Day 2 of ‘Thank you India’ Program Marked with Public Talk on Tibet and Cultural Exhibition

KOZHIKODE, Kerala: On second day of the ‘Thank you India’ program, the research wing of Central Tibetan Administration, Tibet Policy Institute, in collaboration with the Tibet Museum, India Tibet Coordination Office and Indo Tibetan Friendship Society (ITFS) Calicut organized a public talk cum discussion on the strategic importance of Tibet to India and the world as the first segment, and an exhibition of Tibetan cultural dance and art at Kozhikode, Kerala, 12 September 2016.

The chief guest of the event was Shri R K Khrimey, National Convener of Core group for Tibetan Cause-India, along with special guests including Dr Anoope Anandayogi, President, ITFS Kozhikode, Shri Jaya Prakash Urs, Regional Convener of Southern region, Director Tashi Phuntsok, Tibet Museum and researchers at Tibet Policy Institute, CTA.

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The key speakers at the discussion include Shri R K Khrimey, National Convener of Core group for Tibetan Cause-India, Researchers at Tibet Policy Institute Tenzin Palden and Tenzin Desal.

In his inaugural address, Shri R K Khrimey, National Convener of Core group for Tibetan Cause-India, underlined the urgency to address the issues of environmental damages caused as a result of excessive damming on Tibetan rivers, retreating Tibetan glaciers and its impending threat to all the downstream countries including India.

He further elaborated on the peaceful border shared by Tibet and India prior to 1959, Chinese brutal occupation of Tibet since 1959 and the escalating tensions at India-China border over the years.

In a strong appeal to the government of India, Shri R K Khrimey urged for a paradigm shift in India’s foreign policy and its national defense approach.

Researcher at Tibet Policy Institute Tenzin Palden spoke in-depth about the ‘Global Significance of the Tibetan Plateau’, the deteriorating environmental situation induced by excessive damming, illegal mining and dumping of nuclear waste on the Tibetan plateau.

Researcher Tenzin Desal, TPI presented on Cartography & Colonialism, Carving Tibet in post-colonial world, followed by a Q&A session.

The Tibet Museum screened a documentary titled ‘Escape from Tibet,’ narrating the common experience of thousands of Tibetans who fled into exile to escape Chinese’s brutality.

Since Tibet’s illegal occupation by China in 1959, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan people have been living in India for more than 50 years. As a mark of gratitude to the People and Government of India for their generous hospitality and continuous support, Central Tibetan Administration initiated a ‘Thank You India’ program in five important cities of India -Sonipat in Haryana, Calicut in Kerala, Nagpur in Maharashtra, Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The three-day ‘Thank you India’ program at Kozhikode was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Onam festival by former Minister for Social Welfare Dr M K Muneer at the Malabar Palace, Kozhikode, Kerala on 11 September 2016.

Cultural Event in the Evening at Calicut Beach

Later in the day, a function cum celebration was held at Calicut beach to highlight the issue of Tibet. The event, attended by thousands of people, was organised by the Tourism board of Kerala state government.

The chief guest at the event was Shri Ramchandra Katanapali, Minister of Ports, Government of Kerala and the guest of honour was Shri Pradeep Kumar, Member of Legislative Assembly, Kerala.

Other guests at the event include Shri R K Khrimey, Mr Jaya Prakash Urs, Convener, Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association (South India), Mr Anoop Aanandayogi, President of the local Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association and Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Director, Tibet Museum.

Addressing the event, Shri R K Khrimey said: “India is a great melting pot of different races, religion and cultures co-existing peacefully. The underlying unity of India from Arunachal Pradesh to Kanyakumari is our greatest strength.”

Speaking about Tibet, he told the crowd: “I have come here to Kerala today for a specific purpose. And the purpose is to express my support for the cause of Tibet.”

“Tibet lies between the two nations of India and China. Earlier when Tibet used to be a sovereign nation, there wasn’t any need for soldiers to patrol the borders. The Indo-Tibetan border was peaceful and without any skirmishes. However, after the brutal occupation of Tibet by China, the Indo-Tibetan border has now turned into a conflict zone,” he added.

He further called on the Indian public to pay close attention to these developments and particularly urged the Indian youth to actively support the peaceful Tibetan movement and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

He also explained that if Tibet regains its independence at the earliest, the Indo-Tibetan border would return to its nostalgic days of peace and tranquility, safeguarding India’s own interest at the same time.

The event included cultural performances by students from Tibetan Youth Hostel, Bangalore, and talks on Tibet by Tibetan researchers and the eminent guests.