News and Views on Tibet

Symposium on Himalayan Culture to Begin April 19

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By Kelsang Rinchen,
Phayul Reporter

Dharamsala, April 14 – Sensing the apparent danger to the Himalayas, a campaign called ‘Himalaya Family’ was started two years ago to save the Himalayan culture from gradual disintegration due to terrorism, false propaganda and various conspiracies from foreign soils to wipe out the identity of Himalayan people. A follow-up programme of this campaign, which is expected to spread across all Himalayan nations, is a two-day symposium called ‘parliament of Himalayan culture’.

The first one of its kind, this symposium will be held in the capital from April 19 at Kalakaji. Thirty organisations and associations in India and Nepal have come together in making this programme a reality.

Speaking to press at Hotel Bhagsu, Ven. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, a member of Bharat Tibbath Sahyog Manch, one of the organisers of the event, said that Himalayas have become victim of deforestation, illegal poaching, smuggling of arms, and various other threats.

‘It is because of a pledge to save the great Himalayas from these evils that this programme has been organised’, he added.

Ven. Phuntsok said that Tibet is inevitable in any discussion or conferences on Himalayas. Kailash Mansarovar, believed by the Hindus to be the abode of Lord Shankar, is situated in Tibet, now a part of China since the 1959 invasion. ‘The Hindus have to acquire Chinese VISA to go on pilgrimage to Kailash. This would not be there if Tibet was free’ he continued.

More than two hundred experts on various subjects will be attending this two-day gathering.

Articles on various topics related to Himalayan tradition and culture are also invited from the participants.

The highlight of the symposium will be to discuss ways and means to save the Himalayas from the evils that are threatening the survival of the ancient Himalayan culture.

The Indian Vice President Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will grace the occasion as the chief guest and inaugurate the symposium. Many other eminent personalities like George Fernandes, the Indian defence minister, Jagmohan, minister for tourism and culture, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, Shankaracharya Shri Rajrajeshwaranand Ji Maharaj, RSS Chief K.S Sudarshan, Ashok Singhal, Bhupendra Kumar Modi, Bhunte Gyan Jagat Ji, Lochen Tulku Rinpoche, Baba Kalyan Das Ji, Juna Pithadhishwar and Swami Awdheshanand Ji.

Kelsang Rinchen can be contacted at kalsangr@yahoo.com.

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