NAGPUR – Thousands converged at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur, marking the 67th Dhammachakra Pravartan Diwas on October 24th, 2023. While the day primarily commemorates Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s historic conversion to Buddhism. An awareness drive, coordinated by the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), aimed to educate the masses about the Tibetan situation, as reported by Tibet.net.
For those unacquainted, Dhammachakra Pravartan Diwas remembers the momentous day in 1956 when Dr. Ambedkar, a visionary leader and architect of the Indian Constitution, embraced Buddhism with his followers at Deekshabhoomi. The location, over the years, has become a beacon for Ambedkarite Buddhists and Ambedkar’s advocates, drawing enormous crowds annually.
This year’s event saw a unique fusion of Buddhist remembrance and Tibetan advocacy. The phrase “SAVE TIBET, SAVE INDIA” was prominently displayed on a stall at the event, coupled with the Indian and Tibetan national flags. A statement by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar from 1951 was highlighted, which according to Tibet.net, states, “Instead of according recognition to China in 1949, had India accorded this recognition to Tibet, there would have been no Sino-Indian border conflict.”
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Present at this awareness booth were notable figures like Shri Arvind Nikose of CGTC-I and NCFTS, members of NCFTS, and staunch Tibet supporters from the vicinity. Tashi Dekyi and Choney Tsering from ITCO also graced the occasion.
Visitors to the stall received educative materials on Tibet, both in Hindi and English. Tashi Dekyi, in her interaction with the media, delved into the rich history shared between India and Tibet. She spoke of Tibet’s role as a peaceful buffer between India and China until the 1950s. The Chinese communist invasion of Tibet and the ensuing Sino-Indian war of 1962 brought these tensions to the forefront. Tashi also expressed concerns regarding Tibet’s environmental degradation, emphasizing the potential impacts on India given that significant Asian rivers originate from the Tibetan plateau.
Shri Arvind Nikose accentuated the need for such awareness campaigns, noting that despite close ties, many in India are unaware of the Tibetan plight. As per Tibet.net, he said these programs are essential, especially at gatherings where they can educate thousands.
Parallelly, another commemorative event took place at Clubhouse, Leverage Greens, where Tashi Dekyi continued her advocacy, sharing insights on the Tibetan cause.
In essence, the awareness program in Nagpur was not just a success but a testament to the growing support for Tibet in India. As the stories from Tibet.net suggest, the program went a long way in connecting the dots between historical legacies, current geopolitical scenarios, and the importance of Tibet to the Indian conscience.
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