DEKYILING: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay today inaugurated Potala hall, the new community hall of Dekyiling Tibetan settlement based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Sikyong briefed the public on the activities being performed by the Kashag to further the Tibetan movement and secure the welfare of the Tibetan people.
In his address, Sikyong spoke on four broad points; the Kashag’s flagship five-fifty strategy, Middle Way Approach to resolve the Tibet issue, importance of investing in education of Tibetan children to secure the future of Tibetan community, and revitalising the economic strength of the community through financial schemes and projects.
He also shared his views on the need for reforms in the Tibetan electoral process. The Kashag led by Sikyong has earlier called for a single-phase election instead of the existing two-round (preliminary and final).
To buttress his argument, Sikyong said “The time period of over 7 months in the existing election format gives the chance to parties including China and Dolgyal followers to create disruption within the community during the volatile campaign period.”
“Moreover, the duration within the two elections (preliminary and final) only serve to amplify the ever growing practice of denigrating candidates even before the term even begins, casting an unwanted public perception,” he added.
He further expressed his firm conviction in the benefits of holding a single-phase election, and explained that majority of the nations across the world including India hold only one election to form the government.
Following the inaugural ceremony, Sikyong held a brief informal meeting with representatives of Tibetan communities based in and around Dehradun. The informal meeting was followed by inspection visits to nearby facilities.
From Dekyiling, Sikyong visited the Ngoenga School for Tibetan children with special needs based near the settlement. He greeted the patients and playfully interacted with them for half an hour. Sikyong then left for the Chief Minister’s residence to meet Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat.
From the Chief Minister’s official residence, Sikyong left for Selakui School.
At the school, Sikyong addressed the students and staff of the school on the importance of pursuing excellence in education and urged them to effectively compartmentalise their priorities.
He also informed the students on the challenges of life outside the school system, encouraging them to have the courage to bear difficulties in their stride and move on in life.
Sikyong also called for critical analysis in their approach to education and urged them to develop subjective writing. He explained that a single topic could be discussed in various interpretations, popularly known as the ‘Rashomon effect’.
Sikyong further spoke about the art of public speaking based on the ‘I, We, Urgency and Action’ formula. “Public narrative is an intrinsic part of leadership. It is the foundation on which the question of – why, what, how, and who – unravels. It is the art of translating values into action through stories, offering leaders an opportunity to develop their capacity to lead,” he said.
“It is what make people into leaders and leaders into great leaders,” he added.
Sikyong’s talk at Selakui school was attended by students of TCV Selakui and students of Industrial Training Institute (ITI), the professional training institute.
