November 2018

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact

A Free Monthly Publication For Tibetan Issues and Community Information RGD No. HPENG/2013/51798 Volume: XX Issue: 10 NOVEMBER 30, 2018

Averting Disaster?

Self-Immolation in Tibet

by Nick Hawkins A series of landslides in Tibet are giving rise to concern that there may be a trend, and questions are being asked about what steps can be taken. In the first incident, the Drichu River (the Yangste in Chinese) near Bolo Township in Jomda County, eastern Tibet, was blocked a landslide and a barrier lake formed, 5km long, 200 metres wide Continued on page 3

by Mary Trewartha Dhorbe, also known as Dobo, 23, set himself on fire in Ngaba County in Amdo in eastern Tibet on November 4.

During his protest Dhorbe shouted “May the Dalai Lama live long! May we soon behold his golden countenance!” reports Phayul, quoting a monk from Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala who has contacts in Ngaba Continued on page 5

China Under Scrutiny at UN

Reciprocal Access: Good News!

by Anisha Francis China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) took place on November 6 in Geneva, providing the opportunity for scrutiny of their human rights record, including in Tibet.

UPR is the review of the human rights performance of the 193 member states of the United Nations (UN) which takes place every four and half years.

by Mary Trewartha There is progress in the United States on the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Bill. On November 28 it was unanimously approved by the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It was cosponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders and Cory Gardner. The Senate is now expected to take up the bill.

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Continued from page 1

and 70 metres deep. Two villages were submerged and 13,600 people evacuated from the immediate area, together with a further 11,000 from neighbouring Sichuan Province. A further landslide looked imminent when a 300 metre-long crack appeared on the same mountain.

Water was discharged from the lake, flooding the Po township, the Po monastery and settlements downstream but avoiding any deaths or injuries. The following day water levels had returned to normal.

This first landslide on October 11 was followed by another in the same vicinity on November 3, again forming a barrier lake, and inundating two villages and a hydro-electric power station. 6,000 people were evacuated within 24 hours. The two landslides and subsequent flooding destroyed 100 houses, damaged 1,000 more and, at that stage, 8,300 people had been relocated – many more were to follow.

Waters in the second barrier lake continued to rise prompting fears of potentially catastrophic flooding should it burst. Chinese state news media Xinhua reported that 67,500 people were evacuated and a channel was made on the Drichu to discharge the excess water. There were no reported casualties, however the 270 metre long Zhubalong Jinsha River Bridge downstream in Karze was washed away, 8,000 houses were damaged and 1,800 hectares of farmland were inundated in the resulting flood waters.

A week after the first incident on the Drichu River, on October 17, a separate landslide was reported on the Yarlung Tsangpo headwater of the Brahmaputra River near Menling County. Waters in the resulting barrier lake rose 40 metres and 6,000 people were evacuated as a precaution. The Chinese authorities warned regions downstream – including the Indian state of Arunchal Pradesh – of the danger of serious flashfloods.

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Averting Disaster?

These landslides have had a ruinous impact on the environment but at least – as so far reported – there have been no fatalities. The welfare of the people in the area – and the protection of property, as far as possible – were the initial priority. Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, a Research Fellow from the Tibetan Policy Institute of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala, is an authority on environmental issues in Tibet. He has been highly critical of the Chinese authorities’response to these disasters, arguing that a more urgent and betterresourced reaction could have provided a deeper understanding of the problem and brought quicker relief to the tens of thousands of people affected.

These events raise a number of questions: • Do we have accurate information on these incidents?

• What might be the cause(s)?

• What might be done to prevent further such disasters – or at least mitigate their impact?

• What other environmental hazards threaten the fragile and precious ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau?

Information on these landslides – and the consequent flooding and evacuations – is gathered from social media from the area, the official Chinese media (China Daily; Xinhua and others) and statements issued

by Chinese government ministries.

The Chinese media report in English, Tibetan and Chinese and so the content can vary from one language to another and the precise details of the timing and severity of these accidents – and their impact on local people – is not entirely clear.

Why are these landslides happening – and why now? Many local people believe that they are triggered by mining in the area and hydro-electric power installations. However Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha believes that the landslides were caused by a number of factors, principally excessive construction work; road-building and possible tunneling in the area.

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NEWS & ISSUES The United Kingdom-based organisation Free Tibet released a report on October 15 which stated, “The Drichu River has been an essential component in a series of Chinese large-scale hydro-dam development projects at the Tibetan Plateau’s southeast corner. Aimed at meeting the increasing electricity demands of distant Chinese cities, the hydro-dam constructions are not there to benefit the local Tibetan population.”

Along with these immediate causes might wider, long-term factors be at play? Global warming is resulting in the retreat of glaciers in Tibet (the third largest source of ice on the planet, after the South and North Poles) and the reduction in permafrost across the region. Might these factors – together with changing weather patterns – be exacerbating the impact of indiscriminate construction and exploitation projects?

Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha points out that these recent landslides happened much later in the year than would normally be expected.

Landslides normally happen during or immediately after the heavy rains of the monsoon season which can destabilise the land. He suggests that the Chinese authorities should devote expertise and resources to thoroughly investigate and understand the causes and establish what can be done to prevent further occurrences.

Mr Gyaltsen suggests that the effects of climate change which are affecting the Tibetan plateau and mitigation of their negative impacts – through scientific understanding, public education, modification of building techniques, together with sensitive and sustainable development – must be adopted as a major policy and a top priority of the Chinese Government.

He warns that without these actions the dramatic landslides of the last few weeks may just be a foretaste of the environmental catastrophes to come on the Tibetan Plateau.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES Continued from page 1

Reciprocal Access: Good News!

The bill was passed by the US House Judiciary Committee in July and the full House of Representatives in September.

The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act is based on the widely accepted diplomatic principle of reciprocity, which calls on countries to give equal rights to one another’s citizens.

Although Chinese citizens travel freely throughout the US, American journalists, diplomats and tourists are banned from Tibet. If this bill is passed, the Chinese officials who

keep Americans out of Tibet will be denied entry to the US. One of the goals of the legislation is to pressure China into letting international observers into Tibet so they can help expose China’s human rights violations against the Tibetan people.

“The unanimous support expressed today by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee once again reflects the widespread concern of the American people for the situation inside Tibet and for the lack of access for US citizens,” said

Matteo Mecacci, president of the International Campaign for Tibet.

“Momentum is building, and the responsibility lies with the Senate to pass the bill this year” he continued.

Thousands of supporters have advocated for the bill by sending petitions and letters to their Senators and using #AccessToTibet on social media. And the International Campaign for Tibet and Tibetan associations across the US organised a special lobby day calling on Senators to cosponsor the legislation.

DIFF 2018 Reaches Dharamshala Communities

by Soumya Singh Tarang The Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) has been living up to its motto of “Bringing Independent Cinema to the Mountains” since 2012. This year, with their Community Outreach initiative, DIFF has helped filmmakers from around the world to connect with the local communities of Gaddi Village and Dharamshala region.

The film festival was held at Tibetan Children’s Village School in McLeod Ganj from November 1-4. By hosting countless talented filmmakers, DIFF brought to us unforgettable featured narratives from India such as Bhonsle, EEMaYau, Hamid and the most celebrated The Sweet Requiem from DIFF founders themselves Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam.

International narratives included the House of my Fathers (Sri Lanka), The Red Phallus (Bhutan), Waru (New Zealand). All raising a united dialogue concerning the everyday social problems of the ordinary person surviving in the present world.

The festival also featured a range of documentaries and short films which included the internationally acclaimed Indian photographer Raghu Rai’s life story from the perspective of his daughter Avni Rai. Another featured film was Of Fathers and Sons which highlighted the reality of the lives of innocent Contact

children destined to be the new faces of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda.

As a backdrop to all the film screenings and workshops during the main film festival, DIFF’s Community Outreach initiative created an intimate relationship between the

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Tenzin Sonam and Ritu Sarin, Organisers of the festival

local community and cinema. This was DIFF’s third outreach initiative and was created in partnership with the National Film Development Corporation, India and Jagori Grameen Rural Charitable Trust.

The Tong-Len hostel for children of migrant workers was featured in the screening of the Rohin Raveendran Nair classroom drama Little Hands along with the Dheeraj Jindal film, The School Bag, telling the true story of a terrorist attack on school children in Pakistan; this screening was followed by a discussion on the themes of friendship and loyalty.

Shubhashish Bhutiani’s 2016 comedy-drama, Mukti Bhawan–Hotel Salvation was screened for prisoners 4

at the Dharamshala Prisoner’s Jail – an open air prison with an ethos of reform through humanisation – and witnessed enthusiastic participation from the inmates there as well as the staff. School screenings for students from the tiny Dharamkot Government Primary School, Kotwali Bazaar Government High School and Gamru Village School included Gitanjali Rao’s Printed Rainbow and Rohin Raveendran Nair’s Little Hands. A discussion of the students’ dreams and aspirations followed. In the small Himachali villages of Gorda, Channing and Lahri, Neeraj Ghaywan’s film, Juice (2017) was screened for women’s collectives where the importance of both genders in forming a better society was discussed.

The Schools Film Appreciation Competition saw 27 students selected to take part in workshops on the concept of active and critical engagement with cinema, their project included a special film screening, group discussions and a final assignment.

DIFF is an annual independent film festival presented by White Crane Arts & Media Trust which promotes contemporary art, cinema and independent media practices in the Himalayan areas of India. It aims to create events, spaces and opportunities to nurture, encourage and develop contemporary forms of creative expression in the region.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES Continued from page 1

China Under Scrutiny at UN

This year’s UPR session was China’s third peer review and saw 153 UN member nations participate.

The session took place amidst widespread demonstrations, with at least 1,000 human rights activists gathered outside the UN headquarters in protest – Tibetans and Muslims holding Tibetan flags and banners bearing photographs of activists, journalists and citizens who have been abducted or incarcerated by the Chinese government.

This year’s UPR saw a rise in the number of UN states that raised concern for the situation in Tibet—13 countries specifically mentioned Tibet compared to seven last year— with nine countries issuing 12 recommendations relating to lack of freedom of religion, assembly and association, and movement. During China’s second UPR in 2013, seven states made Tibet-related recommendations.

Statements made urged China to “immediately release” the thousands of citizens and human rights defenders being held in internment camps and “black jails”, and to facilitate access to the Tibetan and Uyghur regions for officials from UN bodies and the UN high commissioner, as well as media personnel and diplomats.

