Tibetans Remember Jampel Yeshi

Exiled Tibetans hold a candle light vigil in New Delhi to commemorate a year since Jampel Yeshi’s self-immolation. DHARAMSHALA, March 27: Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest exile Tibetan organization, yesterday organized a candle light vigil in New Delhi to commemorate a year since Jampel Yeshi’s self-immolation. “We are reminded once more of him in flames, in the hospital and finally his demise and through this experience of grief and anguish, we think of all the self-immolators inside Tibet and their family members, their sorrows and miseries, their pain and suffering,” said Konchok Yangphel of the youth congress. “We take this moment to think and pray for all our Tibetan heroes who have selflessly given up their lives for Tibet.” Hundreds of Tibetans attended the candle light vigil at Jantar Mantar in India’s capital city. Jampel Yeshi, 27, set himself on fire on March 26 last year to protest against China’s occupation of Tibet a day before the then Chinese President Hu Jintaos’ visit to attend the 4th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. In his last hand-written message, Yeshi wrote: 'At a time when we are making our final move toward our goal – if you have money, it is the time to spend it; if you are educated it is the time to produce results; if you have control over your life, I think the day has come to sacrifice your life. The fact that Tibetan people are setting themselves on fire in this 21st century is to let the world know about their suffering, and to tell the world about the denial of basic human rights. If you have any empathy, stand up for the Tibetan people.' Yeshi became the second self-immolate in exile to die after Thupten Ngodup, who died from self-immolation in 1998. Since 2009 as many as 111 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Tibet calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 93 have died.

Karmapa attends 300th Anniversary of Garcham

The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee (Left) attends the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Ceremony of Khampa Gar monastery in Tashijong. DHARAMSHALA, March 22: His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee attended the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Ceremony of Khampa Gar monastery in Tashijong. Speaking on the occasion, the Karmapa told the audience to understand the true virtue of Padmasambhava’s mind, body and soul through the religious dance and not to consider it as a pure entertainment. As the Tibetans inside Tibet are showing strong ‘courage’ and ‘determination’, the Karmapa called upon the exile Tibetans to offer their prayers and work towards the unification of Tibetans. ‘This is our unavoidable responsibility,’ he said. The fundamental steps, motions and movements of Garcham or the sacred dance as well as the meditation accompanying them are based on the writings of early Indian Buddhist text translated and taught in Tibet during the time of Padmasambhava. Consequently, the Garcham celebrates the birth of Padmasambahva and his eight emanations. Garcham performance at the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Ceremony of Khampa Gar monastery in Tashijong. The sacred festival was attended by over a thousand of disciples, many of whom have traveled from across the world, including representatives from Indian and the exile Tibetan governments. The Khampa Gar cham had its origination in 1712 when Kunga Tenzin, Third Khamtrul Rinpoche, had a vision during his retreat in Govo-Chung cave. On the tenth day of the monkey lunar month the entire universe was said to have transformed into the Mandala of Padmasambhava. Padmasambhava in his vision advised Kunga Tenzin to note down all the details of the vision and to have a sacred dance sadhana performed for the benefit of all sentient beings. This year’s garcham marks 300 years of unbroken performance.

Advertisement “Dismantle this Orwellian ‘grid’ system”: Human Rights Watch

DHARAMSHALA, March 23: Adding to the already tight security, the Chinese government is said to expand a new security system throughout the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). According to Human Rights Watch, the annual TAR work report released on February 7 announced a new system known as the ‘grid’ management that is designed reportedly to improve public access to basic services. This system will increase surveillance and monitoring capacity over “special groups” in the region such as former prisoners and those who have returned from exile among others. HRW said that the expansion of the grid system, alongside the construction across Tibet of over 600 “convenience police-posts” with high-tech equipment will monitor daily lives and increase already active volunteer security groups called ‘Red Armband Patrols’ (Tib: dpung rtags dmar po). “The surveillance is now a pervasive part of life across the region,” HRW added. On February 17, Yu Zhengsheng, Standing Committee member of the Politburo of CPC said that the system should be put into effect throughout the region to form “nets in the sky and traps on the ground.” “Chinese authorities should dismantle this Orwellian ‘grid’ system, which has been imposed while the government continues to avoid addressing popular grievances,” said Sophie Richardson, the China director at HRW. “China’s effort to impose pervasive surveillance on every street is not likely to make Tibet safer, but the increased surveillance will surely increase pressure in an already tense region, even while the Tibetan people are still waiting for Chinese attention to rampant violations of their rights,” Richardson further said. The grid management system grows out of “social stability maintenance”, a China-wide drive to prevent protest and unrest. It is a part of the Communist Party’s objective to carry out “social management” alongside “stability maintenance”, which is usually presented as a way to provide ‘better services’ to residents.

