Dharamshala: As part of its annual outreach program, the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) based in New Delhi organised for Indian media students an educational tour to Dharamshala from 19th – 21st October 2022. Twenty-six students and two faculty members of the Delhi School of Journalism, accompanied by ITCO Acting Coordinator Tashi Dekyi and Program Officer Choney Tsering, took part in the program.
During the three-day program, the group visited Central Tibetan Administration on the first day and met with Kalon Norzin Dolma, Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), who briefed the group about Tibet and the organizational structure and functions of CTA. The group visited the Department of Education and met with Kalon Tharlam Dolma, who shared with them the education scenario of Tibetans in exile and the basic education policy of the department.
The media students group visited the Tibet Museum of CTA, where Museum Director Tenzin Topden welcomed and briefed the group about the Tibet Museum, which was followed by a detailed tour of the museum.
The group met with Sikyong Penpa Tsering in the afternoon, where he addressed the students about the political status of Tibet, the current situation inside Tibet, the Tibetan leadership in exile and Indo-Tibet relations. Moreover, Sikyong stressed to the young friends to know and update themselves about Tibet especially being a media student. The address was followed by a Q & A session which was actively participated by all.
Thereafter, the students visited Upper Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), where they met TCV Education Director Ven. Tenzin Tsenlek. She briefed them about the history of TCV, the current scenario and the school’s contribution to the Tibetan community and Tibetan movement. The group was toured around the village, where they witnessed the children’s upbringing in TCV.
In the evening, the group visited Tsuglakhang Temple Complex and toured the temples where they offered obeisance. Later, they joined the Tibetan community celebrating lhakar by performing the Tibetan circle dance (gorshey).
On the second day, the students’ group visited the Department of Home, CTA where they were briefed about the Tibetan community in exile, especially in India. Later, they visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), where they learned about the legislature of Tibetans in exile.
The group were welcomed at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), where they were shown a documentary film introducing the library and its works. They toured the library complex comprising of library museum, manuscripts section and collection of books.
In the afternoon, the students had an interactive session with Dharamsala-based Tibetan NGOs, including the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), Tibetan Women Association (TWA), Students for Free Tibet – India (SFT – India), National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT), Gu-Chu-Sum Association and many other organizations. The session was facilitated by Tibetan Settlement Office, Dharamshala. Thereafter, the group visited the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), where its Director Dhondup Tsering welcomed and briefed them about the institute and its works. The media students had an interactive session with the TIPA students, with performances from both groups.
The students’ group received an audience with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on the final day. Later in the evening, a brief concluding program was held wherein ITCO Acting Coordinator Tashi Dekyi thanked all the students and faculty members for their participation and cooperation during the program. As a gesture of appreciation, all the participants were offered Khatak (Tibetan sacred white scarf) and extended best wishes for their future endeavours with the hope that the program has enlightened them about Tibet.
The students and the faculty offered their heartfelt thanks to the organisers for the opportunity to learn many new things about Tibet, which was essential for media students to know. The participants assured to contribute to the Tibetan cause by creating awareness about Tibet among their friends and general Indian masses.
-Reported by ITCO, New Delhi