Sikyong Penpa Tsering interacting with the Mayor of Dharamshala. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

Dharamshala: Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association marked the 25th Silver Jubilee Celebration of Himalayan Festival to commemorate the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama at TIPA. The two-day festival will proceed till December 11.

The formal gathering of the festival kicked off in the afternoon of December 10. The Chief Guests of the event include Sikyong Penpa Tsering of CTA and the Mayor of Dharamshala, Shri Onakr Singh Nehria. In addition, Mr Ajit Nehria (President of ITFA), Mr Dawa Tsering (Senior advisor of ITFA), Mr Thinley Jampa (Gen Sect of ITFA), Mr Ashok Pathania, Mr Nirmal, Mr Narender Pathania, Mr Vikas Nehria, Mr Samsher Neria, Mr Dinesh Kapoor, Mr Pintu and Mr Madan also attended the festival.

During the celebration, Sikyong Penpa Tsering emphasised the significance of the festival and the importance of intercommunal interaction and friendship between local Indians and the Tibetan community. Sikyong recollected that earlier, when he was a parliamentarian, the festival was also participated by other communities like Mongols, which he said makes the festival important. He also explained the festival as a vital platform for Tibetans to spread awareness about the plight of Tibet. While informing about the CTA’s celebration of the 32nd Anniversary of the Conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the morning of the same day, Sikyong expressed his concerns over Tibetans suffering inside Tibet. Before concluding his remarks, Sikyong also pledged to maintain a harmonious environment between the Tibetans and the local Indians.

The celebration also saw the presentation of cultural dances of various communities including Tibetans, the local Gaddi community, Himachali etc.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressing the gathering at the festival. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

Group shot of the festival’s guests taken on the stage. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

Sikyong Penpa Tsering with ITFA members in front of the festival stall of Adventure and Tour Association of Dharamshala. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA