Tibetan Headlines
Aug 27: Asian Support
The Asian Rally in Solidarity was held in Delhi to express solidarity with the Tibetan people and to raise concerns over environmental repercussions of China’s policies on billions of people in Asia, who depends on river water originating from the Tibetan plateau. The rally was joined by large number of Tibet supporters from Burma, Japan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India.
Aug 26: Cycling for Tibet
A Tibetan nomad completes his solo cycling tour of 13 European countries and leaves for Japan to further his mission “to raise the deplorable condition of human rights in Tibet whilst carrying the message of over 120 self-immolated Tibetans”. Rinpo Yak, 42, set out on his Europe cycling tour in March this year and has met over 120 public figures including parliamentarians and human rights advocates.
Aug 25: On Peace, Happiness
HH the Dalai Lama, on the first day of the teaching in Dharamsala, said that positive human values like morality, love and tolerance should be developed to create a lasting peace and happiness in the troubled world. Over 4,700 people from 61 countries are attending the teaching. The three-day teaching on Tsongkhapa’s scriptures can be watched live on dalailama.com.
Aug 24: Tibetan Youth Sentenced
A Chinese court has sentenced a Tibetan youth to two years in prison for self-immolation links. Dorjee was accused for having connection with a self-immolation protest by Gudrup, 43, on October 4 last year. Dorjee is currently held at a prison in Toelung Dechen county, sources said. He was among several others who were arrested from Lhasa two days after Gudrup’s self-immolation protest.
Aug 23: Tibetan Prefecture Flooded
Floods caused by rainstorms have resulted in casualties and damages in the Amdo Tsongon area in Tsonub, and in the Mongol Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Tibet. The Ministry of Civil Affairs said that at least 19 people have been killed and about 7.90 lakh people in the area have been affected, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Aug 23: Urgent Announcement
dalailama.com, the official website of HH the Dalai Lama, has issued an urgent announcement for the teachings starting tomorrow . Fm radios, along with any other outside electronic gadgets, will not be allowed into the temple premises at any time under new security measures, it said. For the upcoming teachings, all English-listening members of audience will be seated together where English translation will be provided over a speaker system.
Aug 22: Preserving Traditions
The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in Dharamsala performed a play to celebrate its 54th anniversary. The play was about preserving the Tibetan language and included traditional songs and dance, and a competition between its artistes divided into two houses, Gyalu and Ngonpa. Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, presented awards to long-serving staff and the performers.
Aug 21: Annual FTCI Conference
Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, former Kalon Tripa (the political head) of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamsala, inaugurated the 13th annual conference of Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives (FTCI) at Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement in southern Indian state of Karnataka. The three-day conference includes discussion on the ways and means to strengthen co-operative and develop a sustainable Tibetan settlement.
Aug 21: Release Self-immolator’s Body
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest Tibetan organisation in exile, has requested the Nepal government to release the body of Karma Nyedon Gyatso, the Tibetan monk who self-immolated on August 5 in Boudha, Kathmandu. TYC said it received reports that the body of the monk is still in the custody of Nepalese police.
Aug 20: Professional Development Program
A teacher professional development program, initiated by the Department of Education of the Central Tibetan Administration, is underway at the Tibetan Children’s Village School, Suja in northern India. This “Teacher-led Collaborative Learning Program” started on August 16 and will go on till October 2013. Based on a book by Dr Kamala V Mukunda, a member of the Tibetan Education Advisory Committee, the program focuses on dialogue and reflection on teaching-learning processes.
Aug 19: Tibetan Students Sentenced
The Intermediate People’s Court in Malho in Rebkong, eastern Tibet, has sentenced three Tibetans, each to two years prison term. According to Tibetan sources in exile, Tsundue Choeden, a 19 year old monk at the Rebkong Rongpo Monastery, was sentenced in connection with a self-immolation incident in November last year while two students, Lhamo, 20, and an unidentified Tibetan, 17, were sentenced for raising pro-Tibet slogans.
Aug 18: Death Sentence
Dolma Kyab, 32, has been sentenced to death for allegedly killing his wife, Kunchok Wangmo, 31, on March 11 this year. The Chinese court ruled that he strangled his wife. However in March it was reported that Kunchok Wangmo self-immolated and Dolma Kyab was arrested after refusing to comply with orders to declare internal family feuds as the reason for his wife's self-immolation. Kyab is the first Tibetan to be sentenced to death in connection with self-immolation protests.
Aug 17: Mining Protest
A major protest against Chinese mining activities has taken place in Gedrong Zatoe County, Kham, Eastern Tibet. Diamonds have been found in the region and hundreds of Chinese miners arrived at the Aatoe and Zachen Townships to start working. According to China’s official statistics, Tibet has large and unexploited reserves of chromium, copper, iron, gold, silver, potassium, oil, and natural gas.
Aug 16: Independence Day
Indian Independence Day was celebrated in McLeod Gang by Indians, Tibetans and Western visitors. A brief ceremony was held at the Kashag Secretariat where the de facto Tibetan Prime Minister Dr Sangay unfurled the Indian flag as the Indian national anthem was sung. On the streets, Tibetans distributed laddoo sweets and shouted slogans celebrating India's independence and anticipating independence for Tibet.
Aug 15: Employment Opportunities
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has opened a new business venture as part of the Kashag’s initiative to create employment for young Tibetan people. The BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) is part of Uma Ling Technical Solutions in Dharamsala which provides IT training. “Uma Ling is a pioneer enterprise set up in partnership with Indian owners and Tibetan workforce. Hopefully, this is just a beginning” said Sikyong.