Guwahati, Nov 22 : A special session on “Tibet Awareness” featuring Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), was held on Friday at The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) under the theme “Security and Environment.” The programme sought to inform and inspire Indian students by deepening academic understanding of Tibet’s geopolitical and ecological significance.
Addressing the students, Sikyong Penpa Tsering said, “Tibet is the biggest plateau on earth, it is called the roof of the world, but sadly today Tibet is the biggest open-air prison”. Stating that Tibet is the rainmaker of Asia with its glaciers, he emphasised upon the geostrategic importance of Tibet. “It is important that the world should know what China is doing to Tibet. We must take the Tibet movement forward and try to force the Chinese Government to come to the negotiating table”, he added, according to a RGU Press release.
Referring to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way Policy, he underscored the importance of educating the new generation about Tibet’s deep-rooted Buddhist values of compassion and non-violence. He spoke extensively on issues ranging from environmental fragility and human rights concerns to the need for global engagement on Tibet’s rapidly evolving situation. Emphasising the crucial role of youth, he urged students to cultivate informed perspectives and contribute to international advocacy for justice, peace, and sustainability.
He noted that such awareness initiatives are vital to deepening public discourse on Tibet, highlighting the need to protect its fragile ecosystem and drawing attention to the deteriorating human rights conditions impacting Tibet and the wider Asian region.
The Tibetan delegation that visited RGU include: Penpa Tsering, President, Central Tibetan Administration; Tenzin Tashi, Personal Assistant; Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator, India Tibet Coordination Office; and Lobsang Jigme & Tenzin Chokey, both Journalists from Tibet TV. Shri Basant Chetia and Shri Bicham Kumar Singh accompanied the delegation.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering assumed office as President of the Central Tibetan Administration on 27 May 2021, at a ceremony graced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Prior to this, from August 2016 to November 2017, he served as the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Office of Tibet in Washington DC, where his efforts significantly strengthened support for the Tibetan cause within the US government.
