GANGTOK: In the quiet beautiful Himalayan town of Gangtok in India’s north East region, a 3-day Tibet Festival was hosted jointly organised by Delhi based India-Tibet Coordintation Office, Tibet Museum, Tibet support groups & Tibetan communities of Gangtok.

Shri. Prem Das Rai, the only Lok Sabha member of the state inaugurated the festival at Cholka Sum Community hall. He was accompanied by Mr.T.D.Bhutia, Joint Director Exam, HRD department, government of Sikkim.

The opening ceremony was attended by around 250 people including 150 school children from 15 different schools of the town, teachers, local Sikkimese and Tibetan people.

Acharya Rinchen, President of the Local Tibetan Assembly welcomed the public and eloquently spoke about the life and contribution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama towards world peace.

Chief Guest Mr.P.D.Rai expressed his genuine support for the Tibetan cause and shared that his 91 year old father told him that he met His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Panchen Rinpoche in 1956 during the 2500 Birth anniversary of Lord Buddha in New Delhi.  He extended his best wishes, compliments and prayer for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 80th birthday.

Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim, Coordinator, ITCO, introduced the day’s program followed by cultural performances by local Tibetan communities, screening of Tibetan Documentary movies and also photo exhibition by Tibet Museum.

In the afternoon, Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim interacted with 50 odd students from Paljor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School on Tibetan issue and it’s culture followed by a question answer session. A student asked what can be done to reduce the cultural gap between present and previous generation which she feels is deteriorating on a rapid scale.

– Report filed by India-Tibet Coordination Office –