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ALL INDIA – MARTYRS MEMORIAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

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All India- Martyrs Memorial Basketball Tournament

In 1998, in conjunction with the 10th March, the Tibetan Youth Congress organized a unto death hunger strike in New Delhi with three demands. Among the participants in the second batch was Pawo Thupten Ngodup la, who self-immolated, becoming the first Tibetan to do so. On the 29th of March, Pawo Thupten Ngodup la passed away, and since then, the Tibetan Youth Congress observes this day annually as Martyrs’ Day, organizing various activities.

 

The RTYC Dharamshala has organized a basketball tournament for many years, and this year marked the 21st edition, which was also the first all-India tournament. The event had three primary aims:

  1. To raise awareness about the contributions made by Tibetan martyrs and instill a sense of patriotism and nationalism among the youth participants.
  2. To foster closer engagement of Tibetan youth with the Tibetan Youth Congress and involve them in activities related to the Tibetan cause.
  3. To promote and preserve unity and integrity among Tibetans.

 

The organizing committee arranged accommodations for the participating teams in the Tibetan Children’s Village, Lower Dharamshala. On the afternoon of April 24, a meeting was held with the players, where TYC General Secretary Mr. Sonam Tsering welcomed them and discussed the tournament’s objectives and the significance of TYC activities in the exile community, followed by team introduction by the respective team captains. RTYC Dharamshala President Jampa Tendar briefed the players on the rules and regulations, and team shuffling was led by Mr. Gawa, the sports secretary of RTYC Dharamshala.

The tournament began on April 25, coinciding with the 35th birth anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama, Jetsun Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Thinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo, the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama. The opening ceremony featured TYC Vice President Mr. Tashi Targyal la as the chief guest, alongside Mr. Karma Sichoe la and Mr. Yungdung la, participants of the 1998 TYC hunger strike. Mr. Sonam Tsering la highlighted the tournament’s aims, and Mr. Tashi Targyal la spoke about the importance of youth participation in the movement and the critical situation inside Tibet. After which, the participants from different parts of India were presented with traditional Tibetan scarves.

 

RTYC Dharamshala Secretary Mr. Tenzin Lobsang la read a Tibetan statement, and RTYC member Tenzin Choekyi hosted the ceremony. The event included a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the 11th Panchen Lama’s birthday and a minute of silence to honor Tibetan martyrs.

 

For the first time in exile basketball history, live streaming was provided from the quarter-finals onward, allowing interested viewers worldwide to follow the tournament. The final match was scheduled for April 29, Martyrs’ Day, but was postponed due to heavy rain in Dharamshala.

The final match was held on April 30. The Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel la, attended as the chief guest, with TYC Vice President Mr. Tashi Targyal la as the special guest. Amongst the guest standing committee members of the Tibetan Parliament, TYC former centrex members and the representatives of the other organizations were present. The chief guest and the guest of honour addressed the gathering by emphasizing on the needs of unity and youth participation in the freedom movement. The Gangkyi basketball ground was filled with spectators in huge number and the final match was between the Red Devils and the Dharamshala Thuboe team, while the girls’ match featured the Munsel Team against the Sarah Team. The Munsel Team and the Red Devils emerged victorious.

 

The chief guest and the guest of honor presented trophies and prizes to the winners and mementos to the officials. The event was a huge success, with participation from various regions, including North-East, South, North, and Central India. A representative team from the Tibetan Transit School, newly arrived from Tibet, made a memorable appearance in traditional Tibetan dress (Chupa) at the opening ceremony.

 

 

 

COMMEMORATION OF 65TH TIBETAN NATIONAL UPRISING DAY

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Commemoration of the 65th Tibetan National Uprising Day in Dharamshala

In Dharamshala, the Tibetan Youth Congress, in collaboration with the Tibetan Women’s Association, National Democratic Party of Tibet, and Students for Free Tibet, united to honor the 65th Tibetan National Uprising Day. Preparatory meetings were diligently conducted to draft a joint statement in English, Tibetan, and Hindi, outlining campaign actions to be undertaken on March 10th.

Posters were distributed across Dharamshala to raise awareness among tourists and to remind Tibetans of the significance of this historic date.

On March 3rd, volunteers from Dharamshala congregated at TYC office to inscribe slogans and demands on placards and banners. Hand-written banners symbolized our collective commitment to the cause, fostering a sense of solidarity and activism against Chinese repression.

