On 1st October 2019, TYC activists staged an aggressive campaign at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi to condemn the 70th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. More than 50 activists stormed the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi to protest against the repressive and authoritarian policies in Tibet under Chinese rule. The protestors were immediately arrested and were taken into custody at Mandir Marg Police Station and released at 6 PM on the same day.
Tibetan Youth Congress organized a solidarity march for Hong Kong from Connaught Place to Jantar Mantar on 30th August 2019 in New Delhi. Around three hundred activists were seen wearing black clothes and holding umbrellas with different slogans, in support of the anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
The protest march was graced by Mr. Vijay Kranti, a journalist and long-time supporter of the Free Tibet Movement, and Dr. Kovind, Co-founder of the Go Green organization. TYC also successfully handed a letter stating four of our demands for the solidarity march to the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.
On 18th November 2020, Tibetan Youth Congress started a 6-day-long Bike Rally from McLeod Ganj to Kinnaur, an Indo-Tibet border region. 50 bikers volunteered to take part in this bike rally which aimed at propagating the message of boycotting made-in-China goods, countering and controlling Chinese intrusions into the Indian territory, and demanding the release of all political prisoners in Driru county of Tibet.
The Indo-Tibet border bike rally was flagged off by Kangra MP Kishan Kapoor and the speaker and deputy speaker of TPiE. During the event, TYC President Mr. Gonpo Dhundup addressed the gathering on the significance of the Indo-Tibet border. He elaborated that China has posed a threat to India’s security since the illegal occupation of Tibet by citing examples of the recent illegal intrusion of the Chinese forces on Indian soil. Thus, the Indo-Tibet bike rally aims to raise awareness among the Indian public about the historical ties between Tibet and India.
Day 1 of the Indo-Tibet border bike rally to expose China kicked off on 18th November 2020 from McLeod Ganj. There were about 50 bikers from Dharamshala, Kullu Manali, Dekyiling, Paonta, Shimla, Bir, Delhi, and Rothang. Although there were plenty of other bikers who showed a willingness to participate, TYC kept the number to 50 to signify the 50th Year founding anniversary of the Tibetan Youth Congress.
The bikers stopped for lunch sponsored by Mr. Tsering Wangdue at the Himachal Tourism restaurant in Hamirpur. TYC also addressed the media around the Hamirpur area regarding the Indo-Tibet border rally to expose China. After lunch, the bikers started moving to Bilaspur, the last stop for Day one.
The second day of the Indo-Tibet border bike rally started with greetings from Mr. Sudender, Rampur district president of BJP. The bikers were escorted by PCR vans from Bilaspur. They stopped for a lunch prepared by TYC at Siloo and continued with their journey to Rampur.
On the third day, the bikers geared for the journey to the Indo-Tibet border in Reckhong Peu. The rally attracted a wide range of media coverage at Rampur. Rampur is a beautiful hill station located 100 km away from Shimla. The area was majorly dominated by the Negi Buddhist Community. Therefore, there were monasteries around the area. The rally started off with a prayer and blessings from one of the monasteries in Rampur.
The bikers then rode towards the Nesang bridge located at the Indo-Tibet border in the Kinnaur district and upon reaching there, TYC President, General Secretary, and Joint Secretary declared the three demands of the Indo-Tibet Border Bike Rally in Tibetan, English, and Hindi respectively. Moreover, they protested against the inhumane and oppressive regime of Communist China.
The bikers stayed in Spello for the night.
Day four began with a morning prayer session and Sangsol was joined by Mr. Roshan Lal Negi, who also sponsored our stay in Spello and had been a long-time supporter of Tibet. Post-Sangsol, Everyone gathered for a group picture and then rode towards Shimla. The roads were bumpy and the weather was freezing cold. We witnessed a small snowfall in Nagarkot before reaching Shimla. Despite all odds, the bikers were determined to create awareness about the situation inside Tibet and continuously shouted “Bhoe Gyalo”. After covering a distance of about 260 kilometers, the bikers finally reached Shimla with a warm reception from the people of Shimla. Fourth Day marked the longest ride of the Indo-Tibet border bike rally to expose China.
Day Five of the rally convened with a morning function attended by Mr. V.S Negi, President of the Indo-Tibet Friendship Association (Shimla), Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Deputy Councillor (Shimla), Mr. H.C. Negi, Vice President of Kinnaur and Lahaul Buddhist Association, Chief Representative Officer, Shimla and the leaders of Tibetan NGOs in Shimla. It was cold in Shimla but the rally must go on, so the bikers rode on to Bir, the final destination of our event. It was a 7-hour-long journey and the bikers covered a distance of 207 km.
