“If you just sit at home and pray, nothing will happen”
By Sarah Al-Bashtali / April 17, 2013
Tamding is an artist, singer, political activist and tattooist. He does political tattoos for free in his studio in McLeod Ganj. “But I won`t just give it to anyone”, Tamding says with a serious look upon his face. “First you have to prove that you really know about what’s going read more →
Welcome to Dharamsala!
By Lukar Sham, Acting President, The Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet* / April 12, 2013
I do not feel comfortable welcoming guests and tourists to Dharamsala, like a local or an Indian citizen would. The sole reason being, I am also a guest myself in India. I am after all an escapee from my own land and nation. Nevertheless, Dharamsala is an important tourist attraction read more →
I was born a Buddhist
By Tenzin Younten / April 12, 2013
I was born a Buddhist, my parents are Buddhist and so were my schoolmates and friends. When you were in school you just follow what was told. Then time goes by, you get older, start learning new ideas and getting to know the importance of many different things. And in read more →
A Businesswoman in McLeod
By Catherina Leipold / April 11, 2013‘My boss just put her hands together and she said “Sangmo, please never bake in your life” ’ Tendill Sangmo remembers. But in November 2012 she opened her own bakery which is now rated #1 on TripAdvisor. Woeser Bakery, named after Sangmo’s young daughter, is just one floor away from read more →
Ramzan Chapri, a Kashmiri Businessman in McLeod Ganj
By Kevin Roberts / April 10, 2013
“Good afternoon Sir, and welcome! Come into my shop, we will have tea and talk!” This was my introduction to the man who, in time, became my guide and mentor in all things Indian, my tutor on Kashmiri carpets, and my friend. Of course he wanted to sell me something read more →
People never forget who they are
By Miranda Hall / April 4, 2013‘They didn’t understand that people never forget who they are’ Soepa talks about his experiences as a political prisoner in Tibet In a room where framed photos speak of mass protests, labour camps, torture instruments, hospitalised victims of police crackdowns and blood-stained clothing, I sit opposite a smiling man with read more →
Songs of freedom
By Robert Moffatt / April 1, 2013
Karma Lodue is a man on a mission. Ever since singing at the birthday celebration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2000, he’s grown dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture in stories and folk songs. Known in musical circles simply as “Karma”, he’s often found performing in McLeod Ganj under read more →
Perspectives on Dharamshala Life
By Tammy Winand / February 12, 2013
I have loved photography for as long as I can remember. I’ve also had a passion for foreign cultures, language, and travel since junior high school. It seems natural that at some point the two became intertwined. I arrived in India in autumn 2009, in McLeod Ganj at the end read more →