Prologue:
The recent film ‘Evolution of Tibetan Democracy in Exile’ showed how deep the ties between Tibet and India run across these two great civilizations. In the film, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recalls how he experienced his tryst with democracy when he visited India in 1956. He saw the Indian Parliament in New Delhi and observed the democratic system including the freedom of speech in person. Reflecting on this, during the latest winter session of the parliament, on 16th December 2024, Shri Tapir Gao, a member of parliament from the state of Arunachal Pradesh laid before the parliament, the need to recognise the Institution of the Dalai Lama and how Beijing already has plans in place for his succession/reincarnation of the 15th Dalai Lama. The fact that Tibet and the Dalai Lama which is a sensitive subject for New Delhi, are being highlighted on such a significant political platform underscores the goodwill, understanding and continued significance of Tibet to India.
It is interesting to note the Indian Parliament was among the first legislative bodies to deliberate and raise the issue of Tibet in their halls when China under the Communist regime began illegally occupying it since its establishment as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from 1949 onwards. Recently from 25th November onwards, I had the privilege of engaging on Tibet with several members of the Indian Parliament through the Tibet Advocacy Alliance – India. This engagement culminated in the seminar on China’s Colonial Boarding Schools in Tibet: Reshaping Social and Cultural Landscape by Dr. Gyal Lo on 29th November, who has first-hand experience on this subject as he studied and taught in Tibet.
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