Dharamsala Hosts 4th All Indian Tibet Support Groups Conference on June 9, 2012

DHARAMSHALA His Holiness the Dalai Lama today inaugurated the 4th All Tibetan Support Groups Conference in Dharamsala, calling on Indians to support the preservation of Tibetan culture and natural environment for the wider...

DHARAMSHALA His Holiness the Dalai Lama today inaugurated the 4th
All Tibetan Support Groups Conference in Dharamsala, calling on
Indians to support the preservation of Tibetan culture and natural
environment for the wider interest of entire Asia.The three-day
conference, being attended by over 150 Indian supporters from across
India, is convened by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause, India. It is
facilitated by the New Delhi-based India Tibet Coordination Office
in collaboration with the Department of Information amp;
International Relations of the Central Tibetan
Administration.Addressing the conference, His Holiness the Dalai
Lama expressed concern over the destruction of natural environment,
exploitation of mineral resources, and threat to wildlife animals on
the Tibetan plateau. He made a clarion call for the preservation of
Tibetan culture and natural environment, which he said are vital for
the well-being of the whole world, particularly China and India in
Asia. Millions of Chinese who have lost morality and way of life,
Tibetan Buddhist culture of peace and compassion, can help them
immensely. The preservation of Tibetan culture is not only concerned
with 6 million Tibetans, but it is in the larger interest of Central
Asia, including China, His Holiness said.He said rivers originating
from Tibet, the roof of the world, such as Brahmaputra are lifeline
for people living in many Asian countries, including India. So the
Indians certainly have rights to raise their concerns on the
preservation of Tibets environment. The preservation of Tibetan
culture and ecology are non-political issues, it is easier for the
concerned people, including religious leaders to work and raise
peoples interest for the cause, he added.His Holiness spoke on
length about Tibets strong spiritual bond with India and how Tibetan
script and Buddhism originated from it. Though Tibetans inside Tibet
are physically controlled by communist China, but mentally more than
99 per cent of them always look here (India). The actual situation
for the last 60 years have clearly shown our hope lies here, he
said.Calling himself as the messenger of ancient Indian thoughts,
His Holiness said he is focussing his efforts towards promoting
human values and religious harmony. He said India is a living
example of secular ethics and non-violence, which are relevant to
the whole world.Conveying his best wishes to the Indian supporters a
fruitful three-day conference, His Holiness emphasised the need for
putting into action the ideas and knowledge shared among the
participants. In his keynote address, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang
Sangay said India is a durable and reliable friend and supporter of
the Tibetan people. Over the last more than 50 years, the Indian
people have stood for justice and freedom of Tibetans, Kalon Tripa
said.Kalon Tripa drew the attention of Indian supporters to the
prevailing grim and tragic situation in Tibet. 39 Tibetans have
drank petrol and set their bodies on fire. These acts have
demonstrated that occupation of Tibet is unacceptable and repression
is unbearable, he said.Kalon Tripa appealed for continued support
from India, emphasising that it can play very important role towards
finding a lasting solution to the issue of Tibet.Addressing the
gathering, Chandresh Kumari, a member of Indian Parliament, said
Kalon Tripa should garner support from the important world
politicians to encourage the Chinese government to resolve the issue
of Tibet through negotiations.On the first day of the conference,
there will be five plenary sessions, where eminent panelists will
deliberate on a wide-range of issues such as present situation on
Tibet, Tibet and Sino-Indian Relations, Tibets fragile eco-system
and its impact on the neighbouring countries, and the review of
activities of Tibet support groups and their impact. The panelists
include Ms Dicki Chhoyang, Kalon for the Department of Information
amp; International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration
and Mr Lalit Mansingh, former Foreign Secretary of India.The
highlight of the second day will be a working group discussions,
where participants will deliberate on ways to strengthen Tibet
Support Groups in India, raise the awareness on the Tibetan issue
among Indian youths in schools, colleges and universities, and
discuss Indias policy on Tibet.On the third day of the conference,
the participants will adopt a Declaration and an Action Plan. There
will also be a group discussion between the participants and the
Tibetan Settlement Officers. It will be followed by a press
conference.On the closing ceremony, there will be addresses by Chief
Guest Mr Bashisht Narain Singh, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha,
and Mr Penpa Tsering, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in
Exile.The first All India Tibet Support Groups Conference was held
in Chandigarh in 2003, followed the by second in Bodhgaya in 2006
and the third in Delhi in 2009.