Boston: “I am honored and touched by your welcome. Braving inclement weather you all have waited for more than an hour to receive us. Thank you,” said Sikyong Dr. Sangay at his arrival at Burlington, Vermont.

About more than 150 Tibetans in this small of town of Burlington, Vermont dressed in their traditional chubas and waving the Tibetan national flags welcomed their political leader during his first visit to Vermont. The programme began with the singing of Tibetan national anthem and the observation of one-minute silence in memory of all those Tibetans who have died for the cause of Tibet. This was followed by couple of traditional Tibetan dance performed in honor of their leader’s visit to the city.

In his address, Sikyong said that despite being a small community the Tibetan Association is keeping their culture intact by imparting to their children the rich culture of Tibet, language and also organizing culture and political events from time to time. Sharing his experiences about his visits to the Tibetan communities around the world, he said the younger generation is the future of Tibet. “I noticed that during the last four year the school academic result has improved by 150% which is very encouraging.” He said the Department of Education is starting an online scholarship program by which any Tibetan student in India can apply for scholarship well in advance. If they receive the required percentage at the end of their academic year their profile will be automatically updated and will receive scholarship.”

Speaking on Tibet 2020, he said the year 2020 is crucial for the Tibetan movement, as Tibetans at that moment will face major challenges as a result of a great generational shift. “The year 2020 would mark 70 years since the invasion of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China. At the same time, the generation of Tibetans who have experienced freedom in Tibet before the Chinese invasion would have greatly dwindled,” Sikyong said.

“The next generation of Tibetan leadership inside and outside Tibet has to cope with a crucial and challenging reality. Tibetans living in occupied Tibet will have no personal memories of traditional Tibet, while Tibetans outside Tibet will know only a life lived in exile,” he said.

“So to sustain the movement, it is imperative for the elder generation of Tibetans to pass on their knowledge of Tibet’s history and culture to the younger generation,” he added.

The 14th Kashag is observing 2014 as the Year of the Great 14th Dalai Lama to express our gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for tirelessly leading the Tibetan people since the age of 16 and for the promotion of peace, inter-faith harmony and human values throughout the world. He urged all the Tibetan to participate and organize events and program throughout the year to observe the year.

On November 29, Sikyong addressed the Tibetan community members of Boston. He said the present Kashag has worked hard during the last three years and was making good progress in its mission and thanked everyone for their support.

In his remarks, he shared his personal experience working at Dharamsala and spoke on the policies and works carried out by the 14th Kashag since he took over the political responsibility from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011. He shared the DoE scholarship programs, renovation of CTA offices, fund raising visits, support to elderly Tibetans, political prisoners, destitute Tibetans. He said, we have also brought changes in Sherab Gatseling, The Transit School, by extending the duration of academic year from two to eight years. He also mentioned about the Government of India’s recent The Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy, 2014 and Tibet Corps. He said, recently I have attended the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada and will be attending such international conference in future as well.

In response to a question he said, the Middle-Way Approach is the policy of the Central Tibetan Administration but there could be different views in a democratic society. We can explain our position but cannot impose our policy to every organizations.

He urged the Tibetans to maintain unity and condemned the baseless allegations of Dolgyal followers against His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration.

He addressed the Tibetan community members of Madison, Wisconsin, on 30 Nov.

Today, Sikyong is scheduled to deliver a public talk organised by the Harvard Club of Madison.