(TibetanReview.net, Feb09, 2018) – More than 150 National Executive members of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch (BTSM), a Tibet campaign group with chapters across India, met in Gurugram, located in the outskirts of New Delhi, on Feb 4 to review the activities and programmes carried out and to be initiated by its chapters in 17 states. These had been carried out under the theme of “Tibbat Ki Azadi and Kailash Mansarovar ki Mukhti” and will be pursued under the theme of “Tibbat Kailash Mansarovar Mukhti Sakalp Varsh”.
“The mission of our organization is to free Tibet from the colonial rule of China and (to work) for the security (of) India’s own boundaries across the Himalayan belts,” Mr Indresh Kumar, Founder and Patron of BTSM was quoted as saying in his inaugural address.
He has also said that although his organization supported the ‘Middle Way Approach’ of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration, seeking genuine autonomy within the People Republic of China, it still remained hopeful of independence for Tibet.
A conference on “India-China Relations and the Question of Tibet” was stated to have been held later in the afternoon, attended by more than 350 people.
Those who spoke at the conference were stated to include Mr Indresh Kumar; Mr Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Former CM of Uttarakhand and sitting Member of Parliament; Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in Exile; Ms Gyari Dolma, Former Home Minister, CTA; Dr KC Agnihotri, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Himachal Pradesh; Mr RK Khrimey, National Convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause; Mr Harjit Singh Grewal, National Working President of BTSM; and Mr Tejpal Tanwar, sitting MLA, and others.
A declaration was adopted to observe 2018-2019 as “Tibbat Kailash Mansarovar Mukhti Sakalp Varsh” and this will be launched on May 5. This will include an international conference on Tibet and a nationwide Tibet awareness campaign to be organized at schools, colleges and universities across India.
Also, a committee of TAWANG YATRA (Tawang March) was formed to pay tribute to the Indian heroes of the 1962 war with China and to defend Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed by the Tibet-occupying power. Not less than 500 people will participate in the march which will kick off in November.
The BTSM was set up in May 1999 at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.