Tibetan Headlines
Sep 9: Monk’s Disappearance
Gendun Drakpa, 39, a Tibetan monk working in Thangkor Socktsang monastery in Ngaba prefecture’s Dzoege County, disappeared after his arrest on August 24. The monastery was informed by Chinese police that he was in detention and no further details were provided. His friends believe that Drakpa views news programmes broadcast from outside Tibet and that this might have led to his detention.
Sep 8: Railway Manoeuvre
India is retaliating against China’s build up of its railway network in Tibet in areas bordering India. The Indian media has reported that in response to concerns expressed by India’s Defence Ministry, a new railway will be built in areas near the Tibetan border, including Ladakh where it is expected to boost tourism. Expansion of the railway network is already underway in the strategically significant state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Sep 7: Kirti Monk Released
Yamyang Phuntsok, 43, also known as Jamkho and a monk from Kirti monastery in Ngaba county was released after seven and half years in prison. Despite a police warning not to welcome Phuntsok home to Julu, his village, many people turned out to welcome him with traditional Tibetan scarves. Phuntsok was detained in March 2009 on suspicion of involvement in separatist activities and sending information to outside contacts.
Sep 6: Tenzin Gompo
Tenzin Gompo, 56, former Tibetan parliamentarian, has died at Delek Hospital in Dharamshala after a prolonged illness. Gompo was born in Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Amdo Tso-ngon Province. He escaped to India in 1986 and worked in Tibetan community in various roles. Gompo was elected as the member of the 12th, 13th and 14th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile representing Domey province.
Sep 6: Released from Prison
Samdup, 35, a Tibetan man from the Gonchuk region in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was released on August 20 from a Chinese prison, reports Gu-Chu-Sum, a Dharamshala based Tibetan non-government organisation. It was confirmed that he was arrested on June 13, 2012 on suspicion of carrying out political activities. However, no further details on his charges are available.
Sep 5: Goodwill Meeting
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, held a meeting with the Indian leaders who were in Dharamshala to attend the 56th Democracy Day anniversary celebrations. His Holiness expressed gratitude to the Indian government and people of India for unwavering support, saying, “India is our guru (teacher) and we are your chela (disciples)”.
Sep 3: Democracy Day
The 56th Tibetan democracy day was celebrated throughout the Tibetan exile community; the official event was held at Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in Dharamshala, with chief guest Mr Mukuth Mithi, former Chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, and special guest Dr Arun Kumar, an Indian member of parliament. Tibetan Parliament leader Sikyong Dr Lobsang paid tribute to HH the Dalai Lama’s vision and leadership.
Sep 2: Secret Trial
Lobsang Kelsang, 19, a Tibetan monk who was detained last year following a solitary protest in southwestern China’s Sichuan province, has been located in prison in Deyang City. His family spent months tracing him, to find that he was given a three-year sentence in a secret trial. During the protest another Tibetan who tried to help him was also detained.
Sep 1: French Campaign
HH the Dalai Lama will visit France later this month and the French Association Tibet Libre, along with 20 French Tibet Support Groups, has written to French President Francois Hollande requesting him to meet His Holiness publicly during his visit. They urged the French president to stand together with the world leaders to incite China to revive dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama.
Aug 31: TYC Meeting
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest Tibetan non-government organisation in exile, is holding their General Body Meeting with 200 delegates from 40 of their regional chapters in India and abroad attending the meeting. The General Body Meeting is held once every three years and will elect their new executive members.
Aug 29: His Holiness’s Teaching
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has started a teaching on Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland of the Middle Way in Tsugla Khan, the main temple in Dharamshala. The three-day teaching, which is at the request of a group from Asia, is being broadcast live at www.dalailama.com/live-english.
Aug 29: Billboard Campaign
Free Tibet, the United Kingdom based pressure group is erecting huge billboards in Times Square in New York and in London in their Land of the Unfree campaign. The billboards show a map of Tibet made up of faces of people living in occupied Tibet, many of whom have carried out protests or other acts of resistance. They aim to publicise the plight of Tibetans living under Chinese rule.
Aug 27: Tibetan Search Engine
The world’s first Tibetan-language search engine has been launched in the Qinghai province. Yongzin (Tibetan for "teacher" or "master") has been developed by the Tibetan Information Technology Research Centre with Chinese state funding. Inspired by Google, which is blocked in China, it is highly restricted and closely monitored, for use by China as a surveillance tool for “information security” purposes.
Aug 26: Condolences to Italy
The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, on behalf of Tibetans in and outside Tibet, has expressed profound condolences to victims of the tragic earthquake that hit Italy on Wednesday. “We pray for the departed souls and for the victims and their families to overcome this disastrous challenge to get back to peaceful lives soon,” said Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel.
Aug 25: Released After 9 Years
Jamyang Kunkhen from Lithang was released on August 21 after serving a nine-year prison sentence. Voice of Tibet reports that Kunkhen’s feet are badly damaged. Kunkhen was arrested on August 22, 2007. Adrak Lopoe, another Tibetan has been arrested at the same time, both were linked with Ronggye Adak who publicly staged a solo protest against China’s regime. Adrak Lopoe is still in prison.