Contact January 2013

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འབྲེལ་གཏུགས་དུས་དེབ།Volume: XV Issue: 1

31 January 2013

The Fire is Still Raging in Tibet

www.contactmagazine.net

Continued on page 4

TibetanSelf-Immolations in

2013

Continued on page 20

We are saddened to report the following self-immolations that have taken place since the beginning of January.

24 Jan: Jigjey Kyab, 17, was found dead on 19 Jan, his body doused with kerosene and lighters in his hand in the Luchu region of eastern Tibet. He apparently died

before he could set himself on fire, having consumed poison to ensure that he didn’t fall into the hands of the Chinese authorities alive. In a note Jigjey Kyab called on Tibetans to rise up.

22 Jan: Kunchok Kyab, 26, set himself on fire in the Bora region o f L a b r a n g , eastern Tibet in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of

Tibet. He passed away in his fiery protest and the Chinese authorities whisked away his body to an undisclosed location. He is survived by his wife and an infant son.

18 Jan: Tsering Phuntsok (Dupchok), 28, set himself on fire around 3:15 pm at Khyungchu, Ngaba, in an apparent protest against China’s repressive policies in Tibet. He died on the spot and Chinese security

by Palden ChoedonCandle lit vigils have been held in

the evenings here in McLeod Ganj as we learn fresh news from Tibet of more self-immolations. As the number of known self-immolations nears 100, there seems to be no way to douse the fire raging in Tibet as it continues to cry for freedom and the return of His Holiness.

One teenager, Jigjey Kyab, was found dead with his body doused with kerosene and lighters in his hand. He had reportedly consumed poison prior to his self-immolation protest to ensure that he didn’t fall into the hands of the Chinese authorities alive. In earlier instances, surviving Tibetan self-immolators have suffered amputations of all limbs, verbal abuse, interrogations, and maltreatment by doctors and Chinese officials at the hospitals.

In a last note left by his bedside, which was later found by his family members, Jigjey Kyab has called on Tibetans to rise up: “I pray that my aspirations will be fulfilled. If you are your mother’s son - rise up. Sons of the Land of Snows - rise up. Singers of the Snow Land - rise up. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for thousands of aeons. My respect to the white snow lion (symbol of Tibet). My prayers for happiness in Tibet.”

Following Kunchok Kyab’s self-imolation at Bora, Ladangin in eastern Tibet’s Amdo region, heavy security has been deployed in the area and scores of monks from Bora monastery have been detained by Chinese security officials.

A local Chinese court in Barkham in eastern Tibet’s Ngaba region has

sentenced four monks from Tsodun Kirti monastery to prison terms ranging from 2 –10 years.The reasons for their arrest were not revealed at the time of their detention by the Chinese authorities. Kirti monastery has been the hotbed of Tibetan self-immolations against brutal Chinese policies and the monastery has been under strict Chinese surveillance for the last two years.

Also in Ngaba, China has tried two Tibetans for intentional homicide for having allegedly incited other Tibetans

to self-immolate. It was reported that the two were guilty of instigating eight Tibetans to self-immolate. Chinese state media reports said that one was a monk of Kirti Monastery and used his position and influence to encourage others to self-immolate, and alleged that he acted in concert with “some key figures with the media liaison team – a ‘Tibet independence’ organization of the Dalai Lama group, and he continuously sent the latter information about incidents of self-immolation.”

The harsh measures provide an early indication that the country’s new leadership is not easing up on Tibet.Since the start of self-immolations in January this year, and despite repeated international calls for restraint and

Jigjey Kyab’s letter

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ContaCt magazIne 2 JANUARY 2013

Mission Statement: Lha is a resource of education and knowledge that provides meaningful, multi-leveled social and educational services for the benefit of others. Background: Lha is a Tibetan grassroots nonprofit based in Dharamsala, India. It is one of the largest social work organizations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and

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news & issues

Lama and decrying what they described as the ‘slaughter of Life’, inventing the term ‘The Dalai Clique’ and accusing him of‘Splittist activities’.

In Gansu province of western Tibet, seven Tibetan people were arrested for helping a fellow villager self-immolate in October last year. The Chinese police said investigations showed that two of the men were members of the Dharamsala-based Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), which they said had “masterminded” the protest. The TYC said that Chinese authorities were making “baseless accusations” about the group, and that the two people named were not members.

Chinese authorities have also targeted the foreign press: there are reports of a New York Times journalist,and an undercover journalist from Australia, being thrown out ofTibet. “Behind us is fear, resentment and tragedy, along with government policies showing no sign of winning over Tibetans”, the NY

Tibetan Schools transfer to Central Tibetan Administrationby Zalina Gamat

The Department of Education (DoE) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has welcomed an announcement made by India’s Union Cabinet on 10 January 2013, to approve the transfer of schools run by the Central Tibetan School Association (CTSA) to the DoE of the CTA, or any society run by the same over a three year period.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. The schools will continue to receive financial support from the Indian Government. The CTA will be provided Rs. 43 crore per annum, and an annual increment of 5% for the running of these schools.

Kyishong Gangchen, Secretary of the Tibetan DoE, welcomed the decision and pledged, “to make every effort to realize the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the late Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru to

nurture a generation of Tibetan youth having sound modern as well as traditional education.”

The transfer will benefit 2,200 residential students and 6,455 day scholars studying in 71 schools spread across India, with a better focus on their needs. The schools will continue to be affiliated to the Central Board of

Secondary Education (CBSE), with the only change in structure being the addition of Tibetan teachers to teach Tibetan language. The Indian teaching and non-teaching staff will be given the option to continue, or to transfer to Indian schools.

The CTSA was started in 1961 to establish and run schools for the children of Tibetan refugees, while preserving Tibetan culture and heritage. However, concerned about the gradual deterioration in the quality of education and academic performance, the Tibetan government mooted a proposal for the transfer of these schools from the Indian government to the CTA in 2010.

The then Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, following a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, had recommended the transfer of these schools to the Human Resources Development ministry.

The approval for the transfer of the schools comes from the fact that the CTA has done a reasonably good job of managing the schools under its own administration with over 17,000 students. The results of the CTA administered schools have also been consistently higher than those managed by the CTSA.

The Fire is Still Raging in Tibet

Education Secretary Ngodup Tsering (1st L) at the launch of the department’s English-

Tibetan Terminology in Dharamsala

reconsideration on their policies, the Chinese authorities are intensifying their treatment towards Tibetans. Murder charges are threatened for anyone caught helping or inciting self-immolators, and people offering condolence and prayers to the self-immolators are penalised. Suicide has been criminalised, and protestors’ friends are arrested.

In a communications crackdown,

thousands of satellite TVs have been confiscated in the regions where self-immolations are taking place. In Tongren County, more than 1,800 satellite TV dishes were seized and destroyed.

Many local newspapers have run commentaries condemning the Dalai

Times reporter summed up after being escorted out of Tibet.

Prayer services to express solidarity with the Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet have been held at the main Temple in McLeod Ganj. Addressing a prayer service, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay appealed to all Tibetans to “strengthen and amplify” solidarity campaigns.

H.H. the Dalai Lama has told the

world media that ‘the unbearable situation in Tibet is the cause of these unfortunate events. These are symptoms of fear, hard line suppressive policy practice by China in Tibet. The time has come for China to think more realistically’.

continued from page 1


news & issues

by Zalina GamatA Tibet resolution may be

proposed and even passed in the Indian Parliament, thanks to lobbying by Central Tibetan Adminsitration parliamentary delegations in several Indian states during the month of January, according to the Tibetan Review.

In the largest and most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, Public Works Department minister Mr Shivpal Singh Yadav pledged to raise the issue in Parliament in a letter written to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In West Bengal, the speaker of the state assembly, Mr Biman Banerjee, advised the Tibetan delegation to seek an ‘All-Party Parliamentary resolution on the crisis in Tibet’. In New Delhi, the Indian parliamentarians expressed solidarity and assured unwavering support for Tibet.

The ‘Solidarity with Tibet’ campaign is a joint initiative of the Kashag (Cabinet) and Parliament-in-exile of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), with the objective to raise awareness about the current Tibetan crisis in view of the self-immolations which are now nearing 100 in number,

and to garner international support. As part of this initiative, three

parliamentary delegations of 6 MPs each, divided into North, North-East and South Zones, have been visiting

several Indian states during January. In each state, the delegations held meetings with important leaders and dignitaries, including Chief Ministers, Governors, leaders of the opposition, members of the legislative assembly, eminent scholars and spiritual heads. They also held press conferences, public rallies and candle-lit vigils in each state, that were well-attended by both local Tibetans and Indian supporters. The statements made by the Indian heads of state in response has been very positive and encouraging, with several important

‘Solidarity’ Lobbies Indian Parliamentdignitaries expressing a deep concern for the Tibetan cause, and pledging their support.

