World Human Rights Day Page 2 Vol. 01, Issue 32, 15 December 2010
Preserve Tibetan Culture in Exile
Telo Rinpoche The Spiritual leader of Kalmykia
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Tibetans Around the World Call on China to Free Liu Xiaobo By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
The 12 board members of the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, wearing honorary white scarves and standing before a painting of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Photo from the Tibetan Community
New York - Karma Khadup no longer eats yak, a tender red meat that is a staple in his native Tibet, where the bison-like animals roam alongside nomadic herders in the region's vast high-altitude grasslands. While dining at the Himalayan Yak Restaurant in the New York borough of Queens, Khadup Continues on Page 7
Walk for Tibet and Taiwan
Dharamshala: Thousands of Tibetans and supporters around the world on Friday (10th December) celebrated 21st anniversary of Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize as well as commemorated the 62nd International Human Rights Day. On both occasions, exile Tibetans and government have called on China, the communist regime of Asia to release the jailed Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Liu Xiaobo, honored for his great efforts to bring democratic reforms in China and strong support for the right of the people in Tibet to selfdetermination. Over five thousands of people including Tibetans living in exile, foreign supporters from different countries, monks, nuns and students from various institutions and schools gatthered at the ground of the main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj (Dharamshala) to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize in 1989 and the 62nd anniversary of International Human Rights Day. Both exile Tibetan NGOs and the government have called on China to release the jailed 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner. "The An important development that we should be happy about and proud of is the conferment
Over five thousands of people including Tibetans living in exile, foreign supporters from different countries, monks, nuns and students from various institutions and schools gatthered at the ground of the main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj (Dharamshala) to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize in 1989 and the 62nd anniversary of International Human Rights Day. Both exile Tibetan NGOs and the government have called on China to release the jailed 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner. 10th December 2010. Photo: TPI
Continues on Page 2 A campaign for Tibet and Taiwan, walk "for World Peace and Human Rights, and Tibetan Independence" held in Taiwan on Friday (10th December) to mark the International Human Rights Day. Photo: TPI/Feng Chu Liu
Taipei: A campaign for Tibet and Taiwan, walk "for World Peace and Human Rights, and Tibetan Independence" held in Taiwan on Friday (10th December) to mark the International Human Rights Day. Over 50 Exile Tibetans and supporters in Taiwan have started to walk from the north to the south of the island to raise public awareness of
China Rewrites Tibet History: Monks Recently Escaped from Tibet
A New College for Tibetan Nuns
Continues on Page 5 His Holiness the Dalai Lama (c) with former minister, Mrs Rinchen Khando, the director of Tibetan Nuns Project (L), on his arrival at the inauguration and consecration of Shugseb Nunnery and College near Dharamsala on 7 December 2010. Photo: TPI/ Chenrab Drimed Gyaltsen
China Crackdown on Tibet's Culture
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama today inaugurated and Continues on Page 2
Awareness for Artists Jailed in Tibet
China’s military invasion nor the continuing occupation has transferred the sovereignty of Tibet to China. Photo: File
Dharamshala: In a statement of the Tibetan Human rights Group (THRD) issued on 62nd anniversary of World Human Rights day said, people of Tibet stand together with the millions of Chinese people in the struggle for human rights and freedom in China and Tibet. "10 December 2010, is the 62nd anniversary of proclamation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and also a moment to celebrate the occasion of Mr.Liu Xiaobo receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. The Tibetan people stand together with the millions of Chinese people in the struggle for human rights and freedom in the People's Republic of China (PRC). With enormous economic advancement in the past three decades, it is about Continues on Page 4
Lobsang Norbu (L) Kung Rinchen (C) Khedup Gyatso (R) at The Tibet Post International. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: - Lobsabg Norbu and his fellow two monks had been hiding almost two years in the hills and mountains of Dege county, eastern Tibet after spread documents, banners and flags in 2009 to against Chinese rule over Tibet. The three brave monks safely managed to escape from Tibet recently, currently they have started to enjoy freedom of expression in this Himalayan hill town where His Holiness the Dalai Lama lives in exile.
As the Tibetan and foreign journalists reported out of their peaceful protests in eastern Tibet, Norbu and his friends unfurled banners they had wrapped inside the folds of their crimson robes and held aloft the documents, banners and flags of Tibet in the streets, towns and villages. Three Tibetan monks from Gonsar monastery, Dza Bharma village of Dege county, eastern Tibet; Kunga Rinchen, 30, Lobsang Norbu, 26 and Continues on Page 5
New York: Tibetan classical musician Techung and the non-profit Built On Respect are working with other musicians and NGOs to raise awareness for two Tibetan artists i l l e g a l l y imprisoned in Tibet. Well-known Tibetan musician Techung and other local Tibetan musicians in each city; all bands will be performing in various places in US and India, December 2010-January 2011. Heidi Minx from Built on Respect travels between NYC and Dharamshala, India -- concentrating on See on Page 6
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TPI EDITORIAL
15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
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Tibetan and Supporters Saddened by Mid-Day Mumbai Article Editor in Chief - YC. Dhardhowa E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com
28 November edition of Mid-day. Photo: Mid-day/File
Dharamshala: Tibetans living in exile, Indian supporters and Members of the Tibetan Youth Congress and Students for a free Tibet deeply saddened and disappointed by an article published by Mid-Day Mumbai that has "cruelly crushed religious sentiments of the Buddhist Community," said a statement issued on 1st December by a group of Tibetan and Indian students. "We the Tibetans and Indian students supporting a free Tibet are immensely shocked and deeply hurt by the article published in Mid-day on 28th
November 2010 entitled "Is the Dalai Lama a bad guy?" by John Walsh. The article is misleading and demeaning, attacking Holiness the Dalia Lama and his role in Tibetan freedom struggle. This article had grossly misinterpreted Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama role as a representative of human rights and has mocked the idea of freedom struggle. His role as promoter of peace, harmony for better society for global world has been overlooked. He has been traveling around the world for the promotion of human values and
garnered support for not for just Tibetan people who are suffering under cruel and unjust rule of Peoples Republic of China but also for other countries such as Burma .This article has turned a blind eye on the plight of Tibetan people and continues violation of human rights in Tibet. His Holiness not only represents aspiration of Tibetan people for freedom and nationhood among the global world but also represents aspiration of peoples all over the world for peace, compassion and a better world for tomorrow. He is considered as a symbol of Buddhism by people across the globe. This is to submit our disappointment towards the MID-DAY, which has carelessly made a strike at people's religious beliefs and questioned the hope for a free country for Tibetan refugees, who consider DALAI LAMA as a living God. It has hurt the sentiments of Tibetan and Buddhist followers across the world. The writer, John Walsh should have concentrated on more important and relevant issues concerning border dispute between India and People's Republic of China such as Arunachal Pradesh issue and water issue between the two countries, especially when a talk on INDO-SINO relation is in process at New-Delhi. We are very hurt by these actions of a well known, credible news paper, which is misuse of free press and freedom of expression. We seek apology from the writer John Walsh and Mid-Day press. Also we humbly request the media across the nation to bring our voices to the people all over, on the issue of Tibetan Freedom, Language Rights in Tibet. We hope our Indian brother and sisters and the Press bring forward issues of Border, National Security and water problems that persist due to Chinese government's policies in Tibet."
H.H the Dalai Lama Inaugurates a New College for Tibetan Nuns
By Tibetan Official Media: Tibet Net
A view of the newly-built Shubseb nunnery's prayer hall and nuns' residential quarter taken during its inauguration by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Tuesday, 7 December 2010. Photo: TPI/Chenrab Drimed Gyaltsen
consecrated the new complex of Shugseb Ogyen Dzong Nunnery and College near Dharamsala, where about 100 nuns undertake nine years of study in Buddhist philosophy. It is located at Garoh village, some 15 km from Dharamshala. The ceremony began with the lighting of ceremonial lamp and consecration of the temple by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, following which Tibetan Nuns Project co-director Ven Lobsang Dechen offered Mendel Tensum (three auspicious offerings) to His Holiness. Senior officials of the Central Tibetan
Administration, including Chief Justice Commissioner, Deputy Speaker and Kalons were present. Kasur Rinchen Khando, the director of the Tibetan Nuns Project, under whose aegis the nunnery was built, briefed the gathering about how the nunnery came into being in exile. The director said over 100 nuns from Tibet and Nepal are undertaking Buddhist studies in the nunnery. The duration of study is nine years and the syllabus for the first four years is philosophy of middle-way, paramita or teachings of perfection in the fifth and sixth year, and the two classes of tantric teachings for the last three years. Till date thirty-one nuns have graduated after completing studies from this nunnery. She expressed deep gratitude to the donor organisations, which include Norwegian Committee for Women, for their valuable financial contribution towards the nunnery. The total cost for the construction of the new nunnery cum college is about Rs 72 million. The Tibetan Nuns Project established in 1985 also looks after the education and welfare of 710 Buddhist nuns in eight nunneries and retreat centers in India, including those in Spiti and Ladakh's Zanskar region and in Nepal, she said. In his address, His Holiness the Dalai
Lama said: "Shugseb nunnery is doing a commendable work in the academic study and practice of Buddhist text and commentaries as Buddhism passes through a critical period in Tibet." Praising the donor organisations for their support and financial contribution towards the building the nunnery, His Holiness said the great merit earned by them would bear fruit. His Holiness encouraged the nuns to become 21st century Buddhists by developing inner values through study and practice. He emphasised the need to undertake study and practice of key Buddhist text and treatises rather than merely carrying out religious rituals. One can offer genuine service to Buddhism only through studying it, he added. Referring to his health condition, His Holiness said he has fully recuperated from the indisposition. The Shugseb nunnery in exile was first established two years after twenty nuns from the original nunnery based near Tibet's capital Lhasa escaped to India in 1990 following persecution by the Chinese government. As instructed by Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan Nuns Project and the Tibetan Women's Association helped in the establishment of the nunnery in Dharamsala after it
The Tibet Post
Tibetans Around the World Call on China to Free Liu Xiaobo
Four Tibetan NGOs including the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA), National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT), Students for a Free Tibet India (SFT) and Guchusum Movement of Tibet (GCSMT) also luanched a signature campaign for release of jailed Liu Xaobo in Dharamshala, India on 10th December 2010. Photo: TPI
of this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Mr Liu Xiaobo, a prominent Chinese democracy and human rights activist, who is currently in prison in the People's Republic of China," said Mr Tsering Dhondup, the acting prime minister of Tibetan government in-exile on Friday on the occasion of the anniversaries. "On behalf of all the Tibetan people, we would like to congratulate Mr Liu Xiaobo, and commend the Nobel Committee for taking this decision without bowing to the Chinese government's pressure. However, the Kashag is saddened by the Chinese authorities appalling behaviour of not releasing Mr Liu Xiaobo from prison and keeping his wife under house arrest. The Kashag strongly condemns these actions." said Minister Dhondup. "Since the values and aspirations of all the Nobel laureates are well known around the world, keeping a few individuals in prison cannot lock up their thoughts, principles and aspirations. It is a fact of life that the authoritarian rulers who try to control people's thought by force and suppression are the most ignorant of human beings," he stressed. Mr Penpa Tsering, the speaker of Tibetan Parliament in exile has urged China to free Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo and all other political prisoners of conscience imprisoned for just exercising freedom of expression and struggled for democracy and freedom. "We urge Chinese leadership to free the icons of the struggle for freedom, democracy and justice that they can
shifted from Amora. The construction of the new nunnery complex was started in 2004 and it is now completed with a prayer hall, library, office, staff quarters, hostel for one hundred and eight nuns. Shugseb Nunnery follows the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism and its origin dates back to 1181. Following the invasion of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, the nunnery faced complete destruction during 1966-76 Cultural Revolution and persecution of nuns in 1989.
freely enjoy same fundamental rights as they determined," he added. Four Tibetan NGOs including the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA), National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT), Students for a Free Tibet India (SFT) and Guchusum Movement of Tibet (GCSMT) also launched a signature campaign for release of jailed Liu Xaobo. In a press release signed by the heads of Tibetan the four NGOs have appealed to communities around the world to put more international pressure on China to release Liu. "The Tibetan community in exile appeals to international human rights bodies and governments across the world to pressure China to release Liu and all other prisoners of conscience within China and Tibet. More than 6000 Tibetan political prisoners who have excised their right to free expression are suffering in Chinese prisons inside Tibet." In New York a coalition of Chinese, Tibetan and human rights organizations will hold a press conference on today to coincide with the unfurling of a large portrait of Nobel Peace Prize winner, Liu Xiaobo, in front of the United Nations Building. The portrait, an original collaboration between a Chinese and Tibetan artist, will honor and celebrate Liu Xiaobo's efforts to bring about human rights and democratic reforms in the communist regime and his support for the Tibetan people. Liu stands out because of his strong support for Tibet and the Tibetan Government in Exile's position of genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people. In 2000, he published an essay titled "The Right of Self-government," which supported Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's push for Middle-way Approach to solve the Tibet problems. Liu has also put forward a specific plan for improving the situation in Tibet, authored with a famous Chinese writer Wang Lixiong, "Twelve Suggestions on Dealing with the Tibetan Situation." It was published just after the start of the March 2008 national uprising or peaceful demonstrations in all parts of Tibet, at a time when tensions were high and a massive crackdown against Tibetans was beginning in Tibet.
