Tibetan Youth Congress observes 42nd anniversary in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Oct 8 (ANI): Activists and members of the Tibetan Youth Congress gathered on the occasion of their outfit's 42nd anniversary here on Saturday and remembered the martyrs, who fought against the Chinese atrocities.

A lively basketball match marked the event that was watched by scores of Tibetans and monks.

Dharamsala is the seat of Tibetan government-in-exile and also the headquarters of spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Swept by a wave of patriotic fervor, the exiled Tibetans paid tribute to their comrades who had lost their lives in the decades-long freedom struggle against rule by Beijing in their homeland.

Singing songs and enjoying the proceedings, the exiled Tibetans hoped to celebrate the next anniversary of the TYC in Lhasa.

Many Tibetan activists asserted that through the anniversary, they essentially celebrated the principles of democracy and liberty, while expressing gratitude to Indians for their love and support.

"Dharamsala is very excited today. It is Tibetan Youth Congress Day; it is Tibetan Youth Day. So, all of us, we celebrate youth, we celebrate freedom, we celebrate democracy in India. And this is the love and the freedom that we received from the people and the government of India that even in-exile we are able to celebrate the youth freedom and democracy," said Tenzin Tsundu, a Tibetan activist.

"And Tibetan Youth Congress has been the biggest movement for the Tibetan struggle," he added.

The TYC is the largest voluntary forum of exiled Tibetan community seeking complete independence for Tibet. Founded in 1970, it has 85 chapters across the world.

Since the past many years, TYC activists have spearheaded numerous rallies, agitations, and hunger strikes to protest the alleged atrocities perpetrated by China on Buddhist monks, local villagers, women and children in Tibet.

The TYC has also provided a platform to the young generation of Tibetans to participate in the emotionally charged struggle.

"In any freedom struggle, the struggle is not just a political rally and protest, it needs a very healthy society. And for that, youth participation is very important and it mostly comes from healthy youth. Here, we promote basketball, we promote health, we promote youth participation and that is the way to involve youngsters in the freedom struggle," said Tsundu. (ANI)