Sikyong Speaks to the “Future Leaders of Tibet”

By Sherwin Altarez Mapanoo / January 27, 2015;

A poster of Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay in Pune, Maharashtra
Photo: Tibet.net

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (the CTA or Central Tibetan Administration), greeted 2015 on an optimistic note as he spoke and interacted with Tibetan and Indian students in leadership summits held in Dharamshala and Pune, Maharashtra on January 2 and 12, respectively.

At the student leadership summit held at Lower TCV School, Dharamshala
Photo: Tibet.net

Sikyong was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the second leadership summit of Tibetan students at the Lower Tibetan Childrens Village school in Dharamshala. An initiative of the Department of Education of the CTA, the eight-day event was attended by 302 students from 33 different schools from across India and Nepal. Sikyong encouraged all the attendees to come up with their own resolutions to strive to accomplish for the coming year. Addressing the students as “future leaders of Tibet,” he emphasised the necessity of education and leadership qualities for attaining a successful career, urging them to put the lessons taught in the summit into good practice both in their school and daily life.

Sikyong spoke to over 10,000 students at the fifth annual national conclave of the Indian Student Parliament in Pune, with the theme “Inspiring Youth for Strengthening Democracy,”. He joined speakers from the fields of politics, media and film in India. Sikyong spoke on “Religion in Storm or Storm in Religion”, saying that all religions in the world revolve around love, compassion, respect, and tolerance. He encouraged the students to practice religion but cautioned them about the adverse effects of religiosity and religionism.

Dr Sangay also addressed a two-day workshop on the Tibetan Medicare System (TMS), a non-profit medical insurance scheme for Tibetans, aimed at encouraging Tibetan people to participate in the project. He explained that TMS will ensure effective financial help for all, including the poor, during medical emergencies.

Sikyong spoke at the 29th Annual Dastakari Craft Art Bazaar at Dilli Haat, New Delhi, held at the beginning of the month, where he explained the deep cultural and historical bond shared by the Tibetan people and India. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government and people for helping the Tibetan people during their time of need, and hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the last five decades.