The Aide et Espoir pour le Monde Tibetain (AEMT) in Amiens organised its 16th annual Tibet event on March 9. Ms Yoland Caumont, called as Amala by 20 or so Tibetans in town, almost single-handedly has been behind the Tibet campaign in the regions for decades. She has been connected with TCV in Dharmsala and THF in Mussoorie.
Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of HH the Dalai Lama in Brussels was the main guest and speaker for the occasion. Meeting the Mayor of Amiens, Ms Brigitte Foure’, the Representative updated her on the situation in Tibet and thanked for her support to AEMT in its work on Tibet and also requested her take special attention for the welfare of Tibetans in the town.
Two events took place on March 9. In the morning in the presence of Ms Nathalie Lavallard, Deputy Mayor of Amiens, the hoisting of Tibetan flag at the belfry of Town, a UN heritage site, was held. “Tibet’s occupation’ represents the slow death of a people who did not want a totalitarian regime’, she said. It was attended by Town Hall staff and Tibet supporters.
This year’s theme of the main event was Tibetan environment. Michel Buckley’s films, Plundering Tibet and Meltdown Tibet were screened at the Law University Hall. During the debate on the films Representative Phuntsok answered many questions that were raised on the issue of Tibet and its environment.
On March 10, a simple but very solemn and heart warming flag raising ceremony was held in small village of Vers sur Selles. Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and a select group of the village were present. This village also adopted Dechen, a village near Lhasa. An Everest Apple tree – which now is bearing new shoots with advent of spring, – was planted some years ago in the village school compound as a joint project between the school children and AEMT. A detailed discussion was held to further relations between Tibet and the village.
Over 600 towns and villages in France hoist Tibetan flag, mostly on March 10 and some on all times along with French National Flag. Some 70 villages in France have adopted Tibetan villages or towns to show solidarity and support for Tibet and Tibetans in Tibet.
Ms Caumont is a gritty lady, committed to Tibet cause and welfare of Tibetan children in India. AEMT hosted Nyima Lhamo, who is now in Holland, in October last year. Mr. Phuntsok had taken part with AEMT events in 2003 and 2005 when he was the Representative of HH the Dalai Lama in Paris.
– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Brussels –
