinese scientists refer to Tibet as the
Third Pole, because the region contains the largest deposit of glaciers
in the world outside of Arctic and Antarctica. Chinese also refer to
Tibet as Asia’s Water Tower because these glaciers feed Asia’s ten
river systems that have their origins on the Tibetan plateau. China’s
construction of numerous dams along these rivers, including the Mekong
and Brahmaputra, and its south-north water diversion plan is a cause of
concern to all its neighbors.
from this, Tibet has the most precious resources: water, which is
getting scarcer by the day. Chinese scientists refer to Tibet as the
Third Pole, because the region contains the largest deposit of glaciers
in the world outside of Arctic and Antarctica. Chinese also refer to
Tibet as Asia’s Water Tower because these glaciers feed Asia’s ten
river systems that have their origins on the Tibetan plateau. China’s
construction of numerous dams along these rivers, including the Mekong
and Brahmaputra, and its south-north water diversion plan is a cause of
concern to all its neighbors.
For
this reason, what China does or does not do in Tibet affects not just
the Tibetan people. China’s actions in Tibet affect the livelihood of
millions of people downstream in Asia who depend on the river waters
flowing from Tibet for their day-to-day survival.
this reason, what China does or does not do in Tibet affects not just
the Tibetan people. China’s actions in Tibet affect the livelihood of
millions of people downstream in Asia who depend on the river waters
flowing from Tibet for their day-to-day survival.
All
these activities in Tibet come under Beijing’s major policy called the
Western China Development Programme. The policy of exporting China’s
excess population to the minority regions in the west and importing the
region’s vast natural resources was first formulated in China’s seventh
five-year plan (1986-1991). This is in fact China’s master plan for the
minorities: to use the natural resources of minority regions to fuel
coastal China economic development while pressing down the minorities
by exporting China’s excess population to these regions.
these activities in Tibet come under Beijing’s major policy called the
Western China Development Programme. The policy of exporting China’s
excess population to the minority regions in the west and importing the
region’s vast natural resources was first formulated in China’s seventh
five-year plan (1986-1991). This is in fact China’s master plan for the
minorities: to use the natural resources of minority regions to fuel
coastal China economic development while pressing down the minorities
by exporting China’s excess population to these regions.
These
days Tibetans in Tibet see their traditional way of life washed away in
a flood of so-called development activities that do not meet their real
needs. They see their jobs taken away by an ever increasing number of
migrant Chinese workers and their future and religion held hostage by
an overbearing government. They see their environment disrespected and
polluted by mining and ever more dams. Politically, the government has
become increasingly intrusive in the personal lives of the people of
Tibet. Even the mildest expression of devotion to His Holiness the
Dalai Lama lands individual Tibetans in prison. Recently, a string of
Tibetan writers, singers, film-makers, environmentalists and
businessmen, all of whom are perceived as pro-Chinese establishment and
some of whom have been honoured as model workers by the Chinese
government, have been arrested and imprisoned for their alleged links
with Tibetans in the free world. Even school children are hauled into
prison for their expression of devotion to Tibet’s separate cultural
identity.
days Tibetans in Tibet see their traditional way of life washed away in
a flood of so-called development activities that do not meet their real
needs. They see their jobs taken away by an ever increasing number of
migrant Chinese workers and their future and religion held hostage by
an overbearing government. They see their environment disrespected and
polluted by mining and ever more dams. Politically, the government has
become increasingly intrusive in the personal lives of the people of
Tibet. Even the mildest expression of devotion to His Holiness the
Dalai Lama lands individual Tibetans in prison. Recently, a string of
Tibetan writers, singers, film-makers, environmentalists and
businessmen, all of whom are perceived as pro-Chinese establishment and
some of whom have been honoured as model workers by the Chinese
government, have been arrested and imprisoned for their alleged links
with Tibetans in the free world. Even school children are hauled into
prison for their expression of devotion to Tibet’s separate cultural
identity.