New Zealand put forward a strong recommendation for China to resume a two-way dialogue between Tibetan and Chinese representatives; a recommendation previously raised in 2013 and rejected by China. In addition to the nine states making

Continued from page 1

and ethnic separatist activities undertaken by certain individuals and groups.” India refrained from mentioning human rights violations.

Japan was the sole Asian voice that called for protection of the cultural rights of China’s minority groups.

China denied the allegations—as it did during its last UPRs in 2009 and 2013. Le Yucheng, China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the critical statements were not based on facts and were full of prejudice.

He said that China’s human rights situation had not worsened and members of his delegation attempted to explain how Tibetans enjoy freedom of religion saying, “We will not accept the politically driven allegations by some countries and attempts to intervene in national affairs.”

The Universal Periodic Review is a process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. It is an innovation of the Human Rights Council which is based on equal treatment for all countries.

It provides an opportunity for all States to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. The UPR also includes a sharing of best human rights practices around the globe.

Currently, no other mechanism of this kind exists.

Please see also our article on the UPR forum on page 8

Self-Immolation in Tibet

Radio Free Asia quotes some monks from Kirti Monastery who have contacts in Ngaba as saying that Dhorbe’s father’s name is Chopa and his mother, Trinle Kyi, died a few years ago, and that he lived with his uncle. He comes from the Jhakor division of Choeje-Ma Township in Nagaba. No further information is Contact

recommendations on Tibet, Austria, UK and Japan expressed concern about Tibet in their verbal statements to China, and written questions on Tibet were submitted prior to the review by Belgium, UK, Sweden, USA, Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

“Respect the fundamental rights of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet, notably freedom of religion and movement,” said the Swiss representative.

“Investigate reports of harassment and detention of human rights defenders,” urged Australia, which submitted 14 recommendations. The United States echoed, “End the use of harassment, detention, arrest, and extralegal measures such as enforced disappearance to control and silence human rights activists.” Thirteen countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Switzerland and Germany pushed for the abolishment of China’s state-sponsored reeducation labour camps where an estimated one million Uyghur and other Muslims are forcefully incarcerated in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

In contrast, some south Asian countries, particularly China’s immediate neighbours, or recipients of substantial funding from China, expressed less censure. Pakistan called for “action against criminals who instigate, intimidate or help others to commit self-immolations” while Sri Lanka recommended that they “continue to counter terrorist

available at present because of the Chinese administration’s clampdown on communications in Ngaba and it is not known what action the police took, or what has happened to Dhorbe’s remains. Dhorbe is the 154th person to self-immolate since the first took place, also in Ngaba, in 2009, and the 41st in Ngaba. There have been many protests against 5

China’s rule in Ngaba, particularly by monks from Kirti monastery near the main town of Ngaba, all calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and for freedom for Tibetans living in Tibet.

The Central Tibetan Administration held a prayer service for Dhorbe in Tsuglakhan, the main temple in Dharamshala, on November 9.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits Japan

by Soumya Singh Tarang His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama left Dharamshala for a short visit to Delhi on November 9 followed by a teaching tour in Japan from November 10 – 22 his message throughout was of the importance of being united in spirit, and his teachings of compassion and togetherness in the face of the problems of the present world.

On his arrival in Delhi, His Holiness inaugurated the yearlong celebration of the 550th anniversary of the birth of Sikh spiritual leader Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Dr Manmohan Singh, the Sikh former Prime Minister of India welcomed His Holiness to the event.

Arriving in Yokohama, Japan, on November 12 for his 25th visit to Japan, His Holiness spoke to Rina Yamasawa of NHK, the English-medium Japanese news site, and recollected his first visit to Japan in 1967. He expressed his views on the cooperation that he seeks with the Chinese government regarding the preservation of Tibetan culture and language. “The Chinese can help us with infrastructural development and we can help them with Buddhist psychology,” said His Holiness. Later that day he spoke to Ms Yoshiko Sakurai, President of the Japanese Institute for Fundamentals, a privately funded Japanese public and foreign policy thinktank, and commended the possibility of combining technological development with Buddhist teachings for inner peace.

At the request of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet House, Japan, three events were organised in Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall, Yokohama.

Starting with the teaching of the Heart Sutra and Stages of Meditation His Holiness addressed a crowd of 5,000 Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, Mongolian, Russian and Chinese devotees on November 14. Next day the final teaching of Dependant Origination was given, followed by the Avalokiteshvara Initiation conferred by His Holiness himself.

The third event, in Pacifico Hall Contact

on November 16, was a dialogue on modern science and Buddhist science.

His Holiness addressed the audience of 5,000 people before the start of the dialogue, emphasising the importance of making the 21st century an era of peace.

Members of the panel were Japanese neuroscientist Dr IrikaAtsushi, Dr Chong Jan Chu, a quantum physicist from Taiwan and psychologist Dr Yoshiko Sakiko of Kyoto University; topics for discussion included neuroscience, senses and consciousness along with quantum physics, in connection with the Buddhist understanding of the mind. “Dialogues like these have two purposes. Scientists’ brilliant minds have

Photo: Tenzin Choejor

predominantly focussed on the physical world. But human beings are not just physical beings. We also have feelings and consciousness. It’s appropriate that scientists learn about the inner world of mind and emotions,” said His Holiness.

The following day His Holiness spoke to 2,800 young people at the Hibiya open-air concert hall in Tokyo, telling them of the importance of nurturing the idea of the oneness of humanity to open our hearts and defeat the sense of isolation.

His Holiness inaugurated the Sherab Kyetsu Ling institute in Ishihara Chiba, and then addressed a gathering in the new Buddhist Centre there, reciting stories from his childhood and highlighting the strong connection between Tibetans and Mongolians. The following morning he spoke to over 1,700 students, their parents and faculty staff at Reitako University. During the question and answer session, he advised people to pay more attention to inner 6

values and said that the purpose of life is happiness.

On November 20, around 300 Tibetans and Bhutanese people came to meet His Holiness at his hotel before he left for the Japanese parliament, where he was welcomed by the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Group for Tibet, whose members assured His Holiness that they are keen to contribute to the preservation of Tibetan culture, language and religious tradition.

They also discussed cooperation for economic and educational development inside Tibet.

His last visit was to Tochoji Temple in Fukuoka on Kyushu Island to the west of Japan where His Holiness prayed for the victims of the recent Kumamoto earthquake and floods. After chanting a Buddhist sutra at the memorial service, he addressed the gathering of 1,800 monks and lay people.

Throughout his teaching tour the emphasis was on the need for peace and compassion, and on the oneness of humanity. “Over-emphasising difference of nationality, religion or race culminates in feelings of ‘us’ and ‘them’—division.

We must remind ourselves that at a deeper level all human beings are the same. We all want to live a happy life and to be happy is our right. Throughout the universe are sentient beings seeking peace and happiness,” said His Holiness.

A deeper level of human understanding, His Holiness taught, is important for inner peace and in turn for happiness. He particularly encouraged young minds to make an effort to achieve a peaceful 21st century. His Holiness returned to Dharamshala on November 25.

China has complained at Japan’s welcoming His Holiness on his visit to the country. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuan is reported as saying “I can tell you that the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile and he is engaged in separatist activities” and that China hopes that “the relevant parties will not provide facilitation for his separatist activities.” China routinely complains to countries who welcome His Holiness.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES

Backlash Against China’s Belt and Road Initiative

by Anisha Francis Shortly after office hours commenced for the day, three gunmen attacked the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 23. What ensued was an hour-long gun battle and loud blasts of explosives before the attackers were killed by the Sindh Police and the 21 Chinese nationals working there were safely evacuated from the consulate.

The consulate attackers were not from an Islamist terror group, but separatist rebels from the Baloch Liberation Army, wielding violence in an attempt to end China’s presence in their province and stop the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that runs through the heart of Balochistan, Pakistan’s poorest province. This tragic incident that left four dead – two policemen and two civilians— has drawn the world’s attention to China’s “debt-trap diplomacy”as a means to tighten its grip around debt-ridden countries of Asia and Africa.

Pakistan security personnel outside the Chinese consulate in Karachi Photo: AFP

The CPEC, in which China has invested more than US$62 billion (£49 billion), includes a string of infrastructure projects involving road, rail and oil pipeline links to improve connectivity between China and West Asia. The people of Balochistan perceive that this project will give them nothing, while exploiting Balochistan’s abundant natural resources and effectively lead to statesponsored subjugation of their people.

This attack was the most extreme in the mounting backlash against China for its predatory lending policies, Contact

particularly under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), of which CPEC is part. The BRI aims to revive the ancient “Silk Route” by connecting China to other world economies physically via road and rail, as well as financially, and involves massive Chinese-funded construction projects. Several nations that had agreed to BRI-based borrowing are now looking to cancel or scale back Chinese projects that will leave them indebted and vulnerable to the military superpower.

The backlash started with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed strongly calling China out for “Neo-colonisation” and cancelling 23 billion-dollar infrastructure projects signed up for by the previous Malaysian government— a deal now regarded as mired in controversy and corruption.

“We do not want a situation where there is a new version of colonialism happening because poor countries are unable to compete with rich countries,” Mahathir had said to the press during a trip to China earlier this year. “They know that when they lend big sums of money to a poor country, in the end they may have to take the project for themselves,” he said, citing the example of debt-crippled Sri Lanka that has had to sign over its Chinese-built Hambantota port along with 15,000 acres of surrounding land to China on a 99-year lease, giving China a military and commercial stronghold in the Indian Ocean.

In the meantime, Pakistan is also rethinking the huge loans it has taken from China, amidst criticism from within the country as well. Pakistani economists point out that the deals with China may have looked good on paper but in reality involve inflated budgets, closed tenders that are given only to Chinese companies, and virtually no employment for Pakistanis as Chinese projects are carried out by Chinese contractors who import manpower from China, ensuring most of the borrowed 7

money flows back to Beijing. Razaq Dawood, adviser to the Pakistan Prime Minister on industries and production, was recently quoted complaining that all machinery – and even ladders and furniture – is brought in from China, leaving virtually no business for local industry. “Projects like the CPEC should benefit both nations, not just one,” he pointed out. Apart from Pakistan, six other countries are questioning the feasibility of the BRI with regards to their mounting debt — Indonesia, Kazhakistan, Poland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Laos have realised that they have been “painted into a corner”.

