Dharamsala, Oct 8 (ANI): Tibetan men and women sang patriotic songs to mark the 40th anniversary of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) here on Wednesday.

The TYC was established on October 7, 1970.

Hundreds of Tibetans assembled at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) to participate in the programme.

The programme began with Tibetan national anthem followed by patriotic songs by some Tibetan artists.

“We have gathered here to pay tribute to all those Tibetan martyrs, who have sacrificed their lives for Tibetan independence,” said Tenzin, secretary, TYC.

The TYC is the largest Tibetan organization, which has 85 chapters in 12 countries.Sonam, president, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, said the day also served as a sad reminder that Tibet was still ruled by China.

“If you look back to the Tibetan freedom movement for the past forty years, it has gained a lot of support from the international community. So for us, it’s not all about working for Tibetan cause, but for the past forty-fifty years the Tibetan people inside Tibet are suffering under the People’s Republic of China. For us, it’s a very sad day and also for us a day to remember that Tibet is still under the People’s Republic of China,” said Sonam.

China has controlled Tibet since People’s Liberation Army troops marched into the region in 1950 and Beijing considers Tibet as an integral part of its territory.

Critics have accused China of repressing Tibetans’ religious aspirations, especially their veneration for the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader. (ANI)