 

After a month of meticulous planning and placard preparations, we marked the 10th March Tibetan National Uprising Day by distributing flags, slogan pamphlets, and the joint statement. Participants’ faces were adorned with Tibetan flags and symbols, reflecting the struggles endured during our years in exile. The atmosphere surrounding the Temple area on March 10th was charged with inspiration, as flags fluttered and slogans reverberated among Tibetans.

 

Following the official program at the Dalai Lama Temple, we embarked on a march to Kacheri, with thousands of Tibetans chanting slogans in unison. The peace march witnessed participation from the broader Tibetan community, including nuns, students, and monks from nearby institutions.

 

Upon arrival at Kacheri, after an arduous hour-long march under the blazing sun, we commenced the program by honoring the Tibetan and Indian national anthems, followed by a minute of silence to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by Tibetan martyrs.

 

Subsequently, commemorative songs were sung, and the President of the Tibetan Youth Congress delivered a poignant speech on behalf of the four NGOs. He conveyed greetings and voiced grievances over the ongoing suffering of Tibetans under Chinese repression, emphasizing the necessity for continued protests to denounce Chinese occupation and amplify the voices of Tibetans inside Tibet. Gratitude was expressed to the government and Tibet support groups for their unwavering support to the Tibetan cause.

 

The President of the National Democratic Party of Tibet, Mr. Tashi Dhondup, then read the Tibetan statement, followed by Miss Tenzin Passang, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet India, who read the English statement. The event, hosted by the President of the Tibetan Women’s Association, was a resounding success, attracting a large public turnout and reaffirming our collective commitment to the cause of Tibet.

 

 

65th Tibetan National Uprising Day Commemoration in Delhi

The 65th Tibetan National Uprising Day was commemorated in Delhi with a peaceful rally from Janpath Metro Station to Jantar Mantar. The event was jointly organized by TYC Centrex, along with RTYC Rohini, RTYC Delhi Samyeling, and RTYC Chandigarh, SFT Delhi, RTWA, BTSM, ITCO, and VTag members.

 

During the rally, participants raised slogans highlighting the critical situation inside Tibet and demanded the Chinese communist regime to halt its forced relocation policies and damming projects in Tibet. The gathering was marked by passionate speeches, with Mr. Yeshi Chomphel la, the Organizational Secretary of Tibetan Youth Congress, emphasizing the significance of commemorating this important date and the importance of our collective efforts in fulfilling the aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet through organized campaign activities.

 

Mr. Pankaj Goyal, the General Secretary of BTSM, along with Professor Anand from JNU, Mr. Vijay Kranti, and Venerable Archaya Yeshi Phuntsok, former Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, also addressed the gathering, condemning the Chinese regime’s continued repression in Tibet.

 

A significant number of Tibetans participated in the protest rally to honor the 65th Tibetan National Uprising Day.

 

On March 11th, more than 40 activists from the Tibetan Youth Congress staged a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy, demanding an end to the forced relocation and damming projects in Tibet, and calling for an end to Chinese repression in the region. Amidst the bustling traffic, our activists raced towards the embassy, holding placards condemning Chinese oppression in Tibet and advocating for freedom in the region. They were subsequently detained but later released in the late afternoon.

In recognition of their dedication, a Khatak was offered to them by the organizations and associations in front of the Samyeling Monastery, where the President of the Tibetan Youth Congress emphasized the importance of such protest campaigns in demonstrating solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and amplifying their voices on the international stage.

 

 

 

 

Meeting with US Delegation In Dharamshala

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TYC President Gonpo Dhundup and Media Manager Tenzin Lobsang had a meeting with Mr. William J. O’Connor and Mr. Robin Bansel of the US Embassy, along with representatives from other NGOs. They discussed TYC’s campaign initiatives, explored future collaboration opportunities, and expressed gratitude for the US’s constant support for Tibet’s just cause.

DINNER MEETING WITH AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS GROUP

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TYC Vice President and the General Secretary, accompanied by other NGO representatives, convened a dinner meeting with members of the Australian Parliamentarians group, including Senator Deborah O’Neill, MP Michael McCormack, MP David Smith, Zoe Bedford, Catherine and Paul Joseph. Discussions centred around the current situation in Tibet, shedding light on our organization’s efforts over the past 54 years.

 

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP CONFERENCE (BELGIUM)

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Tibetan Youth Congress president Mr. Gonpo Dhundup joined in a four-day International Tibet support group conference convened in Belgium by the Department of Information and International Relations of CTA. With over 170 participants from 42 countries, the discussions focused on the urgent situation in Tibet and efforts to strengthen the international campaign for Tibet’s cause.