The concluding ceremony of the Indo-Tibet border bike rally to expose China was concluded on 23rd November 2020 at Nyingma Hotel in Bir. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Ajay Ji, BJP President (Mandi District), Executive members of the Indo-Tibet Friendship Association, Tibetan Settlement Officer (Chauntra), and the leaders of the regional Tibetan NGOs.
The Tibetan Settlement Officer and others offered Khatak to the bikers and organizers as a gesture of appreciation. The ceremony ended with a speech by TYC President Mr. Gonpo Dhundup.
Dharamshala 7 October: The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Tibetan Youth Congress is an occasion to look back, reminisce and reassess its achievements. It is also a time for TYC to review the past obstacles and consolidate its strength to tackle the present and future challenges.
The Golden Jubilee celebration took place in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala with Mr. Tenzin Geyche Tethong, Co-founder and first President of the Tibetan Youth Congress as the Special Guest, Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo, former President and Chief Justice Commissioner, and Mr. Pema Jugney, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile as the Chief Guest. Apart from that, Former TYC executives or their representatives also attended the event. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the program was scaled down to a modest event.
L – R: Mr. Lobsang Tsering (Vice President), Mr. Gonpo Dhundup (President), Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo (Former President of TYC and Chief Justice Commissioner), Mr. Tenzin Geyche Tethong (Co-founder and first President of TYC) and Mr. Pema Jugney (Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile).
In the opening remarks by the founder and first president of TYC, Mr. Tenzin Geyche Tethong commended the organization for its work for the Tibetan people and commented on China’s growing repressive policies in Tibet. He asked for greater unity amongst Tibetans in exile.
After that, Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo, former President and the Chief Justice Commissioner applauded TYC for its commitment to Tibet’s freedom movement and for being the frontrunner organization in organizing campaigns and creating awareness for Tibetans on democracy, voting, and leadership.
Speaker of the TPiE, Mr. Pema Jugney talked about the effectiveness of TYC in providing a platform for young leaders and pointed out how some of the most important and influential leaders had their roots in TYC.
The program concluded with a virtual message from CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay and TYC co-founder Tenzin Namgyal Tethong.
Performance by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA).
Mr. Tenzin Geyche Tethong la, Co-founder of the Tibetan Youth Congress along with the 17th Central Executive Members of Tibetan Youth Congress.
Organizing Committee of the 50th Year founding anniversary of the Tibetan Youth Congress.
Group Picture with the participants of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of TYC at Imperial Hotel.
To commemorate the International Day of Justice, the Tibetan Youth Congress along with the Tibetan Women’s Association, the National Democratic Party of Tibet, Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet organized a protest movement against China in McLeod Ganj today.
TYC’s Press Statement in English on the Official Launch of the Global Movement to Boycott Made in China
11 July 2020, McLeod Ganj: Around 70 protestors joined for the TYC Global Movement to Boycott Made in China in Mcleod Square today. This protest was done as a continuation of the virtual #MakeChinaAccountable2020 Campaign which accuses China of the spread of the global pandemic, for the blatant violation of Human Rights in Tibet, Uyghur, Southern Mongolia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
The Global Movement to Boycott Made in China calls to stop the purchase and use of products Made in China since all the money that we pay for these products goes into the wrong hands which ultimately leads to a result affecting our lives.
On 11th July, TYC members and activists burned the effigy of Chinese President Xi Jiping along with products Made in China. The members and activists pledged not to use or purchase products Made in China.
TYC Digital Campaign #MakeChinaAccountable2020 successfully turns the spotlight to China over COVID 19 outbreak. The hashtag #MakeChinaAccountable2020 witnessed mass participation with 117,465 reaches, 60,711 engagements, and with over 178,176 number of social media users posting pictures and videos under this hashtag.
Press statement
Tibetan Young Buddhist Association strongly condemns the recent irresponsible comment made by former Diplomat Phunchok Stopdan against His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama during a political debate broadcast in Aaj Tak news channel.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is not only the spiritual leader of hundreds of thousands of Buddhists all around the world but also a source of love and compassion for all sentient beings. The recent remark made by P Stobdan was very insensible and has hurt the sentiments of Buddhist all over the globe.
Hence, we condemn the indecent and disrespectful languages he used against our spiritual leader, and we demand his earnest apologies for hurting the sentiments of the Buddhist devotees.
With this, we extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Ladakh associations and individuals who demanded his apologies and stood in solidarity with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Tibetan Young Buddhist Association is an organization formed by Tibetan Youth Congress primarily to inculcate more sense of religiosity especially among the educated Tibetan and Buddhist youth, and it was registered under the Societies Act XXI of 1860. Tibetan Youth Congress is the largest NGO in exile Tibetan Community.
Mr. Gonpo Dhondup
Chairman
Tibetan Young Buddhist Association
