Bhandara: India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) in collaboration with India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), Bhandara organised a Tibet Awareness Programme at Mahendra Junior Science College, Bela (Bhandara), Maharashtra on 25^th October, 2023.

The dignitaries present at the programme were Chief Guest Shri Pramod Kumar Anerav, popular Marathi poet and writer; Guest of Honour Shri Mahendra Gadkari, Ex-President, Bhandara Municipal Corporation; Shri Arvind Nikose, National Co-Convener (Western Region), Core Group for Tibetan Cause-India (CGTC-I), Shri Amrut Bansod, President, ITFS Maharashtra; Shri Sachin Ramteke, ITFS Nagpur, Shri Sachin Gabhane, College Principal and Shri Moreshwar Ghedam, Ex-Principal of the college along with Tashi Dekyi and Choney Tsering from ITCO.

The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of a lamp and the offering of flowers to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the distinguished guests in attendance.

Shri Amrut Bansod provided the introductory address, outlining the purpose of the Tibet awareness programme to the assembled audience. He expounded on Tibet, the Tibetan freedom movement, and the importance of supporting the Tibetan cause.

Shri Sachin Gabhane expressed his delight at having organised the Tibet awareness programme at the college, emphasising its potential benefits for both students and teachers, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of Tibet.

Tashi Dekyi elucidated the objectives of the Tibet awareness programme, aiming to educate young Indians about the historical connections between India and Tibet, the current situation within Tibet, and the Tibetan freedom movement. She delivered a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on Tibet, covering topics such as the cultural and spiritual ties between India and Tibet, the unlawful occupation of Tibet, Tibet’s historical status as an independent nation, the present conditions in Tibet, and the reasons why Tibet is significant to India.

Shri Mahendra Gadkari and Shri Pramod Kumar Anerav underscored the importance of Tibet for India and condemned the illegal occupation of Tibet by Communist China. They reiterated their support for Tibet and the Tibetan freedom movement.

Shri Arvind Nikose discussed China’s unlawful occupation of Tibet and its implications for India’s border security. He stressed India’s historical connection with Tibet and the necessity of backing the Tibetan freedom movement.

The dignitaries were presented with mementos, and five students who wrote essays on Tibet were honoured. Additionally, the India Tibet Coordination Office also donated Tibet-related books to the college.

The awareness programme was attended by more than 250 students and teachers from the college.

Choney Tsering, ITCO Program Officer, conveyed a vote of thanks to the dignitaries, ITFS Bhandara, the college, and all those who participated in the programme.

“With the successful conclusion of our awareness program, the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) has effectively wrapped up its outreach and awareness campaign, which encompassed Tibet Support Groups in the Nagpur region. Our efforts also included organising an awareness programme at a college and active participation in the Dhammachakra Pravartan Diwas from October 23rd to 25th, 2023.

I extend my sincere gratitude, on behalf of ITCO, to Shri Arvind Nikose Ji, National Co-Convener (Western Region) of the Core Group for Tibetan Cause-India (CGTC-I), and his dedicated team from the National Campaign for Free Tibet Support (NCFTS), ITFS Nagpur chapter, along with other Tibet Support Groups. Their collective efforts were instrumental in the success of this outreach and awareness programme.

Looking forward, we aim to reach out to other regions in the coming months as we continue our mission to raise awareness and support for the Tibetan cause,” said Thupten Rinzin, Coordinator of ITCO in New Delhi.

-Filed by India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), New Delhi