Vadodara, Gujarat: President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay was invited as the chief guest at the Institute of Leadership and Governance, Maharaja Sayajirao (MS) University of Baroda.
Shri Jigar Inamdar, advisor of Institute of Leadership and Governance introduced and spoke about the Institute and its diploma awards. He welcomed President Dr. Lobsang Sangay on behalf of the faculty members and the whole university.
In his keynote address, Shri Jigar Inamdar equated Baroda as Dharamshala for Tibetans in Gujarat and expressed that all the major festivities of India are equally participated by the Tibetans students.
Addressing the faculty members, students, staff and dignitaries present in the auditorium, President Sangay expressed his appreciation to the vice-chancellor and faculty members of the University.
He said it was a privilege for him to be in Gujarat, Land of prominent leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Valab Patel and presently Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time.
President Dr. Lobsang Sangay highlighted the decade long relationship between India and Tibet. Elaborating the relationship, President said both the countries are geographically, spiritually, and environmentally related since time immemorial.
Speaking on the spiritual connection, President Sangay talked about the Nalanda University which originated in India and spread to Asia continent and further beyond.
President noted that oftentimes politicians are considered the heroes in most of the countries but with Tibet, it has always been the scholars and translators who brought Buddhism in Tibet.
President Sangay also narrated the situation in Tibet since 1959 under the repression on Chinese authority, where monasteries and nunneries were destroyed and demolished, monks and nuns have been disrobed. And noted that the dire situation still persists in Tibet. However, despite the difficulties, the President remarked that Tibetans in exile are not only been able to preserve Buddhism but expand it to the other countries as well. This was possible only because of the unrelenting support generated by the Indian government and its people as President noted.
President further spoke about Gandhi’s principle of ahimsa and noted that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetans are admirer and follower of Ahimsa. President stated that the Tibetans have been following nonviolence for the last 60 years, the principle which made in India and is practiced in the Tibetan administration.
President said” If we succeed, Gandhi Succeeds, Ahimsa Succeeds” and assured that we will succeed in our struggle.
“The Original Made in India is Tibet and Tibetan movement. If the made in India has to Succeed, the Tibet movement has to succeed. Together we march forward. That day will come, our Achhe Din!” said President
Speaking about the Institute of Leadership and Governance, President said leadership and governance are very important. He stressed that training is important to become a leader and training equips one to become a better leader.
President congratulated the current batch and the batch of the previous year of the Institute of Leadership and Governance, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
President advised that complaints won’t solve a problem rather hard work and the determination will do.
President reminded that the greatest export of India is Buddhism and everybody looks and respect India as the land of Buddha.
President urged the younger generation of India to revive the ancient Indian wisdom and knowledge of Buddhism and make India the leading example for the rest of the world.
The President then ended his talk on a positive note that justice will prevail, freedom will prevail, and Karuna will prevail in Tibet.