Dharamsala, January 28 - Tibetan poet and activist Tenzin Tsundue has been felicitated with a “lifetime achievement award” for his fight for Tibet’s independence at a republic day celebration in Bangalore.
A Three - day Civil Society Summit held in Bangalore from 24 to 26 January to coincide with the 61st anniversary of Indian republic was inaugurated by the Union Law Minister of India, Veerappa Moily. The event honoured present day freedom fighters and remembered those who devoted their lives to social causes.
Among the young leaders recognized with lifetime achievement awards were Himanshu Kumar of the Vanvasi Chetna Ashram (VCA) and Manipur’s Irom Sharmila.
Kumar has been fighting for the rights of tribal people in in Dantewada, Chattisgarh, to set up their homes in the jungles from where the tribal people are now being evicted. Manipur’s Irom Sharmila has been on fast since 5 years, not eating any solid food as a mark of her protest against the atrocities by the Indian armed forces.
Tsundue’s award was a recognition of his 16 years of non-violent struggle for freedom of his country from foreign occupation, the organizers said. The event was put together by jointly by 57 Indian NGOS like Open Space, CFAR, Sangama and others.
Tsundue spoke on “Occupied Tibet looks at India at 60”. “I have been to many jails, fought court cases and have been regularly harassed by the law. But I am never negative, painful or suffering. I cannot work with anger, the moment I allow that I know I have lost my battle. No matter how long your battle goes on it is important to make sure you do not lose your peace of mind. My optimism keeps me alive”, said Tsundue.
“The Civil Society Summit is to celebrate continuing freedom struggles in India,
and to recognise present day freedom fighters. It is a premier knowledge and networking event of civil society in India. Its primary goal is to bring together leading thinkers and practitioners in development and human rights with their counterparts in different sector”, the organizers said.