New Delhi, 22 November, 2011: TPPRC organised a three day orientation and brain storming conclave of the Tibetan parliamentarians at Rajhans hotel, Suraj Kund, Haryana, India from 18 to 21 November. The conclave was an informal meeting of the Tibetan parliamentarians to identify the areas to be focused and chart out the action plan accordingly.
In order to make it a meaningful conclave, it had been ensured that at least five members from each Cholkas and one from each religious constituent present in the meet. Total 21 members of TPiE participated in the conclave this time and majority of them were first time elected.
TPPRC Executive Director Mr. Choekyong Wangchuk initiated the proceeding of the conclave by welcoming all the participants and introduced the program in detail. In the opening remarks, Speaker Mr. Penpa Tsering briefed the gathering about previous conclaves held in year 2008 and 2009. He further made the TPiE members clear about the topics on which they were going to discuss.
FNF South Asia Regional Director Mr. Siegfried Herzog, who was especially invited to the opening function, spoke about the complexity of existing political system where system of democratic governance had been proven to be the best in the last 2500 years. “Such meet is an important step in strengthening democracy in exile Tibetan community and therefore the members should look forward in formulating practicable steps to uplift the community as a whole”, he said. On behalf of FNF, Mr. Herzog assured continuous support and cooperation in future.
During the conclave experts were invited to share their knowledge on the varied subjects related to the functioning of Tibetan democracy and the Tibet cause. The resource persons were Mr. Prem Das Rai, member of Lok Sabha, Parliament of India, who spoke on “How to reach out to the Indian Parliamentarians and things to be kept in mind while dealing with them”; Professor Swaran Singh, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University gave talk on “India’s current position on Tibet in context with its relation to China” and Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, Honorary Research Professor at Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi made a presentation on “Following the devolution of His Holiness temporal power and amendment of Tibetan Charter in exile: Challenges before Tibetan democracy in exile”.
Mr. Prem Das Rai in his talk stated that his state Sikkim and other Himalayan states of India share a deep cultural bond with Tibetans. Their support to the Tibetan cause is unquestionable. He suggested the Tibetan parliamentarians to initiate more lobbying approach to garner larger supports from Indian and world leaders in resolving the Tibetan cause.
Dr. Swaran Singh said that no force can stop change. Ten years from now there would be major change in China. At present, Chinese Communist Party is trying to be on its hard line policy of one party dominant but the trend to attain more freedom is growing stronger day by day in China. While answering on the India’s stand on Tibet in context with its relation to China, he said India share more cultural values with Tibetans than China. Indian people support to Tibetans had increased many folds.
Professor Subhas C. Kashyap highlighted the some of the important roles that a modern parliamentarian should possess. He also viewed that democracy and freedom is like a tender plant that needs to be nurtured well with outmost care. For that matter he suggested training and orientation programs should be organized from time to time.
