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‘A Report on ‘Why Tibet’ Seminar’
(By Amrita Johri* | August 28, 2006)
One the Dais: Prof Honey Oberoi, Suresh Jindal, Tenzin Tsundue and Tenzin Choeying
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New Delhi: "Ask us if we are Tibetans" was Tenzin Tsundue’s response to a query regarding how Indians could assist the Tibetan movement for independence. The interactive session ‘Why Tibet’ organised by Friends of Tibet (Delhi) at the India Habitat Centre on August 28, 2006 had an overwhelming response with over 200 people being accommodated in a hall meant for only 40 people. Students, journalists, professionals and activists quickly filled up the chairs and even after occupying all the floor space, a few people had to be turned away. The panel consisted of Tenzin Tsundue, Honey Oberoi (a professor at Delhi University who has done her doctoral thesis on Tibet) and Tenzin Choeying (coordinator of SFT India). The moderator for the evening was Suresh Jindal who has been studying Tibetan Buddhism under His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other Lamas since 1999. Tsundue, the first speaker of the evening painted a wide canvas by covering the background, history and political aspect of the Tibetan crisis. He provided the context for the other two speakers who spoke of the present situation in Tibet. Honey Oberoi then covered the human angle of the issue by talking about the alienation that the Tibetans living in exile experience. She contrasted the Tibetan struggle with other struggles in the global contemporary world as being the only non-violent movement. She also drew attention to the role of the Dalai Lama in garnering international support for the Tibetan cause. The last and the youngest speaker for the evening, Choeying made an impassioned speech and plea to the people to extend their support to the movement. His passion and slow style of talking had a visible impact on the audience. He also outlined SFT’s future campaigns and encouraged people to participate in their ongoing Olympics campaign. The moderator then threw open the floor for questions. After the initial hesitation, the audience rid itself of its inhibitions and a lively discussion was initiated. The dilution of the demand by the Government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama from independence to autonomy and its rejection by the youth was debated. Many in the audience were surprised to learn of the absence of the mention of Tibet from history and political science textbooks and even from the list of India’s neighboring countries. It was heartening to see not just students, but even professionals engage with the complex issue. Many people did not get a chance to ask their questions as seeing the interest of the people in the issue, the organizers decided to screen ‘Conflict’ - a BBC documentary on the Tibetan crisis. Despite the late hour, most people stayed back for the film screening. After the official vote of thanks, some stayed back to talk to the speakers. One could gauge their sense of wanting to do something for Tibet. A delicious dinner along with extended discussions at Eatopia made for the perfect culmination! *Amrita Johri is a student of Delhi University.
‘Why Tibet’ seminar was organised by Friends of Tibet (Delhi) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on August 28, 2006.
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