“The China-Pakistan corridor will no doubt be a game changer for Pakistan, but we need to be careful.

Ten years’ tax concessions, 90year leases for Chinese companies and cheap imports will impact the competitiveness of existing domestic industries,” the Japanese Nikkei Asian Review, the world’s largest financial newspaper, quoted Ehsan Malik, the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Business Council, a business policy advocacy forum, as saying.

The Centre for Global Development, a non-profit research organisation, has analysed debt to China that will be incurred by nations participating in the current Belt and Road investment plan. Eight nations will find themselves vulnerable to above-average debt: Djibouti, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, the Maldives, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

Yet, China is looking beyond Asia, having taken its BRI projects to 70 countries overall, ranging from poor African nations to the Pacific islands, as well as India, Russia and New Zealand among the growing economies.

Only time will tell if China’s 900 billion dollar ambition will pay off, or if other world economies will decide to pull out in order to retain their autonomy.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES

“Make China Accountable for its Human Right Violations”

by Choeyang Wangmo The forum on the human rights situation in regions under the PRC was held ahead of China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – the evaluation of the human rights performances of the United Nations member states. The forum was set up to influence the upcoming UPR to make China accountable for its human right violations. It was organised in Geneva, Switzerland by the Tibetan Government-inexile’s Department of Information and International Relations together with the Office of Tibet, Geneva, on November 2, four days ahead of China’s UPR on November 6.

The panel saw experts, academics, activists, diplomats and advocacy groups from around the world gathered to discuss the deterioration of human rights in Tibet, East Turkestan (Xinjiang), Southern Mongolia and Hong Kong and called UN human rights institutions to use the UPR process to make China

accountable for its repressions in these regions.

The forum provided a platform for challenging China’s use of its economic power to require countries to comply with its demands.

Sonam Norbu Dagpo, the Secretary of the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) Department of Information and International Relations and the CTA’s official spokesperson at the forum, is reported by Phayul as saying, “Since the last UPR cycle in 2013, China has failed to implement even the simplest of provisions to protect the rights of the people under its rule, including failing to implement accepted recommendations from both previous UPR cycles.” He added, “The lack of joint action from governments has served to exacerbate the situation and the impunity under which the Chinese Communist Party strips its citizens of universal human rights. Furthermore, China’s tactics to silence criticism of its behavior

have been even more aggressive in recent years.”

Golog Jigme, the former political prisoner, activist and Tibetan filmmaker who was also present at the forum, shared his own experiences of the abuse and torture he was subjected to while in detention in a Chinese prison. He said, “Please review the human rights situation in China carefully, critically. If the UN fails to make China accountable this time, it failed all humanity.”

The special guest speaker at the forum was Swiss legislator Lisa Mazzone who said, “Our [Swiss] government has not welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama since 2005, as [it] is deepening ties with China. This for me is unacceptable.”

She assured the forum of her “full support” for the Tibetan people to restore human rights in Tibet and China.

Please see also our article China Scrutinised at the UN on page 5

India and China Meet to Discuss Border Issues

by Aymen Javed Akhtar The ninth Annual Defence and Security Dialogue between India and China was held in Beijing on November 13. The Hindustan Times reported on November 15 that the two sides “have agreed to expand bilateral exchanges involving top generals as well as young army officers in a bid to strengthen communication between their armies […]

Reciprocal high-level visits and joint training exercises for the military – two of the world’s largest – will also be enhanced.”

The report quoted the statement made following the dialogue as saying, “Both sides reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in the India–China border areas, implementing the consensus of Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping, and specific Contact

additional confidence building measures at the operational level.”

The dialogue was jointly chaired

Photo: Press Trust of India

by Indian Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and China’s Lt General Shao Yuanming who is Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.

The 4,075 km long border between India and Chineseoccupied Tibet has been contentions since the Chinese invasion of Tibet 8

in the 1950s, followed by the SinoIndian war in 1962. China makes regular incursions onto Indian soil, escalating tensions. Following the dialogue, both countries reiterated the significance of maintaining tranquility and peace in the border areas and emphasised the importance of the dialogue as a “mechanism between the two countries for consultations on defense and security matters.”

The border is referred to as the Line of Actual Control and follows the McMahon Line set up at the 1914 Simla Convention between India, Tibet, the United Kingdom and China – although China never ratified the agreement and has contested the border ever since. The LAC travels through three north Indian states, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and in the east, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES

Sikyong Visits North America

by Fraser Blagbrough Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, has returned from a tour of North America from November 14–26 which put him in the company of a number of significant political figures including members of the United States Senate, the Canadian and Dutch Government and future leaders from Toronto University Hart House Debating Club. Dr Sangay also used this trip as an opportunity to meet Tibetan communities from as far as Calgary to New York and delivered a number of talks attracting hundreds of Tibetans on each occasion.

The tour began in Washington DC where Dr Sangay met Congresswoman Ileana RosLehtinen to discuss Tibetan issues.

Dr Sangay then took part in a roundtable meeting with 11 Senate and House staffers exploring topics including United States policies towards China and opportunities to advance the Tibetan issue through law making.

Arriving in Toronto on November 18, the Tibetan entourage met a group of Canadian Government officials, including MPs and House Representatives, in order to receive a Canadian $5.4 million (£3.2million/ US$4million) grant to provide funding for education for young Tibetans in India and Nepal. Sikyong engaged with Tibetan students at Toronto University who gave him a traditional Tibetan welcome and he later delivered a talk at Hart House – one of the earliest North American student centres and a venue which has hosted talks by John F Kennedy and Noam Chomsky. Dr Sangay’s final port of call in Canada was Calgary where he was welcomed by the Tibetan Association of Alberta and spoke to over 500 members of the Tibetan community at Marlborough Community Centre.

Sikyong arrived in New York in the United States on November 24 where he was presented with the Award of Gratitude by the Tibetan Community New York and New Jersey for his unwavering leadership

and strong character over the seven years of his leadership of the Tibetan Government-in-exile. Dr Sangay then delivered a speech, expressing his appreciation of the award and urging members of the Tibetan community there to read a new report from the CTA entitled Tibet was never a part of China but Middle Way approach is a viable solution.

Dr Sangay completed his 12 cities tour with a visit to Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, where he was welcomed by the staff of the Office of Tibet, Brussels, Tsering Jampa, Director of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), Europe and members of the Tibetan community of the Netherlands. He later met Dutch government officials and delivered the keynote address at the “Thank You Netherlands” event – part of the “Thank you” year to show appreciation to the countries who have given Tibetans sanctuary over the last 60 years. The event was organised ICT, Europe and the Netherlands Tibetan Community.

Kathok Getse Rinpoche

by Soumya Singh Tarang Kathok Getse Rinpoche Tenpa Gyaltsen, Head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, passed away in his monastery in a village near Kathmandu on November 19, aged 64. The freak accident that caused his death has left many of his devotees saddened and praying for his noble rebirth.

As reported by tibet.net, Rinpoche died at around 11:30 am after encountering a fatal accident. Reports say that while leaving a meditation retreat at Kathok Hermitage, Chagdud Gompa in Parphing village, he slipped and was badly injured.

The Central Tibetan Administration mourned the demise of the diseased Lama, holding a prayer service at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala, and offering their profound condolences to all. The Tibetan Parliament-inContact

exile expressed their grief in a letter: “The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile is deeply saddened to learn the sudden demise of Kathok Getse Rinpoche […] our heartfelt condolence goes

Kathok Getse Rinpoche

out to all his followers of the Ndagyur Nyingma tradition.”

Rinpoche, one of the Five Golden Throne holders of the Kathok branch of Nyingma tradition, was recognised in Tibet by the 16th Karmapa, Jamyang Khyetse Chokyi 9

Lodro and Azom Gyalse Gyurme Dorge as the reincarnation of the Third Katok Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Namgyal. He was appointed as the seventh head of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism for a term of three years in January this year.

His sudden death led to postponing of the 13th religious conference of the leaders of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon tradition which was to be held from November 24 to December 1.

Rinpoche was born in Golok, East Tibet in 1954. He has received teachings and empowerments from many masters, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in both Tibet and India, and has spent many years in retreat. He was known for his mastery of Dzogchen. He left Tibet in 1997 and has looked after his monastery near Kathmandu as well as spending time in India and Bhutan.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES Nov 30: Palden Gyatso, the 85 year old monk and former Tibetan political prisoner, has died in Delek Hospital in Dharamshala. Gyatso spent 33 years in Chinese prison and concentration camps after his arrest in 1959 for his protests during the Chinese invasion of Tibet. On his release in 1992 he escaped from Tibet and has since been a vocal spokesperson about conditions there, speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva and the Oslo Freedom Forum. He won the John Humphrey Freedom Award from the Canadian human rights group Rights and Democracy. His health has deteriorated over the last months.

Nov 27: Prize Fighter!

Su Mudaerji (Sonam Dhargye), 22, has become the first ever Tibetan fighter to be signed up for the biggest Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the world, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with his first fight taking place at the Fight Night 141 in Beijing where he represented China. Bantam-weight Dorje is known as “the Tibetan eagle” and is ranked 9th among 195 Chinese pro-bantam weights.

Nov 27: Raising Cash Members of the Tibetan Association of Northern California living in the East Bay Area have raised over US$7,200 (£5,600) to help victims of the wildfires which have been devastating California and claimed 85 lives. Tibetan volunteers hosted a community café to raise the funds as well as holding a prayer service.

Nov 20: Help for Herders in Tibet?

China has launched the new China Beidou Navigation Integrated Application Platform – a navigation system that will enable herdsmen to locate their herds’ exact position by fitting livestock with microchip collars.

The media statements do not say what will be the cost to herders, nor details of whether there will be grants to enable them to buy it.

Nov 20: Tibet Museum of China China has opened the second phase of the Qinghai Tibetan Culture Museum, upgrading China’s main museum of Tibetan medicine into a “comprehensive Contact

Tibetan Headlines

museum displaying all aspects of Tibetan culture”. The new displays include the 608 metre-long Painting China’s Tibetan Culture– also known as “the Encyclopedia of Tibetan culture”.

Nov 19: Korea Uni Apologises Korea University has apologised for assigning a shared booth to India and Tibet at its international festival.

Chinese students complained, saying that Tibet should have been placed with the Chinese booth; they also complained that the Tibetan national flag was displayed.