A solitary cycle rally across Europe

DHARAMSHALA, March 19: A Tibetan man has embarked on a solitary cycle rally across Europe to appeal for Tibetans inside Tibet and in solidarity with their sacrifices. Rinpo, a Tibetan man from Minnesota in US will appeal to the leaders of the European Union and the people of Europe during his cycle rally to “support the young and ordinary Tibetans inside Tibet who are sacrificing their lives for the freedom of Tibetan people and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet.” “The repressions do not seem to show any signs of improvement,” said Rinpo. “The overall situation inside Tibet is becoming increasingly tense and urgent. The Chinese government is hell bent upon suppressing the unrests while totally overlooking the causes of these drastic acts of protests.” Rinpo further called upon international community to stop the repressions and pressurize the Chinese government to resolve the issue of Tibet once and for all. “The Tibetans are living under constant fear of arrests, persecutions, tortures and even deaths,” he said. On behalf of the Tibetans inside Tibet, Rinpo plans to appeal leaders, intellectuals, students and citizens of Europe to urge China to review its failed hard-line policies in Tibet; address the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people by resolving the issue of Tibet through dialogue; and allow world media and international fact-finding delegations to investigate the real cause of self-immolations. The rally began in Brussels on March 17 and will travel to over 150 towns and cities in 13 European countries. At the end of this campaign, Rinpo will submit a signed petition to the leaders of EU and its member states.

China sentences Tibetans up to six years

DHARAMSHALA, March 21: In connection with the self-immolation protest, Chinese court in Qinghai (Tib. Amdo) province handed down three Tibetans up to six years in jail. According to Dharamshala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Tibetans were charged of “incitement to split the country” and invoked article 103 of the Chinese Criminal Law to punish the Tibetans. The Intermediate People’s court in Tsoshar has sentenced Jigmey Thapkhey to five years in jail and deprived his political rights for three years; Kelsang Dhondup was given six-year jail term and withdrawn his political rights for four years. A court in Ping‘an County sentenced Lobsang to four years in prison and deprived his political rights for two years. In January this year, a Chinese court sentenced Lobsang Konchok, 40, a monk from Ngaba Kirti Monastery to death with a two-year reprieve and Lobsang Tsering, 31, to ten years in prison. On the same day, six other Tibetans were handed down heavy jail terms for their alleged roles in trying to rescue a Tibetan self-immolator from falling into the hands of Chinese security forces. Since 2009, there have been 109 confirmed Tibetans self-immolations calling for freedom in Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. It is also reported that on March 19 a number of Tibetans were prosecuted for their alleged roles in the self-immolation of Rinchen, 17 and Sonam Dhargey, 18, who set themselves on fire in Kyangtsa in Dzorge, Eastern Tibet on February 19. Both succumbed to their burns.

Tibetans protest against China’s shift in blame of self-immolation protest

Tibetan activists in Dharamshala stages a protest on “China’s victimization” of family members of self-immolators, March 21, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 21: As a response to continuing attempts by Chinese authorities to blame and impose heavy punishment on the family members of the self-immolators, the Tibetans in Dharamshala today staged a protest on “China’s victimization” of family members of self-immolators. The protesters paraded Xi Jinping’s bigheaded oaf holding a million Yuan in Mcleod Ganj and displayed placards saying Accept the Lie or Die! Two option: Either Accept the Bribe or Face the Punishment! I Will Never Accept the Lie! etc. The protest was jointly organized by regional chapters of Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association and Students For a Free Tibet, India. “The continuous self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet is one of the strongest political statements that highlights the height of oppression under which Tibetans have been suffering for a long time,” said Dorjee Tseten, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “Chinese government’s attempt to conceal the reality by deploying heavy military and punishing innocent Tibetans or offering bribe will only further deteriorate the situation. Tibetans will not stop resisting until and unless China addresses the real issue of the Tibetan people.” On 13 March, Kunchok Wangmo, 31, set herself on fire protesting China’s rule over her homeland around midnight in the Dzoge region of Ngaba, Northeastern Tibet. She died from injuries. Following her self-immolation protest, the local Chinese authorities arrested Wangmo’s husband Dolma Kyab when he refused to comply with their orders to declare internal family feuds as the reason for her self-immolation. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Dolma Kyab allegedly choked his wife to death after a quarrel and then transferred her body to the residential community where it was set alight on 12 March. Currently, Kyab’s condition and whereabouts of Kyab are not known. Similarly, in November last year, by Chinese security personnel secretly detained the husband of self-immolator, Dolkar Tso, when he refused to accept bribes offered by local authorities to state that his wife set herself on fire due to to family disputes and not in protest against China’s rule.

