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Musharraf going to UAE to plot possible political comeback?

March 22, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Mar 22(ANI): Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who resigned under the threat of impeachment in 2008, is reportedly considering a political comeback and plans to meet counterparts and supporters in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to discuss his political future.

“Musharraf plans to visit Bahrain at the request of the royal family at the end of March. He will then visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” The National quoted Rashid Qureshi, Musharraf’s spokesperson, as saying.

Musharraf, who is currently living in exile in London, indicated his desire to return to politics during a lecture tour in the United States last week.

“I am keeping my options open,” Musharraf said during his speech in Sarasota, Florida.

He also stressed that Pakistan had gone “downhill” since his departure.

According to earlier reports, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has accepted Musharraf’s application to register a new political party named-All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), thus clearing the road for Musharraf to return to the country for another political stint.

Sources privy to the development said Musharraf was trying hard to register the party through some of his loyalists in the country for quite some time, and has now finally succeeded.

Sources said the application filed by the ECP named some of the office-bearers of APML such as Barrister Saif as Chairman, Sher Alam Khattak as President, Chuadhry Abdul Ghafoor as Senior Vice President, and Rai Mulazam Hussain as Secretary General. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama to address ”curtains down” of ”Thank India” programme

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), Mar 17 (ANI): The Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Samdhong Rinpoche, has said that the Dalai Lama will address the ”curtains down” of ”Thank India” programme to express gratitude to India that will be preceded by a congregation of inter-faith prayers named ”Sarva Dharma Sammelan” for three days.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Rinpoche said: “On March 21 there would be a conference to mark the conclusion of the ”Thank India” programme. His holiness will formally thank India for the cooperation.

After the completion of fifty years living in-exile the Tibetans wished to launch a special programme ”Thank India” last year.

The month of March this year marks two major events for Tibet – 51st anniversary of the Dalai Lama fleeing to exile in India and the second anniversary of Tibet unrest which sparked waves of violent demonstrations in Lhasa. (ANI)

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Tibetans living-in-exile surprised over China’s opposition to Dalai Lama’s visit

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, Sep 17 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community living at Gangtok said China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh is “surprising”.

The Dalai Lama plans to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon. China has claimed part of Arunachal as its territory.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader’s aide said the Dalai Lama would be in Arunachal Pradesh state in the second week of November.

The intended visit has already sparked off controversy. China claims about 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

The Dalai Lama’s travel plan was announced a week after the completion of his visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. China denounced the trip.

“This time round when they (Chinese Authorities) are making some kind of pressure or some kind of opposition to the upcoming visit of his holiness to Arunachal Pradesh it is really very surprising.

Why would they complain when the government of India has no problem in his holiness visiting Arunachal Pradesh? So why should people of republic of china have some problem?” said Zimba Bhutia, Tibetan youth committee member.

“Chinese authorities have always been against the trip of Dalai Lama. So I think that they should know why Dalai Lama has been there. Dalai Lama has been welcomed by the people of Arunachal Pradesh as the spiritual and a Buddhist monk,” said Dhondup Dorjee, Tibetan welfare officer of Sikkim.

A visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China’s treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama’s calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. (ANI)

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Tibetans celebrate Dalai Lama’s 74th birthday in Dharamsala

July 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, July 6 (ANI): Tibetans living in exile in Dharamsala celebrated the 74th birthday of Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama today.

Born in 1935 in Tibet, Lhamo Thondup was recognized as the reincarnation of 13th Dalai Lama, at the age of 2.

Scores of Tibetans gathered at main Buddhist temple, Tsugalgkhang and prayed for the long life and health of their leader.

“He (Dalai Lama) himself is in Delhi to attend another meeting where former President of India Mr. Kalam is the chief guest. Here, it is the official’s celebration of the Tibetan government in exile, and six parliamentarians from Australia are also here as chief guest,” said Lobsang Wangyal, a Tibetan youth.

The Central Tibetan Administration organized the function.

Hoping to celebrate Dalai Lama’s birthday in Lhasa one day, thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns and exiled government officials took part in the celebrations.

“All our effort is based on this firm conviction and hope that we will return to Tibet in circumstances which satisfy the majority of Tibetan people and will celebrate both our Losar and his Holiness’ next birthday in Lhasa,” said Thubten Samphel, Spokesperson Of The Government-In-Exile.

The Dalai Lama was brought to Lhasa in October 1939, and formally installed the head of the state of Tibet on February 22, 1940.

About 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, the vast majority in India or Nepal, and of them less than half were born in their homeland. (ANI)

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Tibetans celebrate Karmapa Lama’s 24th birthday in Dharamshala

June 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamshala, June 26 (ANI): Tibetans living in exile in Dharamshala celebrated the 24th birthday of Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa on Friday.

