Tibetan Women mark the 'International Mother's Day' with Unfeigned Fervor
May 10, 2009, Dharamsala; Tibetan Women across the globe celebrated 'International Mother's Day'; a day that signifies peace and unity.
Fifty years ago, Tibetan Women created history by wearing the political armor and resisting a brute force that ravaged and challenged the history of Tibet. Fifty years thence, wearing a strong valor, Tibetan Women have continued with the struggle and this time the struggle is two-fold; inside and outside of Tibet and dons a mature outlook and a heightened significance.
Since its inception in 1959 in Lhasa, Tibet, Tibetan Women's Association has made unwavering efforts in mobilizing the political struggle, in the preservation and promotion of Tibetan religion and culture and essentially in sustaining and building the identity of Tibetan women. As mothers of the family, Tibetan women have generate d a stronger will in nurturing and inculcating in the next generation, the spirit to contribute to the Tibetan struggle. Following TWA's reinstatement in exile India, in September 1984, Tibetan women have shouldered a pivotal role in carrying the Tibetan freedom struggle to the forefront.
Therefore on the occasion of the International Mother's Day, TWA honored the brave Tibetan mothers who are not only the heart of the family and the scion to generate another life, but is also the bastion of our Tibetan freedom struggle and significantly the crusader of Humanity at large.
Suiting the occasion of 'Mother's Day,' TWA organized a 'Women's Friendly Basketball Match' at Gankyi Basketball Ground. Women players from Sherabgatseling School, Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and Tibetan Women's Association (Central and Regional) constituted the four participating teams for the sports event that sought to celebrate the essence of womanhood and strengthen the fervor of female fortitude. The first match that began at 3 pm at Gangkyi Basketball ground between TIPA and Sherab Gatseling School saw the girls of Sherab Gatseling School track to victory. The second match between Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute and Tibetan Women's Association saw a tough game and the winning goal by TWA's team was crucial in claiming their victory. The winners of the 1st and 2nd matches; Sherabgatseling and TWA entered into the finals and the meticulous handling of the game by the players of TWA led the team to an astounding victory.
The patriotic songs that kept buzzing in during the intervals gave a fresh lease to the 3-hour sun soaked event and the enthusiastic cheers coming in from all quarters of the packed stadium gave wee scope for the match from becoming a banal affair. The exuberant spirit of the women players and the fine streaks of their friendly gestures stood to testify the crux of the day; leveraging the essence womanhood to embody friendship, love and camaraderie. Ven Monlam Tharchin la and Karma Yeshi la, the current standing members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile graced the occasion and lauded the initiations of TWA.
Following the basket ball tournament, TWA arranged for a screening of the Documentary film Gyalyum Chemo 'The Great Mother.' at Yongling School, Mcleod Ganj. Part of a unique film trilogy known as WOMEN OF TIBET, Gyalyum Chemo 'The Great Mother' is the compelling life story of Dekyi Tsering, the mother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The storytellers provide a universal link to an ancient philosophy that continues to have a profound impact on today's world. The audience remained glued to the film that is an inspired hour-long journey into the spiritual power of motherhood.
Tibetan Women have, despite suffering contraction owing to the worsening political situation inside Tibet, resisted the Chinese repression and risen beyond the horizon. The heart rending struggle of Tibetan women is palpable and commendable. TWA has made every effort in realizing the emancipation of Tibetan women inside Tibet, the empowerment of Tibetan women outside Tibet and significantly in garnering international leverage on the issue of Tibetan women.
Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) has 49 regional chapters and over 15, 000 members outside Tibet. Today, TWA is the second largest Tibetan NGO and the only women's NGO in exile that advocates human rights for Tibetan women in Tibet and works to empower Tibetan women in exile, in particular the newly arrived refugees from Tibet.