Nov 16: “Thank You India” HH the Dalai lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile are spearheading a letter writing campaign, asking Tibetan people living in India to write to the Indian Government to thank India for giving sanctuary to Tibetans for 60 years. All Tibetan schools in India are taking part.

Nov 15: China’s Buddhism Seminar Tibetan Buddhism and Honest Thought, the 2018 Tibetan Buddhism Doctrine Interpretation Seminar, has been held in Beijing. Gyaltsen Norbu – the man appointed by China to fill the role of the 11th Panchen Lama in place of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima whom they abducted in 1995 – gave the opening speech, saying that the Tibetan Buddhist community “should serve the state, serve the people”.

Nov 15: Twitter Defies China Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and chief executive officer of the worldwide social media app Twitter, met HH the Dalai Lama in Delhi, tweeting “You’re an amazing teacher”. Twitter is banned in China and by meeting His Holiness, Dorsey may well have jeopardised any chance of establishing Twitter there.

Other social media apps are complying with China’s demands so they can trade in the country.

Nov 15: Imprisoned Writers’ Day An event was held in Dharamshala to mark Imprisoned Writers’ Day, led by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy and the Tibetan Writers Abroad PEN Centre. A new report Tibetan Literature: In the Web of Censorship and Discrimination was 10

launched, supported by representatives of many Tibetan non-government organisations.

Nov 13: Protest in Chone A protest against a government-planned fresh drinking water diversion has taken place in Se Tsang township in Chone county; no detentions or assaults have been reported. Water from Se Tsang will be diverted to nearby Hrin Tsang township in Batse county. Other protests have taken place in Chone against Chinese policies affecting herders there.

Nov 8: Tibet Study Group Meets A meeting of the Tibet Study Group has been held in New Delhi to discuss the situation regarding the Karmapa and the two claimants to the title.

The Delhi meeting was convened by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The Tibet Study Group is made up of officials from various Indian intelligence agencies.

Nov 6: Monlam Festival A life size portrait of the Karmapa was displayed and honoured at the five-day Kagyu Monlam festival in Tibet. The Monlam festival coincided with the traditional Buddhist Lhabab Duchen holiday and was held at Japa monastery in Nangchen county in Kham (Qinghai), with 4,000 monks and nuns and “tens of thousands of Tibetan lay devotees from all over Tibet” taking part.

Nov 5: China Withdraws Chinese exhibitors have withdrawn from Expotural 2018, the Mountain and Sustainable Tourism Trade Fair at the International Trade Fair of Madrid, in protest at the refusal of the trade fair organisers to withdraw their invitation to Sikyong Lobsang Sangay–President of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile–to speak at the Fair’s opening ceremony.

Nov 1: Karmapa’s Travels The Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, has announced via Instagram that he has acquired a Dominican passport to enable him to travel in order to carry out his religious duties. He cited difficulties in the past when travelling with his Identity Certificate (IC) – the document issued by India to Tibetan refugees.

There is speculation that he may now only visit India on a visa permit.

NOVEMBER 2018

International Headlines

Nov 27: Bees Killed In South Africa at least 1,000,000 bees have been poisoned by Fipronil, an insecticide used by wine producers.

It is thought to have killed millions of honey bees in Europe and its use has been restricted there since 2013. Fipronil is banned from use on animals destined for consumption.

It contaminated millions of eggs in European countries this year.

Nov 20: Activists on Trial In Hong Kong nine pro-democracy activists who led the 2014 “Umbrella” “Umbrella” movement demanding the right for Hong Kong to choose its own leader are on trial; they have pleaded not guilty. The trial is seen as a test of Hong Kong’s judicial independence from Beijing. Amnesty International has described the trial as “an attack on free speech and peaceful assembly”.

Nov 26: Ukrainian Vessels Seized Russia has fired on and seized three Ukrainian vessels off the Crimean coast. The Ukrainian navy said Russian Special Forces chased and captured two gunboats and a tug which they said had illegally entered its waters. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called an urgent meeting of his “war cabinet”.

Nov 18: World Falconry Day A celebration of World Falconry Day was held in the desert near Alexandria in Egypt to celebrate the ancient sport.

Eagles and falcons took part in a display of falconry, catching pigeons and rabbits.

Hunting with birds of prey in Egypt dates back to the ancient Egyptians.

Nov 22: Charges Dropped The British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has dropped the charges against Linlin Kong, 48, a Chinese TV reporter who shouted at, and slapped three times, a delegate at the Conservative party conference. He had asked her to leave when she disrupted a speech about political freedoms in Hong Kong.

The CPS now say there is “insufficient evidence” prompting speculation that the UK has succumbed to pressure from China.

Nov 23: Environmental House The “CUBO”, a low-cost bamboo house designed to “turn community waste into energy and other valuable resources” is being seen as the answer to the slum crisis in the Philippines.

The prize-winning house takes a week to manufacture and four hours to construct at a cost of £50 per square metre. One third of Manila’s 12 million inhabitants live in slums.

Nov 21: Whale Dies in Indonesia Nearly 6kg (13 lbs) of plastic waste has been found in the stomach of a dead sperm whale washed ashore near Kapota Island off Indonesia. The waste included 115 drinking cups, four plastic bottles, 25 plastic bags and two flip-flops. Scientists say it cannot be proven that the ingested plastic had killed the whale. Plastics bags are believed to kill hundreds of marine animals in the region.

Contact

Nov 16: No Return The 700,000 Muslim Rohingya refugees who fled the military crackdown in Myanmar are refusing to return from Bangladesh. The first 2,000 people scheduled to return on the planned repatriation programme have refused to leave. The United Nations says the situation in Myanmar is not safe and noone should be forced to return.

Nov 15: New “super-Earth” A new planet has been discovered, orbiting Barnard’s star – one of the stars closest to our Sun, six light-years away.

Its mass is 3.2 times larger than that of the Earth making it a “super-Earth” and astronomers suggest it is a “mostly rocky planet with a massive atmosphere”. It was discovered by astronomers at Queen Mary University of London.

Nov 13: Award Revoked Aung San Suu Kyi, 73, the de facto leader of Myanmar, is being stripped of Amnesty International’s highest honour, the Ambassador of Conscience Award which she received in 2009 while living under house arrest. Amnesty said it was “profoundly dismayed” at her failure to speak out against the military crackdown of the Rohingya minority group living in Myanmar.

Nov 12: Digital Presenters China is introducing AI television news anchors – digital versions of existing newsreaders. The first is a digital version of a regular Xinhua news anchor. The AIs 11

NEWS & ISSUES

simulate voice, facial movements and gestures to present “a life like image”.

Nov 8: Reunited!

78 children from a school in the north west of Cameroon who were kidnapped in the region’s capital, Bamenda, have been freed and are now reunited with their parents. One of the girls told the BBC they had been well treated. There is speculation that separatists demanding an independent state of Ambazonia were behind the kidnapping.

Nov 6: Huang Qi Reporters Without Borders and a coalition of non-government human rights organisations are calling on China to release Huang Qi, an award winning Chinese journalist and human rights activist who is in extremely poor health.

Huang Qi has been held without trial, and subjected to violence, for two years on a charge of divulging state secrets internationally.

Nov 5: Independence Rejected A vote has taken place in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia; 56.4% chose to remain part of France while 43.6% voted to leave. Turnout was about 81%. The vote was promised following a violent campaign for independence. New Caledonia is rich in nickel and is seen by France as a strategic political and economic asset in the region.

Nov 3: Man Jailed Graham Morant, 68, has been given a 10 year jail term in Australia for encouraging and helping his wife Jennifer Morant to commit suicide.

His motivation was to claim her life insurance of A$1.4m (US$1million / £770,000). She had been suffering from chronic pain, depression and anxiety but was not terminally ill nor suicidal. This is the first case of its kind in the world.

Nov 2: China Lifts Ban China has alarmed conservationists by partially lifting a 25-year ban on the trade of tiger bones and rhino horn – parts from captive animals will now be authorised for scientific, medical and cultural use. Both animals are endangered in the wild. Rhino and tiger parts are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS & ISSUES

A New Form of Espionage

by Sarah Gittleman In recent months, a growing number of countries have issued warnings to their citizens regarding ongoing Chinese espionage efforts that compromise their militaries and economies, as well as the lives of individuals within these states.

While the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has long engaged in espionage to undermine other countries and exile communities abroad, recent incidents have highlighted the use of new tactics that target unsuspecting students, civil servants, scientists, business people, and other high-level figures, in an effort to use them as spies against their own respective states.

While the PRC continues to employ more traditional means of spying – which is evidenced by the recent conviction of Gui Minhai, a Tibetan who had supplied the PRC with information about the families, housing situations, and travel plans of fellow Tibetans living in Sweden – its new approach is particularly concerning, as it makes regular citizens unwitting accomplices to espionage.

With this new approach, relatively ordinary people – who often have no former ties to the PRC – are targeted for recruitment. Because Chinese intelligence officials rarely lead with asking potential targets to betray their country or employer, many fail to recognise what they have gotten themselves into until it is too late.

In some cases, students studying abroad in China have been offered

small sums of cash to help with expenses while abroad. After accepting the funds for some period of time, their Chinese benefactors then push them to apply for positions within their home countries’ intelligence agencies. This was the case for Glenn Duffie Shriver, an American student who became intrigued with China during a 45day summer exchange programme; upon his return, he was encouraged to apply for employment within the State Department or CIA. After doing so, he was arrested, and the FBI has since turned the incident into a film warning other exchange students about the threat posed by Chinese friends bearing gifts.

In other instances, recruitment occurs online, particularly via professional platforms. Often, it starts with a LinkedIn request. This process, known as “spotting”, usually targets professionals with some sort of expertise deemed useful to the PRC. If the person is believed to have knowledge of sensitive information pertaining to anything from national defence to valuable technological trade secrets, Chinese intelligence officials will begin to determine the best method for recruiting that individual: money, ideology, coercion or ego.

Once a connection is established, the target is praised for their work within their respective field and offered seemingly benign gifts. When money, ideology or ego are not believed to be an effective means of recruiting the individual, coercion is often

employed. In some cases, the person is offered an all-expenses paid trip to attend a conference or event within the PRC. Although the offer may appear innocuous, it is far from it. Once the target accepts the invitation and travels to the PRC, they are susceptible to entrapment as intelligence officials will strive to collect incriminating photographs or financial records as blackmail in order to gain leverage over the individual.

While recent headlines regarding these new tactics have focused on the theft of state secrets and the economic and militaristic implications of these practices, the PRC also strives to censor critical discussion of its history and human rights record, and to intimidate critics of its repressive policies.

