Dharamshala: The 15th anniversary of the Centre for Middle Way Initiative was commemorated today in the presence of former Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche and CTA leadership led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang.

Others in the gathering comprised of former and current members of the Parliament in Exile, Secretary of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Officer, representatives of the Tibetan local bodies, members of the Centre for Middle Way Initiative, and the general public.

Chief guest, former Kalon Tripa Professor Samdong Rinpoche congratulated the winners of the essay writing competition held on the theme of Middle Way Approach and commended the founders and the staff of the organisation for working persistently for the past 15 years. He asserted that the Middle Way Approach is the only solution for resolving the Sino-Tibet conflict peacefully, the responsibility, he noted, must be shouldered by all the stakeholders, including the general public within their own capacity. In addition, he said that Middle Way Approach fulfils the needs of both the present circumstances and the future.

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel briefed on the Middle Way Approach and the benefits of this policy to both the Chinese government and the Tibetan people, as well as the neighbouring nations. He also stressed the importance of having discussions within the Tibetan community between those demanding complete independence and genuine autonomy while seeking the resolution of the Sino-Tibet conflict.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering spoke on the16th Kashag’s strategic approach to prioritisation of seeking recognition for Tibet’s historical status as an independent nation via-a-vis countering China’s misrepresentations of Tibet and further dispelling danger of China’s narrative of Tibet being regarded as fact by other countries. Regarding the pursuit of establishing Tibet’s historical status as an independent nation, Sikyong explained the 16th Kashag’s efforts to advocate Tibetan history on international platforms and especially to the foreign affairs’ office. Currently, a bill on Tibet is undergoing a review which if passed will recognise Tibet’s historically independent status and the Sino-Tibet conflict as an unresolved issue.

Apart from them, the President of the Centre for Middle Way Initiative Lobsang Choephel addressed the gathering and the Vice President Dawa Tsering delivered a report of the organisation’s various undertakings.

Following the deliverance of speeches, the guests inaugurated the compilation of essays on the theme of Middle Way Approach.