DHARAMSHALA: The President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay touched upon various issues- US financial aid, Thank you India, Democracy and unity and harmony- in Kashag’s concluding clarification on the last day of the 5th session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on 24 March.
Dr Sangay spoke of the Congress approval of $9 million aid to Tibetan community in India and Nepal in its budget for the fiscal year 2018. An increase in the funding aid by $3 million, the funding which stood at $6 million during Congress’s budget for the fiscal year 2016, “also sends a political message,” he said. The financial aid supported by both the US party of Democrat and Republican “is a great honour and matter of pride for us,” he added.
As this year marks the onset of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 60 years in exile and also of the thousands of Tibetans who followed him into exile, Dr Sangay welcoming the US Congress move, added that such aid and international support for Tibetans and their cause is solely due to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who throughout his life have tirelessly worked for the well being of the Tibetans and the Tibet cause.
Dr Sangay thanked the US government and the Congress for their continued support. Speaking of such benefactors and ardent supporters, Dr Sangay spoke of Nancy Pelosi, former speaker of the US House of Representatives, and Richard Gere, hollywood actor who as an Academy Award Presenter condemned China for human rights violation and repression of the Tibetan people during the 1993 Oscar, and thanked and admired their unwavering support towards the Tibet cause.
In his address Dr Sangay iterated the importance of responsible exercising of rights that are guaranteed under the democratic system such as the freedom of expression. It’s crucial he added that one doesn’t hamper the unity and harmony in the Tibetan community while doing so. He also urged Tibetans to be aware and vigilant and retain from sharing disinformation circulating in the social media, a source of misunderstanding and discord in the community, he further added.
In Kashag’s concluding clarification, Dr Sangay thanking all the parliamentarian for their active participation during the session and welcomed the opinions and suggestions put forward. He futher called on the parliamentarian for their participation in the coming Thank You India function to be held on the 31 March, a day on which His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in exile in India 60 years ago.
He acknowledged and once again congratulated Dr Yeshi Dhonden, noted Tibetan medical practitioner and former personal physician to His Holiness Dalai Lama, who was conferred with Padma Shri Award by the Indian government. He also congratulated Ama Jestun Pema, revered sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and pioneer of the Tibetan Children’s Village school, who earlier this month was conferred with the highest civilian honour for women, Nari Shakti Puruskar by the Indian government.
-Report filed by Tenzin Lhakmon, Communications Officer, Sikyong Office-