TPI DALAI LAMA
The Tibet Post
His Holiness Begins Teachings for Buddhists from Russia
15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
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HH Dalai Lama to Open Science and Spirituality Cofference in Sikkim By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
His Holiness Begins Three-Day Teaching for Russian Buddhists in Dharamshala, India on 30 November 2010. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama Tuesday (30 Nov) began a three-day Buddhist tantric Initiation and Teaching events for the Russian Buddhists at the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala, India. The teaching will continue till 2nd December 2010. Over six thousands people from 55 countries including monks, nuns and visiting tourists packed the main Tibetan Temple to listen to three-day teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The teachings were jointly organized by the spiritual leaders Telo Rinpoche and Yulo Rinpoche. His Holiness will give three-day teachings on Indian great master, Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of A Bodhisattva (Laklen Sodunma) and confer a Guhyasamaja (Sangwa
media agencies from Russia, they had a great oportunities to talk with Tibetan prime minister, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and other top officials during their visit to Tibetan parliament in-Exile, departments of Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan institutions and schools based in Dharamshala" said Rinpoche. "Over six important guests including former president of Kalmykia, finance minister of Kazakhstan, member of Russian parliament are also attending this teaching," he added. "After three-day teaching, lectures and discussion on Buddhism for Russian devotees will lead by Geshe Lhakdor, the director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Lhakdor will provide further comments to the the daily teachings of His Holiness the Dalai
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit four areas of North- eastern states of India, Sikkim and West Bengal, December 12-24, 2010, at which time His Holiness will offer lectures on world peace, teachings of Buddhism, confer empowerment, participate in a conference on Brain and Mind, and take part in long life prayer offering ceremonies. His Holiness will also give the inaugural address at the conference on science and spiritualism to host by the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Sikkim. The Brain and Mind conference is expected to lay the foundations of Sikkim's efforts to formally introduce moral and ethical subjects in the school curriculum, said a media release by Pema Wangchuk Dorjee, the NIT's media consultant for the seminar. "The inauguration of the conference by His Holiness is apt because he has always evinced a keen interest in science, and drawing from his advanced understanding of theosophical matters, often commented that science and spiritualism are not contradictory to each other and could in fact collaborate to explain things more completely. His Holiness is a leading proponent of Mind and Life Sciences and has consistently reiterated that complete education requires a sound rooting of students in spiritualism and the concepts of morality and ethics," the release said. Chief minister Pawan Chamling has thanked His Holiness the Dalai Lama for accepting the government's
Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Photo: TPI/file
invitation to visit Sikkim. In his letter, Chamling has conveyed that the government intends to follow up the conference proceedings by introducing moral ethics as a subject in Sikkim's schools and colleges. On December 13, His Holiness will give a teaching on The Three Principal Paths (lamtso namsum) and confer a long life empowerment (tsewang) at Tharpa Choeling Monastery in Kalimpong, WB, India. On December 19, His Holiness will bless the Buddha Statue being built by the Sikkim State Government in Ravangla, Sikkim, India. His Holiness will give two-day teachings from on December 21-22 in Gangtok, Sikkim, on the morning of December 21 he will teach on Nagarjuna's Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel) & Quintessential Collection of the Mind Sadhanas from
the 5th Dalai Lama's Secret Teachings (thukdrup yangnying kundu). On the morning of December 22 he will confer a long life empowerment (tsewang) and be offered a long life ceremony. On December 24, His Holiness will give teachings on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of A Bodhisattva (laklen sodunma) and confer an Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wang) in the morning at Sed-Gyued Monastery in Salugara, WB, India. The conference on Brain and Mind, Our Potential for Change: Modern Cognitive Sciences and Eastern Contemplative Traditions will be hosted by the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) from December 20 to 23. The Tibetan spiritual leader had last visited Sikkim in 2004 and had toured the state for a week, conducting prayer ceremonies and meetings.
Exile Tibetan Parliament Honours Members of H.P Vidhan Sabha By Tibetan Official Media: Tibet Net
Dhuepa) empowerment at the request of a group of Buddhists from Kalmykia, Buryatia, Tuva and various places of Russia. "Due to busy schedules, we are not organizing cultural event and festival in Dharamshala this time," said Telo Rinpoche Rinpoche, the elected spiritual head of Republic of Kalmykia. "We are pleased to have our second annual Buddhist teachings by the Nobel Peace Prize winner His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Around 1035 Buddhists from Kalmykia, Buryatia, Tuva and the different cities of Russia are attending the teaching. This teaching has been specially considered by His Holiness for the Buddhists from Russian Republics of Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva," said, Telo Rinpoche. "We have 27 journalists from various
Lama, also clarify difficult passages and answer questions," Rinpoche further said. There will be two sessions, and the teaching will be from the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala on November 30th, 2010 from approximately 911:30am and 1-3pm Indian Standard Time. For timings in your region 9am Indian Standard time on November 30th is the same as 10:30pm November 29th Eastern Standard Time in New York, USA. The teaching translations into English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Japanese and Vietnamese will be available via FM transmission at the temple. The first two days of Live audio and video web-cast in Tibetan, Russian and English languages is also available on: http://dalailama.com/liveweb
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama joined Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal and members of the state legislative assembly (Vidhan Sabha) at a breakfast meeting organised in their honour by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile at the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala. The leader of the opposition Congress Party, Mrs Vidhya Stokes and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr Tulsi Ram were also present at the reception. Members of the Tibetan Parliament's standing committee and the ministers of Tibetan government in-exile also joined the breakfast meeting. Addressing the gathering, Tibetan Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari: " We would like to extend our gratitude, love and respect to the government and people of Himachal Pradesh for their support towards the Tibetan people in the last more than 50 years." Describing Dharamsala as an abode of gods, Congress Leader Vidhya Stokes said: "We are fortunate and blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama's presence in the state, and we thank him for sustaining Dharamsala as a very beautiful place." Expressing his happiness over receiving
His Holiness the Dalai Lama (c) addresses a breakfast reception in honour of Himachal Pradesh's state legislative assembly organised by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile at Tsuglagkhang, the main temple, in Dharamsala, India, on Thursday, 9 December 2010. Photo: TPI
the invitation to the breakfast reception, Chief Minister Prof Prem Dhumal said His Holiness the Dalai Lama is greatest living Buddhist monk and an apostle of Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence." Prof Dhumal said India and Tibet cherish a long historical and religious ties. "I pray for the long and healthy life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. May the issue of Tibet be resolved soon and the relationship between Indians and
Tibetan peoples continue to flourish," he said. His Holiness the Dalai Lama extended his greetings to the Indian delegation. His Holiness said "India and Tibet share a relationship of teacher and student", adding, "he as a student has special connection with the host Himachal Pradesh state as two of his teachers, Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen and Rigzin Continues on Page 8
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The Tibet Post TPI INTERNATIONAL China Should Act Responsibly Tibetan Leader to Open Int'l Conference of Towards Its Citizens: Jagland Chief Justices in Lucknow 15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
ALTERNATIVE CROPThe Nobel Peace Prize committee (from L) Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland, Kaci Kullmann Five, Sissel Marie Roenbeck, Inger-Marie Ytterhorn, Aagot Valle and the Director of the Nobel Institute, Geir Lundestad attend the ceremony for Nobel Laureate and dissident Liu Xiaobo at the city hall in Oslo, on December 10, 2010. With the guest of honour stuck in a Chinese prison, this year's Nobel Peace Prize ceremony centred around an empty chair, as its celebration of dissident Liu Xiaobo continues to split the global community and infuriate Beijing. Photo: Getty Images By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: "No medal or diploma will be presented Today," Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland said as he opened a simple ceremony of music and readings during which the 1,000-member audience of diplomats, dissidents-in-exile and Norway's elite were repeatedly brought to their feet in prolonged applause. "But this fact alone shows that the award was necessary and appropriate. We congratulate Liu Xiaobo on this year's Peace Prize." Liu, a 54-year-old critic and writer who was nominated for his "long and nonviolent struggle for fundamental human rights in China," is serving an 11-year prison sentence for inciting subversion after coauthoring Charter 08, an appeal for democratic reform in the People's Republic. His wife, Liu Xia, has been held under house arrest since the award was announced last month. Despite China's fury at the Committee's Oct. 8 decision, which it branded an insult to the 109-year tradition of the Nobel Peace Prize, and warnings of "consequences" for nations that attended, around 50 of the 65 national embassies in Oslo were represented today. Several, including Serbia, Ukraine and the Philippines, which had said they would stay away, appeared to have been persuaded to change their minds. Jagland said China's treatment of Liu showed that despite its astonishing
economic success, for which "it must be given credit", Beijing must learn to take criticism for its restrictions on free speech and its other undemocratic practices. Articles 35 and 41 of China's own constitution, he noted, allow citizens "freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association" as well as "the right to criticize and make suggestions regarding any state organ or functionary". To some degree, he said, China's size and economic might mean it is "carrying the fate of mankind on its shoulders," all the more reason for Chinese leaders to act responsibly towards their citizens. Standing beside a blown-up portrait of a bespectacled and smiling Liu, Jagland added: "Many will ask whether China's weakness - for all the strength it is currently showing - is not manifested in the need to imprison a man for 11 years merely for expressing his opinions on how his country should be governed." He argued that Liu "has exercised his civil rights. He has done nothing wrong. He must be released," a statement received warmly by the audience. At the end of his speech, he announced that since neither the Nobel diploma nor the winner's medal could be presented, he would "place them on the empty chair". Embossed in gold with the letters LXB, the honorary items remained there throughout the hour-long ceremony.
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will inaugurate the 11th International Conference of Chief Justices to be held in Lucknow from 10 - 13 December. His Holiness has left Dharamsala for Delhi yesterday, 09th December. The International Conference of Chief Justices, organised by Lucknow's City Montessori School, will have participation of senior judges, legal experts and peace activists from countries including Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Argentina, Egypt, Israel and Nigeria, PTI news agency reported. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will inaugurate the seminar whose theme is "Enforceable International Law is the Need of the Hour", former Gujarat High Court judge Justice A S Qureshi said during a press conference. Chief Justices and other legal luminaries from 70 countries will likely to give an appeal for a legally binding laws, including on climate change. Ahead of the conference, a number of senior judges from across the world paid
By James Dunn, The Tibet Post Europe
London: A collection of confidential documents released by WikiLeaks this month has revealed China attempted to limit Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama's movements by politically pressuring many international countries. Other documents discuss the international communities concern about Tibet and the free Tibet cause. The WikiLeaks website was founded in 2006 by among others Chinese dissidents and journalists with the aim to exposing oppressive regimes and revealing unethical behaviour of governments. During its early days its reportedly used Chinese hackers to gather information about Chinese espionage activities, which they then relayed, to "Nongovernment targets of the Chinese espionage, such as Tibetan associations," said WikiLeaks spokesman Julian Assange. During the
By Keary Huan, The Tibet Post
Norbu begin the trek, which is to end in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan on December 23. A dozen Tibetans are walking with Norbu while other supporters are to join him on different sections of the trek. Along the way, they plan to show films and give talks about the lives of Tibetans under Chinese rule. 'We start the walk in Taiwan today because today is the world Human Rights Day and it is the day when the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989,' said Norbu, son of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's elder brother Thubten Jigme Norbu. 'We dedicate this walk to the millions of Tibetans who have died in peaceful protests against China's occupation
homage at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi here. "There is a need for enacting legally binding world laws. Climate change is one of the subjects," Qureshi said, adding, the issue of banning nuclear weapons and controlling pollution will
be discussed among other issues. Addressing the press conference, Ugandan Chief Justice B J Odoki said he called for reforms in international law. "Peace should be made a fundamental right. Without peace, there is no development and no justice," Odoki said.
