Dharamsala : The inauguration ceremony for the 12th General Body Meeting of the Tibetan Women Association was held at College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah, Dharamsala on May 11. The meeting is scheduled to continue till May 16, 2018 at the same venue.

Attending the meeting as its Chief Guest was Former Kalon Tripa His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Special Guest Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Acharya Yeshi Phunstok, Former Kalon Rinchen Khando, Parliamentarian Dolma Tsering, Parliamentarian Dawa Tsering, Dharamsala Tibetan Settlement Officer Dawa Rinchen and around 197 Tibetan women representing different chapters of the Tibetan Women Association.

The meeting began with Chief Guest Former Kalon Tripa His Eminence Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche inaugurating republication of the English translation of 10th Panchen Lama’s 70,000 Character Petition, titled ‘A Poisoned Arrow‘ as published by the Tibetan Women Association, followed by Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok inaugurating the introductory books on Buddhism. Former Kalon Rinchen Khando also inaugurated books chronicling the various chapters of its association.

Thereafter, Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phunstok addressed the meeting stating, ‘Looking back in the past, it has now been 33 years since the reinstatement of Tibetan Women Association in exile under the auspicious blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1984. Consecutive meetings were held till then and resolutions passed. And today, the report on activities carried out as per the respective resolutions passed on by this association is read.’

He continued, ‘We could find in history that Gyaltong Tsering Dolma and other Tibetan women, established the Tibetan Women Association to assert their contention against the Seventeen-Point Agreement, which was signed under the duress in May 5, 1951. The resistance against the Chinese government and level of efforts and endurance taken by the Tibetan women for the cause of Tibet could be witnessed even from those days. Thus, acknowledging its significance, Kashag gave the consent to its reinstatement in exile.’

‘After into exile in 1959, Tibetan women in and around Kalimpong and Darjeeling established a new chapter of Tibetan Women Association. When the news of Chinese delegation arrival in were heard, they set out to Delhi via Siliguri. However, they are prevented from reaching there and they staged a peaceful protest at the Siliguri Railway station, bringing the station to a standstill for almost 40 minutes. State officials visited them, requesting them to end the protest. Such incidents could also be found in the history,’ said the Deputy Speaker.

‘It is important for everyone of us to pay attention to such history, which is not to be vested only with Tibetan Women Association as its custodian. When I was studying in Varansi, I met the members of the Tibetan Women Association in 1985, including its then President Kasur Rinchen Khando, raising funds for the strengthening of the association,’ asserted the Deputy Speaker.

‘On its 32nd anniversary, I was able to attend the annual report reading at Dharamsala and this year too, as a guest on behalf of Tibetan Parlaiment-in-Exile. The association has also undertaken various religious activities such as the nunnery project as reported today by Kasur Rinchen Khando. Every activities undertaken by the Tibetan Women Association are for the sake of freedom, stability and struggle of Tibet’s cause,’ said the Deputy Speaker.

Mentioning the unprecedented demolition of Tibetan culture and religion inside Tibet, Deputy Speaker urged the members of the association to actively engage in discuss and pass resolutions on different techniques and mechanisms to promulgate the atrocities unleashed by the Chinese government unto various platforms as well as on the preservation and promotion of what is currently being obliterated inside Tibet. Equating the number of branches as the success of its association, Deputy Speaker commended the association for its  consistent development over the years, which now has 58 chapters (branches). He implored them to continue with their dedication and to strive for more progress in future too. He also commended the association for successfully entering into its 33rd anniversary and organizers for the successful organization of its 13th General Body Meeting at Centre of Highter Tibetan Studies at Sarah.

Thereafter, Former Kalon Tripa His Eminence Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche also addressed the gathering, which was followed by Kasur Rinchen Khando’s address.