TYC SOCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITY IN BODH GAYA

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TYC Social Service Activity in Bodh Gaya

The Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Tibetan exile communities, consistently extends its social services during the teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya or elsewhere in India. This year, TYC conducted its social service campaign from December 20th, 2024, to January 2nd, 2024.

 

The social service activity was spearheaded by Mr. Tashi Targyal, the Vice President of the Tibetan Youth Congress, alongside Joint Secretary Mr. Tsering Chomphel, Social Service Secretary Mr. Tenzin Jamphel, TYC Media Officer Mr. Tenzin Lobsang, and Tibetan Researcher Mr. Ngawang Yarphel.

 

On December 2nd, TYC Vice President and the Media Officer travelled to Bodh Gaya to secure permissions from railway stations for installing Tibetan Youth Congress announcement loudspeakers and setting up announcement centres. They engaged with relevant authorities to obtain the necessary permissions to provide social services to devotees and the public. The rest of the team joined them on December 19th,2024.

This year, over 60 volunteers from various age groups participated in providing social services to needy devotees, and they  were assigned to different sections of announcement centers, offering essential information in multiple languages, as well as to the Lost and Found sections, assisting devotees in retrieving their belongings. Services were accessible 14/7 at railway stations, supporting the Department of security in maintaining peace and order at the teaching entry gates and around the teaching area.

 

Overall, TYC successfully provided social services to those in need, receiving expressions of gratitude from devotees through messages and appreciation donations during the teachings.

 

Following the volunteers’ successful service, TYC typically organizes a day-long pilgrimage around Bodh Gaya. However, this year, due to state governmental transport restrictions, we were unable to facilitate the same for volunteers. Nonetheless, we were honored with an audience with Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang and his eminence Kyabje Kundeling Rinpoche, who conveyed words of encouragement and appreciation for TYC’s work.

 

TYC NORTH AMERICA WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING:

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TYC North America Working Committee Meeting:

On December 3rd, 2023, the President and General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress were warmly received at JFK Airport by the New York and New Jersey Regional Tibetan Youth Congress President and other members. The following day, they visited esteemed former TYC Centrex member and historian, Jamyang Norbu La, providing updates on ongoing campaign activities.

On December 6th, TYC expressed gratitude to Thupten Choenyi La, presenting a thank-you memento for his exceptional commitment to the cause of Tibetan Independence. President Gonpo Dhundup la participated in his one-day program, culminating in an evening public talk in Phildelphia.

 

20th North America Working Committee Meeting:

From December 9th to 11th, the three-day 20th North America Working Committee Meeting took place in New York. The opening ceremony featured TYC founding member Kalon Trisur Kungo Tethong Tenzin Namgyal la, Gen Jamyang Norbu la, Kungo Kunga Tashi la, and other former TYC Centrex members and the representatives of the NGOs. The meeting involved thorough reviews of chapter budgets, discussions on various agendas, and the adoption of crucial resolutions for the upcoming year. The event concluded with certificate presentations to participants and volunteers, followed by captivating cultural performances by the participants.

 

On December 11th participants of the North America Working Committee meeting protest outside the United Nations, condemning human rights abuses and genocide in Tibet. The protest was led by RTYC NY&NJ.

 

Minnesota Visit:

On December 15th, the TYC President and General Secretary were warmly received at Minneapolis airport by the RTYC Minnesota President and Vice President. The visit was in connection with the 25th Founding Anniversary of the RTYC Minnesota. On December 18th, they were invited as Chief Guests for the anniversary celebration, addressing critical situations inside Tibet and highlighting TYC campaign activities.

 

On December 16th, the TYC President and General Secretary visited TAFM’s Tibetan Culture School, addressing students during their morning assembly and touring classrooms.

 

 

On December 29th, TYC leadership, in collaboration with former RTYC New York and New Jersey members, met with New Jersey TYC members and former RTYC NY&NJ Working Committee members. Discussions centered on the pressing situation in Tibet and ongoing TYC activities. On December 31st, they engaged in a successful discussion and donation drive, strengthening campaign efforts. The meeting was attended by some of the former Centrex members, RTYC NY&NJ members along with representatives of the New York-based NGOs.

 

The year concluded with the TYC President and General Secretary attending the New Year’s Eve party organized by RTYC NY&NJ, where they served as Chief Guests.

 

The month-long series of events in the US concluded with a commitment to the Tibetan cause, reinforcing ties with regional chapters, honoring dedicated individuals, and strategically planning for the year ahead.

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