Kushinagar: Every beginning has its ending – the mortal truth of Samsara that was endorsed by the Parinirvana of Lord Buddha at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh commemorated an event “Tibet Awareness Program” organised jointly by the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), Bharat Tibbat Samvad Manch (BTSM) and Buddha Degree College at the auditorium of the Buddha Degree PG College, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh on 16 October 2023.
The event was attended by Chief Guest former MLA Shri Rajnikant Mani Tripati, Special Guest Social worker Shri Rakesh Jaiswal, Shri Surendra Kumar, National Co-Convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause- India (CGTC-I), Ven. Tenkyong, Incharge of Namgyal Tibetan Monastery, Kushinagar, Dr. Shub Lal from Bharat Tibbat Samvad Manch (BTSM), faculties and students of the College.
Among the attendees were Thupten Rinzin, Coordinator of India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) and Deputy Coordinator of ITCO, and prominent local figures.
Dr. Nigam Maurya from the college introduced the program and moderated the program and asked the students to make the productive use of the program.
Shri Surendra Kumar talked about the ancient India-Tibet relations, illegal occupation of Tibet by China and its implication for India in terms of the Border Security. Surendra Kumar recalled how India used to share a natural and free border with Tibet prior to unlawful Chinese occupation and stressed upon how India need to stand up for the just cause of Tibet.
Shri Rakesh Jaiswal, in his short address, expressed his support for Tibetan cause and assured his full support in the future.
ITCO Coordinator Thupten Rinzin introduced about the reason for holding the Tibet awareness program at the college and which he said was to educate the young Indian about the ancient ties between India and Tibet and also about the current situation inside Tibet and the need to support Tibetan freedom movement.
Thupten further presented a power point presentation on the following theme: cultural and spiritual kindship between India and Tibet, facts about the Independent Tibet, unlawful occupation of Tibet, escape of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Ji & thousands of Tibetan into exile, operation of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), current situation inside Tibet and why Tibet matters to India?
Former MLA Shri Rajnikant Mani Tripathi talked about the linguistic and spiritual relations that India shares with Tibet. He called out the Indian youth to support and show solidarity with the Tibetan issue.
“One day Tibetan people will have a day when they are able to go back to Tibet and reunite with Tibetan in Tibet. Tibet will regain its independence one day and it’s just a matter of time” said Shri Rajnikant Mani Tripathi.
More than 30 students took part in the essay competition organised at the College at the initiative of ITCO and prizes were distributed to the top 5 selected essays and consolation prize were distributed to all the participants.
More than three hundred students along with some media representatives took part in the event.
At the conclusion, a thank you remark was delivered by Tenzin Jorden.
Aside from the program, the Tibet Museum from Dharamshala was also invited, and they showcased a photo exhibition titled “India-Tibet Relations” on campus, which was thronged by the students and faculties.
India Tibet Coordination Office, New Delhi, also distributed Tibet-related books and brochures during the program.
-Report filed by India Tibetan Coordination Office (ITCO), New Delhi