Wikileaks Reveal China’s Attempts to Limit His Holiness’ Movements
Walk for Tibet and Taiwan: A Global Campaign Begins China's suppression of their homeland. The thirteen-day event will be part of the "Walk for Tibet" global campaign aimed at "sharing our message of world peace, human rights and the Tibetan struggle for independence," the organizers said. Jigme Norbu, nephew of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and son of the late Taktser Rinpoche, who supported Tibetan independence, will join the activity, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Taiwan chairman Tashi Tsering said in a statement recently. The walk in Taiwan will cover more than 400km and 10 counties. About 50 Tibetan exiles and supporters gathered in central Taipei to see Jime
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama speaking to Indian leaders of Himachal State, Dharamshala, India on 09th December 2010. Photo: TPI
since 1959 and want to call on the whole world to support this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, China's jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo,' he further said. The Walk for Tibet was launched in Indianapolis in 1995 by the US-based Tubten Jime Norbu, who died in 2008. Since then, Tibetan exiles in the United States and other countries have staged a Walk for Tibet or Bike for Tibet every year. The Tibetan NGOs who is organizing the event are Students For A Free Tibet Taiwan, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Taiwan, Taiwan Friends Of Tibet, Tibetan Womens Association In Taiwan, and Tawian Tibetan Welfare Association.
Uprising Day protests in Tibet, in 2008, WikiLeaks released a collection of photos and videos of the protests in Lhasa that the Chinese government has attempted to censor. They also encouraged others to spread the media throughout China and worldwide calling China's censorship regime "the Great Firewall of China." The UK's Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in China, Chris Wood reported that in May 2009, the Chinese government demanded that the UK not allow His Holiness to travel to London. The British government did not meet the demands so they requested that government officials not meet with the Dalai Lama. Dan Wood also reported that local authorities in Gansu Province had detained a British Consul, reflecting the authorities' angst over foreigners traveling to the Tibetan regions of the province. The French government also voiced its angst over China's threats, French DCM Nicholas Chapuis noted that the Beijing city government had threatened to break its sister-city relationship with Paris if the Dalai Lama were to receive an honorary citizen award from the French capital. Despite these threats the Parisian mayor, Bertrand Delanoe bestowed His Holiness with the honorary citizen award on June 7th, 2009. A further cable relating to US and Chinese relations, dated the April 30th, 2009, stated that the Chinese Vice Foreign Miniser, He Yafei hoped the United States would deny His Holiness a visa, and if not, then agree to hold no official meetings with him, including President Obama. However the US official replied, "there were serious concerns among the U.S. public, the Administration and Congress over the situation in Tibetan areas of China. China should take steps to address Tibetans' legitimate grievances and engage the Dalai Lama's representatives in productive dialogue. Denying a visa to the Dalai Lama was not being
contemplated." A file released on Monday by WikiLeaks revealed China's concern of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is an outspoken human rights supporter. The Chinese ambassador in Kazakhstan, Cheng Guoping told his American counterpart, Richard Hoagland that "She (Pelosi) had the Ministry of Foreign Affairs scared to death on the eve of her visit," Another leak in March 2009 revealed that during Kevin Rudd administration as Australian Prime Minister he had urged China to strike a deal with the Dalai Lama for autonomy in Tibet. In the cable between himself and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, he urged her to use her stature to have ''a quiet conversation'' to push the idea with Beijing's leaders. He also said that the West should be prepared to use force against China "if everything goes wrong". During the Beijing Olympics a cable stated that the US were concerned by China's detaining and deporting of proTibet demonstrators. The communication was sent by Dan Piccuta the Chief of Mission at the US Embassy and called the protests as an "ongoing campaign of well-organised protests in Beijing." It continues by detailing the protests made by US citizens stating, "among the six were reportedly two American citizens belonging to the "Students for a Free Tibet" organisation. All protesters attempted to display either Tibetan flags or banners calling for an end to human rights abuses in China," adding that they were removed some forcibly by venue security.
TPI TIBET
The Tibet Post
15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
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China Claims New ''Bilingual'' Policy for A Massive Wildfire in Eastern Tibet, 22 People Killed Tibet Preschools
Tibetan Students Protest Language Change By Chinese Authorities, Amdho region, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: After massive language protests by thousands of Tibetan students in Amdho region of eastern Tibet against the compulsory Chinese language course, the communist regime of China has come up with a new education policy claiming that offering two years of free, "bilingual" pre-school education in rural areas of the Central Tibet. The so called 'Tibetan autonomous region's education department announced that all children in farming and herding areas would receive at least two years of free pre-school education in Tibetan and Putonghua (Mandarin) by 2015.' "By then, at least 60 per cent of Tibetan children will attend kindergarten,
compared with the current 24.5 per cent," the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted a department spokesman as saying. The move is aimed at improving the early childhood education of Tibetans, who largely rely on farming and herding for a living, besides improving children''s proficiency in both Tibetan and Mandarin and preparing them for formal school education, he said. The new policy was announced in the aftermath of reported demonstrations by schools students in several places in the Tibetan areas in Amdho, eastern Tibet opposing the policy of compulsory study of Mandarin, apprehending that it would marginalize their language and culture. But the
authorities claimed that a Chinese medium education will help minority groups to secure more jobs and places in universities. The new plan also evoked criticism from Tibetans activists who said it was aimed at making sure that all Tibetans, including semi-nomadic herders, learn Mandarin. "Now China wants to replace Chinese language as a medium of education in Tibet. These are intentional destruction of a living culture and the public, said Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness in last month. "For the last 20 years, I have related stories been hearing that intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of cultural genocide is taking place in Tibet," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his recent visit to Japan. However, Tinzin Lhundup, so called director of the research office at the government-backed China Tibetology Research Centre, said the policy would have a long-term positive impact on rural Tibetan children and would not marginalize the language. "There is a great gap between children in cities and rural areas in Tibet, with most farmers' and herdsmen's children lacking clean, nutritional food and safe living places," he said. "With 80 percent of the Tibetan population farmers and herdsmen who live in poverty, the new policy will not only improve the younger generation's education level, but also their growing environment if our government can provide them with a quality pre-school education as well as good boarding and lodging," he said.
Monks Recently Escaped from Tibet Khedup Gyatso have decided to hold a peaceful protest to against Chinese rule over their homeland on 10th November 2010. "We have drawen various slogons on many banners saying 'Free Tibet and we want Human Rights in Tibet, long life His Holiness the Dalai Lama', also painted many Tibetan national flags after decided to hold the protest," Norbu told The Tibet Post International. Norbu further told that Chinese authorities in the areas in last year have officially announced Tibetans that the local government will reward 20,000 Yuan for each head of the monks if anybody report the monks' detail. "We have no human rights, no religious freedom, and no freedom of express in Tibet now," Norbu said. That peaceful protest, in April 2008, was spread a clear message around the world by the Tibetans in all parts of Tibet on the communist regime's policy toward Tibet issue. Despite the widespread peaceful Tibetan uprising in their homeland, hundreds were killed, and hundreds were jailed under the name of Hu Jintao's harmony society. "If we Tibetan monks hadn't lead the peaceful protests to express our feelings, which are feelings in all
Tibetan, then we would have missed a chance to tell the world," said Norbu, a monk with lay dress newly became a refugee. "On 10th November 2009, 2 of my friends and I demonstrated for religious freedom and human rights in Tibet. We aimed to be heard by the state. The Chinese government had insisted that it had made improvements in the field of human rights but in actuality we had no rights, historically Tibet was an independent nation, but China rewrite our history. we tried to fight for these rights. For offenses of a small nature we were treated as criminals," he further said. Over two years, the three monks slipped out of their monastery, trekked into the mountains, slept in nomads' tents, sneaked into Lhasa aboard a high-altitude traveling and crossed a raging river to Nepal. It was only here in a refugee center that they could tell their true stories to people of the world. Chinese officials insist that any of the protests were orchestrated by Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile. The monks from Dege county, eastern Tibet say harsh Chinese policies sparked the tinder, rewriting Tibet History, violating international law, especially limitations
on Buddhist practice in Tibet. "I and my friends decided on our own to protest," Norbu said. "The protests were caused by human rights, freedom of religious and expression issues and harshest Chinese policies toward Tibetans to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet's political and spiritual leader. We couldn't tolerate it anymore," he continued. "We held the protests with the idea of perceiving our Buddhism and culture identity, which is endangered by Chinese policy. We want His Holiness the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, but the Chinese don't even allow us to display his picture." he added. The monks said that Chinese officials held various meetings to practice the 'patriotic re-educating law', which forces local Tibetans, particularly Buddhist monks to denounce their spiritual leaders, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. During the spring prayer festival last year, many Tibetans were brutally beaten and arrested after burning wild-animal skins, and that many of them are still missing. "Tibetans are still under Chinese pressure of patriotic reeducation if they decide to perceive their cultural and religious identity," Norbu concluded.
A massive grassland on fire in eastern Tibet on Dec 5, 2010. Photo: Xinhua By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: A spreading grassland fire in a mountainous of Kham, eastern Tibetan region (Chi: Sichuan Province) proved deadly when it trapped soldiers and local residents trying to put it out, killing 22 and injuring four as of press time on Sunday night, according to local Chinese officials. The wild-fire killed at least 22 people, including 15 Chinese soldiers during rescue operation, officials said. Of the 22 killed, 15 were chinese soldiers, two workers with the grassland administration while five others were local civilians, officials told state controlled media 'Xinhua' News Agency. Three others who sustained sever burn injuries were rushed to the hospitals, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The grassland fire, which spread fast, proved deadly when it trapped soldiers and local residents
trying to put out the blaze. The dead are comprised of 15 chinese soldiers, five villagers and two forest workers. Three of the four injured villagers were sent to Dhartsedho, eastern Tibet. The wild fire was raging through a grassland atop a plateau in Tao areas in Karze county of eastern Tibet. Daofu sits in a forest-covered area at the eastern edge of Tso-ngon-Tibetan Plateau. It has a population of 45,000, about 89% of whom are ethnic Tibetans, regarding Chinese official given estimates. According to the official report, he fire broke out at noon and was brought under control at about 3 pm. However, gusting winds reignited the flames and trapped people fighting the fire. About 500 mu (33.3 hectares) of the grassland has burned, while 200 mu (13 hectares) is still on fire, officials further said.
Moderate 5.5 Quake Shook Tibet, No Casualties Reported
Dhamshong county, Tibet. Photo: File By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 struck Dhamshong county, Tibet on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, but no information was available about possible damage or casualties. The quake struck in central Tibet at 16:39 pm (0839 GMT) at a depth of 17 kilometres (10 miles) and was centred 81 kilometres west of the regional capital Lhasa, the USGS said. The Bureau of Civil Affairs - which handles natural disaster response - in
Dhamshong (Ch: Dangxiong) county near the quake's epicentre said there were no reports of damage or casualties from the eight towns in the county. Tuesday's afternoon tremor was located about 45 miles (75 kilometres) west of Lhasa, the regional capital of Tibet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the predominantly Tibetan region of Yushu in eastern Tibet on April 14, flattening thousands of homes and leaving nearly 2,700 people dead and some 270 missing.
