The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest Tibetan NGO advocating for complete independence, commenced its 19th General Body Meeting at Lower TCV School in Dharamshala on Monday. The six-day meeting held once every three years has brought together 200 representatives from 45 regional chapters. The meeting, which runs until October 5, will elect its new central executive members and deliberate and lay down plans for the organization’s campaigns and projects for the coming years. Reflecting on the organization’s activism, Gonpo Dhondup said, “For the past 55 years, TYC has been the oldest and largest non-governmental organization in exile working for the complete independence of Tibet. With the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the support of the Central Tibetan Administration, the solidarity of Tibetans in exile, and the unwavering hope of Tibetans inside Tibet, TYC has remained strong and will continue its struggle.” As the outgoing president, he thanked the regional chapters for entrusting him and his team with leadership for the past six years. “There are many opportunities and areas of work to be explored. I am optimistic that the new leadership will carry forward our activities and implement the resolutions adopted during this meeting,” he said. Reporter/Producer: Tenzin Nyidon Camera/Editing: Tsering Dhundup