NEW DELHI: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, today addressed the closing ceremony of the 29th Annual Dastakari Craft Art Bazaar at Dilli Haat, New Delhi.
The Craft Art Bazaar is an annual festival of handicrafts and arts, organised by the Dastakari Haat Samitti and the Tibetan Chamber of Commerce, based in New Delhi. This year’s festival ‘India-Tibet Crafts and Skills Exchange’ was held from 1 – 15 January 2015.
During his address at the festival, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay explained the deep cultural and historical bond shared by the Tibetan people and India. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government and people for helping the Tibetan people during its time of need, and hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the last five decades.
“After the occupation of Tibet by Chinese Communist forces, His Holiness the Dalai Lama came to India in exile, followed by around eighty thousand Tibetans. Since then, India has graciously hosted the Tibetan people including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration for the last five decades. And for that, we are eternally grateful to this great nation and its kind, loving people,” Sikyong said.
Other dignitaries present at the concluding ceremony include Ms. Jaya Jaitley, President of Dastakari Haat Samithi, Mr. Nenong Eiring, Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, and Mrs. Anupama Singh and Mr. KB Sharma from the tourism department of Delhi state government.
Over 190 Indian and Tibetan craftsmen from various villages, towns and cities attended this year’s festival. Tibetan craftsmen, skilled in ancient crafts passed down through generations, presented Tibetan artifacts like singing bowls, ritual objects and traditional rugs. They also demonstrated their craft skills and shared practices, ideas and techniques with their Indian counterparts during the exchange program.
The Craft Bazaar was inaugurated by Shri. Ramesh Tiwari, MD & CEO of DTTDC. Other dignitaries at the inaugural ceremony include Smt. Arvind Manjit Singh, Joint Secretary Culture, Govt. of India, Mr. Lobsang Lama, President of Tibetan Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Jaya Jaitley.