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15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
TPI TIBET
The Tibet Post
Tibetan Religion, Culture, Environment China Crackdown on Tibet's Religion, Culture, Like Lanin Danger: 17th Karmapa
His Eminences 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ugen Trinley Dorje. Photo: TPI/file By YC. Dhadhophonya, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: His Eminences 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ugen Trinley Dorje Wednesday (08 December) said that the future of Tibetan Buddhist culture, religion and environment in Tibet was in peril, according to a report published by OutLookIndia. "The future of the Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture in Tibet is in
danger", he told reporters at a press conference at Teraga monastery in Bodh Gaya. The followers of the religion were concerned with this grave threat, the 17th Karmapa said. Gyalwa Karmapa, however, refrained from taking the name of China or holding it responsible for the "threat". The 17th Karmapa, who is on a visit to Bodh Gaya for a religious discourse, did not reply to a volley of questions on
issues related to Tibet and China. He recounted the strong religious and cultural relations between the people of Tibet and India and said Buddhist religion and its various sects in Tibet had emanated from India. The Kagyu sect of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition which he follows, was found by Buddhist monk Marpa Chokyi Lodoe in 11th century. The sect had maintained its distinct Buddhist religious tradition since, he said. Earlier in the day, he highlighted the lives and teachings of all Karmapas preceding him at a function to mark the 900th birth centenary of first Karmapa Dusum Khoyenpa. The 25 year-old Karmapa said that the 900th birth anniversary of the first Karmapa will be celebrated throughout the world over the next one year before concluding in New Delhi on December 8 next year. Meanwhile, over 10,000 Buddhists from across the world, including the US, South Korea, Japan, Bhutan and Thailand congregated at Bodh Gaya to attend the two-day prayer ceremony and three-day sermon being performed by the 17th Karmapa in a pandal adjacent to Terega monastery from December 08.
Six March 2008 Protesters Confirmed Shot Dead in Tibet: Report
Fully armed Chinese military forces in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet in March 2008. Photo: File By YC. Dhadhophonya, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Six Tibetans were confirmed shot dead by armed Chinese military forces during March 2008 peaceful demonstrations in all parts of Tibet, according to a latest report issued by the Tibetan government in-Exile. "The Central Tibetan Administration received a list of 6 Tibetans who were shot dead
during peaceful demonstration in Tibet's capital Lhasa," said the report. "Their names tally with those which appeared in the list of casualties (death) compiled by the Central Tibetan Administration in 2008 based on information received from Tibet. An estimated 227 Tibetans have died under China's crackdown since March 2008, out of which about 107 were shot dead by indiscriminate firing. The deceased were identified as (1) Dechung, resident of House No 1, 6th Lugug Street in Lhasa; (2) Lhakpa Tsering, resident of House No 11, 2nd Lugug Street, Lhasa; (3) Tenzin Dolkar, resident of House No 9 Tengyeling, Bharkor; (4) Pentuk, resident of House No 1, Gaden Khangsar in Lhasa,; (5) Tashi Tsering, House No 43, Gyatso town, Lhasa, under town council (6) Wangdue Dhargye, resident of 5th
division of block development office, Lhasa. The report said they participated in the peaceful protest against five decades of wrong policies of the Chinese government. Following the March protest, the Chinese government gave false information on Tibetans killed and wounded during the so called "3-14 incident" to the international media in a serious of press conferences convened by the government's Public Security Bureau in Beijing. Moreover, it deliberately tried to cover up brutal killing of Tibetan protesters by the Chinese security forces. The new report, therefore, exposed the Chinese government's premeditated attempts to delude the international community over its ruthless firing on peaceful Tibetan protesters in March 2008."
guage Continues
By YC. Dhadhophonya, The Tibet Post
time for genuine civil and political reforms to be introduced in the PRC." "China despite being a member of the UN Security Council and a signatory to the UN Charter continues to be one of the leading countries in the world in the violation of human rights particularly in restive regions like Tibet and east Turkestan. The government of China continues to "strike hard" against peaceful protesters and freedom of expression is severely curtailed in China today. Peaceful protesters are imprisoned without fair trail and often many are disappeared by the state and its agencies. In January 2010, the Fifth CPC Central Committee and State Council meeting held in Beijing discussed upon how to bring development and long term stability in Tibet. Similarly, the Public Security Ministry of People's Republic of China (PRC) organized a two-day meeting of Public Security Bureaus of the ethnic Tibetan areas in present-day China covering the 'Tibet Autonomous Region' (TAR) and the four provinces. This meeting assessed the results and experiences of "Upholding Public Security", and the "Struggle against the Current Separatist Movement": it also identified current challenges facing stability in Tibetan areas. Likewise, this year there has been more arrests of intellectuals, monks, environmentalists and even singers. Not only were they arrested on unsubstantiated accusations, they were sentenced without fair trials or proper court proceedings. For example, Sonam Tsering, Pema Yeshi, Lama Lhaka, Soedo among others, were sentenced to death with two years reprieve. Gekoe Jamphel Wangchuk, Tsewang Rigzin and Dorjee Tashi of Drepung Monastery were sentenced to life-imprisonment. Furthermore many others have also been imprisoned. In Tibet today the Chinese Government is systematically violating the freedom of religion. In the monasteries across Tibet the Chinese officials are carrying out the Patriotic Re-education Campaign. When monks do not accept the campaign, they either have to face being arrested or sent back to their homes, in some cases it also lead to closing of the monastery. The State Bureau of Religious Affairs
Exile Musicians To Raise Awareness for Artists Jailed in Tibet positive youth action, she works to fight cultural genocide, ageism, discrimination and raise social and political awareness, working predominantly with musicians to share her messages. Tashi Dhondup was sentenced and jailed for releasing a CD of songs that called for Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet, and talking about the torture and disappearance of so many Tibetans in the last 50 years. Dhondup Wangchen was also arrested and sentenced for exercising a right under the PRC's constitution, his opinion - and those of other Tibetans, in his film, Leaving Fear Behind. In the wake of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the announcement that Liu Xiaobo was made a Nobel Laureate, pressure has mounted against the oppressive regimes in Asia. "My hope is that with a careful coordination with the human rights organizations, we can pressure the Chinese government to release Tashi Dhondup as soon as possible," said Techung. Techung has planned a tour to rally both the Tibetan and Western communities and is also releasing a song about Tashi Dhondup. Built on Respect is working with Care2.com, an online community of citizen activists, and the two organizations have garnered over 30,000 signatures calling for the release of Tashi Dhondup.Built on Respect's founder, Minx, has also been promoting a PSA created with US-based musicians, the Street Dogs, to raise awareness with Western youth and musicians. There is a second initiative planned for mid-December to appeal to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama before the US-China summit, tentatively scheduled for January 2011, calling for the release of Dhondup and Wangchen. Tibetan musician Techung grew up in Dharamshala, India, where his family and tens of thousands of other Tibetans resettled from their native Tibet. He toured with TIPA in its first international tour as a leading child actor in 1975-76 and for many years afterward. After emigrating to the U.S., he co-founded the San Francisco-based Chaksampa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company in 1989. From 1995-97 Techung worked for the Milarepa Fund in San Francisco who organized the Tibetan Freedom Concerts worldwide. www.techung.com Built on Respect has been a mantra for alt-culture personality Heidi for years. It continues to be her driving mission, "Treating people with respect, and sewing the seeds of fairness creates solidarity." Minx has started Built On Respect to help Tibetan refugees in exile. By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
has imposed the Law on the Management of Tibet Monasteries and the Practice of Religion. This law has completely disrupted the age-old workings of Tibetan monasteries. It has also broken the bond between the lama and his pupils. Most of the high Buddhist lamas are living in exile. Because of this new law it will become far more difficult for them to visit their monasteries in Tibet. This will increase the already huge gap between the lamas and their disciples in monasteries in Tibet. As a result, the entire religious system will suffer gravely. On 19 October 2010 in Rebkong (Chinese: Tongren) county in Malho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" "(TAP)" in Qinghai province, thousands of Tibetan students came out in the streets to protest against the proposed education reforms and the inequality faced by Tibetans. The rally mainly voices out for the "Equality for Nationalities and Freedom for Language". This protest saw its ripple effect when the students in Beijing also protested. The meeting on education reform by the Education Department of Qinghai province, the local Communist Party Secretary and Chairman ordered that all subjects are required to be taught in Mandarin and all textbooks to be printed in Chinese except for Tibetan and English language classes. Finally, it is not just the blatant violation of religious freedom. The overall violation of the basic human rights of the Tibetan people in Tibet today under china's occupation is depressing. We, at the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), therefore, appeal to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and to all governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations concerned with human rights to take an active interest in the grave and deteriorating human rights situation inside occupied Tibet. We appeal to you to please prevail on the government of china to release all the innocent prisoners who were arrested for peacefully practicing their religion. We appeal to you to help us locate all those who have been imprisoned in unknown locations. Also, even in the case of those who are being tried, we appeal to you to ensure that all these prisoners receive a fair and just trial. One issue that calls for the immediate attention of world leaders is China's decision in Qinghai province to impose Chinese as the medium of education in the so-called Qinghai province "the north-eastern Tibetan province of Amdo" where His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was born. If urgent action is not taken now to seek the repeal of this law, it will soon be implemented in other parts of Tibet and this will bring drastic affects on Tibetan culture and the end of Tibetan national identity. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) would like to take this opportunity to pay our solidarity to the Tibetans who continue to suffer in Tibet. We would also like to express our deep and unending gratitude to all governments, leaders, organizations and individuals who have helped with and spoken up for the human rights situation in Tibet today."
