Sikyong Dr Sangay urges Tibetan community to remain vigilant after NIA’s alert
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
See Page 3.... Vol. 02, Issue 91, Print Issue 15, 30 July 2013 China shuts down Kalachakra event in Tibet
Negotiations on autonomy key to resolving Tibet tensions: Australian FM Carr tells China
B o d - K y i - Cha-Trin
See Page 7.....
A Voice For Tibet Bi-monthly
www.thetibetpost.com
Rs.10
His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet traditionally welcomed by crowd of devotees By Yeshe Choesang: 18 July 2013
Buddhist monks awaiting for Dragkar Lobsang Choekyi Nyima Rinpoche, before the religious gathering in Tso-ngon region, north-eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI
By Yeshe Choesang: 25 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Emerging reports coming out of Tibet say, Chinese authorities in Gepasumdho county in Tso-Ngon region of northeastern Tibet have closed down a large religious gathering and ordered participants to disperse. The fresh sources said this week amid tightening controls as Tibetans take bolder steps to affirm their religious and cultural identity. The Kalachakra religious event last week was attended by several thousand Tibetan monks and local Tibetans. According to the sources, it was conducted by a respected senior Buddhist monk, Dragkar Lobsang Choekyi Nyima Rinpoche, who had spent many years in prison during China’s Cultural Revolution. See Page 3...
Leaflets calling independence for Tibet distributed
Chinese police block a car from going to the event to mark the birthday of the Dalai Lama, July 6, 2013. Photo: TPI By Kalsang Dolma: 23 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Leaflets calling for independence Tibet from China have been found scattered on a mountain pass in Kham Karze, eastern Tibet, prompting a security crackdown and searches of Tibetan vehicles and dwellings in the region. The discovery five days ago came just two weeks after Chinese security forces fired on local Tibetan worshipers marking the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the See Page 3... county, wounding several.
Mundgod, Karnataka, India: - Amidst tight security, the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Mundgod Tibetan settlement from Shimoga by road, on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. He was given a warm welcome by the district administration and local Tibetans. According to the Deccan Herald report on 18 July 2013, the deputy Commissioner Imkongla Zamir greeted the Tibetan leader with a bouquet near Sanavalli located in the border of Mundgod taluk. SP R. Dileep, Assistant Commissioner Raju Mogveer, Sirsi DySP N.D. Birje, Tahsildar R.B. Patil, Basavaraj Melvanki, Panchayatraj Engineer R.H. Kulkarni and others accompanied the deputy commissioner. Right from morning, Tibetan Buddhist monks, women and children were standing in a line from Doddakere in Mundgod to Camp No. 6, to welcome the Dalai Lama in a traditional way. Despite the drizzle, they enthusiastically waited for the spiritual leader with a white cloth, flowers and ‘Dhoop Batti’. While visually impaired students welcomes His Holiness with national flags near the Ammaji tank in Mundgod, Tibetan women accorded a grand reception clad in traditional attires. At Camp No. 3, the students and teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 3 gave a musical welcome to the Buddhist leader. For the first time, welcome arches had been installed right from Mundgod to the settlement camps, to greet the Buddhist leader. Though cloudy weather prevailed in Mundgod, the Tibetans were fresh and enthusiastic to receive Dalai Lama. They had made all their preparation for their Guru. Large crowds had
His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting some of the senior monks on his arrival at the main assembly hall of Gaden Jangtse Monastery in the Tibetan Settlement in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on 22 July 2013. Photo/Tenzin Taklha/OHHDL
gathered at various spots at Mundgod and the settlement camps. People thronged to have a glimpse of the Dalai Lana at Kambargatti Cross and Shivaji Circle. His Holiness also waved at the followers from his vehicle and accepted the greetings. As soon as the spiritual leader reached the Drepung Lachi Monastery, the Tibetan Buddhist monks played the
Monk dies after self-immolation protest against Chinese rule in Tibet: Toll 120
IATS Conference discusses climate change in Tibet
traditional musical instruments. Wearing a traditional long yellow cap on his head, a monk opened a huge umbrella and the other senior monks lent a helping hand for the Dalai Lama to descend from the vehicle. His Holiness the Dalai Lama then offered a special prayer at the Drepung Lachi Monastery. See Page 3....
Chinese Air Force holds night exercises in Tibet
China’s air force, or PLA (AF), in live fire exercises over the Tibetan plateau. Photo: File
By Kalsang Dolma: 23 July 2013
The 13th conference of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) held in Ulaanbatar,Mongolia from 21-26 July. Photo: TPI By Chumar Dhondup: 26 July, 2013.
Ulaanbatar: The 13th conference of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) is currently underway at Ulaanbatar in Mongolia from 21-26 July, where for the first time at the conference, the issue of climate change on the Tibetan plateau See Page 5.... was discussed. Chinese troops make fresh incursion bid in India’s Ladakh
Chinese troops make fresh incursion bid near Leh, Ladakh, India. Photo: File By Kalsang Dolma:26 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Despite a recent spat which was resolved with some difficulty after 21 days of discussions, Chinese troops made a fresh attempt to violate the international border at Chumar area in northeast of Leh on July 20 but were forced back by Indian troops. Page 5...
Koncho Sonam, a 18-year old Tibetan Buddhist monk set himself ablaze to death in latest self-immolation protest in Tibet, making toll 120 and 22nd in 2013 alone. Photo: TPI
By Yeshe Choesang: 21 July 2013
Dharamshala: — Emerging reports coming out Tibet say, a young Tibetan Buddhist monk has died after setting himself ablaze in the latest self-immolation protest, a series of protests against Chinese rule, pushing the estimated toll to 120 in Tibet. In 2013 alone, 22 Tibetans set themselves on fire to protest against China to end its government’s hardline and repressive policies against Tibet and the Tibetan people. “Konchok Sonam, a 18-year old young Tibetan monk from Thangkor Soktsang Monastery based in has set himself ablaze on Saturday morning, July 20, 2013 (9am local time) in Dzoge county, Amdho province of north-eastern Tibet, in an apparent protest against Chinese repressive rule in Tibet,” exile sources with contacts in the region told The Tibet Post International (TPI). According to the sources, “the Tibetan monk shouted slogans- calling “freedom for Tibetans” as he sets himself on fire in protest against China’s rule over Tibet. “The present situation in Dzoge County (Chinese: Aba prefecture, part of Sichuan province) in Tibet remained tense as over three hundred Chinese military personals—including police and military
forces and other officials were immediately deployed near the monastery,” sources told TPI. “A large crowd of Buddhist monks and local Tibetans have gathered outside of the Soktsang monastery in support of monks who prevented Chinese authorities from taking away his body.” Sources said “Chinese security personnel had tried to confiscate Konchok’s body, but hundreds of monks and local Tibetans protected his body from Chinese authorities shortly after the protest.” Sonam left a message to a close friend before his self-immolation protest; saying, “life is greatly suffering under the very harsh and repressive Chinese rule. Taking as a full-fledged witness to the international community by offering my life for others that the Tibetans inside Tibet are continuously suffering the under other’s (the Chinese government’s repressive) rule.” Konchok’s self-immolation protest to death came just a few weeks after the Chinese government has strongly denied recent reports that it is moving toward easing the decades long hard-line policy of banning portraits of His Holiness the See Page 3.... Dalai Lama in Tibet.
Dharamshala: -According to media reports, China’s Air Force has conducted high-altitude night flying exercises at Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet region that borders India. Photographs of helicopters participating in the exercises at Lhasa airport, located about 500 km from the Indian border, were issued Tuesday, July 23 by state-run Xinhua news agency. The Chinese military regularly holds exercises for its troops in the Himalayan region to get them acclimatised to mountain warfare. Last year, the People’s Liberation Army held its “first ground to air military exercise” in the Tibetan plateau. The wargame involved scores of fighter jets, hundreds of battle tanks and a large number of ground troops. Amid reports of frequent incursions by Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese state media said it was “unwise” to let the “isolated incidents” to affect the “promising” China-India ties.
Monsoon rains in goal at Hunsur Rabgayling
Lhasa United posing for the match: Photo by Frederick Spencer Chapman By Tenzin Desal :27 July 2013
Hunsur: The first kick of the opening game of the prestigious Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial (GCM) cup tournament sent a ripple of excitement across the quiet south Indian Tibetan settlement in which the contest is being staged, on July 21. See Page 8...
2
30 July 2013
TPI NEWS
opinion
Tibet and Taiwan share common problems with China? A talk with Taiwanese group By Kalsang Dolma: 23 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Staff journalist Kalsang Dolma from the exile Tibetan news agency “The Tibet Post International” has talked with four members of a group from Taiwan Friends of Tibet (TFOT), on current issues of Tibet and Taiwan. The delegation has spent three long weeks to explore the exiled Tibetan community based in Dharamshala, India, including cultural and educational institutions, schools, government and nongovernment bodies. Chen, Yi-Lung, is a history teacher of a senior high school in Taiwan- who has gained great experience in a course on Human Rights and is strongly involved in Tibet issue. As being a Tibetan Buddhist, Chen said he was glad to visit exile community to know more about the culture, religion and history of Tibet. Wu, Ju-mei is a graduate student working for a NGO in Taiwan. She has been interested in a lot of issues, such as environmental issues, which are also strongly related with Tibet. When she heard about the program of TFOT for the first time, she immediately applied despite the fact that there are only a few vacancies left. She is very pleased to visit the Dharamshala Tibetan community and very much interested to know more about Tibetan culture. Yung-Hsin Chang just finished her research in the Institute of Geology. She is interested in Tibet issues after she participated in a Tibet film festival in Taiwan eight years ago. Since then, she has been concerned with Tibet issues and circumstances of the exile Tibetans in India. She is concerned various issues, including the environmental movement. Huei-Chung Hsiao is a researcher from the Academia Sinica in Taipei. For now, she is working on research of environmental sociology. Her interest in Tibet issues stems from her experience in England in 2008, when many protests were going on around the world, because of the Beijing Olympic Games. After her study in England, she returned to Taiwan and joined the Tibetan demonstrations- an effort to know more about Tibet. She said she feels very pleasure to have this opportunity to be with the Taiwanese delegation and share with Tibetans on common interest in human rights. Since 2007 Wen-Hui Yin has had taken many chances to travel to Dharamshala and made friends with Tibetans in exile, including the Tibet Post International. In 2009, she received funding which enabled her to travel to Tibet; it was her first effort to know more about Tibetans inside Tibet. After returning to her country Taiwan, she joined Taiwan Friends of Tibet (TFOT) and started thinking how to promote the Tibet issue in Taiwan, later decided to bring more Taiwanese to Dharamshala and know more about this place and community. “It seems to me that, though you have more access to information here, there are still many difficulties that you need to tackle with, especially for the NGOs. Because this is my first time to be here, I consider myself as a beginner learning this issue. Therefore, now I do not have clear ideas, but I think it will be a good start,” said Chen,Yi-lung. “My first impression here is the heavy traffic. There are a lot of noises and cars driving really fast, which is quite different from Taiwan. Another thing that drew my attention is that it is like a combination of two different races or communities living together. I have heard that there are some issues going on here, so I think this might be the difficulty you have to face with. How to build a better relationship between the peoples so that’s the one thing that make me more interesting,” said Yung-Hsin Chang: “Although you have been here for several decades it seems to me that your NGOs are not many but quite well established to tackle many of the issues because you face lot of things and so that is the impressive for me, so many people they evoke their time and energy to help other and that’s very good and for me it’s something that we could learn from you,” she further added. Wu Ju-Mei said “that the environment of Dharamshala because our impression of India is like having lots of garbage and dirty and this is my first impression for the outside world. But we saw a lot of people helping to carry of garbage and make it clean in the streets. And then may be later the day you got more and more trash in street but Indian and Tibetan should keep the environment clean.” Huei-Chung Hsiao, said “although we have been meeting with lot of people here but for me it’s pretty good that we can know more about the daily lives of Tibetan people here. So maybe I am thinking if there is chance for me to have a longer stay with Tibetan family here, then we can get to know each other more and the third thing is that because I am interested in NGOs. Although we know you have a lot of difficulties here but for me you are much more powerful than government in terms of by your doing for your people. That’s my feeling. “ According to Huei-Chung Hsiao, Tibetan people are very friendly and it’s easy to make friends - you don’t
I
The Tibet Post International
n
t e
r
n
a
t i
o
n
a
l
Presenting Tibet to the World through a nonviolence struggle, we can change the outcome! Dharamshala: - Since 1959, roughly 150,000 Tibetans have escaped to different parts of world, including India, Nepal and Bhutan. Their unique culture and non-violent struggle have flourished in the heart and mind of the millions of people on the earth that have come to know them and their cause. The historical facts behind it all is very obvious to us all as whole. However, as it mentioned in the earlier editorial, the development of genuine democracy that we the Tibetans in exile now enjoy wasn’t the main reason to become refugees around the world. We should remind ourselves to prove that one of our most important purpose of struggle for freedom in Tibet is a united movement through the use of nonviolent struggle. This ethos should incapsulate the preservation of Tibetan language, culture and identity, when establishing separate schools for Tibetans in exile. The democratic system in exile is a role model and spiritual gift to exile Tibetans by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His great sense of vision for the future Tibet is comparable to modern (and western) definition of democracy based on ancient philosophical foundation and political realities. Still Buddhism and Tibetan cultural lie at the core of our identity despite our shift in political basis since our exile. However, we must know that Beijing’s regime dramatically attempts to convey a peaceful and tranquil image to the world of what is happening in Tibet. A veil of tolerance for religion behind its political mask. In Tibet, it may appear that cultural institutions are thriving and that Tibetans are able to express their devotion through traditional rituals; yet the reality is dreadfully different. This perception that China tries to project to the world is completely contradictory to what the US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke has seen and experienced Tibet during his recent two week visit to the region. But it becomes so well-known and more popular than any other world issues, because of our older generations who have sacrificed so much in order to carry the Tibetan struggle forward