At the time of writing this article, delegations have already visited J & K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, West Bengal, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Pondicherry and Chennai. In the second leg of the campaign they will visit Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, Panaji, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.

The Parliamentary lobbying will be followed by a mass rally in Delhi. An expected 5,000 Tibetans, and around 1,500 Indian supporters will converge from all over India, Nepal and Bhutan for the ‘Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign.’

Conforming with resolutions arrived at under Article 59 of the Tibetan charter, the Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile is jointly organising a 4-day mass rally, starting on 30 January, which aims to express solidarity with the supreme sacrifices of Tibetans inside Tibet, while calling for urgent diplomatic intervention to end the crisis inside Tibet.

North Zone:Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister

Shri Omar Abdullah: ‘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. 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 former Chief minister of Bihar Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav expressed his support for the Tibetan cause and urged the Tibetans to ‘never stop until Tibetans get their homeland back.’

The Chief Minister of HP expressed his deep concern over the critical situation inside Tibet and vouched his support for Tibet and the welfare of the Tibetan people.

South Zone:The Hon Governor of the

Karnataka State Mr. H.R. Bhardwaj, said ‘His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a highly compassionate person and a messenger of world peace. His presence is a strength for us and his followers are like our brothers and sisters. It is very tragic that Tibetans have to self-immolate for their basic human rights’.

Kerala Chief Minister Sri Oommen Chandy assured the delegates that ‘Despite political limitations, our full support, love and affections are with the Tibetans. You are fighting for a good cause’.

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh assured delegates that he will forward a memorandum to the Central Government in New Delhi.

Solidarity rally in Patna

North East Zone:

Governor of the State of Odisha Shri Murli Chandrakant Bhandare expressed anguish over ‘the prolonged suffering the Tibetans inside Tibet are subjected to by the erroneous State policies.’

Chattisgarh Chief Minister reiterated his party’s “resolute commitment to backing the Tibetan cause’.

Tibetan parliamentary delegation with Gov MC Bhandare

Indian Parliament Statements


news & issues

Chinese Reporters Strikeby Amanda Parr

One of China’s most respected and liberal newspapers is back on the shelves after a strike sparked by an act of government censorship put China’s suppressed freedom of expression back in the international spo t l igh t , and incited speculation on what kind of political reform, if any, can be expected from China’s new leadership.

At the start of the New Year, a Southern Weekly editorial entitled “China’s Dream, the Dream of Constitutionalism”, d e m a n d i n g government reform and increased freedom was deleted from the newspaper by propaganda officials, and replaced with a pro-government tribute. This prompted a staff strike and citizen protests, and marked the first time in history, aside from the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, that the government’s control of the press has been publicly challenged. The strike initiated dispute among the media, government officials, and zealous citizens.

In response to the government editing, two letters of protest were written by Southern Weekly’s most prominent members of staff demanding the resignation of Tuo Zhen, the head of the province’s “propaganda police” who monitor the media, and often edit material to favour the government agenda. This challenge to authority resulted in the Southern Weekly’s microblog being hijacked and edited by propaganda authorities, and all online discussion of the controversy was blocked on social media sites. Southern Weekly employees responded with a strike and this inspired citizen protests. Vehement pro-reformists demonstrated outside the newspaper headquarters in Guangzhou, in the progressive

Guangdong province, holding placards displaying impassioned calls for reform, such as “Let’s chase our dreams together. Go Southern Weekly!” and “Get rid of censorship. The Chinese people want freedom!”

The protest also attracted pro-communist flag wavers, wielding photos of Mao Zedong and signs referring to the Southern Weekly and its supporters as “traitors”. The protesters clashed regularly, leading to some violence

between the opposing sides and scuffles with the police.

The conflict even spread to the capital, Beijing, when the head of another major newspaper, the Global Times, refused to print a government produced editorial that demonized the Southern Weekly for its attempt to challenge media censorship, and declared that China was not ready for this kind of freedom of the press. After heavy pressure from government officials, the newspaper finally compromised, reluctantly, by

publishing the article in a small section in the back pages of the paper.

It has been reported that the strike and related protests have ended due to mutual agreements, including a promise by officials to relax some control of the

press. Although the return of the Southern Weekly suggests a truce between the newspaper and government, it is unclear if there has actually been a fair resolution to the conflict, and reliable reform. The first printing after the newspaper’s return made no direct mention of the

conflict, but did publish a vague narrative

about how sometimes mistakes are made, seemingly minimalising the incident. Attempted communication by many outside news sources has gone unanswered by the Southern Weekly and its parent company. Editorial staff have not provided any comment as they have been instructed not to discuss the matter with foreign media.

This incident has sparked speculation on what kind of stance on reform Xi Jinping will adopt when he is initiated fully into his new leadership role this coming March. Jinping’s rise to power has given many citizens hope for political liberalization and more openness to multi-party involvement. Knowing that this is his first test, Jinping has criticized the actions of the propaganda authorities and although no action has yet been taken, there are rumours that the offending official, Tuo Zhen, will be removed from his position. Jinping also reportedly gave orders to not punish the striking journalists or demonstrators. However, the ruling party has also demonstrated in this incident that it is not ready to allow freedom of the press, so the jury is still out regarding the future of censorship in China.

Some of the protesters carried banners that read: “We want press freedom, constitutionalism and democracy”


news & issues

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Teachings in January

Appeal by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay

by Tenzin YountenHis Holiness the 14thDalai Lama has

been delivering a full programme of teachings and meetings during January, here in India.

He took part in the conference: Mind and Life XXVI: ‘Mind, Brain and Matter - Critical Conversations Between Buddhist Thought and Science’, held from January 17-22 at the Drepung Lachi Monastery in Mundgod Tibetan settlement, Karnataka state, where there were extensive discussions with some of the world’s top scientists and philosophers on topics ranging from quantum physics to neuroscience to Buddhist and Western understanding of consciousness.

The six-day event brought together 20 of the world’s foremost scientists and philosophers with His Holiness and other senior Tibetan scholars in the attendance of several thousand monks and nuns from numerous Tibetan monastic centres of learning. The conference addressed questions of mutual interest, and challenges such as the fundamental nature of our physical world, the problem of consciousness, the nature and workings of our mind, and the interface of contemplative practice and scientific research.

It provided an opportunity to study the classical Buddhist philosophical methods of inquiry as well as topics in quantum physics, neuroscience, and Buddhist and contemporary Western views of consciousness. The

conference also offered an educational forum, whereby monastic students can learn about the historical development of science, and how science has come to shape the way we understand our world.

The conference was jointly organised by Mind and Life Institute, Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

Earlier in January, His Holiness met a group of Vietnamese Buddhists at

the Buddha Smriti Park, and attended the International Buddhist Sangha conference in Patna. Following this, He gave a four day teaching at Sarnath, near the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Utter Pradesh, based on Shantideva’s ‘A Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life’ (Chodjung), attended by many thousands of people. Bodhisattva vows were taken, and prayers said for His Holiness’s long life to which he responded: “For as long

as I am able to serve, I aspire to live long”. On the last day of his teaching, he said, “Vasubhandu has divided the buddha’s teaching into the scriptural and the experiential and we’ll be able to preserve it if we engage in study and practice, which involves hearing the teaching explained and thinking it over again and again, then meditating on what you’ve understood.”

On 11 January, His Holiness addressed the Central University for Tibetan Studies, on the theme of ‘Seeing Jesus and the Buddha as teachers, and the role of the disciple’. He also visited the Alice Project School, and the Inaugurates Conference on ‘Buddhism and Society’ at Sarnath.

In Delhi on 14 Jan, he participated in the ‘Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Education’. In this Dialogue the discussion included business, human greed, corruption, education, and Tibetan relations with India on the preservation of Buddhism, violence and non-violence, and Indian secular ideas.

He then flew to Goa to visit Ling Rinpoche (the Reincarnation of His Tutor), who was recovering well after a recent road accident.

At the end of the month, His Holiness spoke at the prestigious DSC Jaipur Literature Festival held at the heritage property, Diggi Palace in the Rajasthani capital of Jaipur. The theme of this year’s Festival is ‘The Buddha in Literature’.

With profound grief, I report that the number of Tibetans who have set themselves on fire to protest against repression in Tibet is now reaching 100.

Given this continuing tragic situation, I request my fellow Tibetans to not celebrate Losar (Tibetan New Year) with our usual festivities. Kindly pray for all who have sacrificed their lives and for all who continue to suffer in occupied Tibet.

The Central Tibetan Administration continues to appeal to Tibetans to not

undertake drastic actions, and still, self-immolations persist in Tibet.

