Switzerland: Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile attended the 57th Tibetan Democracy Day celebration at Swtizerland organised by the Tibetan community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Other guests at the celebration include Ven. Thupten Lekmon, Abbot of Rikon Monastery, Ven. Thubten Wangchen and Jampa Tsering Samdo, the two members of the Tibetan Parliament from Europe, Representative Ngodup Dorjee from the Office of Tibet and Tenzin, President of the Tibetan community of Swiss and Liechtenstein.
The program commenced with the procession ceremony of the portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Honorable Speaker along with other guests, offered mendela offerings for the long life of His Holiness, followed by the singing of Tibetan national anthem and the song of Tibetan democracy. After which, a minute’s silence was observed to mourn Tibetan martyrs who self-immolated for the greater cause of Tibet.
After the respective speeches of the revered guests of the occasion, Speaker Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel read out the statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and addressed the public.
In his address, he lauded the contribution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama towards the democratic process of the Tibetan polity and urged Tibetans to implement in practice the wise teachings and guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
He thanked the Tibetan community of Swiss and Lichtenstein on behalf of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and extended his sincere gratitude as well.
The program concluded with the Speaker answering questions posed by the public.
-Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat –
