Tibetan Headlines
Mar 4: Discharged from Hospital
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been discharged from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he has spent the last month undergoing prostrate treatment. He spoke to a group of Tibetans who came to see him off, saying not to worry and that he is well. He has two engagements this week in Wisconsin.
Mar 4: Teenager Dies
Dorje Tsering, the 16 year old Tibetan boy who self-immolated in Dehradun on February 29, has died in hospital from his burns. The Tibetan Youth Congress Joint Secretary Ngawang told the Tibet Post that "If possible, a grand funeral service will be held in Dharamshala in accordance with the wishes of the family of Dorjee Tsering".
Mar 4: Family Pressured
The family of Kalsang Wangdu, the monk who self-immolated on February 29, is being pressured by the authorities to say that Wangdu died in a house fire. Radio Free Asia reports that police are blocking the family from visitors, including relatives and “Making every effort to prevent news of the incident from reaching outside contacts”.
Mar 3: Film Nomination
A Tibetan-themed film, Pawo*, has been nominated for the Best Feature category at the prestigious Palm Beach International Film Festival. The film is loosely based on the life of Jampel Yeshi, who set himself on fire in March 2012 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The film’s co-directors are Sonam Tsetan and Marvin Litwak, who is German. Shavo Dorjee, who plays the lead, was present at Jampel Yeshi’s self-immolation. * Pawo translates as "martyr".
Mar 2: Sikyong Candidates’ Debate
The first debate between the two Sikyong candidates for the upcoming election was broadcast on Voice of America/Tibet, click here to watch the debate, which is in Tibetan. News of the debate has hit the world media.
Mar 2: Tibet Conference
The International Tibet Network, a global coalition of Tibet support groups, has held its three-day North America regional meeting at Washington DC. Eighteen Tibet support groups from five countries took part in workshops and training on strategic non-violent resistance, Tibet’s environment, humour in campaigning, digital security, digital fundraising and women in Tibetan resistance, etc, and campaign and project planning including Tibet’s environment and Confucius Institutes.
Mar 1: Solo Protest
Mang-Ga, 33, has been detained by the Chinese authorities after staging a solo protest in the main street of Meruma Yultso in Ngaba County where she carried a portrait of HH the Dalai Lama. She was arrested within minutes of starting her protest. Mang-Ga is the daughter of Tsepe and Pema Kyab; she has a 14-year old daughter, Gang-Gi Lhamo.
Mar 1: Music Ledgend Dies
Dubey, 49, also known as the Cuckoo of the Snowland and one of the foremost contemporary Tibetan musicians has died in hospital in Chengdu in the Sichuan Province after a long illness. Originally from Amdo he wrote and recorded thousands of songs including Faraway Friend, a tribute to HH the Dalai Lama, and The Sound of Unity which was banned by the Chinese authorities.
Feb 29: Kalon Resigns
Kalon Dicki Chhoyang, the Minister of Information and International relations in the Central Tibetan Administration has resigned suddenly, before the end of her tenure. Phayul reports her as saying “I will… explain the reasons for my resignation in the near future.” tibet.net has said that her resignation letter stated that she is unable to participate in public debates of the ongoing Tibetan general election as a Kalon.
Feb 27: Celebrities Criticised
Beijing celebrities Faye Wong and Hu Jun and Hong Kong actor Tony Leung have been criticised in Chinese state media for attending an event in Dharamshala with members of the Tibetan government-in-exile. They were at the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late predecessor of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Tibetan Buddhism's third-highest spiritual leader. China says they can practice Buddhism but not "meddle with Tibetan-independence clique leaders”.
Feb 27: Closed to Foreigners
China has closed the Tibetan Autonomous Region to all foreign visitors ahead of Tibetan Uprising Day which falls on March 10. All foreign travellers were told to leave by February 25, and no new travel permits will be issued. This annual practice of closing the area in March has intensified since the 2008 uprising. There are also more restrictions, armed security forces and crackdowns to curb activities by Tibetans.
Feb 26: Top Spiritual Person
HH the Dalai Lama has been ranked top of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People, a list compiled and published by Watkins’ Mind Body Spirit magazine in the United Kingdom. Watkins say their list is chosen from spiritual teachers, activists, authors and thinkers who change the world. Second and third were Pope Francis and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.
Feb 26: Lone Protestor Arrested
Jamyang Dorjee, 41, has been arrested for staging a lone protest in front of the government compound in Kham Tehor in Kardze County, Sichuan Province. He staged his protest on February 14, the sixth day of Losar, the Tibetan Lunar New Year. His family and friends were prevented by the authorities from contacting the outside world to spread news of his arrest. Jamyang is from Buchu village in Kardze.
Feb 25: Gelug Conference
The first Gelug conference to discuss teaching methods was held at Drepung Monastery in Mundgod Tibetan settlement, south India. Ten masters each from Sera, Drepung, Gaden, Tashi Lhunpo, Ratoe, Namgyal Monastery, Gyutoe and Gyumed monastic schools attended the three-day meeting. In addition to teaching methods and curricula they discussed “the negative influences and hindrances on monastic studies caused by smartphones, tablets and other gadgets”.
Feb 24: Tibet Conference
The India-Tibet Friendship Society held a regional conference to discuss issues related to the Tibet situation, attended by over 100 active members of Tibet Support Groups from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The Society is a national conclave of Tibet Support Groups. Chief Guest Prof Shyamnath Mishra, of the PG Colleg in Khetri, Rajasthan spoke of the importance of the Tibet issue in India-China relations.