I appeal to our Chinese brothers and sisters to join us in supporting the

aspirations of the Tibetan people. The CTA remains committed to the Middle-Way Approach and to resolve the issue of Tibet peacefully through dialogue. The responsibility as well as the solution for the current crisis in Tibet lies with the Chinese government.

To our brothers and sisters in Tibet, we are with you every step of the way. The three principles of unity, innovation and self-reliance will guide us towards our goal of seeing His Holiness the Dalai Lama return to Tibet and restoring freedom for Tibetans.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay

His Holiness at Mind and Life

Seen through the eyes of a foreigner interested in Tibetan Buddhism and


news & issues

TCHRD Report: Human Rights in Tibet

Chinese Land Grabbing policies cause hardship in Tibetby Palden Choedon

Passang Lhamo, 62, from the Kyegudo province in Tibet burned herself on 13 September last year in protest against the Chinese government for its illegal acquisition of her ancestral land. Passang pleaded with Chinese government representatives, but was left without compensation. She later visited the Chinese authorities at Beijing but they took no action on her behalf. After her struggle, and the pain she endured, she burned herself right outside the officials’ building in Beijing.

Kyegudo was struck by a massive earthquake in 2010, and many Tibetans in the region were made homeless, losing their farmland and businesses and forced to seek shelter in camps.

The government later threatened to forcibly relocate some 600 people, mostly Tibetans, moving them from what was prime real estate in order to rebuild the town as what officially became billed as an “Ecological Tourism Centre”.

Chinese authorities have reportedly

arrested a Tibetan man, Gachoe, 35, for protesting against forced land seizures from local Tibetans in Nangchen region, eastern Tibet, under an official grassland nationalisation scheme.

According to news portal Tibet Express, he was arrested for resisting the official policy and taking part in a public-led protest against Chinese government land seizures. Under the scheme, “Protect Grassland Compensation,” Chinese authorities are forcing Tibetans to sell their land for a “minimal” reimbursement.

Tibetans in the region have come up with their own oath “not to take compensation for grassland” and have

vehemently declined from taking part in the scheme and rejected monetary offers.

Similar government schemes have been reported from other parts of Tibet as well. Protests against land seizures by Chinese authorities in Tibet have led to mass demonstrations and at least two self-immolations by Tibetans.

Land grabbing has become a regular scene in eastern Tibet under the Chinese government. Tibetan people face major discrimination and their representations are unheard.

Similar cases are also taking place in China. A recent report from Amnesty International said that forced evictions in China have risen sharply as debt-laden local governments seek to shore up their finances, raising funds by selling seized land to developers.

The Chinese government has banned the use of violence in urban evictions, and granted residents facing eviction new protection. However, the report said people in rural areas do not benefit from these protections.

by Olivia EngelThe Tibetan Center for Human

Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) released its 2012 report on the state of human rights in Tibet on 17 January. Their conclusion is the inarguable worsening of human rights abuses in the Chinese-occupied region, with on-going police brutality, arbitrary detentions, disappearances, torture, and sentencing of Tibetans accused of “splittist” activities.

2012 also saw an increase in restrictions on freedom of religion and expression, freedom of movement (particuarly Amdoans, Khampas, and resettled nomads), and access to Tibetan language and education. Border security has increased, resulting in only 374 escaped Tibetans in 2012,

as opposed to almost 600 in 2011. Chinese authorities added 269 (known) political prisoners this year, bringing the (known) total to 988. The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has also increased ‘patriotic re-education’ and ‘legal education’ campaigns targeted at Tibetan monastic communities, and these campaigns are now reportedly present in all monasteries and nunneries in theTibetan Autonomous Region.

Human rights watchers, reporters, and international investigations are completely banned in the area, and ev-ery internet cafe is strictly monitored. “Even the inaccessible North Korea boasts more international media pres-ence than the Tibetan capital,” TCHRD points out.

Looking forward to 2013, the report condemns China’s new National Human Rights Action Plan, which states that “[t]he Chinese government respects

the principle of universality of human rights, but also upholds proceeding from China’s national conditions and new realities.” TCHWD states: “This type of opting out of their own human rights action plan is a step in the wrong direction for human rights in Tibet and China.”

The report also describes the model of ‘stability preservation’ (weiwen) as deeply embedded in Chinese society and governemnt. Xie Yue, professor of political science in China, cautioned Reuters that “[t]he whole model of ‘stability preservation’ is part and parcel of the mode of rule, not the work of just one man.” Additionally, China has amped up its domestic security, increasing the budget by almost 12%.

The outlook for 2013, with new Chinese leadership but increased focus on oppression of human rights, remains murky.

Wukan residents marched to demand govern-ment action over illegal land grabs


Lha’s Annual Report 2012news & issues

Lha Charitable Trust has concluded another successful year thanks to our many generous supporters!

Lha’s primary goal is to provide meaningful, multi-leveled social services in Dharamsala to help ease the transition for the Tibetan refugee community. On a daily basis, Lha serves over 150 people, hosts between 15 to 25 volunteers, and provides approximately 20 various services which include language education, computer courses, vocational training, health and environmental education, a Community Soup Kitchen, clean water, medicine, clothing distribution, and a public Library. Lha’s services are open to Tibetan refugees as well as the local Indian population and people from the Himalayan regions. We also provide cultural exchanges for international groups and free coordination for volunteers from around the globe.

Lha works hard to operate with minimum administrative and program costs to produce the maximum output. Your donations help us to improve and increase our services and projects. One of the many projects that donations in 2012 contributed to was the installation of three brand new water filtration systems in three schools serving around 600 hundred people who are now using pure clean water for both their drinking and cooking needs. In addition, donations helped support Lha’s Soup Kitchen to bring healthy food to those in need, serving 40-50 financially disadvantaged people daily and 105 needy people since it's inception. Another program of 2012 was the clear vision project which provided free eye exams to 105 people and free glasses to 80 people, and refunded the cost of eye medicines for 37 people.

We also organized nine cultural exchange groups from international institutions with over 112 students participating in this program.

Lha began this year having a social service booth at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teaching. At the booth

we distributed information on our social service, environmental issues and Tibetan issues. In addition we stored, for a small fee, items that can not be taken into the temple such as cell phones and cameras.

Lha is proud to announce that it took over management of Contact Magazine starting in May, 2012! Recognized by Lonely Planet and other international travel resources, Contact has been a very popular, free publication for Tibetan issues and community information in Dharamsala for over 14 years. It is one of the longest-running Tibetan publications in the area, and provides local residents, as well as international visitors with useful information.

The donations from volunteers and exchange groups staying in Lha’s accommodations have allowed Lha to become more self-sufficient and sustainable – our language, computer classes and other social services are now able to continue to be provided regardless of outside funding! However, to keep up with the growing needs of the community and to maintain the operation of our other social services and special projects such as the soup kitchen, eye, dental & health care, clean water and environmental initiatives, we continue to rely on your generous donations.

Since Lha's founding in 1997, we have continued to be inspired by the compassion, dedication, and contributions of generous supporters and thousands volunteers from around the globe.

With your generous support, we hope to continue providing these invaluable services to the local community and engage in many new initiatives in the coming year.

The following are some quick facts about Lha's successes during 2012. Thank you once again for your continued support, as we could not have achieved these things without you, the volunteers, and of course the dedication of the students and the community.

Important Initiatives in 2012

2476 students attended language • classes 699 new students enrolled in • language classes322 students attended beginner • and intermediate level computer classesDistributed over 2300 free ar-• ticles of clothing to the Tibetan and Indian communitiesLha’s community soup kitchen • provided clean, filtered water and nutritious meals to 40-50 finan-cially disadvantaged people dailyProvided to Tibetan refugees free • eye exams to 108 people and free glasses to 80 peopleOrganized a mass clean-up • program in McLeod Ganj with Tibetan Settlement OfficeProvided recommendation letters • to 176 students, a requirement of the Indian Government proving that newly arrived refugees have registered as relocating to India for educational opportunitiesWorked with 546 new volunteers • who donated their valuable time and energy120 international visitors enrolled • in Tibetan Cooking, Tibetan Art and Tibetan Language classesOrganized 9 Cultural Exchange • Programs with university and high school groups from the USA and Mexico (112 student partici-pants)Offered a free acupuncture • treatment event with American acupuncturist Amelia De MahyPublished and distributed 5200 • free copies of Contact Magazine since May 2012 when Lha took over Contact Magazine ower-ship (700-1000 copies published every month)Installed three brand new water • filtration systems in three schools serving around 600 people.

Continued on page 16


Tibetan Headlinesnews & issues

Jan 20: Farm DestroyedA major Chinese mining project in

central Tibet has forced the eviction of hundreds of Tibetans from their ancestral lands and caused severe damage to the environment, leading to livestock deaths and decline in farm yield. Around 400 families of Dhun village in Lhundup, near Lhasa were affected.

