Dharamsala, September 3 – Tibetans living in India on Tuesday celebrated the 43rd anniversary of their government-in-exile at Dharamsala town in Himachal Pradesh.
After an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and thousands of his followers fled to India in 1959 and set up his government-in-exile at Dharamsala in 1960.
Hundreds of Tibetans and foreigners assembled at their main temple as prime minister of the Tibetan government-in- exile, Samdhong Rimpoche flaged off the celebrations.
“In the begining of 1960’s, immediately after the exile, Tibetan parliament was first established on the advice of our leader and the people declared democracy for their government-in-exile in view of the future of Tibet. On this day, the Tibetan parliament was established and the democratic system of government was set up in Dharamsala,” said Acharya Yeshi Phunstok, President of the National Democratic Party of Tibet.
Later, a cultural extravaganza showcasing traditional Tibetan dance and music was also held.
The Tibetan government-in-exile hopes to return to Tibet and form a free democratic government there someday.
About 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, the vast majority in India or Nepal, and of them less than half were born in their homeland.