Dalai Lama leaves Dharamshala for Northeast India Tour

His Holiness the Dalai Lama leaves Dharamshala, March 21, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 21: The Tibetan Spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today left Dharamshala for visits to Ravangla, Sikkim and Salugara in Northeast India. The Sikkim Government has requested the five-day tour to the state. The Tibetan Nobel Laureate is scheduled to begin his visit from Ravangla in Sikkim where he will perform the Vajrakilaya (Dorjee Phurba) consecration ceremony of the Buddha Statue followed by a teaching on Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattva (Gyasay Laklen Sodunma). On second day in Ravangla, His Holiness will confer White Tara Long Life Empowerment (Dolker Jenang Tsewang) and the State Government of Sikkim and Tibetan Communities in Ravangla will offer the long-life prayer ceremony (Tenshug) to His Holiness. On the final day of the visit, the seventy-seven-year-old Tibetan leader will visit to Salugura, Siliguri, where he is scheduled to teach on Tsong Khapa’s Concise Stages for the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim Dudon) and Longchen Rabjam's Relaxing the Mind Itself (Sem-nyid Nyesol). His Holiness will return to Dharamshala on March 30. The Tibetan leader visited Sikkim in 2010, during which he toured Ravangla in the south of the state, where he addressed a congregation of people at the Tibetan settlement. He also visited the Ralong Monastery, arguably the oldest monastery in Sikkim built during the late 1600’s.

Karmapa to Grace Khampa Gar Tsechu Festival

Khampa Gar traditional ritual dance (cham).  DHARAMSHALA, March 20: His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee will be the Chief Guest at the Annual Traditional Tsechu Chenmo Cham in Khampa Gar at Tashijong, a Tibetan refugee camp in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The weeklong festival (March 22-27) begins on the 10th day of the 2nd Tibetan lunar month and will ends on 15th. Jagat Singh Negi, Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Ravi Thakur, Member of Legislative Assembly from Lahaul Spiti and Kishori Lal, Member of State Legislative Assembly, will also attend the festival. According to Roshan Lal Negi, over a thousand of disciples from Ladakh, Kullu, Manali, Lahaul and other areas will come for the religious festival, and about four hundred foreign disciples are also expected to attend the ceremony. This year’s annual Tsechu Cham or religious dance marks the 300th years since this Khampa Gar traditional sacred dance began in 1712. The sacred dance or cham will depict the manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava, the great Indian Buddhist teacher who taught Buddhism in Tibet, and his deeds. As a part of the weeklong festival, the Government of Himachal Pradesh will facilitate Tashi Jong Tibetan Settlement and some of the people involved in its initiative to make it the only tobacco-free camp in the state. Khampa Gar Monastery has around 400 monks and was founded by the Eighth Khamtrul Rinpoche Dongyu Nyima (1931-1980) in the late 1950s after his coming into exile. Tashi Jong, where the monastery is located, is about 40 km from Dharamshala

Harsher regulations won't ease tension in Tibet: US Congressional panel

DHARAMSHALA, March 19: The United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China urged the Chinese government to end repressive policies in Tibet, saying that “harsher regulations and heavier security” will not ease tension in the region. In a statement issued by the bipartisan CECC on Monday, the chairmen called on China to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions. “We hope for an end to these tragic self-immolations soon. The Chinese government can reduce tension, but not through its current policy of harsher regulations and heavier security," said Senator Sherrod Brown, Chairman of the Commission. "Ending policies that deny Tibetans their freedoms of expression, association, and religion, while showing greater tolerance for cultural diversity, and resuming a dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions would go a long way toward easing tensions." Since 2009, as many as 109 Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Scores of Tibetans have been sentenced to harsh prison terms, including a death sentence with a two year reprieve, by Chinese courts for their alleged roles in the fiery protests. CECC further told China that reversing its policies and allowing international observers into Tibet would help in alleviating the situation. "In recent years, Chinese officials have tightened controls on Tibetan Buddhism and monastic institutions, used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, promoted resettlement and educational policies that have threatened and disrupted Tibetan culture and language, and closed Tibetan areas off to the outside world," said Congressman Chris Smith, Cochairman of the Commission. "Reversing these policies and allowing international observers into the region would do much to alleviate the situation." The CECC, in a special report released last August titled, ‘Tibetan Self-Immolation Rising Frequency, Wider Spread, Greater Diversity,’ had said the Chinese government is unwilling to address the grievances of the Tibetan people and has refrained from admitting policy failure in Tibet. “The Party and government have not indicated any willingness to consider Tibetan grievances in a more constructive manner and to hold themselves accountable for Tibetan rejection of Chinese policies,” the report said. “The Party and government have handled the crisis as a threat to state security and social stability instead of a policy failure.”

