Tibetan Headlines
May 1: Student Protest
Indian and Tibetan students carried out a street protest against China’s incursion in Indian territory at the McLeod Ganj Square in Dharamshala, calling for Tibet’s independence to ensure India’s security. The protest was jointly organised by the nation-wide Indian student’s group, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, students from the Ladakh region, and Students for a Free Tibet, India.
Apr 29: India is a Model
HH the Dalai Lama spoke at Dalhousie Public School, saying that India is the only country where all the world’s major religions live together side by side. He said that this is an expression of true brotherhood and sisterhood, underscoring that India’s religious harmony, democracy and rule of law is a model for others to follow.
Apr 27: Live Broadcast
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s introductory teaching on Buddhism at the Central School for Tibetans in Dalhousie, on April 27, from 12:30pm – 3:00pm Indian Standard Time is available as a live webcast. Visit http://www.tibetonline.tv/ to view the teaching.
Apr 26: German Parliament
The German Parliament’s human rights committee urged Chinese leadership to safeguard the human rights of Tibetans.“The significant rise of self-immolations is an expression of deepest desperation about the lack of freedom, as well as about non-existent freedom of religion and the refusal of the Chinese leadership to respect a unique cultural identity,” the Committee stated.
Apr 25: CTA Prayer Service
The Department of Religion and Culture yesterday held a prayer service in honour of 20 year old mother of one, Jugtso, and Phagmo Dhondup who self-immolated recently, at Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala. The prayer service was presided over by the Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche, the exiled abbot of the Kirti Monasteries in Tibet.
Apr 24: Panchen Lama
The Panchen Lama turns 24 year old today. He was abducted by the Chinese in 1995 when he was 6 year old and has remained a political prisoner ever since. His present whereabouts are unknown. A protest Mcleod circle today, Lhakar day, collected signatures for a petition calling for his release.
Apr 23: Nunnery Consecration
Kalon Pema Chhinjor of the Department of Religion and Culture attended the consecration ceremony of the Dhongue Gatseling Nunnery at Tashi Jong near Dharamsala. He spoke about the importance of being a 21st century Buddhist nun, and said the rich traditions of centuries-old Tibetan Buddhism should be preserved and practiced, as well keeping up with modern education and contemporary development.
Apr 22: Dharamsala Launch
Indian monthly magazine SEMINAR made Tibetan self-immolation the theme for their April edition with contributions from writers and artists from around the world. At the launch in Dharamsala, Dhardon Sharling, Bhuchung D. Sonam, Thubten Samphel and Tenzin Tsundue spoke and read from their contributions. The online edition will be available from May at http://www.india-seminar.com/
Apr 22: Meeting in Nepal
The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Wu Chuntai, met Nepal Congress President Sushil Koirala in Maharajgunj yesterday to discuss Tibetan activities in Nepal. Mr. Sushil Koirala said that the government and the parties were working to build the environment for elections as he explained his party's view that activities against the neighboring countries should not be allowed in Nepal.
Apr 20: Red Hot Chilli Peppers
The American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers are to perform for HH the Dalai Lama at his annual environment summit in May at Portland, Oregon, on Universal Responsibility & the Global Environment. Red Hot Chili Peppers are great supporters of the Tibetan cause and played at the first ever Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1996 in San Francisco.
Apr 19: China condemns pleas
China made it clear that there will be no let up in its policy of continued intensification of crackdown against Tibetans as more and more of them stage self-immolation protests despite rising international concerns and criticisms. China’s ministry spokeswoman Ms Hua Chunying demanded that the international community stop interfering, saying "Tibetan affairs are totally China's domestic affairs."
Apr 19: Aid Programmes inefficient
Central government programs aimed at promoting economic development in the Tibet Autonomous region have been disappointing, according to Jin Wei at the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China. He said the region continues to rely heavily on cash donations and has failed to create a foundation for sustainable growth.
Apr 19: Phagmo Dhondup Dies
Phagmo Dhondup, who self immolated on Feb 24, has died after undergoing treatment in hospital. Dhondup set himself on fire in the ancient Jhakhyung Monastery in the Palung region of Tshoshar, Eastern Tibet. Following his self-immolation, local Chinese authorities immediately stepped up security and dispatched security personnel to the monastery.
Apr 18: Sydney University
HH the Dalai Lama accepted an invitation from the University of Sydney students to speak at their campus in June. But the ABC's 7.30 has obtained emails revealing the university, which has close links to China, went to great lengths to wash its hands of the iconic monk and the talk has been banned from the university.
Apr 18: Tibetan Flag
The Tibetan national flag (banned in Tibet and China) was shown in the screening of Rockstar at the Beijing International Film Festival. This is the first time Chinese censors have allowed the flag to be displayed and the Hindu suggests it is likely to be an oversight rather than a relaxing of policy.