Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept 2: The seat of the exile Tibetan polity observed the 64th Tibetan Democracy Day, a day proudly regarded as a landmark occasion. The official commemoration was attended by Penpa Tsering, the President of the Tibetan Government in Exile, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, and a distinguished delegation from the Estonian Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet. Despite the prominence of the occasion, the event was overshadowed by a notably low public turnout.
‘Mangtso’ the Tibetan for democracy is synonymous with being a precious gift within the broader Tibetan exile narrative. Yet, despite being the epicentre of the Tibetan Government in Exile, only a small number of people participated in the celebrations. The Tsuglakhang courtyard saw a scattered crowd of fewer than 200 people, mostly elderly Tibetans and schoolchildren whose attendance was mandatory.
Tsering Wangyal, who fled Tibet in the 1960s, regards Tibetan Democracy Day as a vital occasion, emphasising that while many around the world have had to endure great struggles to achieve democracy, Tibetans have been fortunate to receive it without such hardships. However, he expressed disappointment at the lack of public engagement. “Democracy is like a boon,” Wangyal said. ”On this landmark day, it’s disheartening to see more schoolchildren than the general public. This day should inspire active participation from the entire Tibetan community, following the guidance of our elected leaders to secure a prosperous future for our nation. But it seems many are either resting at home or busy with household chores. Who, then, will come to honor this occasion?”
“As His Holiness approaches his 90th year in 2025, we must consider how long we can depend on the living Buddha. It’s essential to honor his vision and work together to fulfill his wishes. We’ve been blessed with this democratic gift, but if we don’t fully appreciate and utilize it, it’s like mixing water and milk—leaving us with neither. True appreciation of this democratic gift requires more than words,” Wangyal told Phayul.
The non-Tibetan guests in attendance, including the Estonian Parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Roy Strider, Coordinator of the Tibet Support Group in the Estonian Parliament, expressed their prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Strider emphasised that democracy is synonymous with freedom, stating, “Freedom means equal rights, freedom means everybody is important.” He also highlighted the contributions of writer-activist Tenzin Tsundue, whom he called the “Rangzen boy,” noting that “freedom and democracy mean Tenzin Tsundue.” Tsundue was invited on stage to speak, where he congratulated the public for commemorating the 64th Tibetan Democracy Day and prayed for the Dalai Lama’s long life.
Meanwhile, China opposed the visit of a delegation of Estonian Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet to the seat of the exile polity, where they attended the Central Tibetan Administration’s official commemoration of the 64th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day.
The delegation of the Estonian Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet is led by its Chairman, Hon. Mr. Juku-Kalle Raid, Member of Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonia Parliament; Mrs Karmen Joller, Member of Social Affairs Committee, and Ms Ester Aruse, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Mr Roy Strider, who coordinated the visit.
“The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Estonia presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia and with great regret expresses strong opposition against the recent visit to the “Tibetan government-in-exile” by certain members of the “Tibet Support Group” of Riigikogu,” the statement read.