Although
the constitution and autonomy law of the PRC provides the freedom to
use and develop spoken and written languages of all nationalities, but
these were never implemented for minority nationalities. In TAR a
regulation for usage of Tibetan language was adopted in 1987, which was
intentionally not implemented and gradually amended in 2002. Recently
there are again indications of substituting minority language by common
Chinese language that have created lot of concern and resentment among
many Tibetans. We fear that this move will not only undermine the usage
of Tibetan language in the long term but it may create unrest and
repression. Recently another unconstitutional regulation for how to
control the monasteries in Tibet was proclaimed, which is again a gross
violation of religious freedom and cause of resentment and unrest.
the constitution and autonomy law of the PRC provides the freedom to
use and develop spoken and written languages of all nationalities, but
these were never implemented for minority nationalities. In TAR a
regulation for usage of Tibetan language was adopted in 1987, which was
intentionally not implemented and gradually amended in 2002. Recently
there are again indications of substituting minority language by common
Chinese language that have created lot of concern and resentment among
many Tibetans. We fear that this move will not only undermine the usage
of Tibetan language in the long term but it may create unrest and
repression. Recently another unconstitutional regulation for how to
control the monasteries in Tibet was proclaimed, which is again a gross
violation of religious freedom and cause of resentment and unrest.
For these reasons, the belief among Tibetans that Beijing wants Tibet but not the Tibetans is re-strengthened.
This
deep resentment of the Chinese authorities’ unrelenting assault on
Tibet’s spiritual and cultural heritage forced the Tibetan people to
burst out into widespread and sustained protests throughout Tibet in
2008. As far as we know, there were 344 instances of protests all over
Tibet that year alone. All were peaceful. Beijing’s reaction to this
peaceful protest was brutal.
deep resentment of the Chinese authorities’ unrelenting assault on
Tibet’s spiritual and cultural heritage forced the Tibetan people to
burst out into widespread and sustained protests throughout Tibet in
2008. As far as we know, there were 344 instances of protests all over
Tibet that year alone. All were peaceful. Beijing’s reaction to this
peaceful protest was brutal.
Despite
all this, we Tibetans remain committed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
Middle-Way Policy of reconciliation to resolve the vexed and protracted
issue of Tibet. Our determination to resolve the issue of Tibet
peacefully with Beijing is reflected in the fact that in 2008 alone His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy, Mr. Lodi Gyari, and Envoy, Mr.
Kelsang Gyaltsen, met with their Chinese counterparts three times. As
desired by the Chinese authorities, the two envoys handed them a
Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People. Our basic demand
as spelled out in the Memorandum is that all Tibetans should come under
one administration that enjoys genuine autonomy. This demand is based
on the rights given to the minorities as enshrined in the constitution
and autonomy law of the PRC. Unfortunately, this reasonable demand was
indiscriminately rejected by Beijing. In January this year, the two
envoys handed to the Chinese authorities a Note that addressed the
concerns, objections and misinterpretations made by the PRC authorities
on the substance of our Memorandum.
all this, we Tibetans remain committed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
Middle-Way Policy of reconciliation to resolve the vexed and protracted
issue of Tibet. Our determination to resolve the issue of Tibet
peacefully with Beijing is reflected in the fact that in 2008 alone His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy, Mr. Lodi Gyari, and Envoy, Mr.
Kelsang Gyaltsen, met with their Chinese counterparts three times. As
desired by the Chinese authorities, the two envoys handed them a
Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People. Our basic demand
as spelled out in the Memorandum is that all Tibetans should come under
one administration that enjoys genuine autonomy. This demand is based
on the rights given to the minorities as enshrined in the constitution
and autonomy law of the PRC. Unfortunately, this reasonable demand was
indiscriminately rejected by Beijing. In January this year, the two
envoys handed to the Chinese authorities a Note that addressed the
concerns, objections and misinterpretations made by the PRC authorities
on the substance of our Memorandum.
Regardless
of the current attitude of the Chinese government to our reasonable and
legitimate demands, we remain committed to the dialogue process and is
willing to meet the concerned PRC’s officials any time, anywhere.
of the current attitude of the Chinese government to our reasonable and
legitimate demands, we remain committed to the dialogue process and is
willing to meet the concerned PRC’s officials any time, anywhere.
On
this matter, I take this opportunity to express the appreciation of the
Tibetan people to all the governments around the world for encouraging
China to resolve the issue of Tibet through discussions with the
representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Your support for the
dialogue process remains a source of hope and encouragement to the
people of Tibet.
this matter, I take this opportunity to express the appreciation of the
Tibetan people to all the governments around the world for encouraging
China to resolve the issue of Tibet through discussions with the
representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Your support for the
dialogue process remains a source of hope and encouragement to the
people of Tibet.
