Shimla : National Media Foundation in association with Parliament Press Club of South Asia has invited the Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok as the Chief Guest of its international conference on ‘International Tourism in India and the Role of Media’ at Gaiety Theatre, Mall road, Shimla on 2nd September 2018, in concurrance with the celebration of National Media Foundation’s 40th anniversary.

Arriving at Shimla in the evening of Sept 1, Deputy Speaker met with Sh. Mukesh Agnihotri, Member of Legislative Assembly (HP) and Sh. Sanjay Karol, Chief Justice (H.P), during which he updated them concerning the past and current situation of Tibetan in and outside Tibet and urge them to continue their support for the cause of Tibet.

 

At 9:30 am on Sept 2, Deputy Speaker attended the 58th Tibetan National Democracy Day program, organized by Chief Representative Office, Shimla as its Chief Guest as per their invitation. In his remark, while giving details on the evolution of Tibetan Democracy, he illustrated the ongoing repression inside Tibet, which he said should always be remembered by Tibetans outside Tibet. Over 200 people including school students and teachers along with the local Tibetan residents have attended the program.

 

Around 12: 30 in the noon, Deputy Speaker attended the International conference as its Chief Guest. The program was also attended by Special Guests like Shri. Balyogi Umesh Nath; Dr. Kudeep Chand Agnihotri, Vice-Chairman, Central University, Dharamshala; Shri. Dharmesh Kumar Sharma, Director (IT), Vidhan Sabha; Shri. Rajendra Jain, Chairman of National Media Foundation; Dr. O.P Yadav, the Chairman of Parliament Press Club of South Asia; Assistant Professor Mr. Vikas Dogra, Summer Hill University; and Prof. Shashikanth Sharma, Advisor to the Governor, Shimla. There were spectators of more than 350 journalists from around 15 different Indian states. Also, over 50 Tibetans residing in Shima have attended the conference.

Deputy Speaker has emphasized that media is the fourth pillar of democracy, which is the most appropriate tool in disseminating information to the public. Giving examples of situation and incidents inside Tibet, he mentioned that the truth disseminated from various media should be supported by the public.

 

On September 3rd, Deputy Speaker attended a meeting with around 15 local Tibet supporters from ITFS, Shimla and Himalaya Parivar, where he spoke about the structure of Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan Democracy and the status of Tibetan refugees in exile.  He concluded the meeting by urging them to continue their support for the Tibetan cause.

 

-Translated from the Tibetan article sent by Shimla Tibetan settlement office.