Distinguished guests and participants of the two-day seminar on “Tibbat Mukti Sadana aur Bharat-Chin Sambandh” (Tibet’s Liberation Struggle and India-China Relations) that was held in Patna.
Patna: A two-day seminar on “Tibbat Mukti Sadana aur Bharat-Chin Sambandh” (Tibet Liberation Struggle and India-China Relations) concluded successfully on 17 November 2024 in Patna. It was jointly organised by the India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) Bihar and the Jagjivan Ram Parliamentary Studies and Political Research Institute, with support from the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) under the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The seminar attracted dignitaries, scholars, and youth from across the region.
The inaugural session’s chief guest and other dignitaries commenced the inaugural ceremony by lighting the Lamp (Diya). Indian National Anthem and Tibetan National Anthem were sung, setting a solemn and patriotic tone for the seminar. ITCO led the Tibetan National Anthem Singing on the Dias. The Tibetan Member of Parliament, on behalf of Central Tibet Administration, facilitated the Chief guest and other dignitaries by offering Khatak and the Hindi version of the autography book “Mera Desh, aur Mera Deshwasi”, authored by My Land and My People by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
The seminar was inaugurated by an esteemed panel comprising Dr. Sanjay Paswan, former Union Minister and current Bihar Legislative Council member; Dr. Ram Chandra Purve, RJD leader and member of the Bihar Legislative Council; Prof. Anand Kumar, Patron of ITFS; Pema Khando Bhutia, former Sikkim MLA; Shri Harendra Kumar, President of ITFS Bihar; Tibetan MP Ven. Tenpa Yarphel; and Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen.
Dr. Sanjay Paswan emphasised India’s strategic role in supporting the Tibetan cause. He urged the audience to proactively support the Tibetan cause and highlighted the importance of the government’s intervention in resolving Tibet’s current crisis and preserving Tibetan identity. He pledged lifelong advocacy for Tibet and justice for the voiceless Tibetans in Tibet.
Dr. Ram Chandra Purve expressed his gratitude and appreciation to ITFS for inviting him as the guest of honour. He shared his experience of receiving blessings from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamshala and encouraged the audience to visit Dharamshala to have a first-hand experience of the Central Tibetan Administration and its functionalities, Tibetan institutions, monasteries, the Tibet Museum, and interact with Tibetan NGOs. The participants expressed a keen interest in exploring Dharamshala to connect with the Tibetan cause.
Tibetan MP Ven. Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen highlighted Tibet’s historical independence, referencing the 1914 Simla Convention during British rule and Tibet’s participation as an independent nation at the 1947 Asian Relations Conference in Delhi. He stressed that before Tibet’s occupation by China, the Indo-Tibetan border remained peaceful and did not require military deployment. He urged the Indian public to recognise Tibet as a peaceful buffer zone between India and China, which would benefit both nations and promote peace across Asia and the world.
Ven. Lopon also emphasised the cultural and spiritual ties between Tibet and India, pointing out that Tibetan Buddhism, which originated from ancient Indian traditions, is integral to the Himalayan region’s culture. He called for increased support from India to preserve Tibetan religion and culture, recognising India’s significant role as the host of Tibetan refugees, the Dalai Lama, and the Central Tibetan Administration.
Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), DIIR, CTA, translated Ven. Lopon’s speech into Hindi and provided a brief introduction to Tibet’s history, spanning from the 7th century to the establishment of the Tibetan government in exile. She elaborated on the cultural and religious ties between India and Tibet, beginning with the invitation of Buddhist masters from India during the reign of Tibetan Dharma King Trisong Deutsen. She highlighted how Tibetans are preserving and propagating the Indian Nalanda tradition globally.
Coordinator Dekyi also addressed the ongoing human rights violations in Tibet under Chinese occupation, citing the recent closure of the Ragya Gangjong Shering Norling Educational Institution in Golog County, Amdo, Tibet, as evidence of China’s escalating efforts to suppress Tibetan language and culture. She appealed to the Indian government and people to condemn such actions and support the preservation of Tibetan identity. She further explained the formation of ITFS, which was initiated by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan to support Tibetan resistance against Chinese aggression and extended by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia’s “Save Himalaya“ campaign. She expressed gratitude for the active role and support of ITFS, one of India’s oldest and most active Tibet support groups.
Professor Anand Kumar emphasised Tibet’s distinct identity and its historical relationship of peace and harmony with India before the forceful annexation by the Chinese Communist Party. He noted that this invasion has not only posed significant security challenges for India but has also diverted the nation’s focus and resources away from crucial sectors like education and development, compelling a shift towards addressing security concerns.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Harendra Kumar, President of ITFS Bihar. Books such as Indian Leaders on Tibet and Bharat Aur Tibbat – Thank You India were distributed to enhance participants’ understanding of the issue. The ITCO team also engaged with participants in groups and one-on-one to promote Tibet awareness.