and to provide a better life for us. We must honor and remember their sacrifice. Over 6,000 Tibetan monasteries and shrines were demolished and over one million Tibetans killed under Chinese ‘rule of terror’ since 1949. During the so called “Cultural Revolution” in the 1960s and 1970s China destroyed 90% of the remaining monasteries and outlawed most Tibetan cultural customs. Now Beijing authorities commit another “cultural genocide” in Tibet through their repressive policies. Therefore, understanding and perceiving our unique culture will not only help us to carry on their Legacy, but also aid us to be a strongly united force against the Chinese repressive rule and overcome the problems we may face in our day-to-day lives and prevent any causes of our freedom struggle divisions. Our fight for freedom will remain immovable both in Tibet and exile for as long as the issue of our country remains unresolved; through a united struggle and genuine solidarity because Tibetans in Tibet have placed deep faith and sincere trust in us- the Tibetans in exile and we are representing our sisters and brothers from every corners of the snowland. We always knew that our Buddhist scholars achieved a lot for Tibet through teachings. But we must know that each of every exile Tibetans living different parts of the world has a similar chance and opportunity; to presenting Tibet to the world through the peaceful Tibetan culture and non-violent struggle. I believe that representing Tibet through our unique culture is important to the preservation of Tibet in the world. It sheds a new light on the struggle and shows the determination and spirit of Tibetans. We must remember that our freedom struggle is only 54-year-old, 150-years younger than the India’s struggle for independence which lasted over 200 years. Finally, there is a saying;- ‘a fight we can all fight’ for the just cause of Tibet and ‘a struggle we can all join together,’ wherever we are. But we should be serious and sincere about our fighting for freedom. Through our united struggle you can change the world and Tibet!
interact with international community, who know more about the international condition, more technology development and you have good communication skills with outsiders who are also interested in Tibetan cause. There is always more optimistic about younger generations,” said Chen, Yi –Lung. I think young generation in Taiwan, i hope they can learn many things from young Tibetans here- more concern what is happening in society and not merely thinking only about his or her tomorrow world, but important to open their mind and eyes to know what is happening outside the world,” he told TPI. “My message to Taiwanese young people, I think we have stable or good material development in Taiwan for several decades- people are used to this kind of easy life. We don’t think much about the country and what the situation that country is hoping and facing- what should we do to tackle the situation that we are facing in our society, it is the something that the younger generation in Taiwan should learn from Tibetan people,” said Wu Ju-Mei. “Because as far as I know many of the Tibetan young people, they are very much concerned about the fate of their nation and the situation inside Tibet- they are doing so much for it. We should put more energy to have this kind of knowledge and willingness what is happening in Taiwan and as well as the international community- it’s my message to the Taiwanese younger generation,” she added. “Other-hand, I always remember one of my college teachers’ advises, he said that to us when you are looking at the politician on the stage, you don’t have to look at them and but look yourself - because one day you will be the people who really have the power to shape the country’s fate. Therefore you need to think every day what need to be done for the young generation- in the future we can do something for change from what difficulties we are facing,” she said. “To the young Tibetans here, as far as I know from the these days I do admire what they have been doing for Tibet but for your nation, I would like to say as being myself a Tibetan Buddhist, I believe that when you are believing in something you can achieve that someday and therefore, just be faithful to what you are doing for, whatever your goal is and go for it and something good will come for sure,” she said. “ For me it’s quite similar as in Taiwan, we have a lot
of resources and young people have good life and they can enjoy their life, maybe its the reason we don’t have enough concerned on our country and other reason, the whole society usually think that politic is a dirty thing and they don’t want to get involved in politics. And but I think it’s not a good choice, we all should act and to think about what is right to do and what is not right. For that we can make decisions in our elections and that’s what we should do in Taiwan,” said HueiChung Hsiao. “We also have a lot of rubbish information, which are circulating in our websites, so the younger generation gets influence. This kind of information they might think that involved in social political issues- are not good. I think it’s really very important to research the right information and also to have one united goal for the whole society; that is what I have learned from Tibetan community. Because you have very clear goal to free Tibet but in Taiwan there is loose common image for the future. We might devote our energy to learn and concern about the community,” she told TPI. “To the Tibetan young people, I would to say that never give up and keep going and never forget who you are, don’t forget your history and its background. Remember your family and where you from, that is the main thing I would like to express. Second thing is to explore the world as much as you can that you will know more about what is going around the world as world is big but it’s also a small and you need to explore more. So these two things can help young people to be strong to empower themselves so that you can do whatever you wanted to do to achieve the goal,” said Wen-HuiYin. A Taiwanese Film Festival was also held at the Himalayan Mcleod Ganj town of India, where one of the Taiwan national award-winning films “Blue Brave” was screened for the public, on July 21. A film festival on 1895 or Blue Brave- the Legend of Formosa 1895 tells the story of the resistance against the Japanese invasion in 1895. Over two hundred Tibetans and foreign tourists were joined the festival. It is a new event for Tibetans to witness a such story that gives new focus on Taiwan and its people, including historical and cultural facts. The festival was held by Taiwan Friends of Tibet in coordination with Students for a Free Tibet-India.
By Yeshe Choesang: 30 July 2013
TPI talked with four members of the Taiwan Friends of Tibet on issues related Tibet and Taiwan, on July 19, 2013. Photo: TPI/Chumar Dhondup
have to be shy and hesitate; “maybe sometimes I think I get refuse by others in other places but here I don’t have to be like this kind of spaces so it’s a very friendly community and that is the first impression.” ”Secondly I think Tibetan people are special. They have high expectation for the government and it seems me that the government has been doing a lot. It’s really a difficult situation for you as a whole you are facing. But I think that’s much more that the government can do and now you are enjoying a happier young democracy and still long way to go. Therefore, I think we all need to be patient to establish a full democratic system and we think we have lots to learn from each other- like we in Taiwan also have young democracy as well and we have been through lot of how to do these kind of new ways of politic and people to get to have these kind of awareness that everyone has responsibility to do something and get together. I also think we have to learn lot of things from Tibetans,” she added. “I have been here more than ten times; it’s been three years since my visit here. So I have lot of observations about Tibetan community here in exile. One thing I observe within this three year gap;-its seems that everything is changing so quickly and a lot of new things- new buildings have been built around in Dharamshala,” said Wen-Hui Yin. So it’s a very tough environment for Tibetans here, especially for those who came from Tibet. But they have to adjust with the environment so rapidly; you must be very difficult,” said Chen,Yi-Lung. The other thing is that important observation made from the period for the first time, I felt that exile community seems there is a division for being what kind of goal- being shared that we fight for might be problems for community members. So it’s very different from my friends everywhere inside Tibet. Maybe they are suffering a lot but it seems for me that they have one goal and are united. Maybe there is one thing that could unite them. But here it seems there is no such things to be united, like all the Tibetan people inside Tibet, so that is one thing that I am strongly concerned about. I think in Taiwan they are not many people who know about Tibet issues, because of our media and education system that provides very little information about Tibet,” he added. “Most of the Taiwanese people, the way they understand Tibet might quite similar to the people in China, because we have this kind of ideology of a big China and of-course not all of the Taiwanese people, but in our education system that’s how we were taughtsame kind of people as Chinese and this big china that include Tibet,” he continued. “Therefore, most of our people think Tibet is part of china. But now days we have learnt from more Tibetan and Taiwanese NGOs who are trying to tell the truth about Tibetan history and relationship between Tibet and china. So more people like us might know the truth about Tibet. But I think it’s not enough, there are many other things that I think Taiwan and Tibet are facing the same situation regarding relations with China. For example China has an ambition to take Taiwan as part of it and also then you are also occupied by the Chinese. So it’s very similar situation that we are facing in recent decades,” he said. “I think it’s very important for Taiwanese people to know more- not just the situation in Taiwan and China but we should also know what Tibetan people have been through the experiences- Tibet’s relationship with the Chinese. So I think it’s very important that we have more conversation and connection with each other and to have better understanding of each other’s history or all the long standing issues, how to deal them with communist Beijing,” he told TPI. “In this recent years we have a new government and this government is more interested to have closer relationship with Beijing government and we have try to make political connection with Beijing. And for me it’s a very serious issue and problem for Taiwan situation something that we might talk more about
later,” he further added. “I only think to build a better relationship between two countries. It is depends on people, always faster or more advanced than the governments. From my own experience I have one friend who just came back from Dharamshala. He has learn a lot and now he started to have some talks about Tibet situation and issues in Taiwan- to spread more information of Tibet to his friends,” said Wu Ju-Mei. “for me it is same as soon when I go back to Taiwan, I would like to do something for the Tibetan friends. I think if we want to do something for each other, the connections between the people power will be always be there as you have more hope for that. We can’t expect from government to do a lot. For me I don’t expect Taiwanese government to do something for Tibetan people. I believe in Taiwanese people and their power to have strong connection and to do something good in future. my hope is for the people to come together and do something for the Tibet,” she said. “I just want to say one thing it’s not just Taiwanese people who don’t have enough understanding of Tibet. It is same for Tibetan people who do not have a lot of information or knowledge about Taiwan. So that’s why we have decided to have Taiwan film festival during our visit here. Then we will present two film related to history of Taiwan, this is the second time – we hope that is the easiest and most effective way for Tibetan friends here to know more about Taiwan, because I have been here for three years, I found that many of the Tibetans consider us as Chinese. So we think it’s very important to let Tibetan people not all people here know that we are not Chinese,” she stressed. “I think it’s very important to have a mutual understanding between two sides- not just partial way, but many ways of interaction and to know more about each other- to make better understanding, what is really happening, things needed and then we can take the right actions to improve our relationship. That is the starting point that first we have to know each other well,” she added. “I think it is true that maybe Taiwanese people who do not know much about the true of Tibet and I think for example many of my friends might think Tibet- just only His Holiness The Dalai Lama or they might think that all the Tibetan people are Lamas, it’s the kind of way we just see from the one side of Tibet, maybe many people think that too,” said Yung-Hsin Chang. “I think in Taiwan it’s because we have elected government and so different government they might have different attitude towards Tibetan cause, even to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and so the different generation of the Taiwanese people might receive different kind of information about Tibet, this is not just one kind of understanding. In Tibet and Taiwan maybe there are many different ways of interpretation of Tibet relationship with china or the history of Tibet,” she told TPI. “One thing that I wanted to say about my one week stay here, I found that many of the young Tibetan people are very willing to share real situation in exile and in Tibet to outsiders who keen to know more about Tibet history. I think that is very good thing for whole Tibetan community and as well for us who wants to know more about Tibet. Other thing; they are very passionate about free Tibet and keep Tibetan cause they have been doing lot to promote issues not just in India, but all over the world. I think it’s very encouraging things to know. Your society is not a kind of young Tibetans who maybe not interested in devoting energy and time to Tibetan cause. But I also think it’s fine you don’t need to have everyone as same. I would like to say to those who are very compassionate to Tibetan cause and those young people even though you are facing difficult goal to achieve- just be happy and be positive and be optimistic,” she said. “Tibetan younger generation has lot of abilities to
Editorial:
TPI NEWS
The Tibet Post International
Swiss parliament Maya Graf speaker meets Tibetan speaker Penpa Tsering in Zurich By Aditi Padiyar: 17 July 2013
Ms. Maya Graf, (C) Mr. Penpa Tsering (R) and Mr. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative of Geneva (L). Photo: CTA
Zurich: – 16 July, Ms: Maya Graf, the Speaker of the Swiss Parliament, met with Mr. Penpa Tsering, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile based in Dharamsala in Zurich yesterday. The two speakers met informally over lunch in Zurich. Mr. Penpa Tsering briefed Ms. Maya Graf of the present situation inside Tibet and his meetings in Italy and
Switzerland. According to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Ms. Graf had officially invited and received His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Swiss Parliament on 15 April 2013 during the latter’s visit to Switzerland. Prior to her election as the Speaker of the Swiss Parliament last year, she met Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay in November 2011 in Bern. She had visited Dharamsala in 2003 and has been a member of the Tibet Group within the Swiss Parliament for a long time. On 13 July, the Tibetan community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein organised a Question and Answer session with Speaker Mr Penpa Tsering. Mr Tsering called on Tibetans to pay more attention on the developments on the Tibetan issue so that they can more effectively explain the Tibetan issue. He said big changes were taking place in Tibet, China and within the Tibetan exile community. The Speaker also spoke about the Middle-Way Approach and the support for this policy from both international community and Chinese people.