The Tibet Post
TPI TIBET IN EXILE
Tibetans in New York Raise Funds to Preserve Tibetan Culture in Exile
The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, Photo from the Tibetan Community By YC. Dhadhophonya, The Tibet Post
said he didn't believe that the "yak meat special" on the menu could be authentic and ordered beef dumplings instead. "Have you seen any yaks here?" he asked, shaking his head incredulously. Khadup and his 12 fellow volunteer board members at the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey have no hope of raising or eating yaks in New York City. They are nonetheless working hard to preserve the native language, religion and cultural traditions of around 5,000 Tibetan immigrants who reside in the area. Tibetans are some of New York's most recent immigrants. Virtually all of them have arrived in the decades since the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet in 1949 and asserted its political authority over the isolated Himalayan region, home to 6 million ethnic Tibetans, a centuriesold religious and political system grounded in a unique form of Mahayana Buddhism, and an army too small and ill-equipped to fend off the P.R.C. When Tibet's political and religious leader, Tenzin Gyatso - more commonly known as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama - fled to India in 1959, over 100,000 Tibetans followed him into exile. The flow of emigration continues today, as Tibetan and international human rights groups cite increased political repression since the March 2008 Tibetan protests against the Beijing Olympics, as well as efforts to replace the Tibetan language with Chinese in public schools, to suppress the public practice of Tibetan Buddhism and to encourage Han Chinese migration to Lhasa and other traditionally-Tibetan cities. With Tibetan identity at home in limbo, members of a global exile community estimated at 150,000 have taken up the task of preserving Tibet's religion, language and cultural traditions in the countries where they now reside. Residents of New York, which hosts more Tibetans than any other city outside Asia, are no exception. The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, established in 1979, provides Tibetan language classes every weekend, hosts Tibetan Buddhist prayer sessions and teachings, and organizes cultural performances and Tibetan holiday celebrations. But Khadup believes that the organization's members will
be able to do much more if they can open up a Tibetan community center to host all of their activities under one roof. Khadup is one of two project coordinators working to secure funds for the proposed center. Together, they have raised more than half of the $4.75 million needed to buy a two-story, 2,600-square-foot apartment in Queens, the focal point for New York's Tibetan community. The money came "little by little" over the last ten years through contributions from individual Tibetans and Western supporters. They hope to raise the remaining funds through loans and fundraising events, the next of which is scheduled for the Dec. 10 anniversary of the Dalai Lama's receipt of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. This fundraiser, like most of the Tibetan Community's events, will be held in a rented hall in an Armenian church in midtown Manhattan. Celebrations for the Tibetan New Year - "Losar," the most important holiday on the Tibetan calendar - also take place in this church. For three days in the beginning of every Tibetan year - which starts in late January or February on a Gregorian calendar - Tibetans wear their best clothes as they play games, tell stories, listen to the shrill wails of traditional folk music, feast on fried dumplings and stews heavy with yak meat, chicken and beef, and wash them down with an oily, salty tea made from yak butter and a rice wine called changkol that tastes a bit like Japanese sake. After enjoying time with their closest loved ones and paying visits to the immaculately decorated homes of friends and extended family, they head to their local temple to receive their lamas' blessings for the New Year. In New York, Tibetans have substituted a modern church for their ancient temples with walls that depict stories from the Buddha's life through elaborate paintings and wooden prayer wheels that, if you spin them hard enough, are said to speed up your journey to enlightenment. In lieu of such a temple, a community center just might be a more fitting accommodation. Jigme Gorap, Khadup's fellow project coordinator, described how the center will offer more than just Tibetan cultural events and programs. "It will also be a place to provide English classes for recent immigrants, afterschool programs and counseling programs, etc.," he wrote, in an e-
mail. "Whatever people want, we will help with what they need," Khadup asserted, whether that means helping Tibetans fill out the paperwork required for political asylum in the U.S. or checking up on community members who are "suffering in the hospital." He said that if the Tibetan Community ever "becomes rich," they hope to provide financial support such as college scholarships for young adult Tibetan refugees, many of whom work full-time in construction, hotel, nanny or retail jobs and can't find the time or money to pursue their educational goals in the U.S. When asked how large the group's membership is, Khadup replied, "We don't have membership cards. Every Tibetan should be a member." "The center will be open for anyone interested in the Tibetan culture," Gorap said. "We would like to stay connected with New Yorkers and various organizations that may have interest or concern for Tibetans." Bruce Payne, executive director of the New York-based Ruben Foundation, which gives grants to organizations involved in preserving Tibetan and Himalayan culture, said that Westerners are drawn to Tibetan Buddhism and the culture that surrounds it for several reasons. "On the one hand, it's an interesting and well-developed artistic and intellectual tradition that dates back 800 to 900 years," he said. But he emphasized that Tibetan traditions have a more practical relevance as well. Payne said that many people in the U.S. and other Western countries are currently searching for "ways of living in the world that are in harmony with nature and embody humane values," and have found that Tibetan Buddhism offers such a path. This form of Buddhism stands alongside Japanese Zen and Southeast Asian Theravada Buddhism in its number of U.S. adherents, according to a 2007 Pew Research survey that ranked Buddhists as the fourth largest religious group in the U.S., after Christians, agnostics and Jews but before Muslims and Hindus. Many Americans with little knowledge of Tibet or Buddhism are eager to attend teachings by the Dalai Lama, who tours the U.S., Western Europe and Australia annually to lecture to packed venues on ethical solutions to the world's dilemmas. While Tibetans consider their leader to be an incarnation of the Compassion Buddha, TIME Magazine listed him first in its 2008 feature on the world's 100 most influential people. Meanwhile, Tibetan leaders in New York hope that a community center here will also help to increase the visibility and influence of a Tibetan minority that Office of Tibet liaison Tsewang Phuntso calls "insignificant" relative to New York's total population. New York's Tibetan Youth Congress President Ngawang Tashi said that it can be hard to get Tibetans in New York to come out to events such as
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Tibetans and Supporters Planned Demonstration in Belgian Capital
Tibetan and Supporters Protest Chinese Premier in Brussels on 4-5 October 2010. Photo: TPI/Dennis Barbion By James Dunn, The Tibet Post
London: To mark International Human Rights Day on the 10th December, in the Belgian capital, Brussels, a collective group of Chinese pressure groups plan to hold a peaceful protest to demonstrate their anger at the lack of political freedoms in China. The demonstration will be led by a coalition of United Nations for a Free Tibet, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Belgium and the Free Chine from CPP Alliance Europe. According to Dennis Barbion, UNFT ambassador for Belgium and Europe the protest aims to, "signal to world leaders, governments and politicians that all human beings have the right to freedom and that humans rights in general should be respected everywhere." The key demands by those protesting on the 10th are the release of Tibetan film maker, Dhondup Wangchen, who was arrested following his film Leaving Fear Behind, the release of recent Nobel Peace Prize winner, Liu Xiabo and all other political prisoners
in Tibet and China. The demonstration starts with speeches at 13.00 o'clock in front of The European Council near Square Schuman (metro Schuman). After these speeches the crowd intends to march through the Parc Cinquantenaire to the Chinese embassy in Brussels, where they will demonstrate peacefully until 16.30 o'clock. A letter on behalf of the three separate organisations will be presented to the Chinese authorities at the embassy, on the day, detailing their demands over human rights violations in China. The Free China from CCP Alliance Europe has organized a petition for the release of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Liu Xiaobo. You can sign the petition online: http:// w w w. i p e t i t i o n s . c o m / p e t i t i o n / freeliuxiaobo/. All the signatures will be submitted to the European Parliament in Brussels with the Chinese New Year 2011 (3rd February 2011).
cultural parades and the March 10 protests that mark Tibet's 1959 uprising against China, because they live far apart from one another and have a hard time coming together on a daily basis. "In New York, Tibetans are not in a particular place. They are separated, all over the city," he explained. "Everyone is busy trying to make money to pay rent," Khadup added. He said another challenge is that many Tibetan children born in the U.S. learn English before they master their native language. To help preserve the use of Tibetan among this generation, members of the group opened the Tibetan Community School in 1996. The school's principal, Pema Dorjee, described how the school's 12 teachers work with 160 students ages 5 to 18 on Tibetan language skills each Sunday morning, and in the afternoon teach traditional Tibetan dance and music. Dorjee notes that it's hard for students to retain their Tibetan when they don't learn the language in public school. In the future, he hopes to
develop the Tibetan Community School into a full-time bilingual school like the many Spanish-immersion and other dual-language schools throughout New York. A community center could bring this vision closer to reality by giving the school a regular meeting place, so it would no longer have to move locations every few months. Phuntsok said that beyond facilitating language classes and cultural events, a community center would serve to empower Tibetans in New York. He pointed out that communities make up an important part of life in this cosmopolitan city. "People say this [city] is a melting pot; but if you closely observe, then [you see that] people do integrate, but they don't melt," he emphasized. Instead, the Irish, Italian, Jewish, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Chinese, Arab and many other communities have made New York the diverse city it is today by preserving their native languages, religions and cultures, just as Tibetans like Phuntso and Khadup are now trying to do.
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15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
TPI INTERNATIONAL
China Reportedly to Award Own Peace Prize
In this Jan. 12, 2010, file photo, pro-democracy protesters hold a candlelight vigil for jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo, shown on a poster, in Hong Kong. On Friday, Oct. 8, Liu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. photo: TPI/File By James Dunn, The Tibet Post
London: A Chinese organisation has launched its own peace award to illustrate China's objection to Liu Xiaobo being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The "Confucius peace prize" will be awarded tomorrow on the eve of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo. The award was created to "interpret the viewpoints of peace" of the Chinese people, the awards committee said in a statement released to AP. Many Chinese people have had a staunch objection to the award, the proposer of the award, Tam Zhang Liu, stated in his opinion article in the Chinese Global Times newspaper that the Norwegian judges had supported "a criminal while creating 1.3 billion 'dissidents' that are dissatisfied with the Nobel committee". The Confucius prize committee said it had chosen Lien Chan, Taiwan's former vice-president and a powerful figure within the Nationalist party, as the first winner. However, when an employee of Lien's was contacted by The Guardian newspaper she said she knew nothing about the prize. "The whole thing is too obviously being rushed to counter the Nobel prize to Liu Xiaobo," said Steve Tsang, a China scholar at Oxford University.
"People will see it for what it is. That being the case, it's not going to be very credible". China has also boycotted the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony on December 10th along with 18 other countries. Countries such as Russia, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have announced that they will not be attending the presentation of the award. The Nobel's committee secretary, Gier Lunestad, was unsurprised by countries deciding not to attend saying, "Some have obviously been influenced by China". Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Jiang Yu stated that the award would not alter China's view on Liu Xiaobo, saying, "We will not change because of interference by a few clowns." Liu Xiaobo was announced as the Nobel winner in October but no one is expected to be on hand to accept the award on his behalf as many of Liu's fellow dissidents and supporters have been warned not to attend or have been physically prevented from leaving China, activists have said. His wife, Liu Xia remains in house arrest with heavy security in place to stop her from getting to Oslo. To highlight Liu's imprisonment and therefore inability to travel to Oslo the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony will centre around an empty chair.
Exile Tibetan Parliament Honours Members of H.P Vidhan Sabha
By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Tenpa belong to Himachal." His Holiness said Himachal Pradesh has
proved very auspicious in helping him to contribute to the promotion of Buddhist values and serve humanity, and to highlight the plight of the
The Tibet Post
Chinese Government Behind Google Hacking By James Dunn, The Tibet Post
London: Senior Chinese officials orchestrated the hacking of Google in January, this year, which led to the search engines withdraw from the country, a WikiLeaks cable has revealed. The cable from the US embassy in Beijing states, "that the closely held Chinese government operations against Google had been coordinated out of the State Council Information Office." The leaked US government cable to Washington says the Politburo Standing Committee directed the intrusions. It continues by saying that the activities were "100% political in nature" because
of Google's direct challenge to China's legal restrictions on Internet content. The source, whose name is deleted from the cable explains that Chinese's strategy "seemed to be to appeal to Chinese nationalism by accusing Google and the U.S. government of working together to force China to accept "Western values" and undermine China's rule of law". However, the cable also identifies the problems behind their censorship attempts as Google now became "like the forbidden fruit" and made it more interesting and attractive to Chinese Internet users. According to the New York Times, Chinese operatives are also believed to have hacked into the computer of His Holiness along with computers of the
Updated: China to Google: Here’s our compromise – “disobey and you will pay”. Photo: IphoneAsia/file
United States and it allies. Unsurprisingly the Chinese government have taken steps to censor these sensitive details and have blocked all citizens from accessing the WikiLeaks website.
WikiLeaks: Hu Jintao Inflexible Over Tibet Issue By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: The WikiLeaks website has published a series of dispatches sent by the US embassy in Beijing, China, to Washington in April 2008, concerning the Chinese government's attitude towards and policies on Tibet. The leaks show that President Hu Jintao remains inflexible in his stance on the Tibet issue and is not open to any kind of challenge from within his own government. They also suggest that the Chinese public, influenced by the state media, are growing more nationalistic and antagonist towards the West - especially over its reporting of the Olympic Games and the Tibet issue. Below we publish summaries of the dispatches: President Hu Jintao remains firmly in charge of China's policy on Tibet, with the leadership unified over Beijing's current hard-line stance and buoyed by rising PRC [People's Republic of China] nationalist sentiment. Given Hu's background and experience in Tibet, as well as the "extremely sensitive" nature of the issue, no one would "dare" challenge Hu or the Party line, contacts say. While there may be differences in how various leaders publicly articulate China's Tibet policy, there are no substantive differences among the top
Tibetan people inside Tibet for the last more than 50 years in exile. His Holiness said " We have known each other very well and get a feeling of meeting old friends whenever occasions arise for such meetings." His Holiness said "he has witnessed different chief ministers during the last 50 years, which he said is the strength of Indian democracy and the people's mandate in choosing a competent democratic leadership". Recounting his visit to a Buddhist temple in the Indian state of Bihar, His Holiness said during the visit, the state chief minister expressed his hope that the state would enjoy progress due to the blessings of Lord Buddha. "But I told him the state could have achieved progress a long time before if it needs only Buddha's blessing. I said the real development would only come through practical action by the concerned chief minister with the blessings of Buddha," His Holiness said. The members of state Vidhan Sabha are in Dharamshala to take part in the winter session of the assembly.
