TYC North America confers Patriotic Martyr Award on Lobga Rangzen, sets 2 July as remembrance day
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, 17 August: The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has honoured Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen with its Patriotic Martyr Award during its 22nd North American Executive Committee Meeting in New York, recognising his sacrifice for Tibet and the Tibetan people.
The award was presented to members of Lobga Rangzen’s family during the opening ceremony of the three-day meeting, held from 14 to 16 August and hosted by the TYC New York–New Jersey chapter.
The meeting also resolved to observe 2 July as a day of remembrance for Lobga Rangzen, with commemorative activities to be organised annually. Rangzen died after self-immolating outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on 2 July, calling on exiled Tibetans to remain united beyond regional and sectarian divisions and to work towards the restoration of Tibet’s independence.
The meeting adopted more than 15 resolutions covering nine agenda items, including measures concerning the protection of the Dalai Lama and efforts to strengthen Tibetan youth’s commitment to the Tibetan national cause and the organisation’s political objectives.
The meeting, which was initially planned to be held in Canada, was moved to New York following Lobga Rangzen’s self-immolation, according to the TYC.
Former Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President (Sikyong) Lobsang Sangay attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest. Other attendees included Tibetan Parliamentarian Ven. Kunga Soetop, former parliamentarian Geshe Monlam Tharchin. Representatives of the Tibetan organisations, former TYC office-bearers, and representatives from seven regional chapters across North America were also present.
A special meeting of TYC central and regional chapter representatives in North America was also scheduled for 17 August to discuss the organisation’s future activities and ways to expand its campaigns and programmes for the restoration of Tibet’s independence.
