Tibetans Commemorate Tibetan Independence Day
By Tsering Choephel
DHARAMSALA, 14 Feb: In commemorating the 13th Dalai Lama’s declaration of Tibet’s Independence on 13 February 1913, the Tibetan National Congress, New York and New Jersey chapter marked the 111th anniversary on Tuesday in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, US.
Despite the cold wind and snowfall, Tibet’s independence advocates and supporters gathered before Philadelphia’s Independence Hall to celebrate the historic day. The Tibetan national anthem was sung, and the 13th Dalai Lama’s proclamation of Tibet’s independence was read out.
Lobga Rangzen, the President of the New York and New Jersey Tibetan National Congress, spoke to the gathering, stating, “In celebration of the 111th anniversary of the Tibetan Declaration of Independence, we chose this place (Philadelphia’s Independence Hall) to mark the day and also to present the Certificate of Appreciation to Thupten Chonyi.”
Thupten Chonyi, a Tibetan independence activist, is nearing the end of his one-year solo protest, condemning China’s occupation of Tibet and raising awareness about Tibet’s history and current situation. Chonyi commenced his protest on 10 March 2023, in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, concluding on the coming 10 March.
In his address, Chonyi highlighted the legacy of education and cultural strength that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the elder generations have established in exile for the present generation. He also called for remembering “the resilience of Tibetans living in Tibet” and “the messages of 160 Tibetans who have self-immolated since.”
Tenpa Dhagyal, a former political prisoner, was the chief guest. In his speech, he rejected interpretations questioning the call for an ‘independent Tibet’ in the 13th Dalai Lama’s declaration. To bolster his point, he stated, “The 13th Dalai Lama’s declaration of an Independent Tibet is clearly written in Shakabpa’s book, ‘Tibet: A Political History,’ as well as the 14th Dalai Lama’s autobiography, ‘My Land and My People.'”
He also lauded Chonyi’s dedication and sacrifices, saying, “It’s already not easy for many Tibetans here to participate in a one-day protest during 10 March. But he (Chonyi) has been here every single day for almost a year now. That’s a huge sacrifice.”
Students for a Free Tibet-India organised an event here in the exile headquarters of the Tibetan people to celebrate the day with remembrance with a poetry night in the woods that also featured music while the attendees were served thenthuk (hand-pulled noodles) and changkol apart from the bonfire in the woods to comfort them.
Parallel campaigns and activities were carried out all over the world by Tibetans and pro-Tibet activists as well. The contents related to the 13th Dalai Lama’s declaration of Tibet’s independence were trending online, with Tibetans in the diaspora, including activists, writers, and youths, all sharing posts related to it on social media platforms.
On 13 Feb. 2013, Tibetans across the world marked the centennial of the proclamation of Tibetan independence made by the great thirteenth Dalai Lama in 1913. Since then, Tibetans and supporters have been commemorating 13 Feb. as Tibetan Independence Day to counter China’s claim that Tibet was historically a part of China.