........calling independence for Tibet Continued from front-page
“On July 20, several leaflets calling for Tibet’s independence were found on Latsekha, a mountain pass, located about 16 kilometers from Karze,” sources told TPI. The leaflets also carried slogans urging Chinese to “return to China” and calling for the long life of exiled spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, source further added.
“Following this, police and public security officials have begun investigations and are searching for the persons, who are responsible for the leaflets.” “ The places searched by Chinese authorities including houses and hotels in downtown Karze and surrounding areas,” sources said, adding, “Vehicles traveling past the site of the incident have also been stopped and searched.”
........shuts down religious gathering in Tibet Continued from front-page
“Local esidents of the county applied last year for formal permission to hold the event, but were refused, sources added. They applied again earlier this year but received no clear response and went ahead with plans for the spiritual event, hoping they would be allowed to proceed,” said the sources.
“After their preliminary rituals, the Tsolho prefecture authorities ordered the event—in its full, complete form—to be canceled. When police arrived at the site, Rinpoche was forced to confer a shorter version of the teaching, followed by a long-life blessing. Devotees were told by police to leave the area on July 20, three days after the ceremony began, the source said.
.......Dalai Lama of Tibet traditionally welcomed Continued from front-page
“In wake of the Bodh Gaya incident, the security for His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been beefed up”, informed SP R. Dileep. Speaking to reporters at the Drepung Lachi Monastery in Camp No. 6, the officer informed that the security has been tightened in and around
the monasteries where His Holiness the Dalai Lama will attend the programmes. Following the serial bomb blasts at Bodh Gaya in Bihar recently, Union Home Ministry had written a letter to the chief secretary of Karnataka to beef up security for His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he had decided to tour Karnataka from July 10.
...........self-immolation protest in Tibet: Toll 120 Continued from front-page
The Chinese authorities in Tibet have adopted increasingly aggressive measures to prevent Tibetans from the widespread protests that shook the regime. At least 28 self-immolation protests to deaths peaked in the run up the ruling Communist Party’s pivotal Party Congress last November. Since 2009, at least 120 Tibetans have self-
LAPTOP REPAIR
immolated reportedly to protest Chinese hardline and repressive rule in Tibet and of them 103 were reportedly passed-away from their severe burn injuries. Tibetan self-immolators have called for the return of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland and freedom for Tibetans inside Tibet
TIBET KITCHEN
JIGME COMPUTERS
RESTAURANT AND BEANS CAFÉ
Deals in: • Laptop Battery , Laptop Bag, • Adaptors, Laptop Keyboard, • DVD-RW For Laptop, Laptop Screen, • Surge Protection For laptop And • All Other Laptopl Accessories.
• BEST AUTHENTIC TIBETAN CUISINE IN TOWN • SPECIALISING IN THAI, BHUTANESE, CHINESE AND INDIAN FOOD • WE ALSO SERVE FRESH BEAN COFFEE
We Buy Damaged Laptops In Any Condition. We Also Sell Used Laptops In Perfect Condition And After Sales Support. Chip Level Repairing Of Laptops And Desktop Motherboard. CONTACT US : JIGME COMPUTERS. TEMPLE ROAD . BELOW LHA CHARITABLE TRUST. DHARAMSALA-HP PH: 9882231309
JAGATRAM NIWAS HOMESTAY GUESTHOUSE
Recommended on Tripadvisor www.jagatram.com contact@jagatram.com
Tel: +91 973 648 2871 (English) +91 614 7169 (English and Hindi)
3
By Yeshe Choesang: 25 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Exile Tibetan community in Dharamshala held a prayer service on July 24 to express solidarity with the Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for the just cause of Tibet and Tibetan people. The traditional prayer service was organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for all 120 Tibetan self-immolators, especially Konchok Sonam, a 18-year old young Tibetan monk, who publically shouted ‘freedom for Tibetans,’ while setting himself ablaze on July 20, 2013 in protest against Chinese repressive rule in Tibet. Former Tibetan minister, Kirti Rinpoche, head of Kirti Monastery, presided over the prayer service, was attended by the general public and the top officials and staff of the CTA. Addressing the prayer gathering at the main temple, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has expressed his deep solidarity with the Tibetans in Tibet and specially who have self-immolated themselves in protest against the government’s hardline and repressive policies in Tibet, threatens to destroy the unique Tibetan culture and way of life. “We offer our deep condolences and prayers to the family members of Kunchok Sonam, an 18-year-old monk from Zoege in northeastern Tibet’s Ngaba region, who died after setting himself on fire to protest against the Chinese rule last Saturday,” said Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically-elected Tibetan political leader. “The situation in Tibet remains grim in view of the continuing self-immolations by Tibetans, the Sikyong said, adding, “22 self-immolations have taken place in this year alone.” He urged the Chinese leadership to address the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people. Despite repeated appeals by the Central Tibetan Administration to refrain from drastic actions, 22 Tibetans set themselves on fire in 2013 alone. According to the sources, “the Tibetan monk shouted slogans- calling “freedom for Tibetans” as he sets himself on fire in protest against China’s rule over Tibet.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing during the prayer of solidarity held in Dharamsala, India on 24 July 2013 for Tibetan self-immolated for the just cause of Tibetan people. Photo: TPI
Before carrying out his self-immolation protest, Sonam also left a message calling the international community’s help, “life is greatly suffering under the very harsh and repressive Chinese rule. Taking as a full-fledged witness to the international community by offering my life for others that the Tibetans inside Tibet are continuously suffering the under other’s rule” (the Chinese government’s repressive rule). The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in a statement reiterated that the Chinese government’s continued occupation of Tibet and its hardline policies to annihilate Tibetan nationality, their culture, religion and language are the root causes behind the selfimmolations. The Parliament has strongly condemned the Chinese government’s intransigence in resorting to blame game rather than investigate the reasons behind the self-immolations. “The death and harsh prison sentences meted to Tibetans on false charges will not solve the problem of Tibet,” said in the statement issued on Monday, July 22, 2013, calling on the Chinese leadership to carry out thorough probe into the real causes behind the self-immolation
incidents. It also reiterated its appeal to the United Nations and governments to send fact-finding missions to the Tibetan areas to assess the prevailing situation. It also called on the 47 member states of the UN Human Rights Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis in Tibet. Since 2009, at least 120 Tibetans have selfimmolated reportedly to protest Chinese hardline and repressive rule in Tibet and of them 103 were reportedly passed-away from their severe burn injuries. Tibetan self-immolators have called for the return of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland and freedom for Tibetans inside Tibet. UN High Human Rights Commissioner, Ms Navi Pillay, earlier this month reiterated her strong concern over the grim situation in Tibet. “I have issued public statements, asking China not to treat this as a security matter but to look into the root causes of the suffering of the Tibetans and why they are seem to be driven to such extreme measures of protests such as self-immolation”.
Exile Tibetan community urged to remain vigilant after NIA’s alert By Yeshe Choesang: 25 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay Wednesday appealed to the Tibetan community remain vigilant after India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) alerted the Himachal Pradesh police of possible terror attacks on Buddhist population and monasteries across the Himalachal State. Sikyong Dr. Sangay said the Kashag (Cabinet) has requested the Indian government to strengthen security of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He said the Tibetan administration remains grateful to the Indian government for providing special security for His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the last more than fifty years. He appealed to the Tibetan community to remain alert, adding that Tibetans must maintain friendly relations with the local Indian community and foster religious harmony.
His appeal to the exile community came after Himachal Pradesh Police Tuesday (July 23) reviewed the security of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his official palace, besides establishments of the Tibetan government-in-exile, headquartered here, following a fresh alert. According to the reports, a high-level meeting of officials of the state police and Tibetan government was held here following a fresh advisory of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) about possible terrorist strikes in Tibetan-dominated areas and monasteries in the state. Confirming this development, Superintendent of Police Balbir Thakur told IANS that some loopholes were found in the security of spiritual leaders, the Dalai Lama and the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who are residing here, and these would be plugged soon. “The security pickets around the Dalai Lama’s palace
and the Gyuto Tantric Monastic University, where the Karmapa resides, would be strengthened. There is even a plan to deploy sniffer dogs at both places,” he said. The boundary walls of both the places would be fortified, he added. Ngodup Dorjee, swecreatry of Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) department of security, earlier this month told IANS that there is a threat of harming the Dalai Lama by using drugs and poisonous chemicals. “Since the government of India has extended Z-plus category security to the Dalai Lama, we have requested it to look into the feasibility to add chemical detectors to his security too,” he added. The NIA issued the security alert on Monday (July 22) after busting an Indian Mujahideen module at Hubli in Karnataka recently, said media reports, including Hindustan Times.
and that is the right to their own way of life.” said Tonie Minhas, Regional Coordinator with SFT Canada. “Nexen, a Canada-based oil company that was recently sold to a Chinese state-owned firm, is now complicit in funding the forced resettlement of Tibetan nomads. As Canadians, we cannot fund the destruction of another indigenous group and their way of life. 2 million is enough, and we need to stop this now.” Following the protest, Students for a Free Tibet members handed a report on the forced relocation of Tibetan nomads to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Nexen. Nexen was recently bought by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), a Chinese state-owned oil firm. CNOOC reportedly dedicates a large part of its social aid funds towards nomadic resettlement in Tibet, a policy of forced displacement many rights groups claim further exacerbates the repressive conditions in Chinese-occupied Tibet. Nomadic land, seized under false claims of ‘environmental protection’ in the age of climate change, is cleared largely to make way for dams and mining operations.