Tibetans, and other exile groups, have been the frequent targets of such efforts.

Furthermore, it is not rogue actors who are behind these acts of espionage, as the PRC has suggested.

Substantial evidence put forth by various intelligence agencies the world over – including the recent charges brought against Yanjun Xu, an alleged Chinese intelligence officer, who was caught in Belgium and extradited to the United States for the theft of trade secrets from American aerospace companies, including GE Aviation – points to the fact that it is indeed the Chinese Ministry of State Security that is behind these attempts to steal from and sabotage the interests of its foreign rivals.

Sharp Power

by Lodoe Gyatso The Canadian Policy Institute has published a report, The Hard Edge of Sharp Power: Understanding China’s Influence Operations Abroad, which describes China’s efforts to promote itself by means of “sharp power”.

The report talks about “activities that, although not always illicit, often involve co-optation, corruption, censorship, threats, and other elements”and goes on to describe organisations whose sharp power activity “occurs Contact

alongside perfectly legitimate activities”.

Academia, publications and media, foreign governments as well as diaspora communities and front organisations are all revealed as theatres of China’s political warfare.

The report questions how democratic institutions should respond, saying.

“While some of the sharp power involves clearly illegal activity, many other aspects of political warfare take place in the grey areas of our legaldemocratic systems – not strictly illegal, 12

and difficult to pin down as traditional foreign espionage.” It makes a series of recommendations and concludes, “Simply put, we have failed to pay enough attention to China over the years.

The author, J Michael Cole, is a Taipei-based security analyst and Editor-in-Chief of the Taiwan Sentinel.

The publisher, the Macdonald–Laurier Institute, is a non-partisan think tank located in Ottawa, Canada. The report was published on October 25.

NOVEMBER 2018

DHARAMSHALA VOICES Viewing Life with Optimism

by Saule Aitkulova Jampel Lhundup lives in Dharamshala and works at Illiterati, a café with a thoughtful selection of books and beautiful view of the Dhauladhar Mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It

is difficult not to notice Jampel’s presence when visiting Illiterati. His effortlessly stylish outfits and warm smile with a certain ease represent the very atmosphere of the café.

He says: “No matter who comes to Illiterati should be treated equally with respect.”

Jampel, or Anda as his friends call him, moved to India from Tibet with his parents at the age of three. He comes from Kham region in Tibet, where the people, Khampas, are traditionally known as the warriors of Tibet. They often carry the Lhatse Knife which became famous among foreigners for its good quality.

Reflecting on the region, he says: “Humans are humans and even in Tibet there are still attachment issues which creates disputes among the people and leads to violence. In the end it is your own mind that you have to fight.”

Jampel went to the Tibetan Children’s Village School (TCV) in Dharamshala, supported by a sponsor from Austria. “She is the one who taught me to be open to all people, she is my second mom,” he says.

He reminisces about his school life as being a naughty kid who loved stage performance and entertainment. Jampel was also deeply passionate about sports and did track running professionally.

“When I ran I had no intention to win or anything, I simply enjoyed doing it. When I ran I was alone, I could not communicate with anyone, I was just with my mind, aware of things. That’s why I love long-distance running. It grounds me and makes me feel peaceful. If I keep it competitive I won’t be able to maintain that very state”, he says.

Jampel broke the local record twice winning the cross country running in Dharamshala.

After TCV Jampel went to college in Baroda, Gujarat (India) and studied Psychology for three years.

“I took classes and learned things that I found interesting but never attended exams because I found them useless for me.

Not that I was rebelling against the institution or anything. I think what’s important is the knowledge, the understanding, not the degree,” said Jampel.

After college he returned to Dharamshala and entered the Instituteof Buddhist Dialectics (IBD). His interest in Buddhist philosophy was sparked by Tibetan language classes that he took before enrolling to IBD. It was important for Jampel’s father that his son speaks the native language.

At IBD he studied mostly with monks. He was one of the few lay people attending the institution.

“Every day I used to wake up at 6 am and do prostrations for 15 minutes,” he recalls. He shared a memory of his 19-20 year old classmates who had

remarkable abilities to quickly grasp Buddhist concepts and passionately debate them in the canteen.

“Buddhism gave me answers to the questions I always had growing up and it changed me a lot. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is my Lama,” he says. Jampel dropped out from IBD but nevertheless is continuing to explore Buddhism on his own.

After quitting IBD Jampel started working at Illiterati, which is owned by his childhood friend. He and his friends run the café together and that is one of the main reasons he enjoys doing his job.

“It is interesting to work there because our guests are culturally very diverse. There is a sense of equality for everyone. It’s a nice place that naturally keeps the ethics,” he says.

Illiterati Cafe Photo: Abhinav Chandel

As a final thought, Jampel said if there is something he can contribute to the world, he would advise people to cultivate optimism, saying that it gives one mental strength and makes one resilient. He used a metaphor of a beautiful flower spreading its fragrance to describe the workings of the optimistic brain that naturally attracts people. “Whatever you have, view it optimistically,” concludes Jampel.

Every month we feature somebody from the Tibetan community on our Dharamshala Voices page as well as the occasional profile of one of the many NGOs in Dharamshala who do so much to help the Tibetan Community - see over for ANEC. You can read more Dharamshala Voices stories on the Contact website: http://www.contactmagazine.net/dharamasla-life/ The People stories on the Dharamshala Voices page online tell the stories of the people who make up the Tibetan exile community inDharamshala and elsewhere, as well as the stories of Lha students and volunteers, told in their own words.

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NOVEMBER 2018

DHARAMSHALA VOICES

Promoting Peaceful Strategies

by Sarah Gittleman In spite of the daunting and unfortunate circumstances they have faced since losing their homeland to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Tibetans remain steadfast in their commitment to nonviolent resistance. While many explain this tendency by simply pointing to Tibetan Buddhism – particularly, its message of compassion and nonviolence – there are certainly other factors at play. After all, most religions promote similar ideals, but few societies are able to so effectively put these principles into action. What Tibetans have, which other groups lack, are institutions that unequivocally support and reinforce these key values. Across the board – in Tibetan schools, monasteries, government offices, etc – nonviolence is the guiding principle, and tremendous investments are made in support of this ideal. Knowing this, it is easy to see the significance of one local non-government organisation (NGO), the Active Nonviolence Education Centre (ANEC), which is working diligently to promote these values across Tibetan society.

The idea that eventually led to the creation of ANEC came about in 1995 when Rabbi Everett Gendler and Dr Mary Gendler travelled from Nepal to Tibet and noticed a stark contrast between Tibetans there and Tibetans in exile. While their previous encounters with Tibetans in India and Nepal had always been pleasant, Tibetans living within the PRC were rather hostile toward the pair. The couple concluded that their experience must reflect the frustration felt by those Tibetans who have been forced into an untenable situation of extreme oppression and wondered if there might be a way to alleviate this general sense of helplessness that seemed so widespread within Tibet.

Inspired by recent historical events of that time – specifically, a number of successful nonviolent Contact

revolutions – the Gendlers wondered whether Tibetans, too, could benefit from finding positive and effective nonviolent methods with which to challenge the PRC. While it would be impossible to organise such an effort from within Tibet, they figured that it could still be beneficial to teach Tibetans in exile, who might someday return to Tibet and propagate such lessons there.

Soon after their visit to Tibet, the pair met His Holiness the Dalai Lama and asked to arrange a three-day workshop for the Tibetan community in Dharamshala. His Holiness responded enthusiastically, and suggested that they plan for a twoweek seminar instead. The event was

led by Dr Gene Sharp, a prominent American scholar whose books have helped to inspire countless peaceful protest movements throughout the world. The seminar was so successful that Dr Sharp was invited to return twice more.

In the years following this initial effort, the Gendlers remained in Dharamshala and organised additional seminars for various Tibetan groups.

When it came time to return home, the pair decided to formally establish an NGO that could be situated within the Tibetan community and hired a local staff to assume control and initiate broader outreach. This is how ANEC officially got its start as a local NGO in 2007.

To date, ANEC continues to fulfil its original mission, and still organises workshops on the topics of nonviolence and nonviolent communication. Staff members 14

recently travelled to parts of northeast India where they hosted their first event for the Tibetan communities living there, and similar efforts are planned for coming months. In addition to continuing these projects, the group has also adopted new approaches which have helped to increase their overall impact. ANEC now produces a number of publications, including the ANEC Messenger and other resource materials, and hosts panels and regular film screenings which are followed by group discussions.

In addition to working as its own entity, ANEC has also entered into new partnerships – including plans for future collaboration with the Gandhi Ashram in Hyderabad – that will introduce the concept of nonviolence and nonviolent communication on an even larger scale. ANEC is also very proud of its recent collaboration with the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) Department of Education after producing three children’s books that will soon be added to the academic curriculum taught in all schools operated by the Tibetan governmentin-exile. The NGO is even hoping to expand upon this effort by creating material suitable for older, 11th standard students as well.

Mr Jigme, an ANEC employee, believes that “every single child should know about nonviolence in order to make sure the whole community becomes aware of its importance”.

While it is difficult for tourists without the proper expertise to get involved in any training efforts, there are still many ways visitors to Dharamshala can help ANEC’s cause.

For example, there is a significant need for volunteers who can help edit written publications, maintain the organisation’s webpage, or perform research for resource material.

Because ANEC has only four fulltime staff members, temporary help from those who can perform these functions is always appreciated.

NOVEMBER 2018

LHA NEWS AND PROJECTS Lha could not provide the services we do without the support of our wonderful volunteers who help in so many ways and inspire us with their enthusiasm. Every month we ask a volunteer to share their story. This month Sarah Gittleman from the United States tells us her story.

Volunteer Job at Lha: News Writer for Contact magazine

Always Drawn Back Again I first came to McLeod Ganj in 2013 after graduating from college.

The plan was to stay for about five or six weeks, but by week two, I knew I couldn’t leave so soon. Some people joked that the town is “sticky” – once you visit, you’ll never want to leave.

Many who thought they were merely passing through have become longterm residents, I was told. I don’t doubt a word of it since I cancelled my flight and extended my initial visit, and was planning my return trip before I had even arrived home.

A few months later, I was back in McLeod Ganj. It was on this second trip that I started working with Lha Charitable Trust, as well as a few other local NGOs.With a background in political science, I found myself most interested in writing for Lha’s Contact magazine, since the role encourages a deep understanding of the Tibetan situation and the challenges that the refugee community faces here and abroad.

