First International Conference on Umaylam begins in Dharamsala

DHARAMSALA, May 26: ​The first International Conference on Middle Way (Umaylam) Policy began earlier today at the Hall of Tibetan Institute of performing Arts here in Dharamsala.

Pema Jungney, the Speaker elect of Tibetan Parliament in Exile attended the opening ceremony of the Conference as the Chief Guest along with Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, former Tourism Minister of Himachal Pradesh as Special guest, Chinese Prof Ming Xia, some Tibetan parliamentarians and other dignitaries.

Parliamentarian Dawa Tsering, the president of the organising comittee of the first International Conference on Middle Way delivered the statement of the Organizing committee and said that the purpose of holding the conference is to develop better understanding and responsibility of the people on the Middle Way Approach and to called on China to resume dialogue with the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the genuine autonomy of Tibet.

Dawa Tsering further said that if China fails to grant Genuine Autonomy to Tibet within the lifetime of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, then China should own responsibility for whatever untoward incident it follows.

Prof Ming Xia spoke about the Chinese people’s support for the Middle Way Approach and said that he posted a statement supporting the Middle Way Approach online and within 48 hours over 60 Chines signed his statement to show their support.

Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, in his address spoke about China’s need to trust the sincere call for Genuine Autonomy and his first encounter with Tibetans.

Pema Jungney, the Speaker elect of Tibetan Parliament in Exile spoke about the importance of understanding the Umaylam rather than supporting it as His Holiness’ belief.

The Speaker elect further spoke about the evolution of Umaylam and how it is the aspiration of the Tibetan people. He also released a book, collection of speeches by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and former Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpochey on Umaylam.

People’s Movement for Middle Way, a Tibetan NGO based in Dharamsala and Youth for Umaylam- the Middle Way Approach (Y4U) from Minnesota, U.S. jointly organized the conference. Around 500 participants from 30 different places took part in the opening ceremony of the conference.

The conference will be held over May 26-31 and former Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpochey and former Speaker Penpa Tsering are among the guest speakers of the conference.

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