DHARAMSHALA: Thousands of Tibetans and Tibetan friends today gathered at Tsuklakhang courtyard to celebrate the joyous occasion of its 55th anniversary of Democracy day. The occasion was graced by the presence of Ms. Maneka Gandhi, the Indian Union cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development and Mr. Shanta Kumar, former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh and Union Minister in the central Government of India. Other dignitaries include Shreemati Kanak Lata Singh, member of Parliament and daughter of late Shri. Mohan Singh, Shri. Ram Kumar Kashyap, member of Parliament, Dr. ThokchomMeinya, member of Parliament, Shri. Thupstan Tsewang, member of parliament.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay extending his greetings said, “My colleagues and I offer our deepest respect and bow down in gratitude to Tibet’s most revered leader His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama for conscientiously pioneering and tirelessly steering a democratic system for the wellbeing of Tibetan people. This gift has been the most inspiring and transformative experience to the Tibetan people.”
“Fifty-five years ago, on this day, the first elected Tibetan people’s representatives took their oath of office not long after the great-oath (Na-gyen Chenmo) taking event of Bodh-Gaya. Since then this historic date came to be celebrated as the Tibetan Democracy Day,” the statement said.
“It is hoped that the Chinese government led by Xi Jinping will soon realize that dialogue is the only viable solution for a peaceful resolution of the issue of Tibet. The Kashag reaffirms its commitment to the Middle Way Approach. Our approach and its practicality of benefitting both the party has generated appreciation and support from around the world,” the statement further added.
Speaker Penpa Tsering in his statement said, “the democratic system of government is a result of the historical evolution of the human civilization. Its culmination is marked by a society in which everyone is viewed as equal, without any discrimination based on one’s position, wealth, gender, race, and so on. It is recognised as one of the best systems of government in the world today. But unlike in the cases of the people in the numerous democratic countries of the world today, where the general masses of people had to undergo turbulences of uprisings and bitter struggles to finally realize their dreams in the courses of their historical evolution, the Tibetan people did not have to experience these painful transitions towards this noble system of government. Rather than having to stage an uprising or to carry on a bitter struggle, and so on under a historical process of evolution, democracy came to the Tibetan people as a gift from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Speaking about the oncoming Tibetan elections, he said Tibetans should take full participation in the election to ensure the sustenance of the robust Tibetan democracy. he said,: “I would also like to emphasize, taking advantage of the opportunity offered by this occasion, to call on fair number of Tibetans who have moved and who continue to move to other countries – with the result that most of them become scattered in their new host countries – to make the extra efforts to give due importance to these elections and ensure that they manage to take part in them.”
Special guest of the event Ms. Maneka Gandhi who along with her ancestors have been involved in Tibet movement since the Tibetans made to exile said, “what is so important of you is that many nations have been invaded and many nations have lost their cultural identities when they have been forced out of their countries but this is one nation which has culturally linguistically intact and much more importantly your spirit love for your own country has been never wavered.”
Expressing her deep satisfaction, she said that though Tibet’s struggle is a long and a difficult one but Tibetans have never weakened in their efforts.
“Today we celebrate the gift of democracy as the Prime minister said given to you by His Holiness showing how truly enlightened not only he is but the fact that you have accepted and done it so gracefully shows how enlightened you all are,” she further added.
Mr Shanta Kumar expressing his greetings on the occasion said that Tibetans having been departed from their homeland and staying in exile for more than five decades has been abled to preserved their culture and tradition successfully. He also admired Tibet’s resolution of non-violence as a tool against the Chinese to resolve the Tibet issue.
Talking about the timeless association between India and Tibet who share their culture, language and religion origin, he added, “Tibet and India was, is and will always be together and one.”
He further said that the whole world admires His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s promulgation of democratizing the Tibetan administration. He further assured that Tibetans are not alone in their struggle.
“I believe and pray that Tibet succeeds in their struggle, I once again wish the best wishes on the occasion,” he ended.
