By Bhuchung D. Sonam
The 17th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, was celebrated here. Organized by Central Association for the Panchen Lama and supported by many other NGO’s the birthday commemoration began at the Club House with discussion on fate of Tibet’s stolen child. The speakers included Kalon Tripa Samthong Rinpoche, who was the chief guest, former Kalon Tripa Sonam Topgyal and many others. Understandably the session turned emotionally charged as Mr. Sonam Topgyal could not control his tears while recalling his meeting with 10th Panchen Lama and his strength and belief in freedom for the Tibetan people even though he was living under strict Communist regime.
The concluding events of the birthday commemoration took place at the ground of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in the evening with singing of Tibetan National anthem. There was a flurry of activities with signature campaigns, selling of books and freedom bands, and distribution of pamphlets by the Central Association for the Panchen Lama and Students for a Free Tibet.
A-Ka-Ma band of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts opened the night with two songs on Panchen Lama. This was followed by many bands, all of who sang songs of praise, memory and speedy release of Gendun Choekyi Nyima. The special attraction, however, was a 10-year old Yika, a student of TCV’s day school. She read out a small message urging people to support the release of Gendun Choekyi Nyima so that he could enjoy his childhood as we do here. Dressed in green chupa Yika sang a beautiful song and the crowd gave her a resounding applause. Two songs on Panchen Lama by Tibetan singers within the occupied Tibet were also screened.
Half way through the evening program, the President of the Central Association for Panchen Lama gave a brief speech. Gendun Choekyi Nyima was recognized as the reincarnation of 10th Panchen Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1995. However, two months later the Chinese authorities kidnapped the 6-year old boy. Since then no one, neither anyone from the UN Human Rights Council nor from Amnesty International, saw him. The fate of the youngest political prisoner is unknown. He urged each individual to do whatever can be done to secure a speedy release of the 17-year old boy.
