Reinforcing the roots of Indo Tibet Friendship Society, Mysuru Chapter that was established in the year 2003 with late Group Captain Rajagopalaji, then President; Sh.B.C. Veeraraj Urs, Secretary; Sh.Shivaram D. J, President(incumbent); Sh.Lakshman Gowda, Vice President; in a joint venture with Vidyavardhaka First Grade College, Mysuru hosted a seminar on “Free Tibet – India Border Security – Peace in Asia”.
Dr.S.Manigowda, Principal, VVFG College welcomed the delegates; distinguished scholars, faculty members, staffs and students of the college both in words and traditional customs. Sh.Shrishaila Ramannavar, Hon’ble Treasurer, VV Sangha(R), in his opening remarks shared his experience of acquaintance with Tibetan communities in exile, their aspirations and hardship for sustaining their identity. He reflected upon his past visits to Dharamshala and his audience with His Eminence Karmapa Rinpoche – his insights and practices.
Invited as key note speaker at the event, Sh.Ravi Joshi, former diplomat who have not only served in India but also held key roles in UN missions, spoke about the China’s economic growth in three consecutive decades keeping a growth of 10 percent per annum, change of nationalism to communism ideology, crushing of its own people’s voice with power as orchestrated during Tiananmen Square in Beijing and reflexing its maritime power from invisibility to reality under the leadership of Xi Jinping. Orchestrating its illegitimate hold on Tibet while extending the control even over the Arunachal Pradesh claiming as Southern Tibet leads to Communist China’s proof its expansionist policy which is solely centered on its sheer vested interest – states Joshi.
Sh.Satish, Col.(retd.) reminisces his experience at war front and defined the acronyms of LOC, LAC, International Border (IB), UAV, NVG, PMF, CRPF and BSF in making a better understanding of India’s border at sea and land. While referring to ITBP Col. Satish made it to a point that although Chinese military incursions into Indian territory came into highlight more aggressively from Galwan incident in 2020 to recent skirmishes in Arunachal Pradesh in December 2022 whereas geographically and historically there is not a inch of land that China shares the boundary with India but Tibet. He highlighted the significance of Tibetan refugees presence in India and its contribution in enriching the fabric of India’s unity in diversity.
Chief Representative, Central Tibetan Administration, Bengaluru, Mr.Jigmey Tsultrim, expressed gratitude towards Vidyavardhaka First Grade College and ITFS Mysuru for organizing the event. He lamented that these initiatives will go in long way in serving the thoughts for young minds of Indian youth to ascertain how far Indian ancient wisdom has reached and how well it was preserved by Tibetan people despite innumerous challenges.
Sh.Shivaram D.J being the chair of the seminar underlined the overall objective of this event and expressed his wish that that faculty and students may have hugely benefitted from this event and must have roused many queries about India’s relation with Tibet. He further stated that this will then lead to more clarity that what Indians then must perform towards Tibetan people in supporting their hopes for returning to their fatherland Tibet. He congratulated Sh.Niranjan Umapathy for being the stewardship of organizing this seminar and expressed his hopes for more of such events in the months to come in other institutions in Mysuru and Bengaluru as well.
More than 500 students of MA course and 50 faculty members attended the seminar. In addition to other distinguished guests, Ms.Tenzin Dhadon, TSO Hunsuru, Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, Director, Shenphen Institute Mysuru also attended the event. Followed by the conclusion of seminar, ITFS Mysuru chapter had an internal meeting in drawing the plans for future course of programs, events and initiatives particularly in Mysuru region.