On the second day, a session on reviewing the past activities carried out by regional representatives in Bihar. It was chaired by Dr. Harendra Kumar and conducted by Prof. Umesh Neeraj. It focused on youth involvement and regional Tibet awareness activities. Prashant Gautam, leader of ITFS’s Youth Wing, along with youth representatives from seven divisions (covering 23 districts), emphasised the importance of youth engagement in enhancing the India-Tibet friendship.
The valedictory session was graced by Dr. Satyajit Sinha of the Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Trust, Manoj Kumar (General Secretary of ITFS Bihar), and Tibetan MP Ven. Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, and Tempa Yarphel.
Chief guest Dr. Satyajit Sinha addressed the gathering by first honouring His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama for his outstanding contribution to the World Peace and expressed his commitment to support Tibetan people’s struggle throughout his life.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Narendra Pathak, Director of the Jagjivan Ram Parliamentary Studies and Political Research Institute.
During the Valedictory Session, Shri Surendra Kumar, National Vice President of ITFS, presented the resolutions and action plan adopted during the two-day seminar. The resolutions included urging the Government of India to confer the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and to invite him to address a joint session of Parliament. The seminar also expressed solidarity with Ladakh, demanding the formulation of a “Himalaya Niti“ for the Himalayan region, while condemning Chinese incursions in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. It reiterated India’s commitment to recovering land occupied by China, as per the 1962 parliamentary resolution. The resolutions further called for the Governor of Bihar to invite the Dalai Lama to address the Bihar Vidhan Mandal, and for a boycott of Chinese goods with a ban on their imports to protect small-scale and cottage industries in India.
The seminar also urged the Bihar and Jharkhand governments to preserve Buddhist heritage and facilitate Tibetan sweater markets in their states, as well as to observe Human Rights Day on 10 December with state-wide programs, including seminars and demonstrations. It was proposed to organise state-level events on 10 March 2025 to mark Tibetan Uprising Day, and to request national leadership to hold a central event in New Delhi. To further engage the youth, the seminar called for expanding outreach through seminars, symposiums, debates, and essay-writing competitions in universities across Bihar. Additionally, the seminar expressed gratitude to the Bihar government and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for granting land to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to establish an institute in Bodhgaya.
Dr. Anand Kumar, Patron of ITFS, presented the Hindi version of the book “Tibbat, Himalaya, Bharat, Chin – Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia“ (English version: India, China, and Northern Frontier) to the Director, Shri Narendra Pathak, and requested that it be placed in the library of the Jagjivan Ram Parliamentary Studies and Political Research Institute, emphasising the importance of understanding geopolitical dynamics.
The seminar reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for Tibet’s cause and worked to foster greater awareness and youth involvement. It was attended by more than 150 members of ITFS from 23 districts across seven divisions of Bihar, including Patna, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur from the Patna Division; Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Vaishali, Sheohar, East Champaran (Motihari), West Champaran (Bettiah) from the Tirhut Division; Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur from the Darbhanga Division; Bhagalpur, Banka from the Bhagalpur Division; Munger, Begusarai from the Munger Division; Gaya, Nawada from the Magadh Division; and Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura from the Kosi Division.
-Report filed by India Tibet Coordination Office, DIIR, CTA
From left to right: Inaugural Session – Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator, ITCO, DIIR, CTA, Harendra Kumar, President of ITFS Bihar, Ven. Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, MP, TPiE, Tempa Yarphel, MP, TPiE, Dr. Sanjay Paswan, former Union Minister and current Bihar Legislative Council member, Prof. Anand Kumar, Patron, ITFS, Dr. Ram Chandra Purve, RJD leader and member of the Bihar Legislative Council, Pema Wangdak, Bhutia, former Sikkim MLA
Pic 1: Ven. Lopon Thupten Yarphel, member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE), CTA, addressing the Inaugural Session. Pic 2: Tenpa Yarphel, member of Tibetan Parliament (TPiE), CTA, facilitating with scarf and the Hindi version of Autobiography of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama to dignitaries at the Dias.
Prof. Anand Kumar, Patron, ITFS, addressing the Inaugural Session
Members of India Tibet Friendship Society covering 23 districts, Bihar at the Seminar Venue, Jagjivan Ram Parliamentary Studies and Political Research Institute
Shri Surendra Kumar, National Vice President, India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), presenting the Resolutions and Action Plans adopted during the Two-Day Seminar
Dr. Anand Kumar, Patron, ITFS, presenting the Hindi version of book called “Tibbat, Himalaya, Bharat, Chin by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia” (English Version: India, China, and Northern Frontier) to the Director Shri Narendra Pathak, Jagjivan Ram Parliamentary Studies and Political Research Institute