For thousands of years, Tibetan nomads lived sustainably on the grasslands; now China’s policy of ‘converting pastures to grasslands’ is leading to overgrazing in fenced-in areas and exacerbating desertification.
Activists in Canada protests against Tibet nomad resettlement
Healthy and hygienic. Homemade noodles. Internet surfing and wi-fi. Party bookings available. Open 11:00am to 9:30pm. Located at McLeod Ganj Main Square Contact: 01892-221980 Mobile: 98058-75626
30 July 2013
A solidarity prayer held for Konchok Sonam’s death calling freedom for Tibet
By Chumar Dhondup: 26 July 2013
For a relaxing break outside town, why not visit... Located in an ancient village 25 minutes above McLeodganj and Bhagsu, we offer stylish rooms, traditional home-cooked food, trekking, excursions, and peace and quiet.
exile
Calgarians protest forced nomad resettlement in Tibet. Photo: TPI
Calgary: - Students for a Free Tibet (SFT-Canada) Wednesday, July 24, led a protest against the forced resettlement of nomads in Tibet. In front of City Hall in Calgary, supporters signed petitions that urged the Chinese government to halt its destructive policy of forcibly relocating Tibetan nomads and herders. According to a recent report from ‘Human Rights Watch’, since 2006 over two million Tibetans have been relocated in Tibetan areas. Tibetans worldwide strongly criticized the mass resettlement policy by protesting in front of local representatives’ offices. “The nomads of Tibet have a basic human right,
BHARAT OPTICALS WE CARE FOR YOUR EYES
Dealers in branded frames, sunglasses and contact lenses. The only genuine and professional opticians in Dharamsala. McLeod Ganj branch: Near Green Hotel, off Bhagsu Road. Lower Dharamsala branch: Near Zonal hospital. Special discounts for Tibetan customers
Tel: 01892-224629; 94180-17245
4
TPI NEWS
30 July 2013
China sentences Tibet Buddhist monk Tsultrim Kalsang to 10 years in prison By Kalsang Dolma: 19 July 2013
Tsultrim Kalsang was born 1988 in Nyatso Village in Tridu County, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI/Lobsang Sangye
Dharamshala: - A Tibetan monk from the restive Nyatso Zilkar Monastery has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in Dzatoe (Ch: Zaduo) town, Tridu (Ch: Chenduo) County in kyegudo (Chinese: Yushu, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province), Kham region of eastern Tibet. According to Dharamshala, India based Tibetan rights group- TCHRD, Tsultrim Kalsang, 25, received a 10-year sentence in prison on ‘intentional homicide’ charges, a charge used frequently by
Anand
Dental Clinic Dr Dinesh Anand BDS (MIDA) Facilities Include: Light Cure Filling, Ultrasonic Scaling, Camp/Comp & Partial Dentures, Fixed Teeth, Fixed Ortho Treatment, X-Ray with Modern Equipment Above Himalayan Paradise Hotel, Shop No. 3 Jogiwara Road, Near Ane-Khumba Nunnery Tel: 94181-22496 / 98164-50473
PALSANG CAFE Visit us for delicious fresh Tibetan, Indian and Chinese vegetarian cuisine
Shop No. 9, Temple Road, Near Mani Lhakhang Temple, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala Contact Jamyang on: 0-988-284-2733
Namgyal Café The famous and popular Namgyal Café has merged with Om Hotel, right off McLeod Ganj Main Square.
the Chinese authorities to crack down on selfimmolation protests and to persecute critics of Chinese policy in Tibet. On 12 July 2013, at around 8 am, an Intermediate People’s Court in Xining sentenced Tsultrim Kalsang to 10 years in prison. Local sources say Tsultrim Kalsang’s charges are possibly related to the twin self-immolation protest carried out by two Tibetan youths in Dzatoe township on 30 June 2012. Both Ngawang Norphel, 22, and Tenzin Khedup, 24, died of their injuries. Armed police first detained Tsultrim Kalsang on 1 September 2012 from his monastic residence. He was detained along with four other monks: Sonam Sherab, 41, Lobsang Jinpa, 31, Sonam Yignyen, 45, and Ngawang Monlam, 31. At the time, 60 vehicles full of armed police forces raided Nyatso Zilkar Monastery, searched the residences of the monks and confiscated some computers and CDs. Since his detention, Tsultrim Kalsang spent about 10 months in uncertainty as his case was referred to various procuratorates who took time to draw up charges, sources with local contacts in Tridu said. After about a month of his detention, he was briefly returned to his monastery due to failing health. However, he was called for interrogation twice in Siling (Ch: Xining) city and was detained for four months at a stretch for further questioning. On 8 February 2012, coinciding with the solidarity prayers organised by exile Tibetans, local Tibetans in Tridu organised a non-violent protest calling for Tibetan freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet . Tsultrim Kalsang participated in that protest for which he and many other Tibetans were later detained, tortured and sentenced. Lobsang Jinpa received five years in prison for writing the lyrics of a song sung by singer Lolo, who was also sentenced to six years beginning this year. Both Sonam Sherab and Sonam Yignyen were sent to a Re-education Through Labour (Ch: laojiao) camp for two years. Tsultrim Kalsang was born 1988 in Nyatso Village in Tridu County. He is the son of Athub and Dokar Tso, and became a monk at the age of 10, in 1998. After finishing his studies at the Zilkar (White Dew) monastery, in 2004, he joined the great Sera monastic university in Lhasa, where he further engaged in Buddhist studies for some more years. Among his fellow student-monks at the monastery, he had the reputation of being the brightest scholar. During the 2008 protests in Tibet, the Chinese police kept him in custody for around six months, and then he was forced to return to his hometown. He therefore continued to study at his native monastery, and during his winter holidays, he volunteered to teach Tibetan Buddhism, history, grammar and composition to hundreds of Tibetan students in Dzatoe and Chumarleb (Ch: Qumalai) County. In 2011, he was appointed as a lecturer of Tibetan language at Zilkar Monastery; one of his main achievements was that he composed many new Tibetan texts to be taught at the school.
JINMU JAPANESE SCHOOL NOW OPEN IN DHARAMSHALA!! FREE CLASSES FOR TIBETANS Learn Japanese from Native Japanese Teacher for a rewarding career Why Japanese? • • •
•
Increasing Japanese investment causing more job openings High salary, chance to work and settle in Japan Japan also provides a host of business opportunities to people living outside Japan. It is one of the world’s largest importer and exporter Tibet-Japan relations are expected to grow stronger and deeper in the future as both countries have common political interests and the current Japanese government has a will to strengthen Tibet-Japan political relations thus opening many doors for Tibetans
Admissions Open!!!
• • • •
Extensive vegetarian menu Terrace dining with beautiful view Best pizza in McLeod Ganj Good music and friendly staff
Open every day from 7:30am to 9:30pm Mobile: 97365-36552; 98161-50562
Orimoto (Principal)
JINMU JAPANESE SCHOOL House No: 11, Thardoeling, McLeod Ganj-176219, Dharamshala. H.P., India E-mail: Info@Jinmu.in Mobile: 09882441951 www.jinmu.in
TIBET
The Tibet Post International
Han Chinese Gang attacks Tibetans in Amdho Province, Tibet: 17 wounded By Yeshe Choesang: 22 July 2013
Dharamshala: — Emerging reports coming out Tibet say, several Tibetans seriously wounded in a major attack by Han Chinese at Arik Dragkar County, Amdho region of north-eastern Tibet, bordering with a Chinese county, where conflict has regularly occurred over land dispute. The bloodshed attack on a group of about 30 Tibetans carried out by a Han-Chinese Gang last July 17, 2013 in Arik Dragkar village in Dhola county (in Chinese, Qilian) on the border with the Chinese township of Tsomen in Minle in Ganzu province. “There were around 30 Tibetans at the local security post at the border between Dragkar and Tsomen, when their camping tents were attacked by the Chinese gang and 17 of them were severely injured. However around 10 of them managed to escape with minor injuries,” Arik Gyurmey, an executive member of Dharamshala based Tibetans Language Committee told The Tibet Post International, citing contacts in the region. “At least 17 Tibetans were seriously wounded and at least three of them very critical after a strong Han Chinese gang from Chinese “Tsomen in Minle” county, Ganzu province have attacked a group of 30 Tibetans as they attempted to protect their land, which bordering with the Chinese county,” Arik Gyurmey told Tibetan reporters during a press conference held on Saturday, July 20 at the Dharamshala regional Committee of Dhomey office. “All of victims were reported to survive, but Rabten, Samdup and Xiao Zhang were among those in critical condition and receiving treatment at a hospital in Ganzu township. The incident is not a new incident, it has been a long running land dispute conflict between Han Chinese and Tibetans,” he added. Gyurmey said that “the Han-Chinese Gang consist of
Several Tibetans recovering in a Gansu hospital and they were wounded in the Chinese gang attack, July 17, 2013. Photo: TPI
100 members came in motor vehicles and horses and were well-armed with handmade weapons, including nail boards, hard-wood sticks and sharp stones and attacked on Tibetans while they were living in tents.” According to Arik Gyurmey “Rabten is the head of the Dragkar village, his both the hands and legs were completely broken and others with multiple wounds in both of their legs and heads.” Latest photos receiving from the region show a horrific and bloodshed attack, which carried-out by the ‘Barbarian Chinese Gang. “Many were lost their lives in the long-standing clashes between Tibetans and Han-Chinese over the land dispute in the past 30-years, but the latest clash on a local Tibetan security post in the county was one of the bloodiest attacks by the Chinese side,” he added.
“Several Chinese officials and police from Dhola and Minle counties later arrived at the scene and the officials have immediately promised to end and ease up the tense situation as soon as possible and fulfill the promise to protect local Tibetans.” “Arik Dragkar county is part of traditional province of Amdho in Tibet, which has been locked in a longstanding land dispute with hundreds of Tibetans families, who maintain the Han Chinese of Tsomen village have illegally try to grab their land,” he further stated. The current situation still remains tense in Dragkar County, north-eastern Tibet. Some reports tell of the possibility of clashes may recur near future, as the Han-Chinese attacks against the entire community of Tibetans in the region.
China to crackdown on over a million of Tibet related publications under name of “illegal” lists By Yeshe Choesang: 18 July 2013
Dharamshala: - China said it will soon crackdown on over a million of Tibet related print and electronic publications and TV and radio programmes in the Himalayan region. The attempt will probably take place in Tibet (Tibet Autonomous Region) in names of “ilegall and “promotional items.” After the mass protests in all parts of Tibet, in 2008, several popular independently-run Tibetan language websites and blogs hosted in China have been shutdown by Chinese authorities. The remaining Tibetan websites and publications in Tibet again face difficulties that they are in danger of disappearing. “Figures from the office show that more than 1.32 million illegal publications and promotional items have been confiscated since 2011 in southwest China’s restive Tibet Autonomous Region,” the Chinese state controlled news agency ‘Xinhua’ Wednesday reported.
NEED A DENTIST??? Then visit...
