Brussels: The Belgium Tibetan Community Association held a two-day Green Book Day event at Antwerpen, the most Tibetan populated city of Belgium, on Saturday 9th October 2021. It had to be repeated on Sunday as well on popular demand.

The idea of Green Book Day was inspired by the sole aim of making each Tibetans living in Belgium to make sure of having a green book. The day was held to promote green book, making new green book and other related matters including collection of dues. The office of Tibet’s secretary Mr. Thinley Wangdue and accountant Mr. Tenzin Lekshey along with volunteers of various Tibetan Associations and members of the Tibetan Community worked tirelessly for the two days to make the event successful.

Usually, the Office of Tibet, Brussels accountant visits Antwerp and other towns once in a year to collect the green book contribution.

The event started in the morning at 9 am and lasted till late evening. The event’s official function was held at 5 pm. Tibetan Community Association’s President Mr. Palden Tsering gave the opening remarks. He said though there are roughly 6000 Tibetans living in Belgium, only around 2000 people make the green book contribution. It’s alarming that 60 to 70 percent of the Tibetans in Belgium don’t pay the voluntary contribution. To make CTA successful, it’s the collective efforts and responsibilities of every Tibetan.

He further added that the Community would try their best to make every Tibetan living in Belgium to have a green book. He thanked the Office of Tibet, Brussels for supporting the event.

The event’s chief guest representative Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, addressed the gathering and highlighted the chronological histories of how the Tibetan green book came into existence. He further said that the mass movement to voluntary contribute to CTA was first started in early 1972. By contributing voluntary contribution to CTA, it signifies allegiance of Tibetans to the Central Tibetan Administration as their legitimate Government. He commended the board of the Tibetan Community and, in particular Mr. Palden Tsering, its President for the initiative.

Green Book Day had some other programs as well. The Belgium weekend school Sherab Nangje sold various Tibetan foods. In the evening, the students performed a number of Tibetan traditional dances and songs. The event was attended by around 1500 Tibetans. Out of 100 green books; 50 were New Green Books and 50 cases of other related matters were handled with a sum of 30,000/ Euros was received.

Similar initiatives will be taken in other Belgium cities like Ostende, Brugge and Lueven. Because of popular demand yet again the staff of Office of Tibet, Mr. Thinley and Mr. Lekshey will continue the work on the coming Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Antwerpen.