Tibetan Student Unity Network Debuts on PRC’s 75th Anniversary, Aims to Empower Tibetan Students
By Yangchen Lhamu
DHARAMSALA, 3 Oct: Marking a significant milestone in the Tibetan diaspora community, the Tibetan Student Unity Network (TSUN)-India was officially launched on 1 October 2024, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
This newly formed student network aims to unite exiled Tibetan students and youth across India, fostering unity, empowerment, and collective strength through a shared vision and apolitical stance.
The TSUN aims to educate students on Tibetan culture, history, and governance, fostering collective strength among dispersed student associations. Its initiatives include annual meetings, monthly online sessions, social media campaigns, and commemorating significant events.
Currently, 10 student associations have joined, with membership open to any student association in India. The network seeks to enhance Tibetan students’ knowledge, influence, and collective strength.
In the RTYC Jalandhar President’s absence due to health reasons, RTYC Jalandhar’s Executive Member, Karma Tashi, spoke with us, shedding light on the TSUN’s vision and initiatives.
On the origin of the TSUN, Karma says it emerged from a youth gathering, where Tibetan student leaders converged, and was refined through subsequent meetings. This collaborative effort led to the network’s official launch on 1 October 2024.
“The TSUN has three key goals,” says Karma. It aims to establish a strong Tibetan student organisation, promote cultural and democratic awareness among youth, and unite dispersed, fragmented associations to amplify their collective influence.
“TSUN focuses on India for now with no international expansion plans,” Karma said. Currently, its social media presence is only through its newly opened page on Instagram as tsun_india. In order to join, any student association can contact the network through Instagram or reach out to RTYC Jalandhar’s President or other TSUN leaders.
Karma added that so far, “TSUN marked Tibetan Democracy Day, which falls on 2 September.” He added that the student members of the group participated in making short videos, dramas, and plays related to Tibetan Democracy Day, which he said drew approximately 30 participants.
The network has no single President; instead, the 10 member associations hold equal positions. These associations are RTYC Jalandhar, SFT Jalandhar, RTYC Sarah, Chakori, MTSA Mysore, TSAM Chennai, SFT Mangalore, RTYC Mangalore, and SFT Bangalore.
The network operates primarily online with no fixed location. It was formed informally in June/July through discussions among student leaders. The network’s active members are the presidents and vice presidents of the 10-member student associations.