PERFECT 32 DENTAL CLINIC
On Jogiwara Road, McLeodganj, near the Post Office
Dr Natasha Mehra specialises in
COSMETIC DENTISTRY: Veneers, Metal-free Crowns, Smile Designing
LATEST TRENDS IN GENERAL DENTISTRY: Painless Extractions, Root Canal Treatments, Fillings (Metal/Mercury-free), Crowns and Bridges, Dentures, Gum Treatments & Oral Hygience Procedures
ALL YOUR DENTAL SOLUTIONS UNDER ONE ROOF Our sterile, state-of-the-art clinic places special emphasis on INFECTION AND CROSS-INFECTION CONTROL COMPETITIVE RATES COME AND VISIT US FOR A CHAT OR CALL 09218-742046 FOR AN APPOINTMENT E-mail: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com
China to crackdown on publications in Tibet under name of “illegal” lists. Censorship in Tibet 2013. Photo: TPI
The mouthpiece of Chinese government has reported that the “government has vowed to intensify a crackdown on illegal publications and reactionary promotional products targeting audiences in Tibetan regions.” The crackdown will target books, newspapers, magazines, promotional pamphlets, text messages, audio and visual products, TV and radio programmes, as well as electronic publications that are deemed to be illegal or reactionary, Li Changjiang, a senior official from the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office said. “Sharing information and investigating cases will be part of joint prevention and control efforts among multiple provincial departments,” state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying at a meeting. Li called for regional governments to take the lead in investigating such publications, and asked related departments to cooperate with the local governments. Figures from the office show that more than 1.32 million illegal publications and promotional items have been confiscated since 2011 in southwest China’s restive Tibet Autonomous Region, the report claimed. The harsh campaign comes as various reports claimed that restrictions on displaying portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama had been eased in some areas of eastern Tibet, including Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. At least 119 Tibetans have set themselves alight different parts of Tibet in protest against Chinese
repressive rule since 2009. Most of the self-immolators have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans.
CARPE DIEM RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA
“Your Health is our Happiness” MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE, CONTINENTAL & THAI FOOD • Healthy and hygienic - no MSG • Everything washed with sterilized water • Homemade muesli and homemade curd • Large variety of fresh juices • Wood-fired pizza oven and clay Tandoori oven • Relaxed atmosphere including roof-top tables and Japanese style seating area • Live music every Sunday Located on Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, across from the Tibetan Reception Centre (down from Post Office)
TPI NEWS EXILE 5 Tibetan Women’s Association held its 11th Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute to Working Committee Meeting in South India mark it’s 100th founding anniversary in 2016 The Tibet Post International
30 July 2013
By Kalsang Dolma: 19 July 2013
Dharamshala: - The second largest NGO in exile, ‘Tibetan Women’s Association’ in exile held its 11th Working Committee Meeting at Dhondenling settlement, Kollegal in South India. 115 regional executives from 27 regional Tibetan Women’s Association chapters in different parts of India and Nepal gathered to attend the meeting, July 18-19, 2013, the group said in a press statement. The meeting has discussed various topics, including social and political issues- specially future tasks among the regional chapters that help meet the main goals and objectives of TWA for its operation. For the function, we were honored to have Khan Rinpoche of Sera Jey as the chief guest as well as Zogchen Tulku Dhonga Nyima of Zogchen Monastery, former TWA president and current member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile Dr. B.Tsering, and the head of the local assembly Passang Dorjee as special guests. Khan Rinpoche said, “Unity is the strength of our struggle; we must work in unity to achieve our common goal, and never be discouraged. Our youth must take responsibility for the future.” The first Working Committee Meeting took place in Dharamsala in 1985, the year after the reestablishment of Tibetan Women’s Association in exile. Midway through the term, executive members of the central and regional chapters of TWA congregate to assess the initiatives undertaken since the prior meeting and strategize for future endeavors. During the first two days of this year’s Working Committee Meeting, executives from the central and regional chapters briefed on the various activities their respective chapter has spearheaded over the past 18 months since newly elected executive members have assumed leadership. In keeping with the principles of transparency and accountability, representatives will disclose their project and financial activities and open the floor to questions from their peers. In addition, the meeting attendees have reviewed and evaluated the progress of resolutions made during the 10th General Body Meeting (GBM). TWA’s General Body Meeting is held once every three years, and brings together members of TWA to democratically elect the executive members of the Central TWA office for a term of three years. The final three days of the Working Committee Meeting will serve as a period of envisioning and planning, where participating members will discuss the agendas that Central TWA has procured. Then through consensus, they will pass new resolutions to be implemented for the next twenty months of their tenure.
By Yeshe Choesang: 22 July 2013
The 11th Working Committee Meeting being held at Dhondenling settlement, Kollegal in South India, July 18-19, 2013. Photo: TPI
TWA’s president Tashi Dolma stated, “There are lots of women’s organizations around the world, but TWA is the only women’s organization in exile. Every organization has different goals and purposes. We are quite different from the other organizations because we are an organization of a nation which lost its independence”. “The purpose of the re-establishment of this NGO is to continue the struggle for freedom of the Tibetan people and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and also to empower Tibetan women in exile. What TWA stands for in the exile community today is all thanks to the hard work of the previous executives and we promise that we will continue to work hard for the future development of this organization,” she further said. According to TWA, the organisation has 57 regional chapters spread across the globe and over 16,000 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. TWA’s slogan is ‘Advocacy for home, Action in exile.’
On Jul 16 evening, a group of around 50 Chinese soldiers on horseback intruded into the Indian territory of Chumar in Ladakh and staked claim over the area, reported PTI news agency Jul 21. They remained in the Indian area till the morning of the next day. The report cited Indian border Army sources as saying the Chinese left after the usual banner drill between the two sides. The Chinese soldiers were otherwise reported to have asked Indian soldiers to vacate the area, claiming
According to Central Tibetan Administration, various speakers including eminent scientists, archeologists, professors, Ph. D candidates and researchers from around the globe gathered at a panel entitled “Changing Climate on the Tibetan Plateau” on 25 July. The panel presented some interesting findings about the impact of Climate Change on the Tibetan Plateau historically as well as in the present days. This is first time ever at an IATS conference where climate change on the Tibetan Plateau was prominently discussed and assigned as a separate exclusive panel for climate scientists and researchers. Some of the speakers at the panel include Associate Professor Emily Yeh from the Department of Geography at the University of Colorado, Associate Professor DU Fachun, from the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Dr. Hildegard Diemberger, a senior associate in Research at the Mongolia and Inner Asia Studies Unit at the University of Cambridge, Professor Mark S. Aldenderfer, an anthropologist and archaeologist at the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts at the University of California, as well as a host of other professors, Ph.D. candidates and researchers on the panel.
of them were Personal Physicians to His His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “We will tour several cities in both India and abroad to celebrate the centenary of the Lhasa Mentseekhang. The proceeds from these tours will be sent to support the Mentseekhang in Lhasa. Moreover, all the staff of the institute will contribute 100 hours of their salary towards the support program” he further elaborated. Tsering Phuri said “the year 2016 will be watershed year in the history of Men-Tsee-Khang” to celebrate
SFT Taiwan shows a strong support for Tibet
Accommodation with advanced facilities:
Bath tub, hot showers and TV Large balconies and imposing views European, Chinese and Indian cuisine Wi-fi facility Travel desk Find us on Jogiwara Road, near Post Office, Mcleodganj www.mountainmagictours.com mountainmagic786@yahoo.co.in Tel: +91-98162-61717 +91-1892-221382, 221349
they were standing in Chinese territory. The report said the incursion into Chumar, a site of previous Chinese intrusions as well, came after two Chinese helicopters had violated Indian air space on Jul 11 in the same sector. This was also the area from which on Jun 17, Chinese intruders took away an Indian border surveillance camera. The report said the latest incursion came on the day India approved the creation of a 50,000-strong Mountain Strike Corps along its border with Chinese ruled Tibet.
........discusses climate change in Tibet Continued from front-page
Tashi Tsering Phuri, Director of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute addressing Tibetan journalist during the press conference on 19 July 2013, students and staff were attended the press meeting at the Men Tsee Khang hall, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI
HOTEL MOUNT VIEW
..........fresh incursion bid in India’s Ladakh Continued from front-page
Dharamshala: — Exile Tibetan Medical andAstrological Institute (TMAI) has launched an out-reach and support program towards the Men-Tsee-Khang in Lhasa, capital of Tibet to celebrate its centenary in 2016 since its establishment in the year 1916. “To mark 100 years of the Lhasa Men-Tsee-Khang, the Men-Tsee-Khang in exile will launch an extensive program from 23 March 2016 to re-establish the Lhasa Men-Tsee-Khang’s legacy as the central institute of Tibetan medicine in the service of humanity,” Tashi Tsering Phuri, Director, TMAI, told reporters, during a press conference held on Friday, July 19. The TMAI “makes contribution to the tune of threesix millions rupees each year to the Central Tibetan Administration towards its efforts on culture, education, rehabilitation and health,” he added. After Chinese occupation of Tibet, “Tibetan medicine and other unique of our culture and way of life, were facing massive destruction in hands of the Community Chinese. Chagpori Medicine College, which was established by the Great 5th Dalai lama in 1696 was completely destroyed during the onslaught of Communist China,” he added. “Lhasa Men-Tsee-Khang which was established by the Great 13th Dalai Lama in 1916 had also been a target of the communist Chinese, was saved during the Chinese occupation of Tibet and later spared by news coverage of journalist from Hong Kong. However, many great doctors were imprisoned for 14-17 years,” he said two
Mr. Zamlha Tempa Gyaltsen also gave a presentation on “Climate change on Tibetan Plateau and its Impact on Asian Water resources” at the panel. He raised the issue of land degradation on the Tibetan Plateau induced both by natural and human factors which results into serious implication on most of the Asian rivers originating from the Tibetan plateau
SMILE DENTAL CLINIC
Confidence begins with a perfect smile Dr Rohit Chauhan BDS Facilities include:Teeth Whitening, Teeth Cleaning and Polishing, Tooth-Colour Filling; Crown and Bridge Work; Root Canal Treatment; Smile Designing
No compromise in quality of treatment Jogiwara Road, Mcleodganj, Near Gu Chu Sum, Next toTashi Choeling Monastery Gate Cell: 0-86290-11445 / 0-80911-62609
Photo 1: Members of Students for a Free Tibet-Taiwan (SFT) with Skyong, Photo 2: SFT members with Tibetan information minister Dicki Chhoyang, Photo 3: Photo 4: SFT delegation visiting TPI office and two SFT members working as voluntteers at the TPI office in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/Chente Lhamo
By Yeshe Choesang: 22 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Volunteer journalist Yushuan Nyima from the exile Tibetan news agency “The Tibet Post International” discussed with three members of SFT Taiwan (Students for A Free Tibet-Taiwan) on their three-week experience in Dharamshala. After visiting several Tibetan organizations based in Dharamshala, India and meeting Tibetans friends with the help of SFT India, they have built a deeper understanding about Tibetan community in exile. Concerning what is the most impressive part in Dharamshala so far, the National Director of SFT Taiwan, Xiao-feng remarked, “what impresses the most after I came here is the experience at TIPA (Tibetan Institute of Performance Art). In Taiwan Kalsang Chukie is a renowned and respected singer, whose performance, as I presumed, should be in a grand, spacious auditorium where audience are as silent as the dead, with full attention to the beautiful sound said to be like the singing of a “nightingale.” “But this was not the case at all” he said. The audience was so noisy, as if her voice was almost drowned. At the beginning I thought they were being rude to the performance—not until did they start following the song did I realize this is their way to show enthusiasm. Different from the quiet scene in Taiwan, the opportunity gave me quite a new aesthetic experience.” Another SFT member, Yu-wei, who majors in Drama, shared her experience with us about the Tibetan religion. “I made a blunt admit about my suspicion on religion in a conversation to a Geshe here: it is difficult for me to be convinced by any religious doctrine. I thought this would have been rude and offensive—but, instead, the Geshe encouraged me to question and be skeptic!” said Yu-wei, surprised. “He believes that only through profound reflection and dialectic process can we trust the truth that the world gives us and what Buddha would like to tell us. The more we question, the better can we understand truth. This concept is so different from other religions
or that in my experience,” said Yu-wei, alongside with Xiao-feng being touched as well. Speaking of cultural differences, Yu-wei also talked about what makes her most comfortable. “The honking horns. In Taiwan, if someone honks at the other, it might provoke a race or fight on the road; therefore, when I first arrived here, I was really uncomfortable with the annoying sound,” she said. “But this was changed after an incident. On the way back to guest house, in extreme pain due to physical reason, an Indian insisted on giving her a ride. She continued, “honking was all the way down to the destination. But after that, I realized that people here honk out of no spite but warning pedestrians of the danger of being hurt, which is actually their unique way of being considerate, I think.,” she further added. Because three of the interviewees all come to Dharamshala for the first time, I asked them if there’s anything have changed after they came here. “Before I came to Dharamshala, I thought Tibetans would be very shy, introverted, and uneasy at speaking of their own experience or talking with people from other places;” said Yu-wei,”but as it turns out, most Tibetans are generous about sharing their stories with us. More active and optimistic than I thought, Tibetans gave me a new impression of perseverance and optimism, even though in painful struggle.” Ping-ling Lu, a senior student majoring in Law also talked about the cultural differences and how her impression on the people here changed. “After visiting some organizations and making friends with several Tibetans, I realize that culture and religion are really essential to their lives,”she said. “Unlike us, in Taiwan, religion might just account for merely a small part in our daily lives, but it is not the case at all here. Every word they say and the ultimate goal they wish for are always about or under the influence of Dalai Lama. The culture shock, a mild one though, really changed my original knowledge about Tibetans,” said Pin-ling. See Page 6....