Jan 18: Human RightsTibet was ranked “Worst of the

Worst” in the US-based rights body Freedom House’s latest annual survey of political and civil rights. China itself was ranked as “Not Free” and described as having “the world’s most complex and sophisticated apparatus for political control.” The “Not Free” ranking is assigned to countries “where basic political rights are absent, and basic civil liberties are widely and systematically denied.”

Jan 17: Wild YaksTibetan wild yak (Tib: Drong), the

third largest land mammal in Asia, could be making a comeback following a sharp decline in numbers in the mid 20th century due to overhunting. The Wildlife Conservation Society recently found nearly 1,000 wild yaks in the Kekexili Nature Preserve on the remote Tibetan plateau.

Jan 15: Chinese Intellectuals“Many intellectuals in China have

started appreciating our middle way approach,” H.H. the Dalai Lama said while talking to reporters at Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS),

Jan 28:Why is Tibet Burning? Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay

released a research publication explaining the fundamental reasons behind the ongoing wave of self-immolations inside Tibet and the alarming escalation in the protests witnessed in the past few months. He said the critical situation in Tibet is being “fuelled by China’s total disregard for the religious beliefs, cultural values and reasonable political aspirations of the Tibetan people.”

Jan 26: Republic DayTibetans led by Sikyong Dr

Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, observed India’s 64th Republic Day in a ceremony at the Government-in-Exile Headquarters in Dharamshala and thanked the government of India and its people for their support.

Jan 23: Tibetans PassportChina has tightened the procedure

for issuing passports to Tibetans after hundreds of them were detained in Jan 2012. No passport has been issued to a Tibetan in the Tibet Autonomous Region since Feb or Mar 2012. Tibetan officials have to surrender theirs upon return from official travels abroad

Jan 22: Tibetan FilmmakerTibetan filmmaker Dhondup

Wangchen has been shifted to a women’s prison after suffering harsh

t r e a t m e n t and months of solitary confinement at the Xichuan labour camp in Siling, eastern Tibet. W a n g c h e n was arrested

by Chinese government in 2008 when he released his film “Leaving Fear Behind” just before the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.

Sarnath. He said that people in China are now critical of their leaders against their vision for Tibet.

Jan 8: China’s ClaimsChina claims to have halted Tibet

self-immolations with the arrest of alleged instigators Lorang Konchok, 40, a senior monk of the Kirti Monastery, and his nephew Lorang Tsering, 31, said a Beijing Review report posted on the official eng.tibet.cn Jan 4.

Jan 7: Call for InvestigationH. H. the Dalai Lama has renewed

calls for a “thorough investigation” into the causes behind the self-immolations inside Tibet. Speaking to NDTV, a major Indian news channel, he said that two to three generations of Tibetans inside Tibet have “really suffered a lot” under China’s rule.

Jan 6: Teachers MeetingThe First Tibetan Teachers’

Meeting, organised by the Department of Education under the Central Tibetan Administration was held at Dharamshala. Tibetan teachers and educational administrators met for three days of discussions and brainstorming, and had the opportunity to interact directly with Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay. Similar meetings are likely to be organised in future

Jan 3: Travel Restrictions EasedThe Chinese government of the

Tibet Autonomous Region has eased the highly restrictive conditions introduced for non-Chinese visitors for most of 2012, apparently to promote tourism in the lean winter season.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Ven Prof Ngawang Samten at the Central University

for Tibetan Studies

Dhondup Wangchen

His Holiness speaks on NDTV


International Headlinesnews & issues

hardest by the global recession, according to child rights and development organisations. “The world is failing girls and women,” a report by Plan International and the Overseas Development Institute said.

Jan 20: Military ServiceAustrians have voted overwhelmingly in favour of retaining compulsory military service. The issue has divided politicians - supporters of change said a professional army would be more effective, critics said it would put Austria’s cherished neutrality at risk.

Jan 15: Preparing for WarThe Chinese army has been told to prepare for war and bolster its ability to win a battle. The directive was made in a military newspaper, People’s Liberation Army Daily, and comes amid heightened tensions between China and Japan over territorial disputes in the East China Sea.

Jan 14: Kumbh Mela FestivalThe Kumbh Mela, which happens, every 12 years, is billed as the biggest gathering on Earth. More than 100 million people are expected to attend the 55-day festival in Allahabad. People gather to bathe at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers to cleanse their sins.

Jan 28: Brazil MournsBrazil has declared three days of national mourning for 231 people killed in the Kiss nightclub fire in the southern city of Santa Maria. The fire reportedly started after a member of a band lit a flare on stage. Authorities say most of the victims were students who died of smoke inhalation.

Jan 27: India WinsDharamsala was gripped by cricket fever over the weekend as the final game of the five-match series was played here. India had taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in Mohali but crowds flocked to see them play England on Sunday. The Chief Minister of Himachel Pradesh, and former Chief Minister, as well as the Tibetan political leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay joined the celebrations in the town.

Jan 21: Propaganda WorkersAbout 10 percent of the Chinese people in Beijing are propaganda workers of one kind or another, mostly serving online. The city’s propaganda chief, Lu Wei, has asked every propaganda worker in the city – around 60,000 directly employed by the government’s propaganda offices and two million others off the official payroll – to promote “positive attitudes” on the internet.

Jan 21: Women Hit HardestWomen and girls were hit the

Jan 9:Hostages ReleasedForty-eight Iranians held hostage by rebel fighters in Syria since August have been freed. They are reported to have been released in exchange for prisoners held by the Syrian authorities.

Jan 8: Kashmir ShootingsTwo Indian soldiers have been shot dead in the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan, near the so-called Line of Control. Kashmir is claimed by both nations in its entirety and has been a flashpoint between them for more than 60 years.

Jan 6: State of PalestinePalestinian President Mahmoud

A b b a s has told West Bank o f f i c i a l s to prepare to put the w o r d s “State of Palestine”

on public documents. Until now passports, ID cards, driving licences and other documents have been stamped “Palestinian Authority”. This follows the UN upgrading of Palestinians’ status to non-member observer state.

Jan 1: Reporter Forced to LeaveA New York Times journalist, Chris Buckley, has been forced to leave mainland China after his visa was not renewed in an apparent act of retaliation for reporting about the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao Wen’s family wealth of USD 2.7 billion assets. The Times report on both its English-language website and its new Chinese-language site were blocked within China, and they remain so.


Central Tibetan Administration The CTA serves in Dharamsala as the govern-ment in exile of Tibet. It is democratic with judiciary, legislative, and executive branches. Within the Executive branch there is the Kashag, consisting of the departments of Religion and Culture, Home, Education, Finance, Security, Information and International Relations and Health, and Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay. WEB: www.tibet.netLOCATION: Dharamsala – 176215PHONE: 01892-222218HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-5:00 pmEMAIL: [email protected]

The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (OHHDL)OHHDL is the personal office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The office organizes his schedule, including appointments and travel plans, diplomatic and personal correspondence, and liaises with officials of the Central Tibetan Administration. When His Holiness is in Dharamsala, his schedule includes daily religious practice and studies, meeting with private audiences, and congregating with the Tibetan Kashag and senior Tibetan governmental officials. WEB: www.dalailama.comLOCATION: Thekchen Choeling, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala – 176219PHONE: 01892-221343 / 221879EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)The Tibetan Youth Congress is an advocacy and political action organization with chapters around the world. The Tibetan Youth Congress organizes cultural exhibitions, educational campaigns and social welfare activities. The organization publishes a series of periodicals and magazines on the Tibetan cause. WEB: www. tibetanyouthcongress.org LOCATION: Tipa Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala -176219PHONE: 01892-221554 / 221010EMAIL:[email protected], [email protected]

Tibetan Women’s Association The Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) conducts workshops on gender sensitization and domestic violence throughout Tibetan settlements in India, provides Tibetan women with education scholarships, and connects women with international sponsors. WEB: www. tibetanwomen.org LOCATION: Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala – 176219PHONE: 01892-221527 / 221198EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV)TCV provides care to Tibetan children by creating a nurturing environment and fostering Tibetan values and culture while delivering a modern education. There is an Upper and Lower residential school in Dharamsala and day school in McLeod Ganj, with other branches throughout India. WEB: www.tcv.org.inLOCATION: Dharamsala Cantt.176216PHONE: 01892-220356 / 221348EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute (Men-Tsee-Khang)Men-Tsee-Khang is a facility for research, training and practice of traditional Tibetan medicine. Patients may seek treatment at Men-Tsee-Khang for both acute and chronic conditions. The facility provides extensive training and produces traditional pharmaceuticals. WEB: www.men-tsee-khang.orgLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala – 176215PHONE: 01892-223222EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Library (LTWA)(Centre for Tibetan Studies)The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives has the purpose to restore, protect, preserve, and promote Tibetan culture in all its aspects. They offer courses in Tibetan and Hindi language and Buddhist philosophy and can provide affordable accommodation for those enrolled in two or more courses. WEB: ltwa.net, tibetanlibrary.orgLOCATION: Gangchen KyishongDharamsala - 176215PHONE: 01892-222467 / 226181HOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm, 2:00-5:00pm. Closed 2nd and 4th Sat. every monthEMAIL: [email protected]

