Dharamshala: The leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and Dharamshala-based Tibetan residents commemorated the 64th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day earlier today at Tsuglagkhang in the gracious presence of Estonian parliamentary delegation led by honourable MP Juku-Kalle Raid, the Chair of Tibet Support Group in Estonian Parliament.
The delegation from Estonia –who were specially invited by CTA for this year’s Tibetan Democracy Day celebration– consists of MP Juku-Kalle Raid, Member of Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament; MP Karmen Joller, Member of Social Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament; and MP Ester Aruse, Member of Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament, who were joined by Coordinator for Tibet Support Group in Estonian Parliament, Roy Strider, and Reporter for Estonian Largest Daily Newspaper Postimees, Aarne Seppel.
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok, Kalon (Minister) Dolma Gyari (Department of Security), Kalon Norzin Dolma (Department of Information and International Relations), Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi, Auditor General Lhakpa Gyaltsen, standing committee members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Secretaries of CTA’s departments and offices, Secretaries of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, representatives from various Tibetan civil societies, students from Dharamshala-based Tibetan schools, and Dharamshala Tibetan residents attended the celebration.
Following the arrival of guests from Estonia to the venue, the event commenced with the singing of national anthems, after which Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel read the statements of Kashag and Tibetan Parliament in Exile, respectively, highlighting His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s noble commitment of promoting religious harmony worldwide and the evolution of Tibetan democratic polity in exile. The statements also raised ongoing suppressions inside Tibet, such as the recent closure of Jigme Gyaltsen Nationalities Vocational High School in Golog and the forced disrobement of hundreds of monks and nuns, among others and acknowledged the enactment of the Resolve Tibet Act in the U.S. and a passage of motion supporting Tibetan people’s right to self-determination in the Canadian parliament.
Each of the delegations, excluding Reporter Aarne Seppel, addressed the gathering, assuring their continued support and solidarity towards the Tibetan freedom struggle while condemning China’s ceaseless ill-treatment of Tibetans and Tibetan identity.
MP Juku-Kalle Raid, the Chair of Tibet Support Group in Estonian Parliament and Member of Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament, addressing the gathering.
In his keynote address, the leader of the Estonian delegation, MP Juku-Kalle Raid, emphasised the stark difference between democracy and dictatorship. He remarked that democracy can be incredibly rewarding if you understand how to wield it. He further elaborated that while democracy is a powerful tool, its misuse can lead to severe consequences, suggesting that if not handled properly, it might “kill you,” leading to a resurgence of authoritarianism. This, he warned, would perpetuate a cycle where people must continually struggle to reclaim their democratic freedoms. He also delivered a message from the Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister for the 64th Tibetan Democracy Day.
The other delegation members spoke about the striking parallels between the plights of Estonians and Tibetans, both of whom have suffered under oppressive communist regimes. They shared their personal narratives, highlighting how Estonians were compelled to learn and speak Russian, mirroring the way the Chinese Communist government enforced Mandarin on Tibetans in an attempt to wholly sinicise Tibetan culture.
The commemoration also witnessed the bestowal of awards and certificates to the recipients of this year’s class 12 Gaden Phodrang and Excellence awards for their academic distinction from Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok. Likewise, Sikyong Penpa Tsering presented recognition awards to four CTA staff for their 25 years of service and Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel conferred honorary awards to 16 Tibetan PhD students.
Before concluding the official commemoration, students from various Tibetan schools in Dharamshala performed traditional dances to entertain the gathering on this occasion.
Statement of Kashag on the Sixty-Fourth Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day
Standing committee members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile going through official statements on the 64th Tibetan Democracy Day. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Sikyong Penpa Tsering reading the statement of Kashag for the Sixty-Fourth Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel reading the statement of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile for the Sixty-Fourth Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Roy Strider, Coordinator for Tibet Support Group in Estonian Parliament, praying for His Holiness the Dalai Lama prior to his address for the occasion. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
MP Karmen Joller, Member of Social Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament, speaking during the 64th Tibetan Democracy Day celebration. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
MP Ester Aruse, Member of Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament, speaking during the 64th Tibetan Democracy Day celebration. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok presenting a laptop as award to a recipient of this year’s Excellence award. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Sikyong Penpa Tsering presenting a recognition award to CTA staff for his lengthy service. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel presenting an honorary awards to a Tibetan PhD students. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Young Tibetan students performing a classical instrument. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
Artists from Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts presenting a cultural performance. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA
