Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk celebrated 40th anniversary

Rikon: On 21st June 2019 [Saturday], Tibetan association of Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk in Switzerland (Europe) organized the 61st founding anniversary of Central Tibetan association of Chushi Gangdruk and the 40th anniversary of Chushi Gangdruk in Europe at Tibet Institute, Rikon, Switzerland.

The event started at 9.30 am. It was attended by more than 150 Tibetans including dignitaries who paid respects to and remembered the achievement of the volunteer militia forces. The martyrs who have given lives for Tibet were honored and prayer recitation was done for them.

Chief Guest and the dignitaries at the event were Representative Mr Chhimey Rigzen of Bureau Office in Geneva, Europe Chitue Mr Samdo Jampa, Tsamda Norbu, President of Tibetan Community of Switzerland & Liechtenstein and other Representatives.

Ven Thupten Legmen, Khen Rinpoche of Rikon Tibetan Institute, addressed the gathering. President of Europe Chushi Gangdruk, Mr Dhuktsatsang Woeser spoke about the history and legacy of the organization and read the official letter from Central Office of Chushi Gangdruk. ་Mr Chhimey Rigzen, Representative of Tibet office Geneva and Mr Tsamda Norbu,President of Tibetan Community of Switzerland also spoke on the occasion. Mr Samdho Jampa, Europe Chitue read the official letter from Tibetan parliament in Exile, Dharamsala, India.

Remembering and paying tribute to Adruk Gonpo Tashi, the founder of Chushi Gangdruk and all those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibetan freedom struggle, all the speakers praised organization`s achievements over the past six decades, especially in preservation of Tibetan language, culture, identity and strengthening of the Tibetan freedom movement, which has been the organization's top agenda.

Recitation of prayer for the long life and wellbeing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was done followed by Sangsol. Tibetan National Anthem was sung and one minute silence was observed for all the patriots who sacrificed their life for the cause of Tibet.

Mr. Zalmotsang Lobsang Thokme, Vice president of Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk in Switzerland, gave the vote of thanks speech.

The formation of the Chushi Gangdruk Volunteer Force was announced on June 16, 1958. It was called National Volunteer Defence Army (NVDA)

”Chushi Gangdruk” is a Tibetan phrase meaning “land of four rivers and six ranges” and refers to the geography of the traditional Tibetan regions of Eastern Tibet. The group was founded by Andruk Gonpo Tashi as a Volunteer force to defend Tibet from Chinese army.
Chushi Gangdruk was the first organized resistance movement inside Tibet against the Communist Chinese military forces. It was formally established in the month of June 1958 and was responsible for providing safe passage to His Holiness the Dalai Lama into India in 1959.
They regrouped later in Mustang Nepal, established a military base with American support and waged a guerrilla war against Chinese forces for 13 years but ultimately had to disband. However, the legacy of the organization has now been passed on to younger generations who continue to struggle and do their part in the Tibetan cause.