The 44th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy was observed on September 4, 2004 in New York. The function was organized at Kasturi Country Club in Queens, New York by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Tsewang Phuntsok, Liaison officer for Latin America, presided over the function as the Chief Guest. He gave an insight impression of the democratic system and its functioning in general and Tibetan society in particular. Mr. Jampa Yonten, Culture Secretary took over the stage as the Master of Ceremony. Mr. Kunga Thinley, president of the RTYC NY & NJ briefed about the function & Ven. Lobsang Tenpa of Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey read the Kashag’s Statement of the 44th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy. Ven. Keutsang Jamphel Yeshi, a former political prisoner in Tibet was invited as the special guest of the function.
The function set on track at 10:00 am with Mendal Teksum (Tibetan religious offerering), The Tibetan National Anthem and Mangtso Sarshey. Colorful cultural programs were performed by the Cholsum Dance Group and Tibetan Sunday School Students of New York and New Jersey. The volume of the function kept its pace with individual talent shows and gorshey (Tibetan Group Dance).
The trophies of the 6th Pawo Thupten Ngodup Memorial Basketball Tournament 2004 was presented by Mr. Tsewang Phuntsok la. The winner (Future Team of New Yrok), Runner Up (Kyidong Team of New York) and the MVP (Tenzin Losel) were presented the trophies and cash award. Druk (Bhutan Team of New York) was presented the Best Team award and Lil Jorden Team of Brooklyn was awarded the Most Aspiring Team of the Year. Besides three separate trophies to encourage the younger generation Tibetans were also presented. On the same day, the medals for the New York Soccer team who won second position in the West Coast Annual Picnic 2004 was presented by Ven. Keutsang Jamphel Yeshi.
The day long function concluded with the word of appreciation from Mr. Karma Tsering, vice-president of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York and New Jersey.