our its centenary. Members and staff of the TMAI will visit several cities, both in India and abroad from March 23, 2013. Tsering Phuri also spoke about how Men-TseeKhang was re-established by His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama in exile on March 23, 1961. He read an insightful quote from His Holiness, “Mankind needs a healthy mind and a healthy body. And in both areas, we Tibetans can contribute substantially, although we ourselves lives as refugees.” “Under the charitable program, Tibetan seniors above the age of 65, Poor and Needy, Recent new arrivals from Tibet. monks and nuns , students, staff on community sevices,receive full or concessional medical care,” he said. “The needy non-Tibetan patients in different clinics also receive concessional at the discretion of our respective branch in-charges. For the present accounting year, our spending on charity patients is over 22 million Rupees. This also includes Free Medical Camps for the benefit of those who attend to the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Tsering Phuri stated. “A few of our branches have been established with support from a few individuals, who not only have the means and heart to support, but they themselves had good experience with Tibetan medicine,” he added. According the Men-Tsee-Khang, it is a full-fledged Institute with a work force of 397 (116 doctors, 17 astrologers, 264 staff) employees and has 54 branch medical clinics in India. The main objective of the institution is categorized to preserve, promote and practice the ancient Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology.
Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen
Visit us for fine Italian food, amazing views from the roof-top terrace garden, live music, stylish décor and yummy desserts!
Main Market, 2nd floor, opposite prayer wheels on Jogiwara Road Contact: 98161-24833
TIBET POWER HEALING CENTRE DR TENZIN DHOLA OFFERING:
• Therapies and Consultations • Spiritual Healing – Sacred Tantra and Reiki • Ex-Men-Tse-Khang Branch Clinics DHENSUM HOUSE, BHAGSU ROAD, NEAR GREEN HOTEL, MCLEOD GANJ
CELL: 98822-81742
6
TPI NEWS H.H the Dalai lama His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet sets off All the spiritual knowledge of Tibet comes from from Hunsur Tibetan settlements in South India: His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama The Tibet Post International
30 July 2013
His Holiness drinking tea during the first day of his teachings on The Great Seal at Gyudmey Tantric College in Hunsur, Karnataka, India on 14 July 2013. Photo/Tenzin Taklha/OHHDL
By Tenzin Desal: 16 July 2013
Hunsur, Mysore July 16, 2013: - His Holiness the Dalai Lama concluded his visit to Tibetan settlements in the Indian state of Karnataka after celebrating his birthday and a series of teachings. Earlier, for two days he gave teaching on what was once considered to be an esoteric topic, Mahamudra at Gyumed Tantric University. It is a Buddhist teacahing transmitted through lineage and focuses on the nature of mind, which according to Buddhism has two natures: ultimate and conventional. “Samdhong Rinpoche is a very important lama and we both share common tutors,” Tibet’s spiritual leader said, referring to his former tutors while teaching. “In our conversations he requested me to give teaching on Mahamudra.” On the last day of his visit to Rabgyaling settlement in Husnur, the Dalai Lama conferred long life empowerment to the resident monks of Gyumed Tantric University and Tibetans from surrounding settlements. “In exile we have made many progresses materially. However we still observe pockets of poverty and it is essential that they are taken care by their neighbours and Tibetan Settlement office,” he said
after conferring the long life empowerment. “We should extend our services and help to the Indian villages around the settlement. It is quiet a daunting task to help them in all aspects but we should help them in every possible way. “Our Tibetan health clinics should not only provide treatments to Tibetans but also to the Indians from the surrounding areas,”he added. Tenzin Tashi, 29, who serves at Tsojhe Khangsar Hospital in Bylakuppe while speaking to TPI said: “I came from Bylakuppe to receive blessing and listen to teachings with great enthusiasm. “Whenever I am his audience, he never fails to move me; he encourages me to be a better person. As he had suggested earlier during his birthday, whenever I become angry or agitated I think about him and his messages, it calms me down.” Unconfirmed report suggests that he will later travel to Ladakh on a meditation retreat during which time no personal and official request for audience would be entertained.
rfsfsdfs
COMPUTER HUT
Dealers in: Desktops, Notebooks, Software, Peripherals, Wi-fi, Networking, CCTV Cameras, Maintenance and Repairs Near Punjab National Bank, First Floor, Opp. J&K Bank, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala CONTACT DALIP SINGH: 0-94180-34346; 0-98059-34666
By Yeshe
Choesang: 29 July
2013
Pune, Maharashtra: - Hundreds of Buddhists made a beeline for the Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch on Friday to catch a glimpse of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who was on a three-day visit to the second largest in the state of Maharashtra. Delivering a lecture organized by spiritual organization Buddhayan Mahasangha, His Holiness said that India was a home of great thinkers, philosophers and spiritual masters. “In the three to four thousand years, this land has produced many thinkers. Indians are the spiritual teachers of Tibetans and all our knowledges come from India’s spiritual roots,” he said. The Tibetan spiritual leader inaugurated a Tibetan Pavilion at the Shivaji Maharaj Museum of Indian History on Wadgaon Shinde Road. The Tibetan Pavilion is an exhibition of text and pictures on the travails of Tibetans over the last 60 years. He also participated in an interactive session, ‘Ru Ba Ru Roshni’, with spiritual leader Dada J P Vaswani that was hosted by actor Aamir Khan. In a discussion moderated by actor Aamir Khan, the two leaders motivated the spiritually-charged audience to follow the path of love, compassion and forgiveness to attain happiness. His Holiness the Dalai Lama urged the rapt audience to inculcate moral values and ethics in children from an early age, which would empower them to respect all religions and humans. “Secularism means respecting all religions. One can be secular even while being a non-believer. By teaching children the right values, one can empower them to make the distinction between wrong action and the actor,” he said, adding that service of humanity is the biggest form of prayer to god. “For the entire world, India has always been the proof that different religions can co-exist without
Four disciples of imprisoned Tibetan Lama arrested in Beijing
A latest image coming out from Tibet showing a portrait of Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a spiritual master of Lithang and Nyakchukha counties of Kham region in Tibet displaying at his monastery called, Kham Nalanda Thegchen Jangchub Choeling. Photo: TPI
By James Dunn: 29 July 2013
Dharamshala: Reports are emerging that Chinese authorities from Sichuan Province have arrested four of the five petitioners for Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. They were detained while travelling to Beijing secretly to present the Chinese government with a heavily supported written petition calling for his immediate release. “On July 9, 2013 Dolkar, the sister of Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and four male disciples of Rinpoche secretly traveled to Beijing and presented an appeal to the related Chinese departments based in Beijing for the release of their respected spiritual master,” Tsering Dorjee, one of the senior disciples of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche told The Tibet Post International (TPI). They presented the written appeal supported by over 30,000 followers with their signatures to the concerned departments in Beijing. Dorjee said that “in the petition they stressed again on the innocence of Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche in the incident of the bomb blast vouched by over thirty thousand followers with their signatures attached to the petition.” Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche who is 63 was detained on April 7, 2002 at Jamyang Choekhorling monastery in Ganzi. He was accused of being involved in a bomb blast on April 3, 2002 on the central square of Sichuan’s
capital Chengdu. He was sentenced to death in December 2002 with a two-year execution adjournment along with Lobsang Dhondup, a 28 year old assistant. His aide was executed immediately in January 2003. The local Tibetans appealed in masses in Nyagchukha and Lithang County for his release and his sisters traveled early to Beijing and presented a petition. Sources claimed that the sisters were allowed to meet Rinpoche only once. “In the same petition, they appealed that the Rinpoche should be released as soon as possible. If that is not possible, he should be given medical parole and provided medical treatment. If that does’t happen, then his case should be reviewed and be given the opportunity to present his case with the help of independent lawyers.” said Dorjee. “The five petitioners also explained in the same petition they were taking the risk of traveling directly to Beijing with hope and trust for a concerned department to listen to their appeal and review. They also explained that they should have petitioned through the concerned lower levels of authorities, but the process is too long and difficult to address the request fairly.” Tsering Dorjee, a Tibetan in exile with contact in Nagchukha County, Kham region of eastern Tibet (Chinese: Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan) Dorjee told TPI.
“When Nyakchukha County (Chinese: Yajiang Xian) police knew about the petition, five petitioners were escorted back to their homes in Nyakchukha County. When they arrived at Nyagchukha, except for Dolkar, sister of Rinpoche, four male petitioners were detained on July 20, 2013. Those detained are Sokrang Lorig and LukDzi Abe from Othok township, Lhama Choedruk from Upper Golok township, and Trinley from Due township in Lower Nyakchukha. They were detained by Nyagchukha police and placed in Gara detention center in Nyagchukha County.” said Dorjee. “I am a Tibetan, I have always been sincere and devoted to the interests and well-being of Tibetan people. That is the real reason why the Chinese do not like me and framed me. That is why they are going to take my precious life even though I am innocent,” Rinpoche said in a message to his followers. Tenzin Delek told a family member during a visit at the prison; “I am not responsible for these explosions or any other illegal actions, they have pinned this on me, I have always taught people that one should not harm any life, not even that of an ant, how could I then possibly be responsible for such an action? If it is possible to appeal, there is hope that I may be cleared of all charges.” He is reportedly in very poor health believed to be linked to the torture he has endured since his arrest. He is currently known to be suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease and problems with his legs. This most recent development in a seemingly never-ending string of abuses concerning Tenzin Delek, shows that the Chinese government’s stance is, as ever, unflinching despite his mass support.
