Dharamshala: - Expressing his gratitude to Indian government and its people, the Speaker of the Tibetan parliament in exile Mr Penpa Tsering said Tibetans would still require support from India, there is still a long way to go to achieve genuine autonomy for the people of Tibet.
The Speaker addressed a gathering of 40-50,000 Indian Buddhists at Kinwat in Nanded District of Maharashtra State, India, on February 8, according to a Tibetan official media report.
Mr Tsering spoke upon the 'legacy of Indian culture and influence of Buddhism to Tibet. He added that His Holiness the Dalia Lama is largely admired everywhere in the world not only because of his personality and thoughts but also because of his practices and teaching upon Buddhism.'
'Unfortunately today inside Tibet, there is no freedom of expression and religious practice but then what Tibetans couldn't perform inside Tibet is what they have sustained in exile in India,' he added.
He expressed 'deepfelt gratitude to Indian government and its people for extending all these facilitations over the years.' Yet, he admits that 'there is still a long way to go to achieve genuine autonomy for Tibetan people where Tibetans would still require support from India.'
The occasion was the Feb 7-8, Fifth Jagtik Bodh Dhamma Parishad, an Indian Buddhist Council, a gathering of followers of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of Independent India's constitution and its most prominent modern Buddhist convert.
The Tibetan Speaker was invited jointly by Mr Arun Laxmanrav Alne, Chairman of the local Municipal Council and member of Organizing Committee, and Mt Arvind Nikose, Regional Convener and Secretary of National Campaign for Free Tibet.
