Ahmedabad/Vadodara: Amidst relentless academic curriculum, preparation of annual foundation day of RTYC, visit of RTWA members and many others programs in the days to come, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress members being the students of Maharaja Sayajirao University organized the talk of Sh. Mahendra Sangpal, Newly assigned Regional Convener of Western Region – II, Core Group for Tibetan Cause, India on 4 October 2019.
Sh. Sangpal being a long-time supporter and activist in the movement of Tibbat Mufti Sadhana, professionally a teacher at specially challenged students at DM School, Ashram Road, associated with Indo Tibet Friendship Society since the late eighties, resides in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Gujarat is a developed state of India, which have elected Sh. Narendra Modi as three consecutive terms as Chief Ministers who was elected as Prime Minister of India for the second term places an important chapter particularly in the freedom struggle of India with the ideology of Ahimsa Paramo Dharma advocated by MK Gandhi – revered as Father of Nation. It is here, that this state also hosts a large number of Tibetan Students studying in different institutions and pursuing their dreams.
Apart from studies, the Tibetan Youth in these institutions also plays a key role in magnifying the challenges and expectations of majorly Tibetans under the present-day occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China. They engaged in street protests attracting the public attention upon the practices and rules being imposed illegally and inhumanely on Tibetan people by Chinese forces. Through academic debates and seminars they put their efforts to draw out composite information about the aspiration of Tibetans inside Tibet, policies and outreach programs being implemented by Central Tibetan Administration and most importantly exploring support not only from the foreign countries but also from Indian community where majorly Tibetan Diaspora still strives to achieve the ultimate goal of Tibetan movement.
While discharging these roles the Tibetan students not only require support from local Indians but they also indulge in building more proactive supporters for the same cause. Towards this end, the coordination is the important element in bridging these links, the Co-ordinator for ITCO made the schedule of Sh. Sangpal’s presence within the vicinity of MS University in Vadodara.
Mr Dechen Kunsang, President, RTYC, opened the session with the brief introduction and welcome address for two new faces amongst the students. He stated that due to other engagements many other students couldn’t have gathered but he expressed his hope that the participants will share the message and task of this event among those students as well.
Sh. Sangpal, in his address, expressed his happiness and satisfaction for showering trust upon him by assigning to this new task which requires extra energy and broadened heart and mind to engage more participants albeit different social and political ideologies. He assured the Tibetan Youth for any support and participation that they may require from the Indian side in discharge any further activities in name of Tibbat Mufti Sadhna.
Sh. Jigmey Tsultrim gave a detailed structure upon the functioning of Core Group, activities of different TSGS and future need of more active participation in enlarging the vision of Tibetan movement, three objectives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and historical relation between India and Tibet. He humbly thanked Dechen Kunsang for having arranged the meeting at Faculty of Leadership and Governance, MS University, Vadodara. More than 40 Tibetan students including Ladakhis, Sikkimese students attended the session. The session concluded with Q & A and group photo session.
Just a stone throw away distance from the highly refurbished bank of Sabarmati river, popularly referred to as Riverfront Project, around 50 Indians including representatives of Tibetan Sweater Association held an evening session upon Tibet within the premises of Bharat Sewa Ashram Sangh at Ashram Road, Ahmedabad.
In coordination with ITCO, Sh. Mahendra Sangpal, newly assigned Regional Convener of Western Region – II, Core Group for Tibetan Cause, India, highlighted the background of the meeting and its expectations. Sh. Sangpal being a long-time supporter and activist in the movement of Tibbat Mukti Sadhana, professionally a teacher at specially challenged students of School of Deaf-Mutes Society, Ashram Road, associated with Indo Tibet Friendship Society since the late eighties and resides in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Equally from this land of Bapu, the Tibetan movement also draws the inspiration of Non-violence strategy in meeting with the crumbles of Chinese designed policies that have been continuously threatening the identity of Tibetan mankind. It is also from this place that there have been many long-time Tibet supporters irrespective of different thoughts and principles.
Sh. Mahendra Sangpal, while continuing his opening address, stated that being elevated to the post of Regional Convener is a huge responsibility entrusted upon him by Sh. R. K. Khrimey and others in the selection committee of Core Group Members. He assured that he will do his best keeping aside all the differences only for the sake of Tibet Mukti Sadhna.
Coordinator for ITCO informed the gathering of newly appointed members of Core Group and urged all the supporters to reach out more amongst those who are new to Tibet and ill designs of Chinese policies. He shared the aspiration of Tibetans inside Tibet, policies and outreach programs being implemented by Central Tibetan Administration and most importantly exploring support not only from the foreign countries but also from the Indian community where majorly Tibetan diaspora still strives to achieve the ultimate goal of Tibetan movement.
With the effort of Sh.Sangpal, more than fifty members including Gujarat BTSM President Sh.Gitesh Patel; Gen.Secretary, Sh.Vipin Pandey; Sh.Gajendra Joshi; Sh.Shreya Dixit; Sh.Vibhuti Amin; Sh.Vijay Mishra; Sh.Dhirubha, Sh.Hashmukh Sokhdia. Advocate Mayur Vyas whereas ITFS members including Sh.Giriraj Goenka, Sh.Jayesh Lama, Sh.Harsh Anand, Sh.Pankaj Rami, Sh.Maulik Dixit, Advocate Bhavesh Kapadiya, Sh.Tribhuvan Tathagata, Sh.Ashwin Vegda, Sh. Migar Vardhan, Sh.Amrut Ravikar, Sh. R S Maurya attended the meeting despite being informed at short notice.
During the meeting, the Tibetan Sweater Association Ahmedabad headed by President Mr Lhakpa, voluntarily distributed drinking water and expressed gratitude for being supportive of Tibetan cause and their livelihood challenges during winter sweater selling season for many years in the past.
The meeting concluded with Q & A session.
-Filed by India Tibet Coordination Office