Brussels: The celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 89th birthday and the 66th founding anniversary of the Dokham Chushi Gangdruk organisation was held in Antwerp on 16 June 2024.

Thinley Wangdue, Secretary of the Office of Tibet in Brussels, attended the celebration as the chief guest, along with Jangchup Rinchen, the representatives of Dokham Chushi Gangdruk, Metok Rinpoche, Geshe Tsetan Phuntsok, and representatives from various Tibetan organisations, including the Tibetan Association of Belgium.

As the event commences, the chief guest and representatives of central and regional Dokham Chushi Gangdruk organisation offered a Mandala to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, followed by a welcome speech from Penpa Dorjee, president of the regional Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk.

During the event, members of the 10th Tibetan Association of Chushi Gangdruk in Belgium handed over the charge to new members who were elected and sworn into the office. The departing committee members and advisors were honoured with certificates and gifts.

In his keynote address, chief guest Thinley Wangdue presented a brief introduction about inception of Dokham Chushi Gangdruk on 16 June 1958 under the leadership of the patriotic warrior Andrug Gompo Tashi. He elucidated that the group included Tibetans from all three traditional provinces of independent Tibet with the objective of driving PRC’s occupational forces out of Tibet. He further highlighted that the group assisted His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama during His flight to India.

As the anniversary is concurrently celebrated with 89th birthday of His Holiness, Secretary Thinley Wangdue further highlighted the gathering to follow His Holiness’ noble guidance and incorporate His Holiness’ advices in one’s daily life.  

Thereafter, the representative of Dokham Chushi Gangdruk, Jangchup Rinchen, read the statement of Tibetan Parliament in Exile for the occasion. 

Before concluding the event, members of the regional Dokham Chushi Gangdruk presented cultural performances before the gathering.