Delek HospitalDelek Hospital is a small, Tibetan run hospital in Dharamsala. It has 45 inpatient beds, holds outpatient hours from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday, and can handle most small procedures. Patients are responsible for a 10 Rupees registration fee, although this is waived for those who fall under the poverty line. The hospital has a pharmacy on site.WEB:www.delekhospital.org (Friends of Tibetan Delek Hospital)LOCATION: Kharadanda Road, Dharamsala -176215; Delek Clinic, Bhagsu Road, Dharamsala -176219 PHONE: 01892-222053 / 223381HOURS: Outpatient, Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00 pm-4:30 pm; Emergencies, 24 hours dailyEMAIL: [email protected]

Sambhota Tibetan Schools SocietyThe society was established in 1999 to provide educational and administrative guidance to all Tibetan schools in remote areas of India and Bhutan that do not fall under the guidance of Tibetan Childrens Village. Today there are 12 schools under this organization.WEB: www.sambhota.orgLOCATION: Session Road, Dharamsala - 176215PHONE: 01892 - 228877 | 226877EMAIL: [email protected]

Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)Students for a Free Tibet is an international nongovernmental organization that promotes the Tibetan cause among the non-Tibetan community. The organization attempts to build international solidarity by advocating for a free Tibet through chapter organizations at Universities around the world. WEB:www.sftindia.org, www.studentsforafreetibet.org

LOCATION: Jogiwara RoadMcLeod Ganj, Dharamsala - 176219PHONE: 01892-220589

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) TCHRD advocates for human rights and provides education on the human rights situation in Tibet. The centre publishes journals and articles, as well as conducts workshops and campaigns. WEB: www.tchrd.orgLOCATION: Top Floor, Narthang Building Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala - 176215PHONE: 01892-223363EMAIL: [email protected]

Lha Charitable Trust (Lha)Lha is a Tibetan grassroots nonprofit based in Dharamsala, India. It is one of the largest social work organizations providing vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. (see page 2)WEB:www.lhasocialwork.orgLOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod GanjPHONE: 01892-220992EMAIL: [email protected]

Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet(Ex Political Prisoners Association)Gu-Chu-Sum is a social service organization that provides financial and medical support for ex political prisoners and political activists from Tibet. In order to join Gu-Chu-Sum, one must register as a political prisoner or political activist through the Department of Security. WEB: www.guchusum.orgLOCATION: Jogibara Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala -176219 PHONE: 01892-220680 / 220679EMAIL: [email protected]

Tong-Len Charitable TrustTong-Len’s mission is to help displaced communities in

North India achieve a secure and sustainable future. Tong-Len projects include educational and health programs, childhood education and sponsorship, primary and nursery tent schools, and children’s support hostels. Some volunteer opportunities available.WEB: www. tong-len.orgLOCATION: Top Floor, Bank Of Baroda, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamsala-176215PHONE: 01892-223113 / 223930EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibet CharityTibet Charity provides programs including English and computer classes, an animal care program, and a variety of medical and educational financial support programs. WEB: www.tibetcharity.inLOCATION: Temple Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala – 176219PHONE: 01892-221790 / 221877HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EMAIL:[email protected], [email protected]

Charities and Organizationsaround town


Seen through the eyes of a foreigner interested in Tibetan Buddhism

and culture, Dharamsala—the home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama—always evoked some special, unique and spiritual feeling in me. Having spent the past eight years with various studies and readings about Tibet, I was very eager to meet Tibetan people and to become useful to their

community.

Given my experience with development issues and my current stud-ies, I decided in January 2012 that I would come to McLeod Ganj and make my long-term dream a reality. Among all organizations that I con-tacted, Lha provided me with the handiest and most practical informa-tion. Soon after our first emails, I felt attached and could not wait to arrive here. Watching videos, reading articles, and imagining myself walking the streets of McLeod Ganj made me feel already involved with the Tibetan community.

After spending some days in Delhi, I finally arrived to McLeod after an exciting journey on the twisting roads up to the Himalayas. The welcoming of Lha, their guidance and the introduction to the Tibetan society was a stunning experience for me. I knew on my first day that I was going to have a wonderful time. The four weeks I spent here were filled with an interesting mixture of official research, unofficial talks, impressions and feelings, all of which helped me to get to know Tibet-ans better by finding out more about the realities they face.

I spent my days visiting the offices of Tibetan NGOs engaged in po-litical, social and human rights issues. I received the most welcoming approach and I am very grateful to all people who were always here for my never-ending questions. Thanks to you, I got on a new path to know you better, not merely from books and teachings, but by getting some real-life experience. Through my engagement, I aim to offer a long-term assistance to Lha and to do my best in the West to raise further

CHOICE HIV/AIDS Initiative CHOICE HIV/AIDS Initiative provides HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care services in Tibetan settlements throughout India. The services provided by CHOICE range from in-dividual counseling to organizational training. CHOICE has a sponsorship program and oc-casionally utilizes volunteers. WEB: www.choicehivaids.orgLOCATION: Arora House, 2nd Floor, Temple Road, DharamsalaPHONE: 01892-220239, 941-831-6896EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR)Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution is a non-profit, educational organisation dedicated to the non-violent management of conflicts in the Tibetan Community and the world as a whole.They work to promote the approaches and tools of non-violent conflict resolution and democratic processes in the Tibetan community in exile and elsewhere. WEB: http://tccr.orgLOCATION: Session Road, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala 176215PHONE: 0189 222 6627EMAIL: [email protected]

Rogpa Baby Care CenterThe Rogpa Baby Care Center helps low-income Tibetan families to become self-sufficient by provid-

ing free child care for infants so their parents can work. The center needs volunteers to help with art, games, singing and other tasks includ-ing diaper changing.WEB: www.tibetrogpa.orgLOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka Guest House, Jogiwara Rd., McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala - 176219 (near no.13 on map)PHONE: 981-665-9549HOURS: Mon-Sat: 8:00 am-12:00 pm or 1:00 pm- 5 :00 pmEMAIL: [email protected]

Dharamsala Dog RescueDharamsala Dog Rescue is in urgent need of vet volunteers, animal experts and sponsors. We are in immediate need of sponsors for two paralysed dogs that need a home, wheelchair, monthly food and medicine. Please contact us if you see an injured/sick dog. WEB: www.hnsindia.orgLOCATION: Behind the District Court Complex on Chilgari St, Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 981-622-0841EMAIL: [email protected]

Clean Upper Dharamsala Project Founded in 1994 to provide a waste management system in and around McLeod Ganj, the Green Workers, the Handmade Recycled Paper Fac-

tory, the Green Shop and the Environmental Education Center are part of the Clean Upper Daramsala Project. Weekly guided tours are of-fered on Wednesdays at 3 pm.WEB: www.tsodhasa.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd., McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala - 176219PHONE: 01892-221059EMAIL: [email protected]

The Active Nonviolence Education Center (ANEC)

ANEC facilitates trainings, workshops and open forum discussions on non-violent strategies to help resolve dis-agreements and differences at all levls of human society. ANEC welcomes

volunteers from western countries to participate in informal panel discussions on ideas of re-gional and global peace and nonviolent strate-gies. Free lunch and tea for volunteers.WEB: www.anec.org.inLOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, Khajanchi -Mohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower Dharamsala PHONE: 981-632-7158 / 867-990-4767EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected]

National Democratic Party of TibetThe NDPT is currently the only Tibetan political party. With 5000 members in 36 regional

Charities and Organizationschapters throughout the world, the main aim and objectives of the NDPT are to prepare for the establishment of a political party in a future Tibet, to promote democracy, to educate the Tibetan people about the significance of political parties, and to create awareness among the people about Tibetan issues. WEB: www.ndp4tibet.orgLOCATION: Dharamsala–176219EMAIL: [email protected]

Nyingtob Ling (Realm of Courage) Nyingtob Ling supports Tibetan children from disadvantaged families. The children work hard at making delightful handicrafts and paintings. They are so friendly and love to have visitors.WEB: www.nyingtobling.orgLOCATION: Near Norbulingka, SidhpurPHONE: 01892-246366, 981-685-1841EMAIL: [email protected]

around town

First trip to IndiaName: John Munoz Job at Lha: English Teacher, Computer support

After reading various writings of H.H. The Dali Lama, and visiting the Shambala Center in Boulder, Colorado, I wanted to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and volunteer to teach. Traveling to McLeod Ganj was the perfect way to do both. I decided to volunteer at LHA, and had a number of skills. Lha let me know what they most needed: Computer support and English Teachers. Here I am, doing both, after lugging a 23Kg suitcase full of items to donate from the USA.