Prayers for the Dalai Lama on a rock earn China’s resentment

Visible blue blotches covering up prayers for the Dalai Lama on a cliff in Tridu region of eastern Tibet. DHARAMSHALA, March 19: Chinese authorities have effaced a traditional Tibetan prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, written on a rock face near the Nyitso Zilkar Monastery in Tridu region of Kyegudo, eastern Tibet. According to an exile monk, Lobsang Sangyal, the inscriptions on the rock, made on top of carved mantras, appeared on March 10, coinciding with the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day. “As soon as the local Chinese authorities came to know about the inscriptions, they termed the incident as ‘political’ and dispatched security personnel to erase the prayer,” Sangyal The prayer, ‘Gangri rawei korwei shingkham su …’ an ancient Tibetan hymn, calls for the “reign of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to endure till the end of existence.” Sangye added that details about the incident were not immediately known as Chinese authorities had warned local Tibetans against placing international calls. “Tibetans in the Tridu region were called for a meeting by local Chinese government officials before March 10 and were ordered not to establish contact with the outside world,” Sangyal said. “They further said that all international calls were being monitored and recorded.” Recently, a monk at the Nyitso Zilkar monastery, Lobsang Jinpa, 31, who was hospitalised last year after suffering severe beating and torture in Chinese police custody was rearrested and sentenced to five years in prison. On February 8, last year, around 400 monks from the Zilkar monastery had led a protest march to Zatoe town with banners, written in blue and red ink, symbolic of the two protector deities of Tibet, calling for the Dalai Lama’s return, release of Tibetan political prisoners including the XIth Panchen Lama and respect for Tibetan lives. The march, which was later joined by a large number of local Tibetans, coincided with the global solidarity vigil called by the exile based Central Tibetan Administration.

Over 1200 German towns raise Tibet flag, France working on Tibet resolution

Tibetans and supporters mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 10, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, March 11: The Tibetan national flag was raised in more than 1200 German cities and towns on Sunday to mark the 54th Tibetan National Uprising Day. Tibet advocacy group, Tibet Initiative Deutschland, in a release today said that Tibet demonstrations were also carried out in more than 20 cities all over Germany. 1236 German cities, municipalities and counties, including the regional capitals Bremen, Hannover, Magdeburg, Potsdam Saarbrücken, Stuttgart, and Wiesbaden raised the Tibetan Flag at town halls, public buildings and on their websites, the group said. In the national capital Berlin, a demonstration and a ‘Tibetan Flag-Performance’ was held in front of the Chinese embassy. “All over the world the Tibetan flag stands as a symbol for the Tibetan right of self-determination,” said TID-Executive Director Nadine Baumann. “In Tibet even owning the flag is prohibited and will be punished.” In Paris, the capital city of France, hundreds of Tibetans and supporters, including French, Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese, together marked the 54th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day. The event began at the Place de Trocadero, where homage was paid to all those Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet, including the 107 self-immolators who set themselves on fire protesting China’s rule. In his address, Jean Patrcik Gilles, a member of the French National Assembly and a co-president of the Tibet Group in the assembly, reiterated his support for the cause of Tibet and underlined the importance of dialogue for a durable solution of the Tibetan issue. Tibetans and supporters raise the Tibetan flag outside the Chinese embassy in Berlin, Germany on March 10, 2013. He told the gathering that the Tibet Group would be meeting French President Francois Hollande before the President’s scheduled visit to China to urge him to press the Chinese leadership to enter into constructive dialogue with the Tibetan leadership. Gilles also said the Group is working on a parliamentary resolution on Tibet and a possibility to send a parliamentary delegation to Dharamshala, the exile Tibetan headquarters in India. Later, a protest march was held in front of the Chinese embassy during which demonstrators called for resumption of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue process and demanded unfettered access to international media and diplomats to assess the ground situation inside Tibet.

Breaking: Tibetan monk self-immolates in Nepal

An unidentified Tibetan monk self-immolates in Kathmandu, Nepal on February 13, 2013, the day marking 100 years of the declaration of Tibetan Independence by His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama. February 13: A Tibetan monk today set himself on fire today near the holy stupa of Boudhanath in the heart of Nepalese capital city Kathmandu. In a photo received by Phayul, the monk could be seen engulfed in towering flames. No further information is available on the identity of the monk or his condition, although our sources in the region fear for the worst. According to eyewitnesses, the monk was severely burned and was later rushed to a hospital. Further information is awaited. Across the Himalayas, as many as 99 Tibetans have set themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. The self-immolation today coincides with the 100 years of the declaration of the “Tibetan Proclamation of Independence” by His Holiness the Great 13th Dalai Lama. Exile Tibetans and supporters all over the world have planned major events to commemorate the historic event reasserting Tibet’s independence. In recent years, following growing ties between Nepal and China, Kathmandu has clamped down strictly on Tibetans refugees living in the country. This is not the first occasion when a Tibetan has set himself on fire in Kathmandu. In November 2011, a Tibetan monk Bhutuk set himself ablaze at the same spot. He survived his fiery protest and later escaped to India following a large scale manhunt by Nepali police.

