Meeting of Tibet Support Groups Held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Nagpur: In order to enhance and foster improved coordination among Tibet Support Groups and to follow up on the action plan of the 7th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference, the Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India (CGTC-I) and the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) jointly organised a meeting of Tibet Support Groups located in and around Nagpur, Maharashtra on October 23, 2023.

This meeting saw participation from over 30 members representing organisations such as the India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Movement (BTSM), National Campaign for Free Tibet Support (NCFTS), the Buddhist Society of India, and individual Tibet supporters. Notable figures in attendance included Shri Amrut Bansod, President of ITFS Maharashtra; Shri Ashok Mendhe, President of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Movement; and Shri Chandra Bodhi Patel, National President of the Buddhist Society of India.

The meeting also extended invitations to Dhondup Sangpo, the Norgyeling Tibetan Settlement Officer, along with representatives from the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) and Regional Tibetan Women Association (RTWA) to foster future collaboration and coordination in the region.

Tashi Dekyi, representing ITCO New Delhi, opened the meeting with a warm welcome and an overview of its purpose. She provided insights into the current situation in Tibet and the latest developments in the Tibetan freedom movement. Furthermore, she presented the declaration and action plans from the 7th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference, urging members to follow through and take action on these plans.

Shri Ashok Mendhe, in his address, advocated for the conferral of the Bharat Ratna upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama by Government of India. He also emphasised the importance of addressing environmental issues in Tibet. He assured continued support for Tibet and Tibetans and called for unity among all members in the Tibetan cause.

Shri Amrut Bansod expressed his support for conferring the Bharat Ratna on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and underscored the need to raise awareness about Tibet among Indian youth through educational programmes in schools, colleges, and universities.

The meeting included a review of the recent activities and programmes of Tibet Support Groups in the past few months and a discussion on upcoming initiatives in line with the action plan from the 7th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference. Members shared suggestions and feedback to further strengthen the Tibetan movement in the region and improve coordination in the coming years.

Shri Arvind Nikose, on behalf of CGTC-I, extended gratitude to all attendees for participating in the meeting, especially during the busy festive season in Nagpur. He called upon members to continue their unwavering support for the Tibetan cause and the Tibetan freedom movement.

Tashi Dekyi is accompanied by Chonyi Tsering from ITCO.

-Filed by India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), New Delhi

Group photo.

ITCO staff Tashi Dekyi, speaking to media.