Ludhiana: The elected head of the Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay attended the 3rd general conference of Tibetan Refugee Trader’s Association held in Ludhiana in the Indian state of Punjab on Saturday.
Addressing the conference, Sikyong applauded the general good relation between the Tibetan traders and their Indian counterparts and urged the younger traders in the hosiery business to uphold the values of the older generations. “We must uphold the values of humility, integrity and resilience for which Tibetans are known for,” Sikyong urged.
Around a thousand Tibetans attended the conference along with representatives of Indo-Tibetan Hosiery Association and Lala Tibetan Hosiery Association, two key parties involved in the Tibetan’s hosiery business.
The indian counterparts of the hosiery business, known among the Tibetans as ‘Lala’, described their business relations with Tibetans as one based on “trust and honesty.”
Sikyong also remarked on education as the key priority of the 14th Kashag and explained the steps being taken to improve the standard of education in the Tibetan community and urged the Tibetans to place importance on the children’s education vis-a-vis their daily business.
“The 14th Kashang considers education as the number one priority and there was a significant improvement in terms of students scoring above 75% in class 12,” Sikyong said adding that the standard of education still needs improvement.
Sikyong also underscored the CTA’s commitment to follow the Middle Way Approach which he said is the most “pragmatic” approach to seek a lasting solution to the Tibetan issue.
Sikyong’s visit to Ludhiana is his first since taking over the responsibility as the political leader of Central Tibetan Administration.
Sikyong’s arrival on August 15th was welcomed by Ms. Gawa Lhamo, President of Tibetan Refugee Trader’s Association and Tibetans with ceremonial scarf. Lala Tibetan Hosiery Association hosted a dinner reception where Sikyong cut a cake designed on the Indian national flag to signify the occasion of India’s independence day.
