Paris, March 2: In solidarity with the ‘No Losar’ movement inside Tibet, Tibetans in France held a day-long prayer session in the city of St. Gratien, north of Paris this Sunday. Mrs. Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, the Mayor of St. Gratien, Chabdak Lhamo Kyab, member of Tibetan Parliament in exile and Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth Congress (tyc), joined the event.
“I am here to extend my personal support to the Tibetan people who have been undergoing tremendous sufferings for many years”, said the Mayor. The Tibetan National flag “that flies on the city hall is a mark of our support for the Tibetans”, she added.
Thupten Gyatso from Tibetan Community of France called on Tibetans to “remember the tremendous sacrifice by our brothers and sisters inside Tibet”.
The year 2008 saw the largest anti China protest across Tibet in decades and left hundreds of Tibetans dead and thousands imprisoned. In response, last year over 500 towns across France raised the Tibetan National Flag in solidarity with Tibet.
Speaking in the afternoon, the President of TYC stressed the importance of individual contribution of each Tibetan living inside and outside Tibet.
“What we have to realise is that Rangzen will not come from China, but from the collective will and efforts of Tibetans,” Tsewang declared.
Responding to query from the audience, the President reiterated his organisation’s stand and belief in the leadership of the Dalai Lama.
“The first pledge that each TYC member takes is ‘to dedicate oneself to the task of serving one’s country and people under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,’” he added, saying that till date, TYC, as an organisation, has never veered from non-violent path shown by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tsewang Ringzin is in Europe to coordinate Tibetan Youth Congress’ 10 March campaign. He is also scheduled to meet with Swiss-based Tibetan Youth Association of Europe.
Mr. Lhamo briefly spoke on the importance of maintaining and preserving Tibetan language and culture.
