By Phurbu Thinley

Dharamsala, March 10: Exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama paid homage and offered prayers to Tibetan martyrs here Wednesday as Tibetan exiles and their supporters around the world marked the 51st Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising in 1959 and the second anniversary of the March 2008 unrests in Tibet.

“On this occasion, I pay homage to those heroic Tibetan men and women, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet, and pray for an early end to the sufferings of those still oppressed in Tibet,” the Dalai Lama said in his address marking the two anniversaries at an official function here this morning.

The function began with a minute-long silent mourning and Tibetan Martyrs’ Song sung by artistes from Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) to pay tribute to the martyrs.

The uprising in Lhasa in March 1959 was brutally crushed down by Chinese Communist troops and eventually forced the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan to flee into exile. China also undertook a swift and violent military crackdown in 2008 after unprecedented protests against China’s colonial rule broke out across Tibet that lasted for months.

“Despite the great hardships Tibetans have faced for many decades, they have been able to keep up their courage and determination, preserve their compassionate culture and maintain their unique identity,” the Tibetan leader said, adding “It is inspiring that today a new generation of Tibetans continues to keep Tibet's just cause alive. I salute the courage of those Tibetans still enduring fear and oppression.”

In the statement, the Dalai Lama also appraised the efforts made by Tibetans “working in various responsible posts in the party, government and military”, to help fellow Tibetans inside Tibet.

“We recognise the positive contribution that many of them have made up to now, and obviously when Tibet achieves meaningful autonomy in the future, they will have to continue to fulfill such responsibilities,” the Dalai Lama said.

“Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, it is the responsibility of all Tibetans to maintain equality, harmony and unity among the various nationalities, while continuing to protect our unique identity and culture,” he added.

“It is important that Tibetans maintain friendly relations not only with people of all nationalities, but also amongst themselves. Tibetans should not engage in petty disputes with each other. I earnestly appeal to them instead to resolve any differences with patience and understanding,” he said.

Hundreds and thousands of Tibetans and supporters bearing Tibetan national flags gathered at the courtyard of the main Tibetan temple here to take part in the official commemorative function and to listen to the Tibetan leader’s statement.

A large group of overseas Chinese, who have come to Dharamsala to share their solidarity with the Tibetan people in their peaceful struggle for freedom, also joined the commemorative function here this morning and later took part in other events to show their support.

“It is evident that the Tibetan issue is not a dispute between the Chinese and Tibetan peoples, but has come about because of the ultra-leftist policies of the Chinese Communist authorities,” the Dalai Lama said while welcoming the Chinese delegation.

His Holiness also urged Tibetans to “build closer relations with the Chinese people” in order to make them “aware of the truth of the Tibetan cause and the present situation in Tibet”.

“Whether the Chinese government acknowledges it or not, there is a serious problem in Tibet. As the world knows, this is evidenced by the fact that there is a huge military presence and restrictions on travel in Tibet,” the Dalai Lama said.

"Today, the Chinese authorities are conducting various political campaigns, including a campaign of patriotic re-education, in many monasteries in Tibet. They are putting the monks and nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practise in peace. These conditions make the monasteries function more like museums and are intended to deliberately annihilate Buddhism."

“As a free spokesperson of the Tibetan people I have repeatedly spelled out their fundamental aspirations to the leaders of the People's Republic of China. Their lack of a positive response is disappointing.”

Judging by the attitude of the present Chinese leadership, the Dalai Lama said, there is little hope that a result will be achieved soon.

“Nevertheless, our stand to continue with the dialogue remains unchanged,” he said.

Despite the Chinese communist leadership’s “hard-line stand”, the Dalai Lama said, situation will prevail in favour of truth.

“Therefore, it is important that everyone be patient and not give up” the Dalai Lama said.

After the ceremonial function, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Samdhong Rinpoche, inaugurated the “Tibetan National Martyrs’ Memorial” set up by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile here in the premises of the Tsuglag-Khang complex.

Penpa Tsering, the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament who accompanied Rinpoche unveiled a 2-metre tall and 3.2-metre wide steel glass sculpture themed “Tibetan Road to freedom” created by a renowned US-based Chinese artist Weiming Chen at the Museum of Tibet.

According to Chan, a graduate from Beijing’s Central Arts and Crafts College, the “Tibetan Road to Freedom” sculpture immortalizes Tibetan people’s “undying spirit, their will of freedom and struggle against Chinese Communist tyranny.”

Tibetans later took to street demonstrations to denounce China’s colonial rule over Tibet, and held a candle light vigil later in the evening to pray for peace in Tibet.

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