Aamir Khan, Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani and His Holiness the Dalai Lama after their interactive session at the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune, Maharashtra, India on July 28, 2013. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
conflict. I consider myself as the messenger of that ahimsa which has always been upheld by India,” he said. A similar message came from Dada Vaswani, who urged the gathering to differentiate between action and its source as the way towards forgiveness. When asked for advice for the country ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Dada Vaswani said there is no scope in party politics, but in coming together as one. “Governments come and go, but the conditions remain the same. The only way there can be any real change is when all political parties come together to work for the emancipation of the people,” he said. Explaining that politics creates divisions in the community, Vaswani said belief in god is more important than being part of any community. “No one will ever indulge in any wrong-doing if there is faith that there is a supreme power which is watching all humanity. Let us bring back god into our lives and homes,” he said. A unique miniature painting exhibition on Maharana Pratap held at the same function on
Sunday. The function included Tibetan prayers and a meeting with architect Girish Doshi, who made a brief presentation on future plans of the museum. This was followed by speeches by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Pawar and Uddhav, apart from a jugalbandi directed by singer Vikam Hazra. The 5,000-strong audience, which had gathered to hear the two spiritual leaders interact with actor Aamir Khan, was not disappointed as the trio shared some lighthearted moments while speaking on their views on love and compassion. While Dada Vaswani admitted that he too had known the feeling of ‘love’ in his younger days, the Dalai Lama said it is more important to recognise the inner beauty of a human being than run after physical attractiveness for happiness in marital relations. Aamir Khan concluded the two-hour long discussion by urging the audience to be compassionate even in competition and to see even the opponent as a human being.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Leh, Ladakh for Meditational Retreat
His Holiness the Dalai Lama waves to the crowd on his arrival in Ladakh in the northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir on Monday, 29 July 2013. Photo: CTA/Tibet Net
By James Dunn: 30 July 2013
Dharamshala: - His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Ladakh on Monday, July 29 for a three-week stay during which he will undertake a 3-week meditational retreat at Shiwatsel Phodrang, Choglamsar, Leh, the capital of Ladakh, J&K State, India. According to media reports, top dignitaries, including His Eminence Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche, Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Minister
Nawang Rigzin Jora and chief executive councilor of Ladakh, received His Holiness on his arrival at the airport. Thousands of local people and Tibetans came in their traditional dresses to welcome His Holiness. His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Ladakh after successfully concluding nearly a month-long visit in southern Indian state of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
.........................a strong support for Tibet
Continued from page 5 Having been concerned with Tibet issues, the National Director of SFT Taiwan also has deeper feeling for Tibetan community visiting Dharamshala. “ Someone told me that Tibet issues are not so much about human rights but about their culture and religion.At first I did not quite understand—until I really came to know Tibetans in exile and be here in Dharamshala,” he said. “The reason is that Tibetans’ life is so closed
to their religion and culture, both of which are essential to their whole value system and philosophy. This is difficult for others to understand unless they have experienced it for themselves. I wake up every morning after I came here, and saw all similar faces on the road to the main Tibetan Temple (Tsuglakkhang); it takes real experience and seeing to believe how intimate culture and religion are for Tibetans,” he concluded profoundly.
7 TPI NEWS International Negotiations on autonomy key to resolving Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan shares his Tibet tensions: Australian FM Bob Carr childhood memory with Tibet’s spiritual leader 30 July 2013
The Tibet Post International
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Photo: AFP
By Yeshe Choesang: 27 July 2013
Dharamshala: - Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr on Friday voiced hope for an easing of tensions in China’s ethnic Tibetan regions. Carr told reporters that negotiations on autonomy between Beijing and the Tibetan community are key to resolving the tensions and ending the spate of self-immolations by Tibetan people in the Himalayan Region. “Tibet is part of China,” Carr told reporters, according to Kyodo News International. “But we believe there’s an opportunity for pursuing autonomy, and the autonomy negotiated between China and the Tibetan community is the way of seeing an end to the self-immolations.” Carr said it is up to Beijing to determine if it should engage the Dalai Lama in autonomy negotiations, adding that “China said things that encourage us to think that the talks could be given a new lease of life.” The Tibetan spiritual leader paid a visit to Australia last month, but then Prime Minister Julia Gillard
refused to meet him, drawing criticism that she succumbed to Chinese pressure. Some 120 Tibetan monks, nuns and laypeople have set themselves alight in protest against China’s rule since the 50th anniversary in 2009 of Tibet’s failed uprising against China. That year was marked by an increase of human rights abuses in Tibet and a travel ban on foreign individual visitors to the region. “We would like, I and ambassador, to be able to travel in Tibet to talk to people and to inspect Australian-aid projects. We have got a fruitful dialogue with China about human rights matters and that include human rights matters that grow out of the tensions in Tibet and Tibetan regions,” Bob Carr said. Carr has been criticized before by the Chinese government for interfering in China’s domestic affairs, and numerous requests by the Australian ambassador to China to visit Tibet were turned down by Beijing, it was reported in February. Carr also highlighted the importance of close bilateral ties. “As China reforms its economy, and as Australia implements a productivityimprovement program, there will be countless opportunities to build on (the Australia-China) relationship,” he said. On free trade agreement negotiations with China that began in 2005, Carr said Canberra is willing to set aside any barrier agreed by both sides and “get on with the main game.” Carr is currently on a 10-day trip to China that will also take him to Sichuan Province, Chongqing municipality and Fujian Province until August 3, 2013.
18th U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue By Yeshe Choesang: 29 July 2013
Jen Psaki spokesperson for U.S. Department of State. Photo: US State Department
Dharamshala: - State Department of the U.S. Government said its 18th annual human rights dialogue with China will be held Kūnmíng, the capital and largest city of Yunnan province from 30-31 July. “ It stated that the U.S. has underscored that promotion of human rights remains a key tenet of US foreign policy, including toward China.” “Building on discussions during the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, July 10-11, the next session of the annual U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue will be held, July 30-31, in Kunming, China,” Jen Psaki spokesperson for U.S. Department of State said in a press statement issued on July 26, 2013. According to the statement, the “acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Uzra Zeya and Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of International Organizations and Conferences Director-General Li Junhua will lead their respective delegations in the dialogue.” “The two sides will discuss rule of law, freedom
of religion, freedom of expression, labor rights, rights of ethnic minorities, and other human rights issues over the course of the dialogue,” Psaki said in the statement. “The U.S. delegation will also visit Beijing for discussions with officials and civil society representatives. the promotion of human rights remains a key tenet of U.S. foreign policy, including toward China, and we are committed to continuing candid and in-depth discussion with the Chinese government on this issue,” the press release stated. “The Human Rights Dialogue provides an important opportunity to elaborate on our concerns about China’s human rights record and to encourage progress, building on engagement on this topic throughout the year,” it further added. The U.S. Government repeatedly raised its strong concerns over the worsening human rights situation in Tibet. After his appointment as secretary of State, Mr John Kerry also had strongly raised the current situation in Tibet and the self-immolation protest in Tibet by Tibetans, specialy during the two-day US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue held earlier this month. Since 2009, at least 120 Tibetans have self-immolated reportedly to protest Chinese hardline and repressive rule in Tibet and of them 103 were reportedly passedaway from their severe burn injuries. Tibetan self-immolators have called for the return of the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland and freedom for Tibetans inside Tibet.
Taipei exhibition draws attention on tourists
Tibet exhibition draws attention on tourists from China, which successfully concluded on Sunday, July 21 in Taipei. Photo: TPI By Kalsang Dolma: 22 july 2013
Taipei: — A week-long exhibition on Tibet was held in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, which was jointly organised by the office of Tibet and the Tibetan Association based in the capital. The exhibition on Tibet was successfully concluded on Sunday, July 21 in Taipei. “The exhibition was held at Taipei’s liberty square, near Chiang Kai Shek Memorial hall as it is most frequently visited by tourists, mainly from China,” said organisers. Organiser stated that the exhibition calls an urgent global intervention to save Tibetan people
in Tibet from the chinese region and to end Chinese repressive policies in Tibet. “It was aimed to draw a strong attention of Chinese brothers and sisters from China to know about the truth of Tibet and the current urgent situation in Tibet.” “Many Chinese tourist have visited the weeklong exhibition on Tibet and they took time to read the detail narrations of each panels and some tourist also took pictures,” said organisers. The exhibition on Tibet consists a total of 30 panels and this time most panels were about Tibetans who have set themselves on fire in their homeland, calling freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. The Tibetan community in Taiwan February this year organised a two week exhibition in the capital to draw the attention and support of the international community on the grim situation prevailing inside Tibet. A total of 50 panels were put on display to show the history, religion and culture of Tibet, of which 10 panels are about all Tibetans who have set themselves ablaze calling freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland, Tibet.
By Kalsang Dolma: 29 July 2013
Dharamshala: - “My religion is love and compassion,” said the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama who was in Pune, the second largest city in the state of Maharashtra on Sunday with Bollywood’s superstar Aamir Khan. According to media reports, His Holiness has shared his childhood memories and added, “What I am today is because of the love and compassion I received from my mother. Though she was an illiterate villager she was a very kind lady who loved other people.” Taking from His Holiness’ anecdote, the Bollywood’s superstar also spoke about a childhood incident involving his mother. He said, “As a kid, I used to play tennis and was really good at it. Every time I returned home from a game my mother would ask me if I had won. Each time I replied saying I had won, she would get very happy and hug me.” “One special thing about such incidents, that I won’t forget ever, is that each time she also asked me about the boy who lost. She said to me ‘That boy who has lost must also have reached home by now and his mother too must have asked him the same question. She must be feeling sad, no?’
Sunday morning, July 28, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader Dada Vaswani and actor Aamir Khan came together on one stage at Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Pune. (IE Photo: Pavan Khengre)
Thinking about the other person, is what my mother always did. It’s her compassion towards other people that makes me.” According to media repors, Aamir Khan took to the stage to host His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Rev Dada JP Vaswani tete-a-tete session on Sunday. The event marked the celebration of Dada’s 95th birthday and to make it more special,
Aamir sang ‘Happy Birthday’ for Dada with the audience joining in. Dada seemed overwhelmed with the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and ‘His Magician,’ that’s how he addressed Aamir. We spotted Aamir Khan’s sister Nikhat Khan Hegde, Laleh Busheri, Meher Pudumjee and Anu Aga among others present at the event.
His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet will confer the 33rd kalachakra initiation in Leh, Ladakh in 2014
MOONWALK RESIDENCY A luxury hotel offering: Hot showers & TV, large balconies, imposing views European, Chinese & Indian cuisine, wi-fi & parking Jogiwara Road, McLeodganj, Dharamshala – ten minutes’ walk down from McLeodganj Main Square Tel: +91 981 626 1717 / +91 1892 220389
www.moonwalkresidency.com Tel: 0867-987-1011 E-mail: Blacktentcafe@gmailcom moonwalkresidency@gmail.com
BLACK TENT CAFE
Kālachakra refers both to a Tantric deity (Tib. yidam) of Vajrayana Buddhism. Photo: Shambala Magazine
By Yeshe Choesang: 30 July 2013
Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give the 33rd Kalachakra Initiation in the Himalayan City of Leh, Ladakh, from 3 – 14 July, 2014. Accorting to the CTA, during the first three days of the Kalachakra, from 3 to 5 July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other rituals. From 6 to 8 July, His Holiness will give preliminary teachings. On 9 July, the Kalachakra Ritual Dance will be performed by the monks of Namgyal Monastery.
I
n
t e r
n
a
His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from 10 to 13 July. On 14 July, a long life empowerment (tsewang) and a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be performed. The Kalachakra or Wheel of Time, considered by Buddhists as one of the most important teachings, was first taught by the Buddha Shakyamuni after attaining enlightenment underneath the Boddhi tree in Bodh Gaya. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has conferred 32 Kalachakra teachings, with the first at Norbulingka in Tibet’s capital Lhasa in May 1954, and the latest at Bodh Gaya in India in January 2012.
t i
o
Adviser Adviser Adviser Editor in Chief Chinese Editor Assistant Editor Tibetan Editor
n
a
Contributors to this editon
Himalayan Literacy Trust (Head Office) Room #2 2nd Floor, Exile House Temple Road, McLeod Ganj: 176219 Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra H.P., India
Modern Tibetan decor, comfortable floor seating and great service. Stop by, relax with a book and, when you’ve finished, exchange it for something from our library. Fast internet service All produce washed in filtered water
Near Post Office, Opposite Peace Cafe, Jogiwara Road, McLeodganj •
OM YOGA MEDITATION CENTRE
HATHA, ASHTANGA & KUNDALINI YOGA
l
Franz Pahl Thomas Kemeil Shalendra Kumar Mr Yeshe Choesang Miss Keary Huang Miss Kalsang Dolma Mr Dhondup
Keary Huang Samuel Ivor James Dunn Chante Lhamo Yu Shuan Nyima Amy King Tenzin Desal Yeshe Choesang Kalsang Dolma Dhondup
Try our popular Chicken Burgers, Ice-cream Milk Shakes, or choose from our Authentic Western Menu.
