53rd Tibetan Democracy Day
Tibetan parliament expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of India, for protecting Tibetans
5 Dariya News (Arvind Sharma)
Dharamsala 02-Sep-2013
TIBETAN PARLIAMENT IN-EXILE in a press statement said , “More than fifty-four years have passed since we sought refuge in India and other foreign countries. Especially, India has become like a second home for us. We are profoundly grateful for the extensive aid and protection provided by the people and government of India. Remembering and cherishing forever the kindness and seizing the opportunity provided by this auspicious occasion, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to both the people and government of India, and to the global leaders, nations, Tibet Support Groups as well as inpiduals who have been steadfastly supporting Tibet.”
It further added , “Pursuant to the profound advise continuously given by Tibet’s leader the Dalai Lama, we are appealing to all the Tibetan people in exile to develop and maintain strong friendly relations with the people of host nations, thereby contributing to the Tibetan people’s reputation, dignity and security.In a Statement issued by Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on 53rd Tibetan Democracy Day in Dharamsala on Monday , it said that Fifty-three years ago, on this day the 2nd September in 1960, the Tibetan democratic system formally came into existence with the first directly elected representatives taking oath of office in accordance with the advice and wishes of Tibetan people’s supreme leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who believed that Tibet should follow the democratic system which was congruent with the general trend of the modern world.
It is also more than two years since His Holiness the Dalai Lama devolved all the political and administrative authority to the people’s elected leaders.These are a sign clearly indicating that the Central Tibetan Administration CTA will be able to sustain firmly with progress and development until the issue of Tibet remains unresolved, said in the statement . It advised Tibetan people work hard to improve the efficiency and progress of this fully democratic Administration.
The statement further said, “More than 54 years have elapsed since the whole of Tibet was forcibly occupied by Communist China. During these years China has used various devious and coercive methods to completely destroy the Tibetan identity, religion, culture, language, custom, etc with the evil design of transforming Tibet into a Chinese land. Due to these repressive policies, so far, 120 Tibetan men and women have self-immolated themselves as a peaceful protest from 2009 till date. This year severe restriction was imposed in the Tibetan areas of Tawu, Kardze, Lithang, Drakgo, Golok Tawo, Labrang, Machu, Chabcha, Kumbum monastery, etc during the celebration of the 78th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
It said that The unbearable critical situation and problems faced by Tibetans inside Tibet, literally making days and nights extremely difficult to pass is caused, firstly, by the lack of democratic system in Tibet and China till date, and secondly, by the few hardline Chinese leaders. For Tibetans living in foreign countries, including India, it is a matter of great joy that they are able to enjoy a high degree of genuine democracy. CTA indicated the need to tread forward in order to progress higher and higher. It may be pointed out that preparations be made in earnest to present this excellent system of democracy as a gift when Tibetans inside and outside are reunited after a solution to the Tibetan problem is found.