This place really feels like home to me after just a few weeks. There is a real sense of welcome. Some days I join the prayer meetings at the Main Buddhist temple (where the Dalai Lama speaks), other days I walk the Kora that circles it and recite a popular mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum”, and spin the prayer wheels.

I get excited and nervous before each class, and relieved and pleased by the enthusiasm and attendance of the students. The Advanced English class is really getting interested and writing surprisingly good poetry. I also enjoy individual tutoring and the Conversation class, where I sit with 4-6 students, pose a question, and listen as each student develops conversational skills as we discuss current issues. The School is a

registered Nonprofit and benefits a variety of locals, including Indians, monks, and Tibetan refugees.

Lha has to revolve how to establish continuity in the midst of change: continuity of teaching with steady volunteer turnover, and continuity of electricity amongst power cuts. City power is unreliable, so we try to have as many PCs as possible on battery backup. This both avoids loss of work, and also helps the computers last longer, since every surprise shutdown risks damaging the OS.

The volunteers are learning Tibetan songs, accompanied by guitar – a really a wonderful experience. I see a concerted effort among Tibetans to preserve their culture, with a wonderful, humble enthusiasm. Conditions here are similar to my home in Denver, Colorado (Elevation, Weather, Mountains, Crows) yet exotic in many others. Denver is a city in the central western United States, semi-arid, with 300 days of sun a year, where it snows 3-4 times a month from November through April. I work there at a large telecom corporation developing computer business systems.

If you want to help, Lha desperately needs Windows 7 licenses!


BUS SCHEDULE

* Times and prices may vary. Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

Leaving from the McLeod Ganj bus stand, unless otherwise stated: DELHI: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs330) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs355) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1035) AC TATA: 8:30pm (Rs840)

AMRITSAR: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am (Rs165) *from Dharamsala

DEHRADUN: Ordinary Bus: 9pm; AC Deluxe: 5:30pm MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 5:40pm, 8:40pm *from Dharamsala

PATHANKOT: Ordinary Bus: 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm(Rs75)

SHIMLA: Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs235) *from Dharamsala Semi-Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs???) *from Dharamsala

FOR BOOKINGS: Location: Ticket stand under McLLo’s, main square Hours: 10am-6pm, daily Phone: 221750 For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TAXISA private taxi to Lower Dharamsala will cost you Rs 180. Cram into a jeep (from the bus

stand), and it’ll only cost you Rs10.

IMPORTANT CONTACTSAmbulance: 01892-102, 222189

Kangra Airport: 01892-232374, 232324

Bhagsu Taxi Union: 01892-221034

Tourism Office: 01892-23107

Rail Booking & Enquiry: 01892-265026

Police Superintendent: 01892-222244

Police Contact InformationLocation: Past St.John’s Church on the road to Dharamshala in Cantt. area.Phone: 221 483

Tibetan Delek Hospital Location: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower DharamshalaHours: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Mon-Sat; Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily.phone: 222 053,223 381

Post OfficeThe McLeod Ganj Post Office is located on location: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace CafeHours: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-noon, Sat. Phone: 221 924Parcels and money orders can be sent in the mornings only.

Library of Tibetan Works & ArchivesWEB: www.ltwa.net/libraryLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower DharamsalaHOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:00-1:00pm, 2:00-5:00pmPHONE: 921-842-2467

Public Audience with HH KarmapaWEB: www.kagyuoffice.orgLOCATION: Sidhpur HOURS: Wed & Sat: 2:30pmPHONE: 981-631-5336

BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY

Jan 7-10: Dalai Lama teachings in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life.

Feb 25: Dalai Lama teachings in Dharam- sala on the Jataka Tales in the morning at the Main Temple.

Feb: Dalai Lama spring teachings in Dharamsala, will NOT be given this year.

Jun 1-4: Dalai Lama teachings in Dharamsala on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) at the request of a group of Indians at the Main Tibetan Temple.

UPCOMING EVENTSNaam Art GalleryLOCATION: Main Road Sidhbari DharamsalaPHONE: 9816043708

Tibet MuseumLOCATION:Near the Main Temple and the Namgyal Monastery gate, McLeod GanjHOURS: Tue-Sun: 9:00am-5:00pm

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Years of Struggle and Oppression LOCATION: Gu-Chu-Sum hall on Jogiwara Rd, next to the Lung-ta Japanese RestaurantHOURS: Mon, Wed & Fri: 2:00pm-5:00pm

Kangra Art MuseumLOCATION: Near Bus Stand, Kotwali BazaarPHONE: 01892 224214HOURS: Tue-Sun: 10:00am-1:00pm & 2:00pm-5:00pm

The Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts (TIPA)WEB: www.tibetanarts.orgLOCATION: Kotwali BazaarPHONE: 1892-221478EMAIL: [email protected]

Form Gallery LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd. near Oasis CafePHONE: 8894-060602HOURS: Daily, 12:00pm-6:00pm

ART & MUSEUMSOm Yoga, Meditation & Reiki CentreWEB: www.omyogaindia.comLOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara RoadPHONE: 980-569-3514 EMAIL: [email protected]

Tushita Meditation CenterWEB: www.tushita.infoLOCATION: DharamkotHOURS: Mon-Sat: 9:30-11:30am PHONE: 01982-21866EMAIL: [email protected]

Vipassana MeditationWEB: www.sikhara.dhamma.orgLOCATION: DharamkotHOURS: Mon-Sat: 4:00-5:00pmPHONE: 01982-21309EMAIL: [email protected]

Rishi Yoga & Meditation CenterWEB: http://.rishiyogaindia.com/reach.phpLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite Gaden Choeling NunneryPHONE: 9736184741, 9882228502EMAIL: [email protected]

MEDITATION

activities & tourist info


activities & services

Dr. Sant Marwah Clinic LOCATION: In front of Main Temple, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala - HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pm, Closed MondayPHONE: 01892-21106, 981-602-1106EMAIL: [email protected]

Dr. Kumar Ayurvedic and PanchkarmaWEB: www.kumarayurveda.comLOCATION: Hotel Surya Rd., opposite thethe Club HouseHOURS: 9:00am-2:00pm & 2:30-7:00pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs dailyPHONE: 8894492837EMAIL: [email protected]

Maanav Health ClinicLOCATION: Main SquareHOURS: 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:00-5:00pmPHONE: 941-815-5795EMAIL: [email protected]

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Lha Healing Oil Massage Courses & TreatmentLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 01892-20992 HOURS: Registration, 9:00am-11:00am

Om Yoga CenterWEB: www.omyogaindia.comLOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd.HOURS: Daily, 8:00-9:30pm & 4:00-5:30PMPHONE: 980-569-3514EMAIL: [email protected]

Nature Cure Health ClubShiatsu massageLOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka,Jogiwara RdPHONE: 941-813-0119EMAIL: [email protected]

Shiatsu & Swedish Massage LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 01892-20992

Synergy Ayuredic Massage CenterLOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka,Jogiwara RdPHONE: 941 80 8488EMAIL: [email protected]

Traditional Thai MassageLOCATION: Opposite the Govt. Tourist Infor-mation Centre, Hotel Surya RdPHONE: 981-633-9199EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Language Class LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdHOURS: Registration from 9-11am, Mon-Fri PHONE: 220 992See ad on pg 3.

Hindi ClassesLOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd, beside the Korean RestaurantPHONE: 981-649-4732

Hindi Lessons with SunilLOCATION: Kunga Guesthouse, Bhagsu Rd and in DharamkotPHONE: 01892-21942, 941-818-7281EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan LanguageLOCATION: The Tibetan LibrarySee Buddhist Philosophy Listing

Hindi Lessons with KailashLOCATION: At Bhimsen’s Indian Cooking Class PHONE: 01892-20063, 941-816-1947HOURS: Daily, 4:00-6:00pm

Tibetan with Pema YoudonLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite the post officeHOURS: 1:00-4:00pm, or leave a message.