Prayers and protests mark Losar

Tibetans in Pokhara marking the first day of Losar with hunger fast and prayers for Tibetans inside Tibet on Feb 11, 2013. DHARAMSHALA, February 12: Tibetans inside and outside Tibet observed the Tibetan new year, Losar, with prayers and protests as a mark of respect and solidarity with the ongoing critical situation in Tibet. The Tibetan lunar new year, which this year fell on February 11, saw muted celebrations for the fifth year in a row, following China’s brutal crackdown of the 2008 peaceful protests in Tibet. In 2012, as many as 83 known Tibetans set themselves on fire protesting China’s occupation and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, last month, requested all Tibetans to forgo the usual new year festivities given the “continuing tragic situation” in Tibet. “Instead, when this year’s holiday falls on February 11, I ask you to perform only the customary religious rituals like visiting temples and making offerings,” Sikyong Sangay had said. “Kindly pray for all who have sacrificed their lives and for all who continue to suffer in occupied Tibet.” In the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala, the customary ‘Tsetor’ ceremony was held early in the morning on Monday at the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple. Monks of the Namgyal Monastery and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration recited the invocation of Palden Lhamo, the guardian deity of Tibet, which was followed by monks participating in a brief Buddhist philosophical debate as part of Losar rituals. Thousands of Tibetans, wearing traditional dresses, were also seen visiting the Tsug-la Khang to offer prayers. Also in Dharamshala, around 40 students of the College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah, sat on a 24-hour hunger fast in solidarity with Tibetan self-immolators and protesting China’s repressive policies in Tibet. Covering their mouths with black cloth, the students also wrote in their own blood the name ‘Lobsang Konchok,’ a Tibetan monk who was recently sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on charges related to the self-immolation protests. The students called the sentences passed by China “unfair and unjust” and said they planned to organise more campaigns to protest the verdicts passed by China against several other Tibetans. Tibetan students of the College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah write the name of Tibetan monk Lobsang Konchok with their own blood in Dharamshala on the first day of Losar, February 11, 2013. In the Indian capital New Delhi, over a hundred Indian and Tibetan students from the Delhi University participated in a marathon on the first day of Losar. The marathon, organised by the Students for Free Tibet, India also marked the beginning of the celebrations of the 100th year of the Tibetan proclamation of independence. "Our celebration marks a paradox in that it is both an occasion of celebration and mourning the lives of Tibetans who have burnt themselves to fight for that very freedom," said Ugyen Choedup, SFT leader. Tibetans and supporters worldwide will be commemorating the Centennial of the proclamation of Tibetan Independence on February 13, 2013. In the Nepali city of Pokhara, around 40 Tibetans sat on a day-long hunger fast on Monday. Organised by the regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Paljorling, the Tibetans also offered 500 butter lamps for those who have passed away in the ongoing self-immolation protests. There are also reports of mass prayer gatherings in at least three different areas of eastern Tibet on the first day of Losar. According to information received by Phayul, photos of Tibetan self-immolators were displayed at the prayer gatherings held in front of portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama in Bihar at CM Nitish Kumar’s invitation

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama being received by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at Patna Airport on January 3, 2013.  January 4: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai arrived in the Indian state of Bihar at the invitation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Thursday. The Dalai Lama was received at the Patna airport by the Chief Minister and a host of top government officials. The Tibetan spiritual leader is scheduled to inaugurate a three-day International Buddhist Sangha Seminar on The Role of the Buddhist Sangha in the 21st Century jointly organised by the Bihar Art and Culture Department and the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee. Hundreds of delegates from 20 countries, including China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Japan are expected to attend the meet starting January 5. Earlier today, the Dalai Lama held a special prayer at the Chief Minister’s One Anne Marg official residence for world peace. CM Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Water Resources Minister Vijay Chaudhary, state JD(U) President Vashist Narayan Singh, and party Rajya Sabha member R C P Singh were among those who took part in the prayer. Talking to media persons, the Dalai Lama praised the chief minister and the state government for taking keen interest in Buddhism. Describing Nitish Kumar as "a dynamic Chief Minister," the Tibetan leader said he was "very happy to visit the land of King Ashoka who spread Buddhism in the world." While mentioning the glorious history of modern day Bihar, the Nobel Peace laureate recounted the names of the state’s great sons like independent India’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad and Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan. Also today, the 77-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, along with CM Kumar, inaugurated a statue of Lord Buddha at the Buddha Smriti Parka in the state capital. Following his visit to Patna, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to leave for Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh to give four days of teachings on Shantideva's A Guide to the Boddhisattva's Way of Life (chodjug) from January 7 to 10.