During this second visit, I wrote articles on a variety of subjects and learned a tremendous amount about everything from geopolitics and international law to the particulars of Tibetan Buddhism.

Unfortunately, the time came for me to depart again, but I didn’t feel any the more ready to say goodbye than I had during my second week here when deciding to extend my trip the year prior. I felt immensely connected to the work I was doing,

and to the town itself. Sadly, there was just no way of staying. Nonetheless, I promised myself that I would someday return.

A few months later, I was back.

I had really fallen for this “sticky” town, and couldn’t stay away for long – I missed the beauty of the town and the people within it. Upon my return, I continued contributing articles, and even got involved in new ways.

When I left McLeod Ganj for the third time, I thought it would be decades before I would be able to return. I enrolled in graduate school and started on a new path, but I never stopped missing this little town in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Maybe I’m getting a bit too predictable, but I did eventually find my way back! Again, I have become involved with Lha, and I am thrilled that I have been welcomed back as a writer for the next few months, until I must leave again.

American School of Bombay - Lha news of the month Lha Charitable Trust hosted 20 students from the American School of Bombay at Ahimsa House from October 30 to November 1 under Lha’s Cultural Exchange Programme. The students were paired with Lha students for their mutual learning programme through which both sides get the opportunity to exchange their knowledge, learn about each others’ culture and share each others’ personal stories. The

group participated in other activities– including games–to make their visit to Dharamshala a fun learning platform.

Lha hosts around 15 groups annually from different parts of the world under the Cultural Exchange Programme through which the participants are introduced to Tibetan culture, tradition and way of life in exile. To find out more, please visit http://www. lhasocialwork.org/cultural-exchange

Contact magazine is published by Lha Charitable Trust

Lha Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots, non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has been striving to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for 20 years. Lha was registered as a charitable trust by the Indian Government in 2005.

For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org To keep up to date with news of what’s happening in Tibet and in the Tibetan exile community, follow Contact magazine online at www.contactmagazine.net Facebook: Contact News / Twitter: Contact News Contact

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NOVEMBER 2018

around town

Charities and Organisations

Central Tibetan Administration The CTA serves in Dharamshala as the government in exile of Tibet. It is democratic with judiciary, legislative, and executive branches.

Within the Executive branch there is the Kashag, consisting of the departments of Religion and Culture, Home, Education, Finance, Security, Information and International Relations and Health, and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.

WEB: www.tibet.net LOCATION: Near Library PHONE: 01892-222218 HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pm EMAIL: kashag@tibet.net The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL) OHHDL is the personal office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The office organises his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.

WEB: www.dalailama.com LOCATION: McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221210 EMAIL: ohhdl@dalailama.com Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) The TYC is an advocacy and political action organisation with chapters around the world.

The TYC organises cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities.

WEB: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala -176219 PHONE: 01892-221554 EMAIL:president@tibetanyouthcongress.org, tyc@tibetanyouthcongress.org Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) The TWA conducts workshops on gender sensitization and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships, and connects women with international sponsors.

WEB: www. tibetanwomen.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221527 EMAIL: tibwomen@gmail.com Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education. There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamshala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India.

WEB: www.tcv.org.in LOCATION: Dharamshala Cantt.176216 PHONE: 01892-221354 / 221348 EMAIL: headoffice@tcv.org.in

Men-Tsee-Khang: Tibetan Medical & Astro.

Institute Men-Tsee-Khang is a facility for research, training and practice of traditional Tibetan medicine.

Patients may seek treatment at Men-TseeKhang for both acute and chronic conditions.

The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals.

WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong,

Contact

PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org

Tibetan Library (LTWA) (Centre for Tibetan Studies) The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives has the purpose to restore, protect, preserve, and promote Tibetan culture in all its aspects. They offer courses in Tibetan and Hindi language and Buddhist philosophy and can provide affordable accommodation for those enrolled in two or more courses.

WEB: www.tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 9882255047 EMAIL: ltwa1970@gmail.com Delek Hospital Delek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamshala. It has 45 inpatient beds, holds outpatient hours from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday, and can handle most small procedures. Patients are responsible for a 10 Rupees registration fee. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.

WEB:www.delekhospital.org LOCATION: Kharadanda Rd, Dharamshala; Delek Clinic, Bhagsu Rd, Dharamshala HOURS: Outpatient, Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm; Emergencies, 24 hours daily PHONE: 01892-222053 / 223381 EMAIL: delek@bsnl.in hospitaldelek@yahoo.com Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society The society was established in 1999 to provide educational and administrative guidance to all Tibetan schools in remote areas of India and Bhutan that do not fall under the guidance of Tibetan Childrens Village. Today there are 12 schools under this organisation.

WEB: www.sambhota.org LOCATION: Session Rd, Dharamshala176215 PHONE: 01892 - 228877 | 226877 EMAIL: stss1999@gmail.com Tong-Len Charitable Trust Tong-Len’s mission is to help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future. Tong-Len projects include educational and health programs, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Volunteer opportunities available.

WEB: www. tong-len.org LOCATION: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala-176215 PHONE: 01892-223930 EMAIL: jamyang@tong-len.org Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) SFT is an international NGO that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community.

The organisation attempts to build international solidarity by advocating for a free Tibet through chapter organisations at Universities around the world.

WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 9882786875 Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) TCHRD advocates for human rights and

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provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet. The centre publishes journals and articles, as well as conducting workshops and campaigns.

WEB: www.tchrd.org LOCATION: CTA, Dharamshala - 176215 PHONE: 01892-223363 EMAIL: office@tchrd.org Lha Charitable Trust (Lha) Lha, a Tibetan grassroots NGO based in Dharamshala, is one of the largest social work organisations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. (see page 2) WEB:www.lhasocialwork.org LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Opposite State Bank of India PHONE: 01892-220992, 988-2323-455 EMAIL: office@lhasocialwork.org The Kangra Distt. Red Cross Society The Kangra District Red Cross Society renders its humanitarian services, projects and activities with the help and the co-operation of people at all levels of society by donation.

WEB: www.redcrosskangra.org LOCATION: Red Cross Bhawan, Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-224888 / 9418832244 EMAIL: sharmaopl12345@gmail.com

Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Association of Tibet is an organisation of former political prisoners of Tibet and former activists currently in exile that engages in their complete assistance from medical, financial, basic education and vocational training. It also organises lobby and advocacies about human rights abuses in Tibet.

WEB: www.guchusum.org LOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679 EMAIL: guchusum1991@gmail.com Tibet Charity Tibet Charity provides programs including English and computer classes, an animal care program, and a variety of medical and educational financial support programs.

WEB: www.tibetcharity.in LOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877 EMAIL: director@tibetcharity.in Tibet World Tibet World is a charitable trust (Reg. No 136/2015) “Where Tibet meets the world & the world meets Tibet”. Education programmes: international language courses, training, workshops and a winter programme for schoolchildren. Cultural programmes: folk show, talks, sharing stories, monk chat, compassion + wisdom = happiness workshops, cultural tours, engaging volunteering options, cultural exchange and collaboration programmes.

WEB: www.tibetworld.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road near Post Office, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 9816999928/8353005268 EMAIL: info@tibetworld.org

NOVEMBER 2018

around town

Charities and Organisations

Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Established in 1959, under the vision of HH the Dalai Lama, TIPA strives to preserve and promote Tibetan theatrical tradition.

The Insitute imparts comprehensive training and lessons on Tibetan folk dance, folk song, traditional instruments and tradition of Tibetan opera.TIPA also hosts a beautiful theatrical museum which remains open during working days. We organise a special group tour of our campus every Wednesday (10 am).

WEB: www.tibetanarts.org LOCATION: TIPA Road, McLeod Ganj Dharamshala-176219 PHONE: 01892-221478 EMAIL: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT) Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT) is a nongovernment, non-profit adult education centre in Dharamshala, North India. LIT provides Free Education, Health Care and Skills Training to Tibetan Refugees to help eradicate poverty and illiteracy amongst the Tibetan population.

WEB:www.lit-dharamsala.org LOCATION: Underground Hotel Akash, Jogiwara Road, Mcleodd Ganj, Dharamsala 176219 PHONE: (+91) 7590025915 EMAIL: learningandideasfortibet@gmail. com Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR) Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a non-profit, educational organisation dedicated to the non-violent management of conflicts in the Tibetan Community and the world as a whole.They work to promote the approaches and tools of non-violent conflict resolution and democratic processes in the Tibetan community in exile and elsewhere.

WEB: http://tccr.org LOCATION: Session Road, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-226627 EMAIL: tccrteam@gmail.com Rogpa Baby Care Centre The Rogpa Baby Care Centre helps low-income Tibetan families to become self-sufficient by providing free child care for infants so that their parents can work. The centre needs volunteers to help with art, games, singing and other tasks including diaper changing.

WEB: www.tibetrogpa.org LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala- 176219 PHONE: 9857973026 EMAIL: rogpa2004@yahoo.com Gamru Village School Gamru Village School is a successful NGO that provides free high-quality education to any children who encounter serious barriers to education and who have a low standard of living.

WEB: www.gamruschool.com LOCATION: Village Gamru, P.O Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala, Distt Kangra 176215 PHONE: 9816105554 Contact

EMAIL: tashu72004@yahoo.com Clean Upper Dharamshala Project Founded in 1994 to provide a waste management system in and around McLeod Ganj, the Green Workers, the Handmade Recycled Paper Factory, the Green Shop and the Environmental Education Centre are part of the Clean Upper Dharamshala Project. Weekly guided tours are offered on Wednesdays at 3 pm.

WEB: www.tsodhasa.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala - 176219 PHONE: 01892-221059 EMAIL: cudpswm@gmail.com

Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage) Nyingtob Ling supports Tibetan children from disadvantaged families. The children make handicrafts and paintings. They are so friendly and love to have visitors.

WEB: www.nyingtobling.org LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, Sidhpur PHONE:01892 211042 / 9816028149 EMAIL: nyingtob_ling@hotmail.com Women’s Team Volunteers needed to teach English to Indian women and children in the village of Kaniyara near Dharamshala. Contact Jitender.

EMAIL: jitenderje@gmail.com PHONE: 7831956680 / 08894435595 The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC) ANEC facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on nonviolent strategies to help resolve disagreements and differences at all levels of human society. ANEC welcomes volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas of regional and global peace and nonviolent strategies. Free lunch and tea and many more benefits for

volunteers.

LOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 9882077708 / 9882921477 EMAIL: wangduemiddleway@gmail.com Website: www.anec-india.net Facebook: www/facebook.com/anecpeace National Democratic Party of Tibet The NDPT is currently the only Tibetan political party. With 5000 members in 36 regional chapters throughout the world, the main aim and objectives of the NDPT are to prepare for the establishment of a political party in a future Tibet, to promote democracy, to educate the Tibetan people about the significance of political parties and to create awareness among the people about Tibetan issues.

WEB: www.ndp4tibet.org LOCATION: Dharamshala–176219 EMAIL: tibetparty4@gmail.com PHONE: 9882787633 / 9882673330 Tibetan Dubbing Society Tibetan Dubbing Society, founded in 2015, is a non-profit organisation working towards preserving Tibetan language through various forms of entertainment and dubbing animation movies into Tibetan language for Tibetan children.

LOCATION: Near Norbulinga Institute WEBSITE: www.tibetdub.org EMAIL: savetiblang@gmail.com CONTACT: +91-8629837735 Norbulingka Institue Centre for Tibetan culture with studios and artists at work. Temple, tour guides of the workshops, and gardens.

LOCATION:Sidhpur, Dharamshala PHONE:9882144210 EMAIL: info@norbulingka.org WEB:www.norbulingka.org

BUS SCHEDULE * Times and prices may vary. Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

Leaving from the McLeod Ganj bus stand, unless otherwise stated: DELHI: Ordinary Bus: 4:00am (Rs 554), 6pm (Rs 580), 7:30 pm (Rs 570) Semi Deluxe Bus: 5pm (Rs 590) , 6:30pm (Rs 590) Full Deluxe Bus: (Rs683) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8:15 am (Rs 1243), 5:35pm (Rs 1275), 7:00pm (Rs 1275), 8:50pm (Rs1275) AC TATA: 5:50pm (Rs 972) AMRITSAR: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs257) *from Dharamshala DEHRADUN: Ordinary Bus: 2pm (Rs 560) 8pm (Rs 551); VOLVO: 7pm (Rs 1199) MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 7:10am (Rs358 *from Dharamshala / VOLVO: 11:30 pm (Rs 782) PATHANKOT: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 136) * from Dharamshala SHIMLA: Ordinary Bus: 5am (Rs 408), 6am (Rs 360), 7:50am (Rs 375), 8:am (Rs 520) 7:45 pm (Rs 363), 12pm (Rs 367) *from Dharamshala, Semi-Deluxe Bus: 9:30pm (Rs455) *from Dharamshala FOR BOOKINGS: Location: Ticket stand under McLLo’s, McLeod Ganj Main square Hours: 10am-5pm, daily Phone: 220026 (McLeod bus stand), 224903 (Dharamshala) For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TA X I S A private taxi to Lower Dharamshala will cost you Rs 200. Cram into a jeep (from the bus stand), and it’ll only cost you Rs15.

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NOVEMBER 2018

activities and information UPCOMING EVENTS Dec 3-5: His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Teaching Venue: Sankisa, Uttar Pradesh Dec 10: His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize Day Dec 10-11: Himalayan Festival Venue: Dalai Lama Temple, Mcloed Ganj

BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY Library of Tibetan Works and Archives WEB: www.tibetanlibrary.org LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala HOURS: Mon-Fri: 10:30 - 11:45 am PHONE: 9882255047

Public Audience with HH Karmapa WEB: www.kagyuoffice.org LOCATION: Sidhpur HOURS: Wed & Sat: 2:30pm PHONE: 01892-235307

YOGA AND REIKI Yoga & Reiki Courses

Location- Om Yoga Ashram,Near Dal Lake Mob- 9805693514 /981649432 Email - om.yoga@ymail.com web- http://www.omashram.in

Shivam Neelkant Yoga Kendra LOCATION: Upper Bhagsu PHONE: 098165-65138 WEB: www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com

MASSAGE Nature Cure Health Club

Shiatsu massage LOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka, Jogiwara Road PHONE: 07833047078 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Men-Tsee-Khang

LOCATION: Mcleod Ganj Branch Clinic, 1st floor, TIPA Road (2 mins from Main Square) PHONE: 98828-60505 EMAIL: therapycenter@men-tsee-khang.org

Om Massage Centre

LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, Opposite the Green Hotel, Mcleod Ganj PHONE:7018483961/9857999373 EMAIL: kunsangdolma75@gmail.com

Dorjee Spa LOCATION: Pema Thang Guest house, Hotel Bhagsu Road PHONE:9816393673 / 9857108408 WhatsApp: 9816393673

Contact

MEDITATION Ocean of Harmony

Taught by an experienced and qualified coach WEB: www.oceanofharmony.org PHONE: (+91) 99798-94585 EMAIL: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com

Tushita Meditation Center WEB: www.tushita.info LOCATION: Dharamkot HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30am PHONE: 0898-816-0988 EMAIL: spc@tushita.info

Shivan Neel Kanth Yoga

WEBSITE:www.shivamneelkant.yoga.com LOCATION: Bhagsu Nag, Near High Sky PHONE: 09816565138 EMAIL: yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in

Om Meditation Ashram

Location-Om Yoga Ashram,Near Dal Lake Mob-01892 220333 /9805693514 web - www.himalayanashram.com

COOKING

Lha Tibetan Cooking Classes - for groups LOCATION: Lha Soup Kitchen, Temple Rd, Just below the Dalai Lama’s temple HOURS: Registration, 9:00-11:00am PHONE: 01892-220992

Indian Cooking and Knitting with Ms Rita Kapoor LOCATION: Old German Bakery, 1st Floor, Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, Bhagsunag PHONE: 94592-06586

Indian Cooking Classes

LANGUAGES Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translators Program LOCATION: Rato Chuwar Labrang, Phuntsok Gatsel Session Road Hours: 10:45-5pm Email: lrztp.manager@gmail.com

REETA THAKUR HINDI CLASSES Location: Near Dal Lake Mob - 9816494732 Tibetan Language

LOCATION: The Tibetan Library *see Buddhist Philosophy Listing

Hindi Lessons with Kailash

LOCATION: Hotel India House, Bhagsu Rd PHONE: 01892-20063, 941-816-1947

Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses and Tibetan Immersion Spoken LOCATION:Tilak Ray Building, Bhagsu Rd PHONE: 8679502538 / 98820-04965 EMAIL: contact@esukhia.org

Sanskrit Language Study Program at Vikramashila Foundation India (VFI) Location: Vikramashila center, 1st flr, Ketan Lodge,Jogiwara road, McleodGanj, Dharamshala, H.P Email: vikramashilafoundation@gmail.com

ART AND MUSEUMS Tibet Museum

LOCATION:Near the Main Temple and Namgyal Monastery gate, McLeod Ganj HOURS: Tue-Sun: 9:00am-5:00pm

LOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guesthouse HOURS: 10:00am-6:00pm PHONE: 07833047078 / 0988230136 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression

Lhamo’s Kitchen: Tibetan Cooking Classes

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)

Sangye’s Kitchen: Traditional Tibetan Cooking Classes

Kangra Art Museum

LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop HOURS: 8:00am-9:00pm PHONE: 981-646-8719

LOCATION: Lung-ta Restaurant, below the Tashi Choeling Monastery on Jogiwara Road HOURS:10:00am - 4:00pm PHONE: 981-616-4540 EMAIL: sangyla_tashi@yahoo.co.in

COMPUTER CLASSES Tibetan Career Centre, Dharamshala LOCATION: Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj HOURS: 9:00am-6pm PHONE: 9882321424 /9880969175 Email at : yesheadconsultant@tibet.net

Lha Charitable Truse

LOCATION: Near Dolma Chowk, Mcleod Ganj PHONE: 9882323455 / +91 (0)1892 -220992 WEB: www.lhasocialwork.org

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LOCATION: Gu-Chu-Sum hall, Jogiwara Rd HOURS: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00pm-5:00pm

WEB: www.tibetanarts.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 1892-221478 EMAIL: tibetanarts2012@gmail.com

LOCATION: Near Bus Stand, Kotwali Bazaar PHONE: 01892 224214 HOURS: Tue-Sun: 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm

Men-Tsee-Khang Museum

LOCATION: Near CTA, Gangchen Kyishong PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org HOURS: 9am-5pm. Closed on Sun, 2 and 4th Sat

Center for Living Buddhist Art WEBSITE: www.livingbuddhistart.com EMAIL: sarikalochoe@hotmail.com

PHONE: 9418655401 HOURS: 9 am- 5 pm LOCATION: Khanyara Road

NOVEMBER 2018

activities and information HEALTH SERVICES Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Dr Natasha Mehra LOCATION: Near Hotel Mount View, Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj PHONE: 09218742046 EMAIL: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com Tibetan Physiotherapy Clinic Specialised in Muscle and Joint Pain LOCATION: Near Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 HOURS: 10am - 5pm (Appointment Bases) PHONE: 9882322783 / 9882321532 EMAIL: jigten17@yahoo.co.in WEBSITE : tibetanphysiotherapy.com Tibetan Delek Hospital LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala PHONE: 01892-22053 / 223381 HOURS: Outpatient services, Mon-Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00-4:30pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily Maanav Health Clinic LOCATION: Main Square HOURS: 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-5:00pm PHONE: 941-815-5795 EMAIL: maanavcare@yahoo.co.in Men-Tsee-Khang LOCATION: Below Delek Hospital, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala 176215 PHONE: 01892-223222 / 223113 EMAIL: info@men-tsee-khang.org Primary Health Centre LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main market HOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat Nature Cure Health Club LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10 HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm PHONE: 7833047078 / 9882320136 EMAIL: mahinder_m@hotmail.com Dr Tandon Advanced Dental Orthodontic & Implant Centre Location: Opp. AP Travels, Mcleod Ganj Phone:9418462936 Email: dr.rahultandon@gmail.com

Tibet-Related Websites News:

tibet.net - official website of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile phayul.com -Phayul is published in Dharamshala,has opinion, reviews, photos, etc contactmagazine.net - Contact magazine online news rfa.org/english/news/tibet - Radio Free Asia’s mission is to provide accurate and timely news and information to Asian countries whose governments prohibit access to a free press voatibetanenglish.com - Voice of America’s Tibet pages - VOA is an international multimedia broadcasting service funded by the US government thetibetpost.com - Tibet Post International online news tibetexpress.net - Tibet Express online news guardian.co.uk/world/tibet - the UK Guardian newspaper’s Tibet pages scmp.com/news/china - the South China Morning Post – one of the more independent news sources in China

News, information and campaigning:

dalailama.com - for broadcasts of His Holiness’s teachings, his schedule and information about Tibet and the Dalai Lama tchrd.org - Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - a nongovernmental organisation and a research centre to protect the human rights of Tibetan people and promote the principles of democracy tibetanyouthcongress.org - an international non-governmental organisation that advocates full independence for Tibet from China studentsforafreetibet.org - a global grass roots group campaigning for full Tibetan independence tibetanreview.net - news, opinions, reviews and information freetibet.org: - UK-based campaigning organisation, also a good news source savetibet.org - Website of the International Campaign for Tibet and a good resource for news, campaigns, fundraising and projects tibetnetwork.org/home - a coalition of more than 190 Tibet organisations dedicated to campaigning to end human rights violations in Tibet and restoring rights to the Tibetan people tibetanjournal.com - Tibetan Journal - news, reviews and opinions

Writings:

highpeakspureearth.com/category/woeser - occasional translations of Woeser’s enormously popular blog – Woeser lives in Beijing and is continually harassed by the Chinese government for her courageous writings.

