Salt Lake City, UTAH: Representative Ngodup Tsering, Office of Tibet, Washington DC visited the Tibetan community in Salt Lake City, Utah to participate in an event honouring the 30th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize Award on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Nobel event, as it is popularly called, was organised on the evening of 7 December.
The event was also attended by Representatives of Congressman Ben McAdam, Congressman Chris Stewart, and a representative of Senator Mitt Romney; each of them read out loud congratulatory messages to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community, on behalf of the Members of Congress. Tibetan parliamentarian from North America Pema Chagzoetsang helped coordinate the visit of these representatives of the Members of Congress.
The event started off with the singing of Tibetan and American National anthems by the children of the Sunday school. It was followed by a moment of silence observed for Yonten, aged 24, who died of self-immolation. Yonten hailed from Ngaba in Tibet.
Tibetan Association President Zangma, MP Pema, and Representative Tsering spoke on the occasion. The program was very colourful as it was interspersed with cultural performances from the children.
After the ceremony, the Representative spoke and interacted with the community members, who attended in large numbers.
The Representative spoke about the urgent need of maintaining the Tibetan language and culture, which represents Tibetan identity among others. While talking on the political opportunities that are unfolding, the Representative urged the Tibetan youths to get more involved in the Tibetan issues. He praised Utah youths for bearing the leadership role in the Tibetan Association.
The floor was then opened for Q&A. The event ended with a Gorshey-Traditional Tibetan folk dance.
-Filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC