F T R Colaso President, Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society on their programmes with youth.
What is the idea behind organising programmes for youngsters?
Issues involving Tibet affect India in many ways — politically, socially, economically. Our main intention is to create awareness about issues relating to Tibet among youth. In the process, we also hope to form opinion groups among college-going students. We would also like to see more youngsters coming forward to become part of our organisation. As of now, we have around 250 members.
What have you done in this regard?
For the Tibetans, the day The Dalai Lama was conferred the Nobel Prize is a very important day. So this year we decided to observe that day, December 10, by reaching out to young people. Over three days, we held interactive sessions in colleges. We noticed that youngsters are only vaguely aware of the problems that Tibet and Tibetans face. But it was nice to see that they were interested in knowing more about it.
Do we have a lot of Tibetans in Bangalore ?
The Karnataka government had reacted positively to then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s appeal to accommodate Tibetan refugees in the late ‘50s and early ‘60. There are now five settlements with more than 30,000 Tibetans in them. They also have their own schools where young people are taught the Tibetan language and script. Many of them have come to Bangalore for higher education.
What are the main objectives of your organisation?
We want to strengthen and nourish the centuries old cultural, spiritual and trade relations between the people of both the countries. Facing repression from the Chinese in their homeland and many being exiled in India , their culture faces the threat of extinction.
