Tibetans celebrate 24th anniv of Nobel Peace Prize for Dalai Lama

GANGTOK, 10 Dec: The Tibetan community gathered to observe the 24th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on the Dalai Lama and the World Human Rights Day today here at Chokasum, Namnang. The function, organized by Regional U-Tsang Association, Gangtok had Sangha MLA, Phitook Tshering Lama as the chief guest.
On 10 December 1989, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his consistent resistance to the use of violence in his people’s struggle for freedom. It has been mentioned that the Nobel Peace Prize to the Dalai Lama catapulted the Tibetan struggle to greater international visibility.
The function here started with the national anthems of Tibet and India followed by observance of a one-minute silence in the memory of lives lost to the string of self immolations within and outside Tibet and also on the passing away of Nelson Mandela, who, incidentally, is also a Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
The speech of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and the Statement of the Kashag on the 24th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to the XIV Dalai Lama were read out on the occasion.
In his address, Mr Bhutia congratulated the gathering and further encouraged everyone to follow the Dalai Lama. He also mentioned that the state has always treated the Tibetan community well.
The function was also addressed by Regional U-Tsang Association, Gangtok president, Tshering Topgay. Cultural programmes were also presented on the day.