Dharamshala: - The National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) said it had played a significant role in promoting democratic values among Tibetans and added that one of the important projects for a 'free Tibet in future.'
A special event was held at the TIPA hall in Dharamshala on Wednesday to mark the 20th anniversary of its founding. The ceremony was attended by chief guests former Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and former education minister Kirti Rinpoche, special guest former minister of Himachal Pradesh Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, members of the parliament-in-exile and representatives of various Tibetan non-governmental organisations.
NDPT extended its warm gratitude to the older generation who founded the organization In 1949, beginning from Kham Tibet, as a result in 1959 a young Dalai Lama and his entourage, along with around 80,000 Tibetans had to flee their homeland and seek refuge in Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
In a statement read out by Ven Sermey Loga the general secretary of NDPT said that "the Tibetan government in exile was established on 24 April 1959, in Mussoorie, North India, and was recognized as Tibet's legitimate government by Tibetans both in and outside Tibet. The Tibetan government in exile then had two goals: to look after the welfare of Tibetan refugees and to restore freedom in Tibet."
Because of "the compassion and wisdom of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetans have had democracy bestowed upon their wishes," NDPT said in the statement.
"If we reflect upon the Tibetan system of religion and politics combined, since the establishment of democracy 54 years ago we will find out some achievements through our knowledge and experience that we gained by practicing democracy," it said.
Describing 'this system was later embraced and further developed by some western nations as a political system of democracy, the Tibetan party said "the world has in fact seen and heard many struggles, including innumerable loss of human lives, to enjoy the fruits of democracy over the past centuries."
The statement said: "the political system of democracy recognized as the best form of government by citizens of the majority of countries, while avoiding the two ideological extremes of the left and the right."
The group reminds the responsibility of the younger generation of Tibet, saying that history has bestowed upon their shoulders. "As education and social stability are the prerequisites of a successful evolution of democracy," the group said, adding: "it is important for the younger generation to develop a mature and free intellect, understand and tolerate differences among various political ideologies, choose the right path by overcoming ignorance, consider community more important than the individual, abide by and respect the decisions of the majority by the minority and thus able to distinguish between true freedom and anarchism."
Gelek Jamyang, president of NDPT also said that the party will continue to make the democracy and its development as a priority, would do more what it has done in the past.
"On the negative side, we have had self-appointed leaders and representatives of people who often indulge in provincialism destructive criticism, all aimed at creating disturbances in the community. As a result, in the eyes of the outside people, an image has been created of a Tibetan society lacking in unity, equality and justice," he stressed, adding: "these seem weaknesses of Tibetan society may look prominent, and appear difficult to overcome in the near future, but they are not problems that can't be resolved at all."
"The good system of democracy will loose its power, if we fail to support the younger generation of educated Tibetans and walk the path of revolutionary changes taking place in the world," he said, but added "stagantion will ensue which prevents us from fulfilling the aspiration of the people."
"The system of political and administrative democracy is not meant to preserve the traditions," the statement said, adding that engage in basic democratic practices such as freedom of speech and action, which can benefit the cause of the society - all of this must be done without losing the revolutionary fervor."
"The 'rule of law and democracy' are two sides of the same coin in the longer run. Without democracy, there can be no pure and accurate rule of law and vice versa," Prof Samdhong Rinpoche said.
Rinpoche also praised the democracy-promotion efforts the NDPT has been made in the past 20 years and continued to improve.
Former minister Kirti Rinpoche said that democracy does not mean merely making "irresponsible" statements or claims use of freedom of expression. He said we must recognise those people in our community who are engaging in baseless criticism in the name of "democratic rights."
He underscored the need for creating more public awareness about democracy in Tibetan society in further steps which would prevent the misleading and irresponsible behavior and focus on higher consciousness for realising a genuine democracy.
Special guest Major Vijay Singh Mankotia said "Democracy must have in its leadership credibility, accountability and transparency."
Speaking on the issue of Tibet, he said 'the world should speak up for the cause of Tibet and not doing so is not only betraying Tibetans' rights, but the cause of humanity at large. '
Several trophies of its recognition were presented to invited VIPs, individuals, and organisations, including Karma Choephel, MP; Thupten Nyendak NDPT adviser; Karma Lekshay, director of Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution; Dawa Phunkyi, MP; Lhasang Tsering, former TYC president, Tenzing Jigme, TYC president; and Chime Yungdrung, former NDPT president.
The NDPT based in Dharamshala, India was founded on September 2, 1994, under the guidance of his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. In pursuit of its mission, NDPT hosts talks, seminars and other programs in schools and universities to motivate and aware the students and other activities aimed at informing and reminding the world leaders about China's crimes against humanity and the atrocities it commits against Tibetan people.
