Dharamsala, February 6: A round table discussion aimed at “facilitating a platform for a reflective look in building partnerships towards a more supportive community of Indians and Tibetans in Dharamsala, which serves as base for the Tibetan Government-in-exile, and elsewhere around the country was organized by the Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution here Friday.
Representatives from both the local Tibetan and Indian communities held a half-day discussion to tackle shortcomings and challenges in order to shape and nurture a more peacefully coexisting and mutually supportive community between the two people.
The discussion revolved around three thematic issues: “50 years of struggle: A reflective look into the successes and shortcomings,” “50 years of togetherness with our Indian brothers and sisters: The challenges faced and achievements shared” and “Looking into the future: Building partnerships towards a more supportive community of Indians and Tibetans”.
Additional Superintendent of Police for Kangra District Ms Tiwari, Vice president of Municipal Council Mr Subash Nehria, Principal and student leaders of Govt. College Dharamshala, representatives from the Tibetan Welfare Office and, representative from the Tibetan Non-Governmental Organizations and local Indian organizations took part in the half-day discussion.
The participants put forward suggestions and ideas that could be initiated in future in building partnerships towards a “more supportive community of Indians and Tibetans.”
These included suggestions to form educational and inter-cultural exchange programs to school children from the two communities to have a better understanding of each other.
The participants also discussed ways to effectively resolve differences amicably in the face of conflicts arising in the community and to avoid them from further escalating into communal issues.
Based in Dharamsala since its establishment in 2001, TCCR has been imparting workshops, training programmes and public meetings at grassroots among Tibetan, Indian and other communities on non-violent management of conflicts at local, national and international level.