Born on June 26, 1985 in Kham region of eastern Tibet, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is heir to the Tibetan’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

He is considered as the third most important leader after the Dalai Lama, and his authority is recognised by both Beijing and the Dalai Lama.

Buddhist monks and nuns assembled at the Gyuto monastery in Dharamsala to pray for the well-being and long life of the Karmapa.

However, this year, no singing and dancing programmes were organised because of the demise of Penor Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma sect and also due to the mass killings of Tibetans in Tibet last year.

“It is because of the demise of the head of the Nyingma sect, Penor Rinpoche and so many Tibetans have lost their lives in Tibet, so they didn’t perform any sort of cultural events and they don’t have big ceremony. Just to mark the birthday celebration, we have this prayer and puja ceremony only,” said Tashi Wangchuk, a Tibetan youth.

Followers of Karmpa from far-flung places also came to take part in the celebration.

“I heard that the Karmapa’s birthday was around this time so I wanted to see what was involved in that event because I know very little about Buddhism, so while I’m here I’m trying to learn a little bit more about Buddhism and different celebrations that take place throughout the year,” said Michel, a tourist from the US.

The Karmapa Lama, who fled to India in January 2001, following religious suppression and human rights violation by the Chinese, is now settled in Dharamsala.

He is the head of the Karma Kagyu sect of Buddhism, which is headquartered at the Rumtek Monastery in India’s northeast Sikkim. (ANI)

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UN court accepts assurances from Senegal on Chad’s ex-dictator

May 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Amsterdam – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Thursday accepted the assurances of Senegal that it would monitor former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre in its jurisdiction.

The ICJ in a unanimous decision said Senegal’s promises to monitor and guard Habre, who is wanted for crimes of torture and crimes against humanity, were sufficient.

On February 20, Belgium had asked the ICJ to impose so-called provisional measures on Senegal to force the West African state to prevent Habre from leaving its territory.

The request came amid an application brought by Belgium in the ICJ to compel Senegal to prosecute or extradite him. Belgium’s legal system allows it to prosecute serious crimes committed abroad.

The ICJ on Thursday ruled that special provisional measures would not be necessary.

In its application to the ICJ, Belgium is demanding that the Senegal extradites Habre for trial in Belgium, or that Senegal puts the former dictator on trial in Dakar.

Belgium maintains that Senegal has so far failed to extradite Habre, a warrant for whose arrest Belgium issued in 2005, five years after he was indicted in Dakar. He was ultimately placed under house arrest.

Habre first came to power in Chad in June 1982 and was initially praised by the West for fighting the Libyan regime of Moammer Gaddafi. However, human rights organizations later accused him of alleged responsibility in the killing of thousands of people.

Habre has been living in exile in Senegal since December 1990, after he was ousted by Chad’s then Libya-backed rebel leader Idriss Deby, now the president of Chad.

On August 15, 2008 a court in the Chadian capital N’Djamena tried and sentenced Habre to death in absentia.

The ICJ is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. (dpa)

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Tibetans in-exile stage anti-Chinese demonstration in Shimla

May 24, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Shimla, May 24 (ANI): Tibetans living-in-exile in Shimla held an anti-Chinese demonstration on Saturday, denouncing violence by the Chinese administration in their homeland.

Hundreds of Tibetans gathered to participate in the protest march, which also marked the 58th anniversary of 17-point agreement that was forcefully imposed by Chinese authorities on them in 1951.

Holding their national flags and banners, the Tibetans marched through the streets of Shimla, raising slogans against the Chinese authorities and also seeking the support of United Nation and the international community.

Passang, President of Tibetan Youth Congress hoped that India would continue to support the Tibetan cause.

“They (The Indian government) has extended their support for the cause of our freedom in the last fifty years and we are hopeful that they will continue doing so in the years to come,” said Passang, President, Tibetan Youth Congress.

Apart from scores of locals, several foreigners also joined the rally to show their solidarity with the Tibetans.

Jay, a tourist from United Kingdom said that if everyone unites, then the hinese government would be forced to free Tibet.

“There are so many of us. If we do unite and make our voice known they (the Chinese) will have to be forced to do something about it (Tibetans’ woes). If we pretend that we can’t do anything about it then nothing will be done,” said Jay, a tourist from England. (ANI)

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Tibetans in India demonstrate against award of death sentence

April 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamshala, Apr 22 (ANI): Tibetans living in-exile in India condemned the Chinese regime sentencing a fellow Tibetan to death and another two for long jail terms for starting fires in two downtown clothing shops on March 14, 2008, which killed six people.

Holding candlelight and placards, Tibetans marched through the streets of Dharamsala to express their solidarity with the convicted fellows.

“We got news from inside Tibet that three Tibetan women have been sentenced, one to death sentence with two years reprieve, one to life imprisonment and one to ten years imprisonment. It reflects all the current crisis and situation that is very much prevailing inside Tibet. Tibetans in exile are really anxious. We fear the tragedy that has be fallen Tibet these days,” said Dhadon, a Tibetan protestor.

