Sikyong Penpa Tsering inaugurating the community hall, built by the 16th Kashag, in Salugara during his official tour to Tibetan settlements around Darjeeling.
Darjeeling: On 28 January 2024, Sikyong Penpa Tsering arrived in Siliguri to a warm welcome at Bagdogra Airport. The reception was led by Dorjee Rinzin, Chief Representative Officer of the Northeast region, along with community leaders and representatives from local Tibetan civil societies.
Sikyong’s engagements for the day commenced with the inauguration of a community hall at Salugara, in the presence of Tseten, Kalimpong Tibetan Settlement Officer, and members of the Salugara Tibetan community. After briefly addressing the gathering, Sikyong proceeded to the Chagpori Tibetan Medical Institute to continue his programme.
As evening fell, Sikyong and his entourage visited the Sakya Kunga Shedup Ling Monastery in Kurseong and interacted with the residents briefly, before heading towards Darjeeling.
The following day, 29 January, Sikyong’s engagements continued with a tour of several important sites in Darjeeling. These included the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement office located on the top floor of the Manjushri Guest House, the ongoing renovation of the settlement office, and the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre’s head office as well as its factory. The centre, established by the first batch of Tibetan refugees in 1959, also houses a carpet manufacturing factory that has provided livelihood opportunities for Tibetans in India.
Later in the day, Sikyong visited Sambhota Tibetan School in Darjeeling, where he addressed the Tibetan residents from the abovementioned settlements.
In his keynote address, Sikyong emphasised the historical significance of Tibetan identity and highlighted how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has manipulated the ancient ties between Tibet and China for political gain. “As the PRC intensifies its misinformation campaigns to falsely assert claims over Tibet, it is crucial for us as Tibetans to understand and preserve our history, culture, and language,” Sikyong stated. “In the face of growing efforts to erase our identity within Tibet and the changing dynamics that threaten to dilute our heritage in exile, we must remain vigilant and put joint efforts in maintaining our unique identity.” He further recommended that attendees study the works of international law expert Prof. Michael van Walt van Praag and renowned China scholar Prof. Lau Han Shiang for deeper insights into Tibet’s historical and legal context.
Sikyong also underscored the importance of ensuring the continued survival of Tibetan identity through a peaceful resolution of the longstanding Tibet-China conflict and acknowledged the 16th Kashag’s unwavering commitment to the principles of the Middle Way Policy. “Regardless of our individual political perspectives, we must all unite in affirming the historically independent status of our nation and work towards a peaceful resolution based on practical, reality-driven solutions,” Sikyong concluded.
Before wrapping up his day-long engagements, Sikyong also attended an event at the Manjushree Centre of Tibetan Culture and spoke to the students there.