Esukhia Online Tibetan Courses and Tibetan Immersion SpokenLOCATION: Esukhia Office,Tilak Ray Building, Bhagsu Road, DharamsalaWeb: www.esukhia.orgPhone: 8679502538E- mail- [email protected] Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki Centre

LOCATION: Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel, on Jogiwara Rd - Map #11HOURS: 8:00am-6:00pmPHONE: 980-569-3514

Rishi Yoga & Meditation CenterWEB: http://.rishiyogaindia.com/reach.phpLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite Gaden Choeling NunneryPHONE: 9736184741, 9882228502EMAIL: [email protected]

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Men-Tsee-Khang LOCATION: Between McLeod Ganj and Lower DharamshalaPHONE: 01892-22618 / 223113EMAIL: [email protected]

Primary Health CentreLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main marketHOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat

Nature Cure Health Club LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House-Map #10HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pmPHONE: : 941-813-0119EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Delek Hospital LOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, between McLeod Ganj and Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 01892-22053 / 223381HOURS: Outpatient services, Mon-Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm; Specialist clinics, Mon-Sat: 2:00-4:30pm; Emergencies: 24 hrs daily

Ayuskam Health CareWEB: www.ayuskama.comLOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place, near Bhagsu taxi stand and near Tibetan Hotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod GanjPHONE: 980-592-8923, 973-621-1210

Lha Tibetan Cooking School LOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdHOURS: Registration, 9:00-11:00amPHONE: 01892-20992

Indian Cooking ClassesLOCATION:Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka GuesthouseHOURS: 10:00am-6:00pmPHONE: 941-813-0119EMAIL: [email protected]

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Lhamo’s Kitchen, Tibetan Cooking ClassesLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green ShopHOURS: 8:00am-9:00pmPHONE: 981-646-8719

Nisha’s Indian Cooking ClassLOCATION: Hotel Lotus Leaf, Jogiwara RdHOURS: 4:00-6:00pmEMAIL: [email protected]

Sangye’s Kitchen Traditional Ti-betan Cooking ClassesLOCATION: Lung-ta Restaurant, below the Tashi Choeling Monastery on Jogiwara RdHOURS:10:00am-12:00pm & 4:00-6:00pmPHONE: 981-616-4540EMAIL: [email protected]

Mr. Rita Kapoor’s Indian Cooking, Knitting & MomosLOCATION: Old German Bakery, 1st Floor, Room No. 2, Opp. Buddha Hall, BhagsunagPHONE: 94592 06586

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news & advertisements

Visitor Services Offered at Lha

TIBETAN LANGUAGE CLASSLearn more about the Tibetan people and explore the unique Tibetan culture including Buddhism by

learning the Tibetan language! Learn reading, writing, speaking, and grammar. Beginner and intermedi-ateclass levels with qualified teachers for interested individuals and small groups.

TIBETAN COOKING CLASSLearn a variety of traditional and modern vegetarian Tibetan foods including momo, thukpa and Tibetan bread from qualified teachers. Learn to prepare and then taste the delicious and yummy Tibetan foods

for individual or small groups.

TIBETAN ARTS CLASSLearn the basic traditional Tibetan form of painting including drawing and how to use color for interest-

ed individuals and small groups with a professional and qualified artist.

TIBETAN HOME-STAYLha arranges short or long term home-stays with refugee families giving visitors the chance to experi-

ence the Tibetan life style. Home-stays provide a valuable opportunity for visitors and locals to connect and learn about each other’s cultures.

YOGAFor sound physical, mental and emotional development we offer Sivananda and Hatha yoga for begin-

ners with a qualified teacher for small groups.

MASSAGEComplete physical and mental relaxation and stress reduction with re-vitalizing techniques of deep tis-

sue and acupressure with a professional therapists.

Contact: Lha Office on Temple Road, opposite State Bank of India.Phone: 01892-220992 Email: [email protected]

QUICK FACTS from 2003 to 2012

Over 5,187 volunteers from • 40 different countries have contributed to Lha's workMore than 1,365 foreign visitors • have participated in Tibetan cultural programsApproximately 789 students • from various international educational institutions have participated in organised cultural exchange programs

30,000 free books have been • distributed to Tibetan and local Indian schools and librariesMore than 29,031 articles of • clothing have been collected and distributed through the donation centerMulti-language courses have • benefited over 8,718 peopleComputer and IT workshops have • helped over 2,322 people296 free eye check-ups and • glasses have been provided for more than 346 people

Over 485 people have attended • Lha's yoga classesMore than 160 people have • graduated from Lha's massage courses67 people have graduated from • Lha's photography coursesThe Lha Community Soup • Kitchen has fed between 35-50 people daily with 105 people in total benefitting since its opening in July, 2011

Happy New Year!

Continued from page 9Lha’s Annual Report 2012


SEVEN HILLS OF DOKEBI

KOREAN RESTAURANT

Pure Korean Food AvailableFor both Veg & Non Veg

We serve special Kimbab (Sushi)For every day veg, tuna, avocado,

And many other naturally Korean foodsKimchi, Bulgogi, Very Clean & Delicious!!!

Also good MusicClassics, Jazz, Pop, Korean &

we have nice fireplace

Open 10:00am ~ Closed 10:00pmLocated on Jogiwara Road-Map #12

Mobile: 98055 83234Near the Japanese Restaurant

GOING TO AMRITSAR?Come see us at Tourist Guest House

British colonial mansion turned into beautiful guest house that tourists have been flocking to for a taste of the Raj life style.

We have Internet connection at Rs 1/min.

Comfortable stay with home cooked meals. Dorm bed Rs 125, Single/dble w. bath Rs 175-350.

Walking distance from train and bus. Private parking.Recommended in travel guide ‘Lets Go-2000’.

Contact Harindar at : 0183-2553830 / 09356003219E-mail : [email protected]

NorbulingkaWhere nature flourishes and tranquility prevails

Preserving Tibetan CultureLIVE ART

FINE SHOPPING

ART GALLERY

DOLL MUSEUM

SERENE GARDEN CAFE

INNOVATIVE CRAFT AND DESIGNGuided Tour, Round Trip Sharing Ride

Minimum Four People RequiredRs. 200 per person from McLeod Ganj

Tickets Available at Chonor Guest HouseContact: Chonor Reception #01892-221 468/01892-221006

Trisong Dorjee #9816523556Website: www.norbulingka.org

Dr. Mobile ShopYour Communication Partner

Mobile Sales, Mobile Repair, Sim Cards, Purchase and Recharge Phone Service

Black Magic Building (underground), Jogiwara Road, McLeod Ganj Phone: 9857011101

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Learn Hindiwith Experienced Teacher, Surinder Kumar

Individual or Group Classes, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm everyday.

Located in Hotel Himalayan Paradise - Map #10Phone: 9882228502

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Interested in a Tibetan Homestay?

Lha Charitable Trust can arrange homestays of one month with a Tibetan refugee family. By sharing day-to-day life with a Tibetan family, you will have an opportunity to experience Tibetan culture in an intensive way. Spend your time in Dharamsala learning the language, cooking Tibetan meals, sharing rituals with a family, and making friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Homestays include accomodation, breakfast, and dinner. If you’re interested in a Tibetan Homestay, contact Lha at [email protected], or stop by the Lha office on Temple Road

in McLeod Ganj.


Dream Holidays Travels and ToursGround Floor of Asian Plaza Hotel, Main Square / Bus Stand, McLeod Ganj - Map #18

(3rd office inside Mall)“let us be your dream holiday”

+Worldwide Air Travel Arrangements - Lowest Fares Guaranteed+Discounted domestic air tickets

+AC & Non-AC cars & jeeps for short & long tours, airport & train station transfers+Rail tickets and hotel reservations + Short and long trekking tours

phone: 0091 1892-221 469 / 220 790, mobile: 981 608 7878 / 941 809 7149email: [email protected], web: www.dreamholidayindia.com

Jimmy’s Italian KitchenMain market, just opposite of prayer wheels on the

second floor. Jogiwara Road, McLeod - Map #6Contact: 9816124833

Come for fine Italian food, amazing views from the roof top terrace garden, live music, stylish decor & yummy desserts!

CARPE DIEMRESTAURANT & PIZZERIA

“Your Health is our Happiness”MEXICAN, ITALIAN, INDIAN, CHINESE,

CONTINENTAL, & THAI FOODHealthy hygiene, No MSG•Everything washed with sterilized water•Homemade muesli & homemade curd•Large variety of fresh juices•Wood-fired pizza oven & clay Tandoori oven•Relaxed atmosphere including roof top tables •& Japanese-style seating areaLive music every Sunday•

Located on Jogiwara Road,across from the Tibetan Reception Center

(down from Post Office) - Map #8

Enjoy traditional Taiwanese and Chinese food and peaceful environment, just one minute from the Bus Stand, just behind Asian Plaza! (Map #3)

Common Grounds Cafe is a nonprofit venture of Common Grounds Project, an NGO with a mission to establish and promote innovative forums to achieve common grounds of shared understanding between Chinese and Tibetan people. We also host weekly programs including screenings, discussions, & workshops.

