Tuting: On the third day of Sikyong’s engagements in Tuting, he addressed the Tibetan community explaining the purpose of his maiden visit and the tasks of the 16th Kashag. Since taking charge as the Sikyong, he explained that though a visit was scheduled in October 2021, the plan was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions and sensitivity at the border. However, he added that a team of Health staff was sent this year to assess the community’s health needs, and similarly, a committee established for assessing the condition of the destitute was sent last year.
Today’s visit to the northeast region is part of Sikyong’s commitment to visit Tibetan settlements across India twice a year to assess the public needs and ensure the requisites are met accordingly.
Sikyong apprised the twin goals of the Central Tibetan Administration, i.e., resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict through dialogue based on the Middle Way Approach and looking after the welfare of the Tibetan people in exile. The public was further elucidated about some of the transformations brought about by his administration concerning political approaches, such as the formation of a new Permanent Strategy Committee in replacement of the Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations established in 1998. This new strategy committee consists of four members, each from a specific department of CTA, and is entrusted with the primary task of sourcing relevant information inside Tibet, sourcing news around the world, and conducting analytical research on the information gathered. The committee is responsible for advising Sikyong on advocacy and strategy planning. He also explained the V-TAG and its substantial task of advocacy and lobbying for Tibet with a key focus on youth involvement and participation.
As for overseeing the welfare needs in exile, Sikyong implored Kashag’s priority to alleviate the housing problems of some 1999 Tibetans comprised of the newly arrived Tibetans from Tibet and some along the Into-Tibet border region. He said the Home Department is taking care of the rehabilitation of these people.
Meanwhile, he assured commitment to fulfilling his duties as Sikyong and spoke about the importance of the Administration and its various bodies, the inception of Tibetan democracy, including its evolution, while appealing to the public for participation.
In addition to the profound gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sikyong emphasised the Tibetan people’s gratitude to the Indian government for hosting and supporting Tibetans in their livelihood, as many Tibetans are employed in the army for border security. He also reminded the Tibetans in Arunachal to be equally thankful to the state government for their kindness and support and urged forging good relations with the locals and co-existing harmoniously with them. In his concluding address, he advised the public to steer clear of divisive forces within the community threatening the fabric of unity.
Sikyong was accompanied by the CTA delegation, settlement officer Dorjee Rigzin, and representatives of local Tibetan governmental and civil society groups. On the final day in Tuting, Sikyong visited the Airport Labour Camp line, Mentseekhang branch, Lali village, and the museum at Nesang Dho-Ngag monastery.