It
is because of the support of the people and governments around the
world and the guidance and leadership provided by His Holiness the
Dalai Lama that in exile we have managed to re-built and maintain a
productive and cohesive community. We have managed to preserve and
promote our spiritual and cultural heritage and all the institutions
that underpin this heritage. We have also established an education
system that is able to educate successive generations of young Tibetans
who will carry forward the non-violent movement of the Tibetan people.
is because of the support of the people and governments around the
world and the guidance and leadership provided by His Holiness the
Dalai Lama that in exile we have managed to re-built and maintain a
productive and cohesive community. We have managed to preserve and
promote our spiritual and cultural heritage and all the institutions
that underpin this heritage. We have also established an education
system that is able to educate successive generations of young Tibetans
who will carry forward the non-violent movement of the Tibetan people.
In
exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has given his people the gift of
democracy. The Central Tibetan Administration is now a functioning
democracy, fully transparent and its elected leadership totally
accountable to the elected representatives and to the people. I am also
happy to report that the Tibetan community in exile is served by an
increasing number of NGOs, which form the basis of a strong and growing
civil society.
exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has given his people the gift of
democracy. The Central Tibetan Administration is now a functioning
democracy, fully transparent and its elected leadership totally
accountable to the elected representatives and to the people. I am also
happy to report that the Tibetan community in exile is served by an
increasing number of NGOs, which form the basis of a strong and growing
civil society.
For
me, it was a privilege to serve His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the
Tibetan people as the first elected Kalon Tripa since 2001. I wish the
next Kalon Tripa every success.
me, it was a privilege to serve His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the
Tibetan people as the first elected Kalon Tripa since 2001. I wish the
next Kalon Tripa every success.
These
accomplishments of the Tibetan refugees would not have been possible
without the hospitality and generosity of the government and people of
India. The Tibetan people owe India the survival of Tibet outside of
Tibet. I take this opportunity to express the sincere gratitude of the
Tibetan people to the government and people of India.
accomplishments of the Tibetan refugees would not have been possible
without the hospitality and generosity of the government and people of
India. The Tibetan people owe India the survival of Tibet outside of
Tibet. I take this opportunity to express the sincere gratitude of the
Tibetan people to the government and people of India.
At
each International Tibet Support Group Conference, you always had
meaningful and in-depth discussion on the Tibet problem, exchange of
useful information and ideas, strategizing the future course of action
and drawing of comprehensive programmes for collective and individual
actions. Therefore, all the conferences have been immensely productive
and useful. Considering the fact that Tibet Support Groups are always
independent of CTA, we refrain from making any proposal or suggestion.
We only cooperate with the conveners of the conference. But this time,
as an exception, I would like to offer some of my personal views for
your consideration. During India’s independent struggle Mahatma Gandhi
advised his people that constructive programmes are more important than
protest or agitation. This seems to be great advice for any movement
and is very much applicable for our movement as well. I wonder whether
this conference can consider some constructive programmes commonly
acceptable and workable by all TSGs in our movement.
each International Tibet Support Group Conference, you always had
meaningful and in-depth discussion on the Tibet problem, exchange of
useful information and ideas, strategizing the future course of action
and drawing of comprehensive programmes for collective and individual
actions. Therefore, all the conferences have been immensely productive
and useful. Considering the fact that Tibet Support Groups are always
independent of CTA, we refrain from making any proposal or suggestion.
We only cooperate with the conveners of the conference. But this time,
as an exception, I would like to offer some of my personal views for
your consideration. During India’s independent struggle Mahatma Gandhi
advised his people that constructive programmes are more important than
protest or agitation. This seems to be great advice for any movement
and is very much applicable for our movement as well. I wonder whether
this conference can consider some constructive programmes commonly
acceptable and workable by all TSGs in our movement.
I
would also like to suggest all the Tibet Support Groups and dharma
centres to observe one day fasting and prayer every year on one
specific day all over world from 2011 onward to symbolise our
solidarity and commitment to non-violence. These are only a suggestion.
would also like to suggest all the Tibet Support Groups and dharma
centres to observe one day fasting and prayer every year on one
specific day all over world from 2011 onward to symbolise our
solidarity and commitment to non-violence. These are only a suggestion.
Apart
from the Tibet Support Groups, we also have All -Party Parliamentary
Groups for Tibet that exist in various national, regional and
provincial parliaments. The general conference of All-Party
Parliamentary Groups for Tibet is called the World Parliamentarians’
Convention on Tibet (WPCT) which has met five times. Recently they have
set up an International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPat)
with secretarial assistance from ICT Europe in the Netherlands.