leadership. Similarly, Embassy sources do not believe that two recent articles in Party-controlled southern newspapers signaled leadership debate or a review of policy, instead arguing the pieces perhaps reflect an adjustment in the Party's media strategy. The Party has been buoyed by rising nationalist sentiment, fueled in part by anger at the West over "biased" media reporting on Tibet and Olympic-related protests, but this nationalistic fervor also constrains future policy choices. Regardless, any modification of Tibet policy is unlikely in the short term, at least until after the Olympics, contacts say. President Hu Jintao is firmly in charge of the PRC's Tibet policy, with the leadership unified over Beijing's current hard-line stance, several Embassy contacts told PolOffs [note-takers]over the past week. Sources argued that given Hu Jintao's own expertise and experience regarding Tibet (Hu was provincial party secretary in Tibet in the late 1980s), as well as the "extreme" importance and sensitivity of the Tibet issue, it would be virtually "impossible" for any leader to challenge Hu on Tibet. An issue as sensitive as Tibet policy would be controlled by a small group of top leaders, limited primarily to the nine-member Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC), meaning it is difficult to know precisely the content of leadership discussions on Tibet - longtime Embassy contact xxxxx. Nevertheless, "it is still quite clear," xxxxx argued, that Hu Jintao is "completely" in charge of the Tibet issue, and no other leader would "dare" confront Hu or the Party line over such a critical issue. Doing so would be "political suicide" and would make any leader vulnerable to charges of being "soft," or even being a "traitor," risking eventual removal, a la the ouster of former Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang in 1987, xxxxx averred. There is "absolutely no division" within the leadership on Tibet, -xxxxx. For the Chinese leadership, Tibet is even more sensitive than Taiwan. Among the nine members of the PBSC who are controlling China's Tibet policy, no one has the stature or experience to challenge Hu, xxxxx said, noting that four are brand-new members of the PBSC, and no one on the PBSC other than Hu has direct experience in Tibet. It was Hu Jintao, as then-Party Secretary in Tibet, who oversaw the "quick and effective Sipdis [SIPRNET distribution] suppression" of protests there in 1987 and 1989, which earned him "great praise" from then-paramount leader Deng Xiaoping and which was an
China's ditator and head of military, Hu Jintao. photo: FILE
important factor in his elevation to the PBSC in 1992, xxxxx recalled. Thus, Hu has "great confidence" when it comes to Tibet, putting him in a virtually unassailable position. There may be room within the leadership for expressing differences with Hu on issues such as Taiwan, economic development or political reform, but not on Tibet, xxxxx asserted. A range of contacts have acknowledged that there are differences of opinion within the Party and among elites regarding Tibet, though none believed this reflected any disagreement among the top leadership. For example, xxxxx acknowledged the presence of more "moderate" voices on Tibet within the Party, but he nevertheless stressed that it is Hu Jintao who is "completely" in charge of China's Tibet policy. Moreover, it is clear that those such as Hu favoring a "hard line" are calling the shots. (Note: xxxxx's view that Tibet policy is more sensitive for China's leadership than even Taiwan, noting that despite its rhetoric, Beijing has de facto accepted the involvement of the United States in Taiwan, but China can never accept the "interference" of foreign powers in Tibet.) xxxxx confessed that he "personally" favors a more "measured" approach to Tibet, to include dialogue with the Dalai Lama, given that "only the Dalai Lama" can unify the majority of the Tibetan community both within China and abroad. Separately, xxxxx "many elites" are advocating a reassessment of policy toward the Dalai Lama questioning the wisdom of demonizing and refusing to negotiate with him. According to xxxxx however, apart from a "minority" of "elites" and "intellectuals," the majority of the Party rank-and-file, as well as "98 percent" of the public, support the current policy. Any serious disagreement over Tibet among the Party leadership is "simply unimaginable," xxxxx stated, a view separately shared xxxxx. Continues on Page 9
The Tibet Post
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Tibetan Govt. to Exhibit His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's Biography
Exihibition poster for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's biography. Photo: Tibetan Official media; Tibet Net By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: To commemorate His Holiness award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, the Tibet Museum of Tibetan government in-Exile based in Dharamshala has scheduled a photography exhibit. The exhibition will be held from the 10th to the 19th December featuring photography depicting the life of His Holiness from his early life, the escape
into exile, his life in Dharamshala and his travels around the world, meeting with different religious heads and world leaders. The exhibit will be housed in the Tibet Musuem, within the main temple at McLeod Ganj. Movies and documentaries relating to the Dalai Lama’s life will also be shown at 3pm each day at the same venue, the films are listed below. 10 December 2010: Kundun 14 December 2010: Seven Years in Tibet 15 December 2010: Universal Responsibility to the Modern World 16 December 2010: Compassion in Exile 17 December 2010: A Human Approach to World Peace 18 December 2010: Oceans of Wisdom 19 December 2010: Ethics for New Millennium His Holiness was bestowed the prestigious award in 1989 because of his non-violent and continuous struggle in the upholding of human rights in Tibet. At the presentation in 1989 the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Egil Aarvik said that the Dalai Lama deserved the award because “first and foremost for his consistent resistance to the use of violence in his people's struggle to regain their liberty,” adding that “In awarding the Peace Prize to H.H. the Dalai Lama we affirm our unstinting support for his work for peace, and for the unarmed masses on the march in many lands for liberty, peace and human dignity.”
15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
Tibetan Prime Minister to Visit Bodhgaya and Lucknow YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Tibetan prime minister, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche is scheduled to visit Bodhgaya and Lucknow from 8 - 11 December 2010, a report of the Tibetan official media said on Monday. He will leave Dharamsala Monday next week. The prime minister (Kalon Tripa) of Tibetan governmnent in-Eixle will be chief guest on the occasion of Karmapa 900, the commencement of a year-long commemoration of the 900th birth anniversary of the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa or the Karmapa lineage (1110-2010). His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang
Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje will also attend the opening ceremony at the Kagyu Monlam Stage in Bodhgaya, India, on 8 December. Samdhong Rinpoche will join the entourage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the latter's two-day visit in Lucknow from 10 - 11 December. At the invitation of Dharma Society of India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a day-long discourse on Buddhist teachings under the theme of 'The relevance of Buddhism in the present scenario of the world' on 10 December. On 11 December, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will inaugurate the '11th International Conference of Chief
Tibetan prime minister, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche speaking at a function, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/file
Justices of the World on Article 51 of the Constitution of India'. He will return to Dharamshala on 13 December. You will be able to watch live webcast from 8:00 to 11:00 am Indian Standard Time.
Fire Broke Out in McLeod Ganj, Atleast 9 Shops Damaged Blazing shops in Mcleod Ganj Town at midnight, Tuesday, 30, November 2010. Photo: TPI/Sangay
shop, one vegetable-shop and one photo studio. Only one fire truck arrived and firefighters attempted to extinguish the blaze with much difficulty due to the inadequate water supply. It took the Dharamshala Fire Department about one and a half hours to extinguish the fire that broke out firstly at a clothing-shop of the small and old buildings line-up in McLeod Ganj Town. Finally the fire was brought under control at around 12.00 p.m. The actual cost could not be immediately ascertained, as it clearly shows that heavy business damages after guting almost all of goods including computers and furniture. It seems that the fire was sparked by electricity on the clothing-shop then slowly spread throughout other remained shops. All shops belonging to local Indian residents. In 2009, a fire broke-out at the twostorey staff building at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), Dharamsala. The fire started on the second storey, which was completely destroyed before adequate reinforcements could arrive, as there is no fire station nearby. One teacher, Ven. Sangay Yeshi, died in the tragic incident.
YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Apple Computing supports Tibetan Language
Apple Iphone. Photo: FIle By James Dunn, The Tibet Post
London: A recent update by Apple on Monday (22nd November) for all of its mobile devices included the capability of using the Tibetan language. The latest update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, iOS 4.2, fully supports display of Unicode Tibetan and a Tibetan input method for virtually all applications. In 2005, Lobsang Monlam, a monk from Sera Monastery, developed the unicode Tibet font Monlam Bod-yig that is now included in an update downloaded by
millions of people worldwide. At the time of creation he said, "until today, we write Tibetan in a Word document and then attach the file with our email. Now people can chat and write emails in Tibetan language directly." The recent Apple update has been greatly received by Tibetan's support groups "a small step for Ven. Monlam, a giant leap for Tibetan language," said Tendor Dorjee, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet.
Dharamshala: Several shops were brought down to ashes by a fire that broke out on Tuesday night in McLeod Ganj Town. The shops were situated between government post office and Tibetan Nunnery 'Geden Choeling', Johiwara Road. The fire started at around 10.30 p.m. Tuesday in the area gutted at-least 9 stores including two cybercafes, one clothing-shop, four grocery shops, one stitching-shop, one alcohol
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Continues from Page 8 Almost all of xxxxx the Party has been buoyed by rising nationalist sentiment, fueled in part by anger at the West over "biased" media reporting on Tibet and PolOff that Chinese "anger" over the West's "bias" on Tibet is real, widespread and will have long-term effects. xxxxx them seemed themselves to be angry over Western media reporting, refusing to recognize the irony that for most Chinese, their only access to this "biased Western reporting" is through the official PRC press agency Xinhua's characterization of it. xxxxx emphasized that virtually "everyone" he knows is angry and believes that Western reporting, together with calls for boycotting the Olympic opening
ceremony, implies support for Tibetan independence and makes the public feel that the West is trying to "keep China down." xxxxx, meanwhile, said nationalism is definitely surging, but he thought this sentiment is largely concentrated in the 25-35-year-old age group among both Hans and Tibetans. Olympic-related protests. xxxxx all emphasized to Whatever the causes of the surge in nationalism, the result has been a dramatic increase in support for the Party's policy on Tibet, contacts say. xxxxx said this outcome is partly a "natural" reaction to the fact that Chinese have in recent years become more nationalistic as a result of growing pride over China'srapid
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development, with the Tibet furor merely providing the most recent "spark" to inflame passions. xxxx separately acknowledged, however, that the Party's feelings in order to rally the public in support of the Center's Tibet policy, and so far, it has been very"completely unified" the people behind the Party and Government, something that had been "unthinkable" throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s,xxxxx asserted. propaganda line has also purposefully stoked nationalistic successful in doing so. The recent Tibet crisis has"completely unified" the people behind the Party and Government, something that had been "unthinkable" throughoutmost of the 1980s and 1990s, xxxxx asserted.
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Mr. Thomas Keimel Dr. Vincent Brucel Mr. YC. Dhardhowa Mrs. Sangay Dorjee Ms. Keary Huang Ven Phuntsok Dhondup Mr. Tenzin Kunga Mr. James Dunn Ms. Pema Tso
Contributors for this Editon YC. Dhardhowa Mathew Sign Toor Sangay Dorjee James Dunn Pema Tso Amy Elmgren, The Tibet Post International Press of Tibet (Head Office) 1st Floor, Dolkhang House, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra H.P 176219 India
India India India UK India USA Tele: 0091-1892-224641 Moble:+91-9882423566 E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com www.thetibetpost.com
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15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
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Peace March for Free Tibet and Kalmykian Spiritual Head Urges Tibetans Non-Violent Movement to Preserve their Language By Matthwe Singh Toor, Lhasa Post
Peace Activist Dr.Mahesh yadav,Ms Bhavya Sharma,Sukhvinder Singh and others Tibet supporters Prayed in Rajghat at-New Dehli to get Tibet Freedom from China and release Panchen Lama...17th May 2010. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Dr. Mahesh Yadav, a Gandhian and peace activist, and colleagues from World Tibet Congress to organize a massive peace march campaign between India's Sanchi and Lumbini of Nepal to support for His Holiness Dalai Lama's non- violent movement for world peace and Free Tibet"movement. Being deeply moved by His Holiness Dalai Lama's non-violent struggle for Tibet Freedom, The World Tibet Congress had started a massive campaign for raising concern about Freedom of Tibet, also within supporting His Holiness Dalai Lama's non- violent movement for Tibet cause and World peace. And, this Peace march is meant to raise great concern, countrywide city to city campaign and worldwide which will include an appeal to World Community to establish Tibet as a "Heaven of Peace and religious place for Buddhists" like The Holy Vatican City. This Peace March{12th December, 2010 to 30th January, 2011). is being organized from Sanchi (MP) India to Lumbini (Nepal). The main motives of the Peace March
are to gain freedom of Tibet from the brutal clutches of Killer China by Peaceful and Non-Violent Gandhian ways, and to gain Global Support from the World Community for the Fundamental Right of Tibetans to LIVE FREE as well as to establish Tibet as a Religious Buddhist Country, A "Heaven of Peace" like The Holy Vatican City so that Peace can be established in Asia. Through this Peace March the general public will be educated about the Tibet Cause and a Global Signature Campaign will be performed on a 52 feet banner in support of Tibet Cause, as well as Press Conferences will be held at various places. The first phase of this march will be held from Sanchi to Lumbini which will be held on a four wheeler displaying banners and literature on Tibet Cause. Later with an Asian, U. S. and European Tour, this march will commence on March 10, 2010 in front of the UN office, Geneva through a Satyagrah on the Gandhian path of Non-Violence. Also, the Global Signature Campaign banner will be presented to the United Nations.