DHARAMSHALA CONTACTS Ambulance: 01892-102, 222189 Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, CTA Hours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Wed only; Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily.

Phone: 222 053,223 381 Kangra Airport: 01892-232374

Contact

Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892221034 Tourism Office: 01892-224430 , 223325 Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892265026 Police Superintendent: 01892222244 Police Contact Information Location: Past St.John’s Church on the road to Dharamshala in

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Cantt. area.

Phone: 221 483 McLeod Ganj Post Office Location: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace Cafe Hours: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-noon, Sat. Parcels and money orders can be sent in the mornings only.

Phone: 01892-221 924

NOVEMBER 2018

jobs and advertisements

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Our specialty: Chocolate Vegan cake, Gluten free cake, Empowering the Vision, New Delhi Fresh Coffee Beans, cappaccino, Chocolate chilli lollipop Position: Assistant Director 9am to 7pm - Closed on Monday Qualification: Minimum Bachelor’s degree Below “Black Magic Hotel” on Jogiwara Rd -Map#4 Email address: envision@empoweringthevision.org

Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Position: Section Officer Qualification: Minimum Bachelor’s + 8 years of work experience Position: Under Secretary Qualification: Bachelors in Creative Writing and Mass Communication Position: Joint Secretary Qualification: Bachelors in Science Tibetan Health Spa, Dharamshala Position: Massage Therapist (2 vacancies) Qualification: Massage Therapy Certificate or Equivalent experience Position: Beautician Qualification: Beauty parlour certificate or equivalent experience Contact: +91 8894481513 Email address: atsenpo@gmail.com

Contact us for readymade and custom order diaries and journal, notebook and sketchbook leather cover Opp. to India house bhagsu road, Mcleog Ganj Facebook page : Lobsang diaries Contact no : 9882861220 / 7018447280 Opening time : 10:30am to 9:00pm

8 AUSPICIOUS HIM VIEW HOTEL

8 beautiful rooms with balcony facing the Himalayan Range.

Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

Phone: 01892-220567 Cell: 9418236603 Jogiwara Rd (Map #12) Email: tseringd@aushimview.com

Nature Cure Health Club

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map #23 Mobile: 07833047078 /09882320136 / Email: mahinder_m@ hotmail.com 20+ yrs’ experience: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment and many more!

Tibet House, New Delhi Position: Research Scholar cum Museum-Incharge Qualification: Master’s gegree Position: IT-Multimedia Assistant Qualification: Bachelor’s degree Contact: +91 8447218959 Email address: tibethousejobs@gmail.com

- LOGO - BANNER - POSTER - PAMPHLET - PHOTO AND VIDEO EDITING - VISITING CARDS

CONTACT: 7065848998

email :

choechungdesigner@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER AT LHA

Lhamo Salon, Dharamshala Position: Female Assistant Contact: 8073322667

Let your stay in Dharamshala be more memorable Come join our English conversation class!

If you have at least one week or one hour a day, you’re welcome to join our group of volunteers.

Time: English Conversation Class (Mon-Fri) at 4pm – 5pm Venue: Lha office at main market in Mcleod, Temple road, opposite SBI ATM We are also looking for volunteers to teach these language classes (minimum one month) : French Beginner / German Beginner / Chinese Beginner/Computer Beginner

Tibet World, Dharamshala Position: Volunteer/Teacher Qualification: B Ed or 6 months teaching experience Contact: +91 9882566777 / 7892277593 The Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, Dharamshala Position: Office Superintendent Qualification: Bachelors of Law LLB Contact: +91 01892 224964/225099 Email address: tsjc@tibet.net Contact

HANDMADE RECYCLED DIARY WHOLE SELLER SHOP

Location: Lha office, opposite State Bank of India (ATM) Temple Road, McLeod Ganj Email: office@lhasocialwork.org volunteercoordinator@lhasocialwork.org Phone: 01892-220992 / 9882323455 20

NOVEMBER 2018

advertisements

Contact

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NOVEMBER 2018

advertisements Map not to scale

Map of McLeod Ganj showing locations of places of interest

BHAGSU NAG 16

See advertisement pages for details of advertisers TIPA

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DHARAMKOT

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Vipassana Centre

Naddi Village Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)

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Tushita Centre

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MAIN SQUARE

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McLEOD GANJ 25 Main Bazaar

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Cantt Police Post

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4

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1

12

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10 5

Lha

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Road to Dharamshala

1. Lha Headquarters and Tibet Fair Trade 2. Namgyal Cafe 3. Common Ground Cafe 4. Dr Mobile, Woeser Bakery 5. Black Tent Cafe 6. Carpe Diem Restaurant 10. Perfect 32 Dental Clinic 11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture 12. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 13. Ahimsa House and Lha Soup Kitchen 14. Chonor House 15. Lhamo’s Croissant 16. Shivam NeelKanth Yoga Kendre

17. Central Tibetan Administration,Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Tibetan Library 18. LRZTP Tibetan Language Programme 19. Tibetan Museum and Temple 20. Tibetan Handicraft Centre 21. Taste of India 22. SnowLion Custom Tattoo 23. Nature Cure Health Club 24. Dr Tandon’s Advanced Dental 25. Smile Dental Clinice & Implant Center 26. Himalayan Yoga Retreat 27. Om Massage Centre 28. Chapri Handicrafts 29. Dorjee Spa

Dr Natasha Mehra @ Perfect 32 Dental Clinic Location: Near Hotel Mount View Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Map #10 Email: perfect32dentalclinic@gmail.com /Call: 09218742046 Website: www.perfect32dentalclinic.in

LOCATION: UpperBagsu, next to Namaste Cafe & behind Reggae Cafe Yogi Shivam has 28 years of yogic practice experience from from his master Dooni Nath Babaji!

Daily Yoga - 7 am to 9:30 am Website: www.ShivamNeelkantyoga.com Email: yogi_shivam@yahoo.co.in Phone: +91 9816565138

Facebook: Shivam Neelkanth Yoga Kendra

Contact

Road to Dharamshala

Location: First floor opp. Municipal Parking near HH Dalai Lama Temple #Temple Road • Extensive vegtarian menu • The best pizza in Mcleod Ganj • Good music and friendly staff Open every day from 7am to 8:30 pm Mobile: 7018919310 (Map#2)

NEED A DENTIST?

Daily meditation @ 11:30 am

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Shifted to New Location!

For all your dental requirements under one roof, in a sterile and state of the art clinic

YOGA TEACHER TRAINING May 7- 30, 2018 200Hour / One Drop Meditation with Yogi Shivam. Experience a taste of love. One drop of love, happiness & joy.

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Namgyal Cafe Pizza Place

Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map # 3)

Shivam Neelkanth Yoga Kendra

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BOOKWORM - THE COMPLETE BOOKSHOP is the oldest bookshop in Mcleod Ganj, where the Lonely Planet Guide (India) calls it the Best bookshop in town.

Location: Pemathang road, few steps from Dolma Chowk • •

Online shopping gives us only the books we already want.

Bookshops draw us into the ones we didn’t know we wanted

Lhamo’s Croissant Vegetarian and Vegan Food

Bakery, Coffee shop, Gluten Free and Fresh seasonal juices and salads

Roof top terrace with stunning views

Bhagsu Road, just after Tibetan Settlement Office Map#15 22

NOVEMBER 2018

lha news and advertisements Smile Dental Clinic & Implant Center

Oppo. Walia Medical Store Near State Bank of India ATM, Mcleod Ganj. MOBILE NO: 7018354594 / 8629011445 Map#25 website: smiledentalclinicmcleodganj.com

Meditation Intensives Meditation Therapies Intensive Yoga Courses/Retreats Stress Management Integrated Healing Therapies Wellness Retreats

To advertise here, Contact Lha office at Temple Road, McLeod Ganj

Contact

Ocean of Harmony Programmes for Wellbeing For upcoming events, visit www.oceanofharmony.org For intensive trainings around the world (any country) contact: Shalu Patel (experienced & qualified life and wellness coach for international trainings)

Phone: (+91) 9979894585 Email: ohlifeandwellness@gmail.com

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NOVEMBER 2018

Lha Charitable Trust is an award-winning, grassroots, non-profit organisation and one of the largest Tibetan social work institutes based in Dharamshala, India. Lha has been striving to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, local Indian communities, and people from the Himalayan regions for 20 years.

For more information, please visit www.lhasocialwork.org

English Conversation Class

Computer Classes To advertise call Lha office: 01892-220992

Follow Contact website using the QR code!

or visit Lha office at Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj Map #1

འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་གསར་འཕྲིན།

Contact Newsletter Managing Director Dorji Kyi Editor-in-Chief Jenny James Editor Choeyang Wangmo CONTACT US Phone: 91(0)1892-220992 Email:editor@contactmagazine.net Facebook: ContactNews Twitter: @ContactTibet Printed at Imperial Printing, Dharamshala Phone: 222390 Email:ippdsala@gmail.com

Contact

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Circulation Manager Tenzin Sherab Published by Lha Charitable Trust Web:www.lhasocialwork.org www.contactmagazine.net www.samdhongrinpoche.com

NOVEMBER 2018