Therefore, you should also discuss how to establish close collaboration
and networking among the Tibet Support Groups and Parliamentary Groups.
from the Tibet Support Groups, we also have All -Party Parliamentary
Groups for Tibet that exist in various national, regional and
provincial parliaments. The general conference of All-Party
Parliamentary Groups for Tibet is called the World Parliamentarians’
Convention on Tibet (WPCT) which has met five times. Recently they have
set up an International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPat)
with secretarial assistance from ICT Europe in the Netherlands.
Therefore, you should also discuss how to establish close collaboration
and networking among the Tibet Support Groups and Parliamentary Groups.
Dear
friends, I would like to urge you all sincerely that the coming five
years will be most crucial and critical period for the future of Tibet.
Therefore, it is not a time to feel fatigue and resign. Each one of us
who care for the just cause of Tibet must revitalise ourselves, sharpen
our focus, consolidate our action, repackage the whole movement and a
final and forceful push be given to achieve the desired result for
which you all have dedicated yourselves for over five decades.
friends, I would like to urge you all sincerely that the coming five
years will be most crucial and critical period for the future of Tibet.
Therefore, it is not a time to feel fatigue and resign. Each one of us
who care for the just cause of Tibet must revitalise ourselves, sharpen
our focus, consolidate our action, repackage the whole movement and a
final and forceful push be given to achieve the desired result for
which you all have dedicated yourselves for over five decades.
I
would also like to inform you that this will be my last address as the
Kalon Tripa at an international Tibet Support Group Conference. I have
been able to attend all Tibet Support Group Conferences since the
second TSG conference held at Bonn in 1996. The energy and enthusiasm
generated by these conferences is a source of great hope. I would like
to express my personal appreciation to all individuals who are involved
in this great international movement for the survival of Tibet. Once
again I would like to express the sincere appreciation of the Kasahg to
all Tibet supporters, old and new and those who are no longer with us.
The Tibet Support Group movement will remain a lasting legacy of their
tireless work for the people of Tibet.
would also like to inform you that this will be my last address as the
Kalon Tripa at an international Tibet Support Group Conference. I have
been able to attend all Tibet Support Group Conferences since the
second TSG conference held at Bonn in 1996. The energy and enthusiasm
generated by these conferences is a source of great hope. I would like
to express my personal appreciation to all individuals who are involved
in this great international movement for the survival of Tibet. Once
again I would like to express the sincere appreciation of the Kasahg to
all Tibet supporters, old and new and those who are no longer with us.
The Tibet Support Group movement will remain a lasting legacy of their
tireless work for the people of Tibet.
On
3 October, the Tibetan exiles throughout the world cast their votes in
the preliminary round to elect their next Kalon Tripa and Chithue that
can only be called a democracy without borders. The final vote will
take place in March 2011. Whoever the next Kalon Tripa will be, I trust
you will extend the same cooperation to him or her.
3 October, the Tibetan exiles throughout the world cast their votes in
the preliminary round to elect their next Kalon Tripa and Chithue that
can only be called a democracy without borders. The final vote will
take place in March 2011. Whoever the next Kalon Tripa will be, I trust
you will extend the same cooperation to him or her.
I
am immensely grateful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for gracing this
conference by His divine presence. I am also immensely grateful to
respected Shri Advani-ji, the former Deputy Prime Minister and a great
leader of India, who has agreed to be the chief guest at the inaugural
function of this conference. Their presence has elevated this
conference to the highest level. I also take this opportunity to
express our heartfelt gratitude to the Core Group of the Indian Tibet
Support Groups and its chairman Dr. N.K. Trikha-ji and his team for
their tireless hard work in convening this conference. We attach great
significance for holding this conference in India, the second home of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and majority of the Tibetan refugees.
am immensely grateful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for gracing this
conference by His divine presence. I am also immensely grateful to
respected Shri Advani-ji, the former Deputy Prime Minister and a great
leader of India, who has agreed to be the chief guest at the inaugural
function of this conference. Their presence has elevated this
conference to the highest level. I also take this opportunity to
express our heartfelt gratitude to the Core Group of the Indian Tibet
Support Groups and its chairman Dr. N.K. Trikha-ji and his team for
their tireless hard work in convening this conference. We attach great
significance for holding this conference in India, the second home of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and majority of the Tibetan refugees.
I
conclude by praying for the continued good health and long life of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. May all His wishes be fulfilled.
conclude by praying for the continued good health and long life of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. May all His wishes be fulfilled.
Thank you.
