By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, September 3: The National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) today commemorated its 20th founding anniversary with a modest ceremony at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Former Tibetan Prime Minister Professor Samdhong Rinpoche presided over the function as the Chief Guest. Other guests included Kirti Rinpoche, former minister and the head of Kirti monasteries; and Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, Vice-Chairman of Tourism Development board and a cabinet minister of Himachal Pradesh. Tibetan Parliamentarians, Indian Tibet supporters and representatives of various NGOs were also present.
Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said an ideal democracy is not possible without the rule of law, and vice versa. “Currently, there is only one political party in the exile Tibetan polity, if in the future we have a multi party system we can’t stop it and probably we don’t need to stop it also. But it is important to keep in mind that if Democracy is important, society’s harmony and society’s unity is equally important.”
“It is not necessary that many parties will ensure a genuine democracy. There is no point having several political parties hating each other and obstructing each other. Therefore, political parties should prioritize their duties rather than rights, give more importance to national matter than the party and future than present,” Rinpoche added.
Sovenirs gifts were presented to former NDPT executive members including Karma Choephel, Tibetan Parliamentarian; Karma Lekshay, Director of Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution; Dawa Phunkyi, Tibetan Parliamentarian; Lhasang Tsering, for TYC president; and Chimee Yungdung, Director of Tibetan Social Service.
Major Vijay Singh Mankotia highlighted five point characteristics of democratic system – discussion, debate, discourse, dialogue and decision based on majority’s opinion. “Democracy must have in its leadership credibility, accountability and transparency,” said Mankotia.
He also noted that people of the world should speak up for the cause of Tibet and not doing so is “betraying the cause of humanity at large”. He expressed his appreciation for the people who support the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet for their cause of free Tibet for their courage to stand up for righteousness.
“We all want to seek His Holiness’ blessings but there is greater cause for which His Holiness stands and that is the cause of Tibet. So if we seek his blessings, we must also have no fear in standing up and saying we believe in Tibet, we believe in the cause of Tibet and we believe in the freedom of Tibet,” said Mankotia.
He added, “I am glad that you have not submitted to the brutal force, I am glad that you have exhibited servitude; I am glad that you do not believe in bending your knees against brutal might. You must have aspirations, you must have dreams because one day your dreams will come true and one day Tibet will be free.”
Kirti Rinpoche said that democracy does not mean irresponsible use of freedom of expression. He said that there are sections of people in the Tibetan community engaging in slanderous criticisms and baseless mudslinging in the name of democracy. “That is not democracy and serves no good for anyone. We must be careful not to engage in such things in the name of democracy.”
Under the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and financial support from Tibetan Youth Congress, National Democratic Party of Tibet was founded on September 2, 1994 as a political organization.
