Friends of Tibet: People's Movement for an Independent Tibet

World Tibet Day 2016 at CSPA, Alappuzha, Kerala
(By Eswar Anandan, July 6, 2016)

World Tibet Day 2016 Theme by Design & People

CSPA, Alappuzha, Kerala: People of the silent town of Alappuzha in Kerala had a taste of the festivities that followed the 81st birthday celebrations of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama celebrated world over as 'World Tibet Day'.

Friends of Tibet, principal organiser of World Tibet Day Foundation, organised 'Indian Cartoonists on Tibet' an exhibition of selected cartoons on the Tibet issue (1950-2005) and the tumultuous Sino-Indian relations by renowned Indian cartoonists at the Centre for Social & Political Art, Sylviander House, Chettikad Beach Road, Alappuzha. The exhibition coincided with the 51st Wellbeing Tibetan Medical camp at the venue.

Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar, Chief Medical Officer, Men-Tsee-Khang, shared how important the day is to Tibetans world-wide and led the prayer session. The team from Men-Tsee-Khang chanted 'Universal Peace Prayer' written by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

Friends of Tibet's Indian Cartoonists on Tibet

Sethu Das, Executive Director, World Tibet Day Foundation and Founder of Friends of Tibet spoke about World Tibet Day and its importance. He opined how we are 'benefactors' of a political tragedy. He spoke about how we have benefitted from the wonders of Tibetan Medical System and spoke about the cultural heritage of the outlawed nation. Talking about the exhibition, Sethu Das opined "Sometimes humour and light-heartedness can help get the message across," maintaining that Friends of Tibet is not about secession, but about politico-cultural-religious freedom for Tibet.

The exhibition showcased works of renowned Indian cartoonists — Shankar, Ranga, OV Vijayan, RK Laxman, Mario Miranda, Rajinder Puri, Ravi Shankar, Prriya Raj, Yesudasan, Nanda Soobben, Abe Gowda, Kaak, Madhu Omalloor, Balu, Thommy, Ponnappa, Morparia and Prakash Shetty. The exhibition introduction and text is by Claude Arpi, French author of 'The Fate of Tibet' and 'India and Her Neighbourhood: A French Observer's Views'.

Tibet Supporters, Wellbeing Medical camp participants, Art enthusiasts and artists, media and people from neighbouring places experienced moments from history depicted in the exhibited cartoons. The exhibition was held from July 13-15, 2016.

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DOWNLOAD: Press Release (Malayalam) | Press Release (English)

World Tibet Day (WTD) was initiated in Chicago in 1997 at an informal meeting between Tendzin Choegyal, the Dalai Lama’s younger brother and Richard Rosenkranz, a Pulitzer Prize nominee in history and a former correspondent from the US Senate. Rosenkranz proposed the concept of WTD, saying it could become an annual worldwide event, designed to help the Tibetan people regain essential freedoms. He also suggested this event could be a way to showcase and celebrate the unique value of Tibetan culture and thought. Enthusiastic about the idea, Tendzin Choegyal suggested WTD should be held in July, linked to his brother's birthday, in order to increase potential support among Tibetans. Believing that the proposed event held great promise, they offered the idea to His Holiness, who gave them his blessing and his warm support. Founded in 1998, World Tibet Day has grown into one of the most important events on the Tibetan calendar.

Friends of Tibet Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery


Friends of Tibet

Friends of Tibet, PO Box 16674, Mumbai 400050, India.
Email: freedom@friendsoftibet.org Web: www.friendsoftibet.org