We must strengthen Tibet movement in free democracies: Tibetan President

New York— 'Every Tibetan living in free democracies should take upon themselves to strengthen Tibet movement in their respective host countries,' said Dr Lobsang Sangay, the President of the Tibetan-government-in-exile, officially known as Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), based in Dharamshala, India.

Sakya Gongma Rinpoche and the President of the CTA, Dr Lobsang Sangay inaugurated and presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Tibetan Community Centre, Phuntsok Deshe, organised by the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey on Sunday, June 2, 2019.
The inauguration was followed by the consecration of the community centre by Sakya Gongma Rinpoche.
'Calling it an auspicious occasion, Dr Sangay congratulated and acknowledge the support of the sponsors and the unity and hard work of the members of the Tibetan community that saw the successful completion of the community centre,' said Tenzin Lhakmon, Communication Officer, Sikyong Office.
In his address Dr Sangay expressed that the successful completion of the community centre demonstrates the potential of Tibetan community when working with unity. This oneness, he said has be stressed upon by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as early as in 1959.
As the democracies of the world weigh on the influence of China and that of “Socialism with Chinese Characteristic”, we Tibetans should all the more be prudent and more involved towards furthering the Tibet cause.
As China attempts to thwart representation of Tibetan cause at the global platforms through its influence, every Tibetan living in free democracies should take upon themselves to strengthen Tibet movement in their respective host countries.
For 60 years he said, we have left these responsibilities on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is “high time” that the Tibetans shoulder these responsibilities towards the cause in unity and harmony while preserving our identity. By doing so, Tibetan are honouring the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said Dr Sangay.
Speaking on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s recent reaffirmation to live beyond 100 at the Life Long Offering Ceremony in Dharamshala, Dr Sangay expressed importance of the collective karma and the sacred and pure bond between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans.
As addressed by Sakya Gongma Rinpoche and other guest speakers in unison at the function, Dr Sangay iterated the importance of preserving the Tibetan identity while living in diaspora. He further added the significant role a parent play in inculcating the sense of Tibetan identity and culture with language as it core.
The ceremony also saw the adjuration and official naming of the street outside the centre to Tibet Way.
Also present at the event was Jimmy Van Bramer, Council Member of the 26th District, Ngodup Tsering, Representative of OOT North America, North America Members of Tibetan Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Tsewang Rigzin and Pema Chagzoetsang and sponsors. The gathering saw the attendance of around 2000.
The Chinese Communist totalitarian regime began their invasion of Tibet in 1949, reaching complete occupation of the country in 1959. Since that time, more than 1.2 million people, 20% of the nation's population of six million, have died as a direct result of China's invasion and occupation. In addition, over 99% of Tibet's six thousand religious monasteries, temples, and shrines, have been looted or decimated resulting in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of sacred Buddhist scriptures.

Source: http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/exile/6510-we-must-strengthen-tibet-movement-in-free-democracies-tibetan-president