Dharamshala: The spiritual leader of the Russian Republic of Kalmykia has described cultural and religious ties with Tibetans as being a top priority which will give impetus to the political aspect of the Tibetan issue. Speaking at a press conference in Dharamshala, north India, yesterday (December 2), Telo Rinpoche, revered as Shadjin Lama (Head Lama) of Kalmykia, talked about the millenniaold cultural and religious ties between Tibet and Mongolia, the ensuing decline caused by communist rule in Russia, the invasion of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, and the recent revival of relations with the disintegration of USSR. The Rinpoche, a Mongolian who was born in the US and pursued Buddhist studies in Drepung Gomang Monastery, south India, said that, since the fall of communism in Russia in 1991, Kalmykia's ties with Tibetans have been growing, as streams of monks and students have been sent to study Buddhism and Tibetan medicine in monasteries and educational institutions of the Tibetan refugee community. He added that this relationship would continue to flourish as long as Tibetan refugees accept Kalmykia's students. Speaking in impeccable Tibetan, Telo Rinpoche said, "The cultural and spiritual ties with Tibetans necessitate our support for Tibet under a moral obligation. By speaking in pure Tibetan language, you are making a contribution to the political cause of Tibet." When asked about his efforts to facilitate a visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama's to Russia, the Rinpoche said, "We have not given up hope and are very confident that His Holiness will be able to visit Russia one day. Since His Holiness' last visit to Kalmkyia in 2004, we have been making every possible effort to approach the Russian government to allow him to
Telo Rinpoche (R) spiritual leader of Kalmykia addressing a group of Tibetan journalists at Gangchen Kyishong, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration, in Dharamshala, India, on 2 December 2010. Also seen in the picture is Mr Tashi, (L) Additional Secretary of the Department of Information and international Relations: Photo: TPI/Sangay
visit again." He acknowledged that the Russian government is constrained by its economic and political relations with China, saying, "We have to consider the importance of cooperation between Russia and China, as it brings benefit to the Russian people." The Rinpoche emphasized that the Tibetan people should have a longterm vision to preserve their language, culture and ideology for the next hundred years or more, and not focus only on human rights issues. He encouraged Tibetans not to lose hope and determination, saying His Holiness has the support of the international community. "If you keep up hope and put your shoulder to the wheel, we will always be right behind you," he said. The Rinpoche said the recent three-day teachings in Dharamshala by His Holiness to over 1,000 devotees from Russia had been organized not solely because such teachings had been held for Taiwanese, Singaporean and Korean devotees, but because Tibetans and Mongolians have many spiritual and cultural similarities, and
also because Russian devotees wish to increase their knowledge of Tibetans and their situation in exile. He said the Tibetan community in exile can provide the best example for the restoration of Buddhism and Buddhist culture in Russia. Seven years ago, only five Russian people came to India and Dharamshala on pilgrimage. The next year, 40 came. In 2006, the Republic of Kalmykia bestowed the White Lotus medal on His Holiness during a visit by 500 Mongolians to Dharamshala, during which an exhibition of Russian Buddhist culture was held. In 2009, the first teachings for Russian devotees were held in Dharamshala, attended by 800 devotees, rising to 1,237 devotees this year. The Rinpoche said he hopes the organized teachings would continue, but that would depend on many factors. Around 27 journalists from Russia visited Dharamshala to cover the teachings. They gave positive coverage of the press conference and their visits to Tibetan cultural, educational, monastic and humanitarian institutions.
Tibetans and Supporters Observed Human Rights Day in Tokyo
Around eighty Tibetans and Japanese gathered this morning (04 December 2010) at Shinjuku, Tokyo and marched through the city to observe the Human Rights Day and to seek public attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Tokyo: Around eighty Tibetans and
Japanese gathered this morning at Shinjuku, Tokyo and marched through the city to observe the Human Rights
Day and to seek public attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. Tibet Koryukai and Tibetan Community in Japan along with six others Tibet support groups organized the rally. Messages from Mr. Makino Seishu, Japanese Parliamentarian and Mr. Ishihara Shintaro, Tokyo governor were read, in which the two leaders expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan cause, and said that the Tibet cause is a just cause and they will do their best in improving the human rights situation and to realize the Tibetan dream of genuine autonomy in Tibet. Ven. Wakaomi of Japanese Monk Association appealed the gathering to come forward to highlight the injustice that is going on in Tibet and urged the Japanese government not to ignore Tibet issue. Mr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia read
the message of the Office in which the Representative Lhakpa Tshoko thanked the organizers and the participants and explained the critical situation in Tibet. Repression and martial law situation that followed after 2008 March uprising in Tibet was highlighted. Mr. Arya drew the public attention on the recent Chinese government's policy to sinocize the Tibetan education system. "When fifty years of indoctrination and oppression failed to subjugate the Tibetan, Chinese government is now trying to eradicate the Tibetan culture and belief by destroying the language. This is a very threatening development in the cultural history of a nation." Said Mr. Arya and appealed the Japanese public and the government to urge the Chinese leaderships to refrain from destroying this rich language of Tibet. The participants marched through the main city of Shinjuku with Tibetan flags
and placards. Slogans like Free Tibet, Stopping killing in Tibet, Human rights in Tibet etc. echoed throughout the busy street of Shinjuku city. A few elderly Japanese has also come to participate in the march, a young Japanese mother participated in the march with her baby in the trolley. An elderly Japanese man was seen urging the young Japanese to continue to support Tibetan cause. "Current Chinese communist government is illegal and brutal, Asia is in danger. We must raise voice against injustice." He said. Young Japanese participants said they support Tibet cause, although they couldn't do much, participating in these marches give them sense of satisfaction and purpose. Some came dressed in Tibetan chupas.
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The Tibet Post
Tibetans Celebrate 21st Anniv. of H.H the Dalai Lama's Peace Prize
Acting prime minister, Tsering Dhondup addressing the 21st annivers of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Nobel Peace Prize, Dharamshala, India on 10th December 2010. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Tibetans living-in-exile in Dharamshala today celebrated 21st anniversary of Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize in 1989. Over five thousands of people including Tibetans living in exile, Indians, foreigners, monks, nuns and students assembled at the main Buddhist temple at McLeod Ganj (Dharamshala) to celebrate the occasion. Dignitaries including Tibetan government officials; the Chief Justice Commissioner - Ngawang Phelgyal Gyechen, the acting Prime Minister of Tibetan government-in-exile Tsering Dhondup, Parliament speaker Penpa Tsering and deputy speaker Dolma Gyari, parliament members and heads of NGOs, monasteries, nunneries and institutions also were among the guests at the celebrations. Mr Tsering Dhondup, finance minister of Tibetan government in-exile, read out the text of the prime minister's speech on the occasion of 21st Anniversary of Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize. Below The Tibet Post International publish full text of the speech. "On this occasion of the twenty-first anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Kashag (Central Tibetan Administration), on behalf of the Tibetan people in and outside Tibet, would like to pay our utmost respect and greetings to His Holiness. His Holiness, who besides being the foremost proponent of the principle of non-violence around the globe by applying the philosophy of dependent origination and nonviolence as shown in the teachings of the Buddha, has guided the Tibetan struggle for justice onto to the path of non-violence making it different from other national struggles in the world. His Holiness has also shown, both in principle and in practice, that all global conflicts can be solved through a non-violent approach. These qualities made His Holiness the most suitable recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Thus, when His Holiness accepted the prize in 1989, it increased prestige and the value of the already esteemed Nobel Peace Prize. At the same time, it has also created a widespread
awareness about and interest in the just cause of Tibet around the world. Since the award was an inspiration and the trust in the non-violent method and an outstanding recognition of the Tibetan struggle for justice, we commemorate it with highest respect and fondness. On this special occasion, if the Tibetan people in and outside Tibet can reaffirm their genuine pledge for the non-violent path based on trust and understanding, then this occasion will constitute a meaningful celebration. An important development that we should be happy about and proud of is the conferment of this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Mr Liu Xiaobo, a prominent Chinese democracy and human rights activist, who is currently in prison in the People's Republic of
Acting prime minister, Tsering Dhondup addressing the 21st annivers of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Nobel Peace Prize, Dharamshala, India on 10th December 2010. Photo: TPI
China. On behalf of all the Tibetan people, we would like to congratulate Mr Liu Xiaobo, and commend the Nobel Committee for taking this decision without bowing to the Chinese government's pressure. However, the Kashag is saddened by the Chinese authorities appalling behaviour of not releasing Mr Liu Xiaobo from prison and keeping his wife under house arrest. The Kashag strongly condemns these actions. Since the values and aspirations of all the Nobel laureates are well known around the world, keeping a few individuals in prison cannot lock up their thoughts, principles and aspirations. It is a fact of life that the authoritarian rulers who try to control people's thought by force and suppression are the most ignorant of human beings. Although this day is also celebrated as World Human Rights Day, it is a matter of sadness that no one has,
thus far, been able to protect human rights enough to be celebrated. Moreover, the first decade of the 21st century is over and yet looking at the fact that a number of Nobel laureates are either in prison, under surveillance or in exile shows the state of human rights today. These days the advanced nations in the West and the countries in the East who blindly follow the West use many beautiful slogans such as democracy, freedom, equality and human rights, but in actual practice they all appear empty words devoid of any meaning. At present, a large number of people including Tibetans in Tibet are living with constant fear and torture under the oppressive regime of the People's Republic of China, denied even their fundamental human rights. Sadly, it has been amply proven that no powerful nations or organizations have either the will or the strength to restore them their rights. In China, being in possession of a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is deemed as a criminal act warranting many years of imprisonment. Yet the United Nations, the author of the declaration, has failed to muster enough pride to even condemn such acts. Under such circumstances, it becomes almost a laughing stock for us to commemorate the World Human Rights Day. However, we celebrate it to keep up with the international norm. Since 2008 the whole of China and especially the Tibetan areas have been witness to systematic suppression and further restrictions of basic human rights. The right to religious freedom, the right to speech and cultural and educational freedoms have been deliberate targets. The recent proclamation by Chinese government officials in many Tibetan areas ordering a change in the medium of instruction from Tibetan to Mandarin in schools is a large-scale evil plan directed at annihilating the very identity of Tibet. Such policies not only completely ignore the ideologies of Karl Marx, Lenin and Mao on ethnic minorities but are a clear and present attempt at the wholescale destruction of a people's language and culture. We unequivocally condemn and criticize such heinous policies. On behalf of Tibetans in exile we offer our solidarity and enthusiastic support to the leaders, students and ordinary people who legally and peacefully request the protection of our language. Realizing the tremendous strides in exercising modern democracy in the exile Tibetan community under His Holiness the Dalai Lama's leadership, we fervently hope that Tibetans remain united and work towards the principal cause of Tibet. Taking this opportunity, Kashag would like to offer the wholehearted prayers of Tibetans in and outside Tibet, beseeching His Holiness to remain as ever the religious and temporal leader of Tibet. From the depth of our hearts we request Your Holiness never to consider or even talk about semi-retirement and full-retirement. At the same time, Kashag implores Tibetans to further advance our collective merit and preserve Tibetan values and ethics, which become the most gratifying offerings to His Holiness. Finally, the Kashag prays for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lana and the spontaneous fulfilment of all his wishes. May the truth of the issue of Tibet prevail soon."
