Tibetans in Dharamsala, India, commemorated the formation of Chusi Gangdruk 55 years ago on June 16, 1958. "Chushi Gangdruk" is a Tibetan phrase meaning "land four rivers and six ranges," and refers to the geography of the traditional Tibetan regions of Amdo and Kham. The group was founded to be a volunteer force to defend Tibet from the Chinese army and included Tibetans from those Tibetan regions, as well as from Central Tibet.
At a function held by the Welfare Society of Central Dokham Chushi Gangdrug, hundreds of Tibetans, including members of the exile Tibetan Parliament, paid respects to and remembered the achievement of the volunteer militia force. The deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament called on all Tibetans to remain united and to be alert and cognizant of the Chinese government’s actions.
At another function held by The Dhotoe Cholkha Welfare Society at the Martry's Pillar, Adruk Choekyi, the niece of Adruk Gompo Tashi, the founder of Chushi Gangdruk, urged all Dhotoe Tibetans to stay united and follow the Dalai Lama and the Exile Administration.