Sikyong extends Losar greetings to Tibetans

Dharamsala, February 9

On the occasion of the traditional Tibetan New Year, Losar 2151, Sikyong (president of Central Tibetan Administration) Penpa Tsering has extended Losar greetings to Tibetans around the world.

“On the occasion of the 2151st Tibetan Lunar New Year, a year of male Wood-dragon, I, on behalf of the 16th Kashag, would like to wholeheartedly express ‘Tashi Delek’ to all the Tibetans around the world. Sixty-four years have passed since we came into exile and 74 years since China started invading our nation,” he said today.

“As we celebrate this Losar, it is imperative to make a firm determination that we will not, under any circumstances, give up on maintaining our unique identity. Here in exile, we do our best to fulfil this obligation, particularly in our capacity as a representative of the community,” Sikyong said.

“I also want to beseech Tibetans in exile to double efforts to preserve Tibetan identity and continue working for our endeavour to resolve the Tibet-China conflict through non-violence and peaceful negotiation. Despite the geo-strategic significance of the Tibetan plateau, Tibet’s environmental change will also have grave repercussions on all regions of neighbouring countries and the world’s climate in general. For that matter, the sustenance of our non-violent struggle based on the principles of Buddhist teachings is of utmost importance, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama advises time and again. Violence merely fuels further acts of violence, and therefore, if we can demonstrate a nonviolent approach, it will be durable,” Sikyong said.

“For those in Tibet, who are concerned about the Dalai Lama, it is important to know that he is in excellent health, as is evident during his recent trips to Gangtok, Salugara and Bodhgaya,” he further said.