15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
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Tibetan Media Workshop: Developing Good Manner in Journalism
Ms Kelsang Yangkyi Taklha, Tibetan imformation minister speaking at the Tibetan media workshop held in Dharamshala, India on 2nd December 2010. Photo: TPI By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: A two-day media workshop has been organised on Thursday (2 December) by Voice of Tibet with support of Finish organisation, KIOS to create a better understanding of journalistic works among exile journalists from various fields of Tibetan media agencies based in-exile. Chief guest, Ms Kelsang Yangkyi Taklha, the minister for information department of the Tibetan government-in-exile, her secretary Mr Thupten Samphel, Mr Ngaba tsegyam, private scretary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Chinese section, Mr Tashi Wangchuk, president of Tibetan journalists association, editors in-chief of Tibetan media agencies and around 27 journalist attendees for the workshop from various Tibetan media agencies attended the opening ceremony of the event. In her opening speech of the workshop, Kelsang Taklha said,"Journalists' works will be valuable and worthy if write occurrences-such as completely
pm. Mr Karma Yeshi, editor in-chief of Voice of Tibet, said, "We have invited Indian and foreign resource personnel when organising a media workshop at the 10th founding anniversary of VOT in 2006. As this workshop will be different aspect from the previous one, this time we have invited trainers from exile Tibetan media agencies as they have decades' of experience." The two-day workshop will cover 50 years of Tibetan democracy and the role of media, evolution of Tibetan media, introduction to various media, impact of Chinese media, Tibetan struggle and media, and terminology uniformity and its importance. All above subjects will be presented by the invited experts, with the moderators' concluding remarks and to facilitate the question-andanswer session. Tibetan media is only more than a decade old, most of the working journalists are not qualified or trained, and do not have the relevant experience, meanwhile, Tibet is one of the countries with high levels of illiteracy in the adult population. Many Tibetans feel that the
knowing the background of the event." The minister said that the Tibetan journalists also have the burden of being Tibetans. "As the situation inside Tibet is still very tense, working for the cause of Tibet was the responsibility of every Tibetan, that is the main reason, why we all refugees work hard regarding the skills and knowledge we possess," she added. The workshop entitled, "Tibetan Media Workshop", will be held between December 2nd and 3rd at staff mess of the Tibetan government, Dharamshala between 9.00 am and 5
country's future, not just the future of its press, depends on better education. But, In Tibet today, there is no freedom of education, speech or press which stifles these ambitions. To raise the quality of its profession in exile, all journalists must be better trained. Many exile media agencies are improving its programs in journalism, but for many years, almost all of the agencies lacked equipment, qualified staff, and other resources to offer adequate training, and progress has been slow. Without such professional training, journalists will cannot develop in the international community.
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15 December , 2010 Dharamsala
TPI INTERNATIONAL
The Tibet Post
Protest in Hong kong Against Tibet's Leader Says, Willing to Visit Russia Chinese Mining in Tibet By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tuesady has expressed his willingness to visit Russia. His Holiness told a group of Russian journalists that he would like to see Buddhist followers in Russia's Repulic of Kalmykia, and that if the Russian government says "yes," then he was ready to come. Speaking to the group of prominent Russian journalists is currently visiting the capital of exile Tibet Dharamshala, the Tibetan spiritual leader said that there were many Buddhists living in Russia, and that the Supreme Lama of Kalmykia had repeatedly said that he
A woman, left front, holds a Tibetan flag before the start of the Olympic torch relay in Hong Kong Friday, May 2, 2008. Photo: AP By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: Demonstrators in Hong Kong this morning (December 3) called on China Gold International Resources (CGIR) to immediately withdraw from Tibet. The protesters, holding banners and the Tibetan national flag, shouted slogans demanding an end to the exploitation of Tibet's natural mineral resources. The rally started between MTR Central Station Exit A and Exchange Square. CGIR started trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange earlier this week. The company is reported to have raised HK$2.4 billion ($309 million) to expand and intensify its controversial mining operations in Tibet. Protests have also been staged in Toronto and are planned in Vancouver, where the company is based. CGIR (formerly Jinshan Inc) has come under fire by Tibet advocacy groups for purchasing the Gyama (Chinese: Jiama) mine operation near Lhasa, Tibet's capital - a move opposed by Tibetans in the region and abroad. In 2009, Tibetans in Gyama protested about water contamination and the resettlement of nomads which has resulted from mining operations. Tibetan rights groups are calling on Canadian mining companies and their investors to stay out of occupied Tibet or face increased public pressure. As the political situation inside Tibet
continues to intensify, human rights groups are calling on Hong Kong companies and their investors to steer clear of high-risk business ventures in the country or face increased public and political pressure. Villagers who were arrested for opposing mining in Gyama remain in prison, awaiting sentence. Two farmers - Sonam Rinchen and Thupten Yeshi - were tortured and sentenced to up to 15 years for demonstrating against mining operations. Sonam Rinchen then died in prison, with part of his body paralyzed, as a result of repeated torture. Tibetans of Gyama village have been overwhelmed and displaced from their traditional lands by the influx of thousands of Han Chinese, including military police and special forces. Hundreds of nomads have been displaced from the grasslands and moved to social housing, depriving them of their traditional way of life and livelihood. Severe pollution has resulted in Tibetan villagers falling ill and the death of their livestock. The re-routing of villagers' fresh water system to mining operations has also caused intense conflict with the authorities. Further, the noise from mining blasts through the night has caused sleep deprivation to villagers, and villagers have been forced to sell their property, including vehicles, to mining companies.
Massive landslides in Tawang district, Aruchal Pradesh, India. Photo: Tenzin/file By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: The famous Tawang Monastery in India's Arunachal Pradesh is under imminent threat of collapse following massive landslides around it. The 330-year-old monastery, also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, which stands on the spur of a hill about 10,000 feet above sea level, is witnessing-massive
His Holiness' predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama, maintained certain ties with the Russian imperial family and was once presented with a pocket watch bearing a portrait of the Russian emperor, which he kept in his chambers, His Holiness said. Over 100 Buddhist devotees from Republic of Kalmykia, Buryatia, Tuva and the different cities of Russia will atend the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala November 30-December 2. "This teaching has been specially considered by His Holiness for the Buddhists from Russian Republics of Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva," said Telo Rinpoche Rinpoche, the elected spiritual head of Republic of Kalmykia.
Latest Report on "Second Tibetan Demographic Survey" Released By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post
Dharamshala: The Planning Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration has published a report on the latest population census titled "Demographic Survey of Tibetans in Exile-2009". The survey was successfully conducted by the office of the Planning Commission on 12 April 2009 worldwide. The total population of Tibetans outside Tibet as on 12 April 2009 stood at 127,935 comprising of 70,556 males and 57,379 females as compared to 111,020 recorded during the 1998 survey. There were 94,203 Tibetans living in India, 13,514 in Nepal, 1,298 in Bhutan and 18,920 elsewhere. Tibetans in exile make up about 3 percent of the total ethnic Tibetan population in the world with the rest in the Tibetan areas of People's Republic of China. The annual growth rates which were hovering around estimated 2.8 percent for the last thirty years, has declined below 2 percent. According to the latest survey, the annual growth rate of the Tibetan population in exile is 1.96. The Total Fertility Rates, based on "own-child method" for the period prior to 1998 was estimated to be as high 4.9 during 1987-89 has gone down to 1.18 in 2009, thus showing a total decline in the fertility level of 3.65 in 2009. The
Massive Landslides Hit Ancient Tawang Monastery landslide around it since Monday. "The situation is getting worse day by day due to continued rains caused massive landslides, people are now helpless, they need emergency assistance," Tenzin, who currently living in Delhi told The Tibet Post International. The landslide had already damaged the plantation and some electric posts around the monastery located in Twang-chu valley of Tawang district, source said. Chief minister Dorjee Khandu visited the site Friday (26 November) to assess the damage and asked the district administration and public works department to put their men and machine in place to contain further damage to the site. The monastery, belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, was founded by Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680 in
would like to see him in Russia. "Russia is a very important country, a bridge between Europe and Asia and its rich natural resources may have an important part to play in the future," His Holiness said. Tibetan spititual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama stressed that he had repeatedly traveled to the Soviet Union and Russia before but in recent years even a short-term transit visit posed a problem. His Holiness said that he would like to visit Russia to see his old friends and meet new ones, and to share his thoughts with them, but that he was unable to do that until he receives the "green light" from Moscow.
compliance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama. The monastery has a threestorey library which boasts of a collection of 400-year-old Kangyur scriptures, large collections of Sutras, commentaries (Tangyur), Buddha's teachings (Sungbhum), old books and invaluable manuscripts -- both handwritten and printed, many of them in gold. The monastery has 65 residential buildings, currently housing about 450 monks. It controls 17 monasteries and a few nunneries in the region. The monastery is also the largest of its kind in the country and is one of the larges t monasteries in Asia. Though it has the capacity for housing about seven hundred monks, the actual number of resident monks at present is a little more than 450. This monastery is the fountain-head of the spiritual life of the people of this region.
survey lists two major factors that might have caused the fertility transition in Tibetan population. Literacy figures confirm that young child bearing Tibetan women are more educated than their parents and were brought up in relatively better economic positions. This cohort takes longer time in building their careers that delay their age at marriage resulting in fewer children or forgoing having them altogether. Besides, the contraceptive prevalence has risen substantially from only 10 percent among the married women in 1980's to 95 percent in 2001. The sex ratio for Tibetan population in exile is 798 females per 1000 males, which is an improvement of 6 points over 792 recorded in 1998. As per the latest survey, there is an impressive surge of 10.1 percent in general literacy rate from 69.3 percent in 1998 to 79.4 percent in 2009. The effective literacy rate (population of 6 years and above) is 82.4 percent and the literacy rates for males and females are 88.7 percent and 74.4 percent respectively. The data shows that those in formal education prolong their study period for improving their basic academic capability in diversified tertiary education, especially women, in comparison to previous decades. The rate of Tibetan workforce population has improved remarkably by 52.2 percent in both main and marginal workers categories. The total workforce population is over 75,000 strong, which constitutes around 69 percent of the total population living in South Asia. This includes 27,540 as main workers (36 percent) and 5,525 as marginal workers (i.e., those who did not work for at least 183 days in the preceding 12 months to the survey: 7.36 percent). There are as many as 36,755 nonworkers which make up 34 percent of the total population, out of which 15.5 percent are unemployed. It can be said that over 17 percent of the total workforce population is unemployed and underemployed. The survey witnessed significant occupational shift of those main workers in primary agricultural activities to more diversified tertiary sectors. As compared to 22.5 percent of main workers in farming and cultivation activities, in 2009 only 8.1 of them have retained farming as their primary activity. The change in mindset, literacy level, the know-how and the external
exposures of present generation are the factors behind this occupational shift. The survey recorded an unprecedented growth of NGOs and a steady growth in house hold industries, informal business (mainly sweater business) and teaching professions. The overall dependency ratio is measured at 41 percent as against 53 percent in 1998. Child dependency ratio is 27 percent as against 39 percent in 1998, whereas, old-age dependency is recorded as 14 percent in 2009 as in 1998. The life expectancy of total population in 2009 stands at 67.45 years which is 5.05 years less than previous survey. In gender perspectives, it seems that health conditions of male members in terms of morbidity and mortality have shown no significant improvements rather situation seems to be worsening. Further investigation may reveal whether this dismal situation is attributed to the unchanging socialising behaviours of male members who still continue to lead risky lifestyle, the survey noted. The survey revealed a slight increase in crude death rate from 8.78 per thousand in 1998 to 9.7 in 2009. The infant mortality rate of the Tibetan population in exile was recorded as 15.44 per 1000 child-births and it has gone down to 06.03 percent in comparison to 1998. Household economic improvement and better health coverage of the population with essential child health services such as mother and child care programs have ensured continued declines in level of infant mortality. Cancer is the leading cause of both morbidity and mortality in the Tibetan community followed by liver cirrhosis, heart-related diseases. Even as TB and malaria are gradually declining, the deaths caused by HIV/ AIDS, accidents, suicides are increasingly becoming an inescapable reality, the survey said. Out of an estimated 75 percent of the exile population who have migrated, 52 percent have changed their residences permanently for education and economic opportunities. Our estimate shows that over 9,309 persons have moved to the west during 1998-2009, it said. The survey recorded a significant growth of population in the countries outside South Asia with a figure of 18,920 persons as against 12,153 in 1998.