CM Omar Abdullah meets Tibetan parliamentary delegation

Students from Ladakh and Zanskar regions of Jammu and Kashmir state carrying out a Tibet solidarity protest in Jammu city on January 2, 2013.

January 4: The all-India lobbying campaign initiated by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile began its month-long campaigning in north India with a meeting with Omar Abdullah, chief minister of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The north zone Tibetan Parliamentary delegation called on the honorable Chief Minister on January 2 in the state’s winter capital, Jammu city. According to a release by the delegation, Omar Abdullah, during the meeting, expressed his support for Tibet’s cause.

“The leaders of the Chinese government very well know that the struggle carried on by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is for autonomy in Tibet,” Omar, who has met the Tibetan spiritual leader on several occasions, said. “Presently, Hong Kong and Macau enjoy a special autonomous status under the Chinese rule and I find China’s reluctance on Tibet hard to understand.”

The delegation also met with Ngawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of Tourism and Culture; Members of the State Legislative Assembly; and other high level India officials of the state, which shares its border with China occupied Tibet.

On January 2, as part of the lobbying campaign, around 150 students from the Ladakh and Zanskar regions of the state carried out a protest march in Jammu city in solidarity with the ongoing crisis inside Tibet. The students paraded Tibetan national flags and banners calling for solidarity with the demands of the Tibet self-immolators.

Following their visit to the state, the north zone delegation will then take the Tibet lobbying campaign to other north and central Indian states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

Last month, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile announced the all-India lobbying campaign as part of the exile Tibetan administration’s attempts at garnering wider support for international intervention in the ongoing crisis inside Tibet.

95 Tibetans have set themselves on fire inside Tibet protesting China’s occupation and demanding freedom and return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

The Tibetan parliament said the delegations, apart from holding meetings with senior leaders, will also address press conferences and interact with the general masses to “spread awareness on the critical situation inside Tibet and garner their support.”

The north zone parliamentary delegation comprises of MPs Dawa Tsering, Ghang Lhamo, Geshe Kalsang Damdul, and Mogru Tenpa.

First Tibetan Teachers’ Meeting underway in Dharamshala

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing the First Tibetan Teachers' Meeting in Dharamshala on January 3, 2013. 

DHARAMSHALA, January 4: More than 150 Tibetan teachers and administrators from all over India are currently meeting in the exile headquarters of Dharamshala for a first of its kind meeting organised by the Education Department of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The three-day ‘First Tibetan Teachers’ Meeting’ began Thursday aimed at promoting an open discussion on ways to develop the education system in Tibetan schools. Teachers and officials of the Education Department will be sharing their views and suggestions on a wide range of topics.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, who is also the Kalon of the Department of Education, presided over the inaugural ceremony held at the Tibetan Children’s Village School, Lower Dharamshala.

Sikyong Sangay in his address recalled his school life and spoke about the education system in Tibetan schools.

He noted that improving the education system would take teamwork over a long period of time.

“Improving the education system will take our joint effort of not just two or three years but rather, we all should work together like our five fingers,” Sikyong Sangay, who is a product of the Central School for Tibetan, Darjeeling said.

“The Administration is to provide all the facilities, school heads must utilise those facilities, teachers are to teach, students are to study, and parents and relatives of the students must also play their roles.”

He further emphasised that literacy rate should not be the sole benchmark of academic competence and excellence.

“The literacy rate of Tibetans in exile is 84 per cent and population wise, we are better than India, Nepal, and Bangladesh,” the Harvard law graduate said. “But even though we are better in reading and writing rate, it is also obvious that we lack the quality to become experts.”

The meeting comes on the heels of the recent launch of the Tibet Education Project, a two-year programme, aimed at improving the quality of education opportunities for Tibetan refugee students in India and Nepal.

The USD 2 million project includes intensification of teacher development and training; expansion of Scholarship Program; Scale the Counseling Program; prioritising Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education; providing Test Preparation and Coaching for Secondary School Students and Improve Educational Management

In line with the 14th Kashag’s prioritisation of education, the exile administration also recently announced new scholarship schemes representing a 50 percent increase in its annual scholarship funding.

