Tibetans in Dharamsala celebrate 29th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama
DHARAMSALA, Dec 10: Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters today gathered at the courtyard of Tsug-lag-Khang, the main temple in Mcleod Ganj to attend the official function to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Shri Pradeep Tamta, Congress Rajya Sabha MP and Andrea Papus Ngombet Malewa, President, Global Coordinator attended the function as the Chief Guest and Special Guest respectively.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony include President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Dr Lobsang Sangay, Speaker Pema Jungney, representatives of the three pillars of the Tibetan democracy as well as members of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and officials of CTA.
CTA president Dr Lobsang Sangay and Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Pema Jungney delivered the official statements of the Kashag (the Tibetan cabinet) and the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile respectively.
Shri Pradeep Tamta greeted the congregation and congratulated the Tibetan Nobel Laureate on the 29th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize as he began his address and said that at a time of growing cases of violence and conflicts across the world, we are lucky and blessed to have the Dalai Lama with us as a saviour.
The ceremony also included felicitation of a civil servant for his 29 years’ service and release of 2018 Yarkyi album produced by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
As December 10 is also celebrated across the world as the Human Rights day and marks 70 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was issued, CTA President highlighted the gravely deplorable human rights situation inside Tibet and thanked the 12 countries who raised concern over human rights violations in Tibet at the 31st session of UN Human Rights Council where China underwent its third Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Speaker Pema Jungney in his address described today as an important day worthy of being rejoiced with celebrations for people across the world who value democracy, freedom, and peace. That is why we felt it pertinent to reiterate the historical event that took place 29 years ago.
He further urged Tibetans, individuals and organisations alike to let the 83-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader rest properly by not taking much of his time to seek audiences and seeking his presence on functions and events.
Cultural performances were also presented during the event by students and staffs of Tibetan schools around Dharamsala and Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
The Special guest of the event, Andrea Papus Ngombet Malewa, President of Global Coordinator Collective Sassoufit Congolese Human Rights Group in his address, he drew the similarity between occupation of the Tibet by Chinese and the onslaught of Chinese expansion back in his country.
“I came here not because we share the same enemy, but because we share a common goal; peace for Congolese s and peace for Tibet, Peace to justice and oppression,” he said.
As the day is locally marked here as International Himalayan Festival of Dharamshala by the local host community to offer their high salutations to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ajay Singh Mankotia, President of Dharamsala Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association called on the Tibetans to join fore for the drive to make Dharamsala, the Finest spiritual centre in India.
