Tibetan Headlines
Nov 19: Meetings Banned
The Times of India has reported that senior Indian leaders or government functionaries had been warned not to meet HH the Dalai Lama when they were in Dharamshala for the Rising Himachal global investors summit earlier this month. The TOI reports that China has “officially reminded India” that any interaction with His Holiness would be “detrimental to the bilateral relationship”.
Nov 18: Imprisoned Writers
The Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet held a poetry night in the woods in Dharamshala to mark the 38th Day of the Imprisoned Writer. Tibetans, Indians and foreign visitors gathered to hear poems written by imprisoned Tibetan writers.The day was originally started by PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee in 1981; this was the fourth Gu Chu Sum poetry night in the woods to honour imprisoned Tibetan writers.
Nov 16: Health Festival
Around 800 people participated in the two-day Health Festival organised in Dharamshala by the Tibetan Cancer Society in collaboration with Tibet Fund, Drokmo, National Cancer Institution AIIMS, Delhi State Cancer Institution, Fortis Hospital Kangra, Shree Balaji Hospital Kangra, SM Eye Hospital Kangra, SRL Diagnostic Centre and referral partner Delek hospital. The event was attended by Tibetans and Indians from the local community and provided professional and specialised health care.
Nov 15: Not True
The Tibetan Government-in-Exile (CTA) has refuted the Chinese Ambassador to India’s statement in the Hindustan Times which was subsequently published in Chinese state media Xinhua News. The CTA claims that the article China’s Tibet: A story of progress reflects what the Chinese Communist leadership would “like the world to believe”, saying that Tibet was always part of China which, says the CTA, is not true.
Nov 15: Rinpoche, OBE
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering has been awarded the British OBE for services to Buddhism in the United Kingdom. Geshe Tashi Tsering was born in Tibet and later studied at Sera Mey Monastery in south India and Gyuto Tantric Monastery. He has been teaching in the West since 1991 in France and then at Jamyang Buddhist Centres in UK.
Nov 14: Young Presidents
His Holiness the Dalai Lama met 30 members of the Young Presidents’ Organisation, Nepal Chapter, telling them it was an honour to receive them, and went on to say that Tibet and Nepal have long-standing historical connections dating back to the 7th century and Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. His Holiness invited questions from the group which included Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims.
Nov 13: No Information
There is concern for Pema Samdup, 26, who was arrested in March in Lhasa where he was working, and held for “political reasons” and for “sharing photos on his WeChat account”; the Dharamshala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy says there is no news of his situation or whereabouts except that he has been sent on to Chamdo. Samdup comes from Khugyu Village in Chamdo City.
Nov 13: Monk Detained
Sonam Palden,a monk aged 22, has not been heard of since he was detained in September in Ngaba for posting comments criticising China’s policy on the Tibetan language in Tibet. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy reports that he was an outspoken critic of China and his post 'Father Tongue' included a picture of the Tibetan flag - banned in Tibet by the Chinese.
Nov 13: New Resolution
A formal resolution has been introduced in the United States Congress House of Representatives, Recognising the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the Tibetan people and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding. The bill also calls for a “ bipartisan, bicameral forum [...] between Members of Congress and HH the Dalai Lama to discuss peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
Nov 12: Sympathy and Support
His Holiness the Dalai Lama extended his sympathy and support to the people of West Bengal who suffered loss of life and other hardship caused by Cyclone Bulbul. As a mark of solidarity, His Holiness made a donation from his Gaden Phodrang Trust towards the relief and rescue efforts. Bengal’s Department of Disaster Management has reported that 4.65 lakh (465,000) people have been affected by the cyclone.
Nov 11: Gold Medal!
Tenzin Tseten, who is the holder of a Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) scholarship to study at IMS Unison University in Dehradun, Uttarakhand in India, has won the gold medal in her master’s programme. Tseten, who comes from Norgyeling Tibetan Settlement, Bhandara, said that consistent hard work and passion were the key to her success. She plans to follow a career in litigation and to serve the Tibetan community.
Nov 11: Not Free – Again
Freedom House has published its 2019 report Freedom on the Net 2019: The Crisis of Social Media ranking China as the least free country in the world for the fourth consecutive year and specificlly mentioning that “There is also consistent and systematic censorship”in Tibet. Freedom House is an independent watchdog organisation dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world.
Nov 10: One More Missing
Wangchuk, 45, a Tibetan man from Shigatse prefecture who was detained in March, has not been heard of since; there is no information on any charges made against him, reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. His family have been subject to travel restrictions and loss of benefits. Wangchuk received books and other sensitive material from outside Tibet, and shared information on WeChat.
Nov 8: Book Launch
Tsering Namgyal Khortsa, a Tibetan writer and former journalist, has his first novel The Tibetan Suitcase at an event in Dharamshala. The 248-page novel was published by Blackneck Cranes, the publishing wing of Tibet Writes, and tells the story of a young and aspiring Tibetan writer who was born in India. The author said he wrote the book for himself, as “there is no book that would mirror our lives. ”
Nov 7: Still Missing
Lhadar, 36, a Tibetan man who was detained by Chinese police last month on unknown charges appears to have disappeared, reports Radio Free Asia, saying their local sources say he has not been heard of since his detention. He lives in Geso Tsalhi village in Nagchu’s Tarchen township and was known to be outspoken in his opposition to China’s repressive regime in Tibet.