TIBET KITCHENRESTAURANT & BEANS CAFE

BEST AUTHENTIC TIBETAN CUISINE IN TOWNSPECIALIZING IN THAI, BHUTANESE, & CHINESE

WE ALSO SERVE FRESH BEAN COFFEEHealthy Hygienic - Only A.C. Restaurant in town

Homemade Noodles - Internet surfing

Party Bookings AvailableOpen 11:00 am to 9:30 pm. Located at the Main SquareContact: 01892-221980, Mobile: 98058 75626 - Map #5

Are you reading this byChance?

Or was it destined…

Discover the Secrets of Being, Doing and Having everything.Unravel the Mystery of your life, And Find the Purpose & Happiness.

Take a walk to….

KUNDALINIEsoteric Boutique

On hotel Surya Road, Mcleodganj - Map # 21

Result guaranteed life-style ideas & discussions at 6:00PM every eveningTuesday through Friday.

Reiki Meditation Healing, Crystals, Pashmina CarpetsEvery product a labor of love

HOTEL LADIES’ VENTURE“The most suitable place for foreigners, holidaymakers, honeymooners,

trekkers, and those who wish to commune with nature!”

We offer: Affordable dormitories, well-appointed rooms, boarding, and McLeod Ganj’s FINEST hospitality!

Jogiwara Road - Map #11Mobile - 981 623 5648 Hotel - 01892 22 1559

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Glorious ArtsBELIEVE IN THE BEST

Precious & Semi-Precious Stones Gold & Silver Jewellery

Pashmina Shawls ♦ Thangkas ♦ Carpets, etc. Also Made to Order

**Bring in this ad and receive 11% off any one item!** (expires 31 July 2012)

Shop No. 11, Mount View Complex, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj (inside Hotel M, opposite reception desk - Map #2)

Mobile: +91-9816559319 / 9960802594 Also visit us in Goa, near the CSM Hotel, Baga

Deals in:


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McLEOD GANJ

DHARAMKOT

Vipassana Centre

Tushita CentreTibetanChildren’sVillage (TCV)

Naddi Village

CanttPolicePost

Road to Dharamshala

Main Bazaar

TIPA

BHAGSU NAG

LhaMAIN

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For Details See Advertisement Pages

11. Hotel Ladies’ Venture12. Seven Hills of Dokibe 13. 8 Auspicious Him View Hotel 14. Namgyal Cafe15. Hotel Nataraj16. Pema Thang Guest House17. Chonor House18. Dream Holidays Travel19. Crepe Pancake Hut20. Ahimsa House & Lha Soup Kitchen21. Kundalini

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5 68

10 11

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1516

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Thank you for patronizing our advertisers!

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Road to Dharamshala

8 AUSPICIOUSHIM VIEW HOTEL

Located below Ghu Chum Movement at Jogiwara Road (Map #13). We have 8 beautiful, well-decorated rooms with good-luck symbols in each.

All rooms have a balcony facing the Himalayan Range. Enjoy the sunrise from your bed!

Our restaurant serves Vegetarian Tibetan and Continental dishes. We also have a coffee and juice bar featuring homemade cakes.

Phone: 01892 220567 Cell: 9418236603Email: [email protected]

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Rishi Yoga & Meditation Center

Private and Group ClassesTraditional Indian Ayurvedic healing

and Reiki healing - Map #10

Courses: 3, 5, 11 days with Indian Himalayan teacher Nitin Gill

Located: Hotel Himalayan Paradise, opposite of nunneryPhone: 9736184741 & 9882228502Email: [email protected]

Web: http://rishiyogaindia.com/reach.php

1. Lha Headquarters2. Glorious Arts3. Common Ground Cafe4. Kunga Guest House & Nick’s Italian Kitchen5. Tibetan Kitchen6. Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen 7. Nature Cure Health Club8. Carpe Diem Restaurant9. Dr. Mobile Woeser Cafe10. Rishi Yoga & Meditation Center Learn Hindi with Surinder Kumar

Nature Cure Health Clubwith Mahinder Kapoor

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map # 7Mobile: 94181 30119 or 09736333888

Email: [email protected]

12 years’ experience & recommended by the Lonely Planet

Visit us for: Swedish massage courses & treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexology treatment, SPA, Singing Bowl Treatment, steambaths, sauna & mud baths.

Our teacher has had experience teaching in Israel.

Cake, Coffee and Chai and Much Much More!7.30am to 7pm

Below Black Magic on Jogiwara Road - Map # 9

YOURA D V E R T I S E M E N T

THIS SPACE C O U L D B E


Chonor HouseChonor House (map #17) is centrally located overlooking His Holiness the

Dalai Lama’s temple. We have eleven uniquely decorated and well-appointed rooms with room service and housekeeping.

Internet is available in our Cyber Yak.Our chefs create a wide range of Tibetan and International specialties which can

be enjoyed in our beautiful restaurant, our peaceful gardens, or on your own private balcony. Visit our bakery for freshly-made cakes and cookies to enjoy

here or to take away.For that special gift to take home, visit our shops,

Chonor Designs and Norling Designs (on Temple Road)and choose from our exclusive range of jewellery, clothing, and handicraft items.

Phone: 221815Talented artisans from Norbulingka Institute create all of our designs.

Phone: +91(0)1 892 221 006/221 077 Fax: +91 (0) 1892 221648Email: [email protected] - or - [email protected]

Website: www.norbulingka.org/site/visitor.htm

and RestaurantPema Thang Guest House

Charming, comfortable, and scrupulously cleanMinutes from Main Temple and Market, tucked on a

quiet street with magnificent view of the Kangra Valley.Rooms feature kitchenette. New addition: Yoga Hall

Occasional Traditional Tibetan Musical Eveningwith Buffet Dinner

Adjoining Restaurant offers delicious local and continental fare described by Wikitravel as

“lip-smackingly yummy.”Hotel Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj: Map #16Phone: 221871/221001 www.pemathang.net

Crepe Pancake Hut

Visit our Café for organic flour-made pancakes with fresh fruit sauce, a variety

of fillings & Green and Grain salads

Come to enjoy our homemade Pineapple beer & Ginger beer

Jogiwara Road, opposite Mountview Guesthouse (Map #19)

Mobile: 9418607037

KUNGAGUEST HOUSE

Spacious rooms with views over the valley, and...

NICK’S ITALIANRESTAURANT

Home baked cakes, quiches, pies, pastas, cheese, & Italian

favourites served on our massive terrace.

We also have on sale theRigpa Tibetan CalendarBhagsu Road - Map #4

Phone: 221 180

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Namgyal Cafe

The famous and popular Namgyal Cafe has merged with Om Hotel right off the main square - Map #14

Extensive vegetarian menu• Terrace dining with beautiful view• Best pizza in McLeod Ganj• Good music and friendly staff•

Open every day from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm

EU Challenges ChinaContinued from page 1

Mobile: 9736536552, 9816150562

officials seized his body and took it to an undisclosed location. Dupchok is survived by his wife and two daughters aged 5 and 3.

12 Jan: Tsering Tashi (Tsebey), 22 set himself on fire in the Sangchu region

of Kanlho in eastern Tibet. He died on the spot. Local Tibetans took his body to a safe location before Chinese security authorities arrived, and later to his home village. He is survived by his father Dukar Kyab and mother Dolma Tsering.

by Jenny JamesUK Parliament’s vice-president for

democracy and human rights, Edward McMillan-Scott, has challenged China’s ambassador to the EU, Wu Hailong, demanding that he “allow us to organise our own fact-finding meetings without being shadowed by the same security forces that have been instrumental in the brutal crackdown on the freedoms of Tibetans.”

In an interview with theparliament.com, Wu Hailong blamed “foreign forces” for being involved in the “secret planning, provocation, organisation and implementation” of the self-immolation protests. “I sincerely encourage more people from Europe to visit Tibet and to experience in person its beauty and the life of its people”, he said.

The main focus of the interview was Wu Hailong’s defence of China’s policies in Tibet which have led nearly 100 Tibetans to commit self-immolation. “Ambassador Wu Hailong’s comments serve to show

why the levels of frustration felt by the Tibetan community are as high as they are. China’s totalitarian regime unashamedly denies any responsibility for the tragic self-immolations of nearly 100 Tibetans in protest at China’s heavy-handed policies in Tibet and the forced exile of the Tibetan spiritual leader, H.H. the Dalai Lama”, Mr Scott was quoted as saying.

Wu Hailong sought to refute the issues raised by self-immolators, namely the absence of religious freedom and the denial of language and cultural rights, especially with regard to education, by claiming they are legally protected. But Mr Scott has rejected this, saying he “continues to receive credible evidence that Tibetan culture, including the language, is being systematically wiped out by the Chinese regime”.

Self-Immolations

Edward McMillan-Scott

Documents

Contact January 2013