ZURICH: Over 2,500 Tibetans in Switzerland and Liechtenstein took part in the second day celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 77th Birthday in Bülach, Switzerland.
 
Kalon Pema Chhinjor of Department of Religion and Culture of Central Tibetan Administration who had especially come to Switzerland to take part in the celebration was the chief guest.
 
The second day’s birthday celebration started at 10am with the Trunkar Football tournament in Bülach. The Tibetan Youth Association in Europe organised the tournament. 32 teams from six European countries took part. The cup was won by PC Potala.
 
Kalon Pema Chhinjor addressed the 32 teams. He thanked the organisers of the football tournament and expressed his happiness to see such a large participation of young Tibetans from 6 countries. He called on the youth to be good and responsible Tibetans, and enjoy the tournament in the spirit of sportsmanship.
 
The afternoon birthday celebration organised by the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein started with the welcoming of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait into the celebration hall. Followed by prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life and singing of the Tibetan national. Auspicious traditional ceremonial dance Tashi Schölpa and Gyashey were performed. The hall was completely filled. Hundreds of people who were outside the hall improvised picnic for themselves in the lawn of the celebration hall.
 
Kalon Pema Chhinjor in his address said that the main aim of his visit was to take part in the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday. Similarly, other Kalons were travelling to other others of the world where large numbers of Tibetans live.

 He said during the first 10 months of the present Kashag, it had achieved various supports for Tibet. Three resolutions in support of Tibet from US Congress, Japanese and European Parliaments were passed. The finalisation of 1,000 Tibetans immigration to Canada from India, World Parliamentary Convention for Tibet in Ottawa and support shown during Kalon Tripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay’s various foreign tours.
 
Kalon Pema Chhinjor emphasised three points in his address – (1) To being a responsible Tibetan, (2)  Gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to fulfil his wishes and advice and (3)  The Central Tibetan Administration is for the Tibetan people and elected by the Tibetan people. It is not for one individual but for the benefit of the six million Tibetans
 
He said that the election of a young Kalon Tripa by the Tibetan people showed the Chinese government that the Tibetan struggle will continue with each new generation.

Kalon spoke about the present situation in Tibet. He said we must take pride and encouragement that the spirit of Tibet especially amongst younger generation in Tibet was very strong.
 
Mr Lobsang Gangshontsang, President of the Tibetan Community, Geshe Thupten Legmen, Abbot of Rikon Tibetan Monastery, Ven Thupten Wangchen, member of Tibetan Parliament, Mr Tseten S Chhoekyapa, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,Mr Balthasar Glattli, Swiss Parliamentarian and Mr Mario Fehr, member of the Swiss Regional Government also addressed the celebration.
 
Various sections of the Tibetan community and associations, especially the younger generation performed traditional Tibetan dances. The children from the Tibetan language school sang a group song on Unity. The celebration ended with Gorshey, a traditional Tibetan group dance.

(Report file by Office of Tibet, Geneva)