Tibetan Parlimentary & Policy Research Centre

13^th November 2009, Tibetan Parliamentary & Policy Research Centre, South Asian Network on Dams, River & People and Water Watch Alliance jointly organised a seminar on “Himalayan Glaciers and Mekong Basin” at India International Centre Annexe, New Delhi. The programme was mainly to focus on Himalayan Glaciers and also in the contest of Himalayan Water shed, specially the Mekong River basin.

The programme was bisected into two sessions. The first session was started by Gopal Krishna (Convenor, Water Watch Alliance) by giving a brief information on the subject. Later eminent speaker who are prominent researcher on Himalayan Glaciers Prof. A.L.Ramnathan (School of Environmental Science, JNU) addressed the audience about the impact of climate change on the health of Himalayan Glaciers and then Prof. Milap Chand Sharma (JNU) point out some of his investigation report on the question of Himalayan Glaciers melting. According to him altitude of Himalaya doesn’t permit Himalayan Glaciers to melt, the way it has been projected. May be the Glaciers in Europe at 4000m may melt totally but not at Himalaya because a Glaciers start after 4000m and there mountains are at 4000m.  

30^th October 2009, on the eve of the 124^th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel India first Home Minister, Tibetan Parliamentary & Policy Research Centre and M.L.Sondhi Institute for Asia Pacific Affairs jointly organised a seminar on “The current status of India-China relations” at India International Centre Annexe, New Delhi. The programme was mainly to understand the current status of India-China relations.

Presenters and subject experts such as Prof. Shrikanth Kondapalli (Professor in Chinese Studies at JNU), Prof. P.Stobdan (Senior Fellow at Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses), Dr.Yeshi Choedon (Associate Professor in International Organization at JNU). The program was chaired by Former Foreign Secretary Mr.Kanwal Sibal.

In the introductory remarks by Prof. Madhuri Sondhi (Director of M. L. Sondhi Institute for Asia Pacific Affairs), she briefly comments on the context of India-China relation and reminded the audience of Sardar Vallabhhai Patel famous letter to Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. She then shared her late husband M. L. Sondhi's deep interest in the Asia Pacific region, since the 60’s, much before the region's name was coined. She further dwelled on his understanding about Asia as an area of significant during the cold war and quoted the speech he gave in 1989, "India has to become strong so that rest of Asia can be strong, we cannot be afraid of China but we cannot also frighten China, we have to take a stand and it has to be a principle one". She again quoted him as saying "we must have normalization with China but it cannot be achieve by appeasement but by negotiation in which India doesn’t surrender her claim".

Tibet Study Group and TPPRC jointly organised a roundtable discussion on Greater Tibet at India International Centre Annexe, Delhi on 27^th August 2009. The main objective of the programme was to clear the confusion surrounding the concept of Greater Tibet arisen due PRC’s propagation and to make the TGiE’s stand known on this subject.

Many eminent speakers such as prof. Samdhong Rinpoche (Kalon Tripa), Prof. Bharat Kanard (CPR), Prof. Jampa Samten (CUTS, Sarnath), Prof. Madhuri Sondhi (Director, ML Sondhi Institute for Asia Pacific Affairs), Col. V.S.Verma (Director, Tibet Study Group) gave a presentation. The program was chaired by Dr.Kapila Vatsyayan (Chairman IIC Asia Project)

The program was started by Mr. Shoban Saxena by giving brief information on the subject and the keynote address was made by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche. In his speech he stated that the basic aspiration of all the Tibetan people in today’s PRC to have a uniform policy that will enable them to preserve and promote their distinct identity is a right granted by the PRC constitution and relevant statutes. Keeping in view of above-mentioned facts, to make one autonomous administration for all Tibetan autonomous areas is appropriately desirable and easily achievable. For this to happen there is neither any need to make amendments to the Constitution nor any change in policy or political system is needed. It only requires a political will of the leadership. Click Here for complete statement by Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche

New Delhi, 21st July 2009 Eco-Monitor Society along with TPPRC organised a seminar on topic "Where is China Headed" at India International Centre. The main objectives of the programme was to understand the China's future course with regard to its economic and political development. To understand the China's renewed military strategy for her dominance on the Asian sub-continent and its devastating impact on the fragile environment of Tibet plateau.

The key speaker Maj.Gen (retd.) Vinod Saighal dwelled mainly on China's changing course of economy, internal political development and its relationship with the neighbouring countries. "In the light of ongoing normalising state of cross strait relationship between China and Taiwan, the defense activities and pile up of arms and personnel in the northern frontier of Himalaya will be increased manifold" Said Mr.Saigal. He also highlighted that this renewed military strategy of China for her dominance on the Asian sub-continent will bound to have a devastating irreversible effect on the fragile environment of Tibetan plateau. The lecture was chaired by Dr. Kapila Vatsayan.

The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre based in New Delhi, funded by the Friedrich Naumann Stisftung successfully concluded a 9 day long 8^th Youth Leadership Workshop titled Today’s Youth: Tomorrow’s Leaders at Staff Mess, Gangkyi in Dharamsala from June 9- 17, 2009. The workshop was attended by 50 students from 12 different places including 2 participants from USA.

The main objective of this workshop was to groom Tibetan youth for their future responsibilities. To make the students understand thoroughly the structure and functions of Tibetan exile government based in Dharamsala. It also Aimed at helping the Tibetan students to have a better knowledge about the current political situation concerning Tibet and making them more responsible Tibetans.

The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre organized 7 days long workshop on Grassroots Democracy. Strengthening Local Assemblies in Tenzingang Tibetan Settlement from 26th to 31st of May. There are about 55 participants including four organiser cum resource person and 44 from Tenzingang, rest other from Tezu and Tuting. The best thing about this workshop was, women participants constitute 48% of the total number of participants and more than 80% of the participants are below 39 years old. Despite bad roads and poor transportation, participants from a distance of more than 850 Kms (Tezu & Tuting) were able to attend this workshop.

26th May, 2009

Due to land slides and heavy rain, we (organiser) could not able to reach Tenzingang on time. Therefore, the workshop which was scheduled to start on 26th afternoon as per the program had to postpone for a day.