The Department of Education currently oversees 73 Tibetan schools – excluding the pre-primary sections and private schools – in India and Nepal under different autonomous administrative bodies. There are around 24,000 students and 2,200 staff members in these schools.

Chinese authorities issue ultimatum, offer cash prize for “crimes” linked to Tibet self-immolations

Notice by Chinese authorities in Malho, eastern Tibet announcing cash rewards for information on self-immolations. Chinese authorities in Malho region of eastern Tibet have announced cash rewards for those “exposing crimes” related to the ongoing wave of self-immolations and issued an ultimatum warning those who have “committed fault” to turn themselves in. The notices were jointly issued by the Malho People’s Intermediate Court and the Public Security Bureau in the Tibetan areas of Rebkong, Tsekhog, and Chentsa which fall under its jurisdiction. The Malho region of eastern Tibet carried a major part of the casualties in the recent alarming escalation in self-immolation protests and mass demonstrations by thousands of Tibetans, including school students against the Chinese government. Since October, 44 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with the latest being a teenaged schoolgirl Bhenchen Kyi from Tsekhog. In copies of the notices sent to Phayul by a Swiss based Tibetan, Sonam, Chinese authorities have given an ultimatum to Tibetans who have “committed fault,” to turn themselves in before November 30 in lure of “lesser” punishment. The notices, issued in Tibetan and Chinese languages, encourage people to “accept their crimes” of inciting self-immolations, displaying portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during mass funerals of the self-immolators, raising “separatist” slogans, offering condolences to the family members of self-immolators, “unlawfully” taking pictures and videos of self-immolations and sending them out and spreading rumours and indulging in provocative talks. The authorities have warned that those who are caught under these crimes after the given deadline will be dealt severely according to the law. In recent weeks, authorities have engineered a heavy security clampdown in the region, arresting several Tibetans from Rebkong and Tsekhog in connection with the self-immolation protests. Along with the ultimatum, Chinese authorities have employed its age-old policy of sowing distrust in the society by announcing heavy monetary rewards for information on self-immolators and those who “incite” such protests. Cash prizes ranging from 1,000 Chinese Yaun (US $ 160) of 200,000 Chinese Yuan (US $ 32,000) have been announced for information exposing self-immolators, those inciting self-immolations, and those who have visited families of self-immolators to offer condolences. Rewards have also been announced for those who avert self-immolations from occurring at the site of the protest. The authorities further promised to protect the identity of the informants and called the self-immolation protests a “bad influence” on social harmony and stability, not just of the region but also of the entire nation. Similar tactics of announcing cash rewards and offering bribes to families of self-immolators to state that the protests were not against the Chinese government, have been employed earlier in other parts of Tibet as well. A phone call to the Tsekhog Public Security Bureau Office by Phayul yielded little result as the official who answered the call in the supposedly Tibetan office refused to speak in Tibetan and spoke only Mandarin.

Tibetan school students appeal for global intervention in Tibet crisis

Students of the Tibetan Children's Village School, Upper Dharamshala carrying out a peace march in solidarity with Tibetan self-immolators on November 24, 2012.

With the continuing escalation in protests against Chinese rule in Tibet, school students in the exile seat of Dharamshala carried out a peace march followed by a prayer session in solidarity with Tibetan self-immolators, Saturday.

Senior students of the Upper Tibetan Children’s Village School carried out a peace march from the school basketball court to the Martyr’s Pillar near Tsug-la Khang, the main temple.

The school’s student council, which took the initiative to organise the march and prayer service, said the entire students, through the campaign, express solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and send a clear message to the United Nations and the international community that they need to take “urgent and effective actions to end the crisis inside Tibet.”

To accentuate their appeal, the marching students wore cross marks on their eyes, ears, mouth and hands.

Thupten Dorjee, the school captain told Phayul that the cross marks symbolise the urgent need on the part of the UN and the international community to “monitor the unfolding crisis inside Tibet, listen to the six million Tibetans, speak up for the demands of the Tibetan self-immolators, and take effective action and send a special delegation to asses Tibet’s situation.”

“Although, we are in the middle of our preparations for our final exams, but despite that the students felt it necessary to organise the campaign to express our concern and solidarity with the tragic happenings inside Tibet,” Dorjee said. “We do clearly understand that our first responsibility as of now is to study hard for the cause of Tibet.”

Students of the Tibetan Children's Village School, Upper Dharamshala carrying out a peace march in solidarity with Tibetan self-immolators on November 24, 2012.

The students then took out a candle light vigil back to the school. A short video depicting the ongoing wave of self-immolations inside Tibet was screened to the students following which a prayer service was held in the evening.

The deepening crisis inside Tibet has witnessed large scale anti-China protests and a series of self-immolations that has now seen 81 Tibetans set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

November alone has reported 19 self-immolations and protests by thousands of Tibetans, including by school students in the Rebkong region of eastern Tibet.

