16th General Body Meeting of TYC under way

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA: August 30: Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest Tibetan NGO supporting complete independence for Tibet, began their 16th General Body Meeting yesterday at the MCD hall in Lower Dharamshala.

With Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile (TPiE) Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, as the Chief Guest and Kasur (former minister) Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche as Special Guest, members of Tibetan Parliament and members representing 40 regional chapters of TYC from India and abroad, about 200 people attended the meeting.

14112006_1244528165591591_1886788136_nDescribing the organization as a unified Tibetan organization irrespective of one’s region and gender, Tenzin Jigme, the TYC President said, “If you have the dedication and commitment to serve Tibet and its cause, the platform is always there. Tibetan youngsters should make use of this opportunity.”

TYC presented the ‘Rangzen Award’ to Kalsang Wangdue and Dorjee Tsering who self-immolated for the cause of Tibet along with the volunteers who have served the organization for over a decade. The organization also distributed awards for the winners of the essay competition and class XII Tibetan subject toppers in the Board exam.

“When we strive for our freedom, our opinion and stand can vary. But our goal is same, its for the Tibetan cause. Therefore, we should embrace the difference and complement each other in the course of our movement rather than pulling each others legs,” the

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel said referring to the mudslinging and unnecessary infighting between Middle Way and Rangzen advocates.

“I have been a supporter of the organization for a long while now,” Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche said in his address.

However, Rinpoche was critical about the fiasco surrounding the election of the Speaker of the 16 Tibetan Parliament.

14137841_1244528168924924_405493734_n“We have a good representation of youth in the parliament now. But the division of the house during the election of the Speaker was very unfortunate and totally uncalled for. It should not be repeated in the future,” Rinpoche said.

General Body Meeting, held after every three years is the highest decision making body of the TYC. The current meeting enters the second day today and will continue to be held till Sept 3.

During the course of the 6-day meeting, the organization will elect the new members of the 16th Central Executive Committee, discuss and lay down plans for the organizations’ campaigns and projects for the coming years.