Taiwan UK UK Taiwan Taiwan USA India India India India
E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com Skype: dhardhophonya1959 Mobile: +91-9882423566 www.thetibetpost.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/tpinews
Certified by Indian Govt. & Yoga Alliance Drop-in Class Times: Yoga Meditation 8 - 9:30am 7 - 8am 4 - 5:30pm 5:30 - 6:30pm
COURSES OFFERED: Yoga Teacher Training, Meditation, 6-Day Intensive Courses, Reiki - All Levels, Hindi Language KETAN LODGE, JOGIWARA ROAD, MCLEOD GANJ Tel: +91-98056-93514 +91-98164-94732 Om.yoga@ymail.com www.omyogaindia.com
8
TPI NEWS back page focus
30 July 2013
Preserving Tibetan Culture: Siddartha High School Celebrates 20th Anniversary -Stok, Ladakh, India By Amy King: 30 July 2013
Leh, Ladakh: - July 15th and 16th 2013 marked a special achievement for Siddartha High School, a remote school located high in the Himalayas of Northern India. Twenty years ago, a Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Khen Rinpoche Lobsang Tsetan, had an idea. He wanted to bring improved literacy to his home Village of Stok, Ladakh, while preserving the endangered Tibetan Buddhist culture and teachings. Through his efforts and the support of the local and global community, “The Siddartha School” was founded, and what started in a one room rented school shed is now an exemplary and growing private school with over 300 students in grade K-10, setting new standards for educational excellence in the region. Ladakh borders Tibet, and the Siddartha School gives the children of Ladakh access to high quality modern education, while also honoring their culture and traditions within the curriculum and school activities. Children at the Siddartha School learn four languages (English, Hindi, Tibetan, and Ladakhi), computer skills, sciences, math, creative arts, and social studies. Unique in Ladakh, no child is denied admission to the Siddartha School on the basis of need. As part of a two day celebration in July 2013, the students and parents of the Siddartha School donned traditional dress and performed culturally based song, dance, and theatre. Also produced by students were elaborate cultural and environmental exhibitions depicting various aspects of their culture along with the environmental factors affecting both their local and global community. Included in these exhibitions were an enactment of the nomadic lifestyle, as well that of a traditional wedding, clothing, food, and monastic tradition(s). Supporters and sponsors from both near and far traveled to recognize and participate in this celebratory event.
BELLA HEIGHTS Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj
One of the finest Indian, Chinese,Continental,Thai Speciality in Mutton; • • • • • • • •
Rogan Josh, Mutton Saagwala, Mutton Rahra, Mutton Do Pyaza, Mutton Kadhai, Mutton Seekh, Babri Seekh Kabab, Gulati Seekh Kabab. Hotel Fine-Dine Restaurant Coffee Shop Call: +91-9857-555333 +91-9857-666333
www.bellaheights.com
Siddhartha Yoga Teacher Training Jai Neel Kanth Babaji
Photo 1: Khan RInpoche Lobsang Tsetan addresses students, parents, & supporters and Photo 2: girl and boy sing in honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo: TPI/Amy King
The students and parents expressed their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the support that has granted the children the opportunity for this priceless education and a chance at a successful future. Over the course of the two day celebration, honored guests, Tokden Rinpoche, former minister of Ladakh and current head of Phyang Monastery (day 1) and Ganden Tri Rinpoche, head of Gelugpa lineage(under His Holiness Dalai Lama) (day 2) attended and shared precious words of support for the school and for the preservation of the Tibetan Buddhism culture and teachings, particularly the Nalanda University tradition. The Siddhartha School is a non-profit, private institution, founded and directed locally in Stok, Ladakh, which receives no public funds. As this school continues to grow, so does its need for support and sponsorship in order to sustain its educational programs and basic needs for its students and staff. The Siddartha School is also in need of musical instruments for their music program(guitar-
western and Tibetan-Dramnyen, Tangjin, DrumsLadakhi, flute, Piano, Pibang-Tibetan Violin). Please contact the following directly if you are able to help or have instruments to donate: dhaseytsomo@yahoo.com For more information on the “Siddartha School”, student sponsorship, or the many ways you can help, please see the website and view the award winning video at http://siddharthaschool.org/ There is also a US-based “Siddhartha School Project,” a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated solely to raising the funds necessary to keep the school operating, growing and improving. All contributions are tax-deductible and when you make a donation to Siddhartha School Project your money goes directly to Siddhartha School and its students. Donations of any amount can also be made by check. Please mail to: Siddhartha School Project P.O. Box 524 Freeport, ME 04032-0524
Intensive yoga practice, Posture adjustment, Deep healing, Anatomy Integrative therapy, Intensive, effective, enjoyable courses. Open meditation classes 6-7 pm
continued from Front Page........
GCM cup organisers and match referees watching a match in progress. Photo: TPI/ Tsering Wanggyal
All the football teams have so far been very good. All teams have made the necessary preparations and are taking the tournament very seriously. In the future we would like to see a home-club based in all Tibetan settlements. “I am very impressed with the arrangements the local sports association has made in order to make this tournament a success, as it is part of our objective to leave behind infrastructure at every venue in which the tournament is held”. It was in Tibet in 1936 that Tibetans first encountered the ‘beautiful game.’ Cambridge graduate Frederick Spencer Chapman was part of a group sent out to establish a British Mission in Lhasa. During his time in the Tibetan capital, then all but closed off to the outside world, the young telegraph decipherer kept a British Mission Diary, which provides a fascinating account of the first football games ever played in Tibet. Chapman played for British Mission team, the Mission Marmots, which pitted themselves – sometimes in the most inhospitable weather conditions - against Lhasa United, a team “turned out in garish Harlequincoloured shirts.” “Today we were challenged at the game of soccer by Lhasa United, a team picked from Tibetan, Ladaki, and Nepalese sides,” he scribbled in his diary. “They were a remarkable looking team and certainly needed to be united. Playing at 11,800 feet is not much
of an ordeal as one would imagine, and we appeared to be no more breathless than our opponents.” But the daily practices and plans to develop “a number of seven-a-side teams” came to an abrupt end when an unknown person stole the goal-posts for firewood and no efforts were made to replace them while sandstorms were witnessed at an alarming frequency. In India today, whilst the exiled Tibetan community’s finest male soccer stars frantically compete for the coveted cup, a young American woman is striving to provide the same opportunity for Tibetan women and girls. The Tibetan Women’s Football Team’s official website states that the aim of the initiative is to “inspire the girls and women of the Tibetan refugee community (and generate) a sense of pride in themselves and hope for their future…eventually (leading) to the formation of a national team.” Teacher and life-long soccer player Cassie Childers, 31, from New Jersey, organises football camps at various Tibetan schools with a team of international football enthusiasts and coaches. Speaking to the Tibet Post International during the second Tibetan Women’s Football Select Training Camp, held at Gopalpur’s Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), in January, she said: “we have two main aims at the camp: to empower the girls, and to get a team ready to compete against the top teams in India. “For me it’s all about fun. Just having fun and never giving up. If there is no fun, there is no point, and I think they play better when they are having fun.” The Tibetan Women’s Football Team will play an exhibition match on the final day of the GCM tournament, on August 1. Mungod’s Doeguling football club’s captain and coach, Tashi Phuntsok, 41, is accompanied in the contest by a team of aspiring young players aged 17 – 21. In a local community hall doubling as the team’s dormitory, where I found him having navigated my way through a maze of clothes lines under an asbestos foyer, the GCM veteran who has competed seven times for the cup, said: “usually, we are indifferent towards the outcome of the game, but when we come as a team to play for the GCM cup, we take it very seriously. “It is a very prestigious tournament, the biggest among the Tibetan diaspora. “We have a reputation as the best team in the tournament and we will endeavor to reinforce that reputation and play very hard.”
Energy Yoga, Hatha Ashtanga Kundalini Yoga, Art of Pranayam - secret breathing, Silent meditation in nature Body cleansing, Healthy, Ayurvedic yogic diet
Yogi Shivam has been teaching yoga methods including Hatha, Ashtanga, Kundalini and Iyengar for 24 years. He has taught in Europe, the USA and India, and is fluent in English, French and Spanish. Shivam trained at the Sivananda yoga centre in Rishikesh, the Vivekananda yoga centre at the University of India. He taught at the FIDHY federation in Paris for seven years in Paris, and has also taught at the Ayurvedic college in Rishikesh. Siddhartha Yoga Centre, Upper www.siddharthayogacentre.org Baghsu Nag,Near High Sky Guest House yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in Yoga Alliance International Certification Reg. Yoga School
Contact Shivam on: 0-981-656-5138
Zurich: The political leader of the exile Central Tibetan Administration in India, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, arrived in Switzerland on April 10 for a 12-day visit.
Monsoon rains in goal at Hunsur Rabgayling settlement
A bountiful Karnataka monsoon has left Hunsur’s Rabgayling settlement’s green fields lush with tropical vegetation and corn swayed by cooling winds on either side of the trunk-road. Twenty two Tibetan football teams have descended upon the small settlement to slog it out for the coveted GCM cup in a tournament organised in memory of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s mother, Dickyi Tsering – or Gyalyum Chenmo (the great mother) as she is known to Tibetans - a formidable woman whom the Tibetan spiritual leader credits for having sown “the seed of compassion” within him. Organiser and executive secretary, Kalsang Dhondup, 58, is at the helm of modern Tibetan football. I caught up with him in his current makeshift office, in which he squeezed time out of his frantic schedule to talk to me. “There are many memorials built to commemorate the deeds of important people,” he said, after shoving some papers he was working on into a file. “Wondrous architectural structures, the naming of roads, city squares and so forth. In the same line, we organise the GCM cup to remember the kindness and hard-work of the late mother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Even if we can’t remember her on a daily basis, we can be reminded of her during the memorial cup. “We would like to encourage young Tibetans to learn from sport the spirit of sportsmanship and discipline and to steer them away from bad habits.
The Tibet Post International
Dr Sangay was scheduled to address the Swiss Tibetan community on April 14 in Fribourg, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama was also set to give a teaching. From April 20 to 21, the Sikyong
WE OFFER THE BEST SERVICE Air Ticketing
Bus Service
24-Hr Taxi Service
Tour Packages
Foreign Exchange
Stock investment
Western Union VALUE-ADDED SERVICES: • • • •
Hotel Reservations Overseas Travel Insurance Protected Area Permit (PAP) Inner Line Permit (ILP)
Train Reservation POTALAONLINE.COM • Website Design & Hosting Services • Professional Quality Designs at Affordable Prices
“We serve you like Royalty with warm and personalized attention” Branch Office Head Office EarthLink Tours & Travels House No. 45, Shangrila Complex, Majnu-Ka-Tilla, New Camp, New Aruna Nagar, Delhi – 110054 Tel: +91-11-64727411, 65023430 Fax: +91-11-23811267 Mobile No.: +91-9911623114, 9818542320 E-mail: info@earthlinktravels.com Website: www.earthlinktravels.com
EarthLink Tours & Travels Next to One Two Café Temple Road, Mcleod Ganj Dist.: Kangra, Dharamsala – 176219 (H.P) Tel: +91-9857127900, Fax: +91-11-23811267 Mobile No.: +91-9882052865
E-mail: dasa@earthlinktravels.com Website: www.earthlinktravels.com
Sponsor an issue of The newspaper
The Tibet Post International is looking for English speaking volunteers to help to write and edit the news and features related Tibet and Tibetan living in exile. Please contact us:
E-mail: news@thetibetpost.com Mobile: 09418143289
Tashi Delek If you would like to sponsor an issue of The Tibet Post International newspaper, Please contact us via email; news@thetibetpost.com or call us anytime on; +91-9882423566 We would like to present a brief profile of your company or your own profile and any message to share with others. Your support will help us continue our service and work.