Press Freedom Award boosts global call for Tibetan filmmaker’s release

Lhamo Tso, wife of imprisoned Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, holds a petition for her husband at the Committee to Protect Journalists' International Freedom Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on Nov. 20, 2012 in New York City. The global campaign for the release of jailed Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen received a major boost with the awarding of the Committee to Protect Journalists' 2012 International Press Freedom Award. The self-taught Tibetan documentary filmmaker, along with Mauri König (Gazeta do Povo, Brazil), Mae Azango (FrontPage Africa and New Narratives, Liberia), and Azimjon Askarov (Ferghana News and Golos Svobody, Kyrgyzstan) were recognised by the global press freedom group for their “courageous reporting” and “risking their lives and liberty to reveal abuses of power and human rights violations.” Wangchen’s wife, Lhamo Tso was present to receive the award at a gala dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria on November 20 in New York City. CPJ told the gathering of over 900 attendees that two on its annual awardees, Dhondup Wangchen and Azimjon Askarov were currently in jail for “holding officials accountable and helping ordinary people voice their indignation.” Wangchen conceived and shot the film "Leaving Fear Behind" (Tib:Jigdrel) to portray life in Tibet in advance of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He was arrested on March 26, 2008 for filming interviews with ordinary Tibetans on their views on the Beijing Olympics, the Dalai Lama and Chinese government’s policies in Tibet. Shortly after his footage was smuggled overseas, Wangchen disappeared into Chinese detention. Hewas sentenced to six years in prison for “subversion” on December 28, 2009 following a secret trial. In January 2010, he was denied appeal. In prison Wangchen contracted Hepatitis B and has been reported in poor health. Wangchen’s hard-hitting documentary has been screened in over 30 countries with his wife Lhamo Tso travelling internationally to campaign for her husband's release. Tso, who hasn’t spoken to her husband since March 2008, told CPJ that the decision to formally release the documentary was a “very difficult” one. "It was very difficult," she told CPJ. "He hadn't been sentenced yet. We didn't know if publicising it would hurt his chances. But in the film, so many people spoke out about their opinions, about the Dalai Lama. So many had spent time, effort, energy on this film. I thought my personal family matter was less important. The film should be shown." Looking after their four children and his elderly parents, Tso said that applying pressure on the Chinese government does make a difference. The reason Dhondup Wangchen's working conditions improved, she said, is because of the vocal support he is getting from outside prison walls. CPJ has also launched a petition addressed to the Chinese President, calling for the release of Dhondup Wangchen. Coinciding with the award, Marina Schuster, Speaker for Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance of the Free Democratic Party at the German Federal Parliament congratulated Wangchen and demanded his immediate release from detention. The Group of the Free Democratic Party further expressed its concern about reports of Wangchen subjected to torture and suffering from Hepatitis B while in detention and called upon the Chinese government to “pursue the path of openness and to respect fundamental human and civil rights.”

Chinese nationals at TSG root for democracy

DHARAMSHALA: About 20 Chinese nationals who attended the crucial meet of Tibetan Support Groups (TSGs) held under the banner of International Tibet Network at Dicky Tsering Hall in McLeodganj, expressed that the "democratic setup of the Tibetans-in-exile was better than the communist regime in China". They also rued that once again no representation had been given to minority communities in the new leadership of China.
"Reports on the 18{+t}{+h} Chinese Communist Party Congress suggest that the new Chinese leadership will stick to old policies. A democratic setup will be better for China than communist regime," said Yang Jinali, president of Initiative for China Movement, which is working for advancing peaceful transition of democracy in China.
"The composition of 25-member political bureau and the seven-member standing committee shows that there is little representation for minority communities like Muslims and Tibetans in the new leadership," said a Chinese, requesting anonymity. The three-day meet, which concluded on Sunday, was organized to design strategic campaigns to take up the Tibetan issue with the new Chinese leadership. When contacted, the media officer of Central Tibetan Administration, Lobsang Choedak, maintained that there were 200 participants from 43 countries, including China. "The meeting was called to discuss the current situation in Tibet as mounting self-immolations have gripped the exiled Tibetan community in grief. About 8 Tibetans have died in last 17 days while the total toll has reached 71," said Choedak.
Meanwhile, international Tibet support groups have pledged to mobilize the international community to press the Chinese government to find a lasting and mutually-agreeable solution to the problem. TSG members expressed solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet for their unwavering determination and commitment to non-violence in resisting China's policies to undermine Tibet's culture, language and religion. They said the responsibility for this crisis lies with China's past leaders and their failed policies over the last 60 years.