Published by World Tibet Network News - Friday, Augsut 15, 1997Independent Tibet has a recorded history of over 2000 years. In those glorious years Tibet has entered into treaties with it's neighbors and maintained friendly and good relations. From the holy land of India, many saints and Buddhist scholars visited Tibet and enlightened the Tibetans with their knowledge. That is why we have a Guru- Chela relationship with India.
Since the occupation of Tibet by China in 1949, Tibetans started uprising against the Chinese but could not match the might of China. The rest is history. His Holiness the Dalai Lama followed by over 100,0000 Tibetans fled into exile and India is home to the majority.
Once the Tibetans are on the Indian soil, Indian government provided all the assistance that was needed. Initial efforts were to rehabilitate the displaced Tibetans and provide the relief assistance. This was followed by offering of the land for different Tibetan settlements. Once the settlements were given a proper shape, Central Schools for the Tibetans were established in different places. The then Prime Minister of India, Pundit Jawahar lal Nehru has emphasized on the education of the future generation of Tibetan youth and advised accordingly. This has bore fruit now and the literacy rate among the Tibetan youth is astoundingly high. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has often said these youth are the future seeds of Tibet.
Indian Government has provided assistance in the field of resettlement, education, health as well and in establishing industrial and other institutions. Above all India has offered home to 100, 000 Tibetans and offered them all the necessary livelihood. Tibetan Government in Exile is established here in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. And the Tibetans are grateful for all the generosity that India has shown toward Tibet and Tibetans. We are failing in our duty if we do not convey special thanks to the State Government of Himachal Pradesh and the Union Government for taking special care with respect to the security of His Holiness the Dalai lama.
Tibetans in India are well settled economically, socially, educationally and emotionally due to the constant support given by the Indian public. Besides, many Tibet Support related Indian organizations, parliamentarians, Non-Governmental organizations and eminent personalities took keen interest on the Tibetan Independence struggle. All these has been a continuous source of encouragement to us. All these developments we hope will naturally lead India to come forward and offer the Tibetans what they earnestly needs in this time of crisis i.e. political support.
Tibetan Youth Congress on behave of it's members and the Tibetan people congratulate the Government and People of India on it's 50th INDEPENDENCE anniversary.
Tseten Norbu
President
Office of the Central Executive Committee of Tibetan Youth Congress.