Even foreigners joined in the protest march to show their solidarity with the Tibetans.

“I am here to support Tibetans in their cause and to protest against the death sentence that been given to these young girls. I think they are fighting a good struggle. I want to support it because the whole world should know more about it,” said Pauler, a tourist from Auckland.

A Chinese court in Tibet sentenced one Penkyi (aged 21) of Sakya County to ‘suspended death penalty’, who the NGOs and monitoring agencies of India claim is a woman.

The order reads that the death sentence is qualified with a two years reprieve. It means that Penkyi’s sentence will likely be commuted to life in prison if he/she commits no further offenses in the next two years.

The other two, one of whom was also named Penkyi (aged 23) from Nyinmo County was sentenced to life imprisonment, while Chime Lhamo (aged 20) was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

The report by the Tibetan Government-in-exile described the latter Penkyi as a 23-year old woman and the other as a 20-year old Chime Lhamo.

Earlier, a court in Lhasa had sentenced two other Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, to death for their alleged roles in separate arson attacks. They were found guilty of ‘igniting fatal fires’ during the riots. (ANI)

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CORRECTED – WRAPUP 5-Thailand focus on economy, Thaksin appeals to king

April 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Corrects spelling of king’s name to Bhumibol from Bumibol in paragraph 2)

* Thailand may expand stimulus package, boost borrowing

* Thaksin appeals to king to help end the political turmoil

* Cabinet meets Friday to discuss budget, package

* Emergency remains; troops guard area around PM’s office

(Adds new Thaksin comments)

By Bill Tarrant

BANGKOK, April 15 (Reuters) – Thailand’s government turned its attention to new measures to revive the economy on Wednesday, a day after the end of violent protests that further dented confidence in a country heading into recession.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the protesters’ figurehead, urged King Bhumibol Adulyadej — seen by many Thais as semi-divine — to help end the political turmoil.

“He is the only person that can intervene in this incident, otherwise the violence will become wider and also the confrontation would be more and more,” Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup and living in exile, told the broadcaster France 24.

Thailand kept a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok for a fourth day and security forces kept tight guard around Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s office, epicentre of protests by Thaksin’s “red-shirt” supporters.

An end to the latest political chaos in the kingdom allowed the government breathing space to focus on fixing the economy.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said Thailand may have to borrow more to finance additional stimulus measures to compensate for any economic losses from the political turmoil.

“With tourism expected to suffer more losses, and private investment likely to fall after what happened this week, the impact would likely be reflected in more tax revenue shortfalls and increased fiscal deficits,” Korn told Reuters.

“We will have to review our public sector borrowing plans. With the problems this week, fiscal stimulus will probably need to play a bigger role to boost the economy,” he said.

The Thai cabinet will meet on Friday to discuss the budget and the stimulus package, government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told Reuters on Wednesday. He declined to say where it would meet due to security concerns.

A nearly three-week siege of Government House, where Abhisit’s administration has offices, ended without bloodshed on Tuesday when Thaksin supporters decided to surrender with hundreds of troops and riot police surrounding them.

Two people were killed in skirmishes between “red shirt” protesters and local residents, the authorities said, while at least 123 were injured in clashes between soldiers and protesters trying to blockade a major road junction on Monday.

POLITICAL BATTLE LINES

In broad terms, Thailand’s crisis is a battle between the “yellow shirts” — royalists, the military and urban Thais who back Abhisit — and the “red shirt” supporters of Thaksin whose power base was mainly drawn from the millions of rural poor.

Thaksin lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a two-year jail term on a corruption conviction. His whereabouts are not known.

Financial markets were closed for the three-day Thai New Year holiday, but will reopen on Thursday. Shares and the baht were expected to come under selling pressure.

“Selling pressure will come from foreign funds constrained by their policy of not investing in countries where there is a state of emergency in place,” said Tisco Securities strategist Viwat Techapoonphol.

An expanded stimulus package could boost employment and purchasing power in the countryside, where Thaksin has long been popular, but few believe Thailand is heading for a period of prolonged stability.

“The whole vicious cycle seems set to continue,” said Danny Richards, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The “red shirts” consider Abhisit’s goverment illegitimate because he came to office in December via parliamentary defections they say the army engineered.

They have vowed to resume their campaign to force new elections, which they would be well placed to win. Abhisit has ruled out elections until law and order is restored.

Thai courts have issued arrest warrants for Thaksin and 13 leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) for violating state of emergency regulations. At least three were already in custody.

The Foreign Ministry revoked Thaksin’s passport, saying he helped instigate the unrest that caused an Asian summit to be cancelled last weekend. (Additional reporting by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat in Bangkok, Andrew Marshall in Singapore and Umesh Desai in Hong Kong; Writing by Ralph Gowling; Editing by Ralph Boulton)

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Thaksin appeals to Thai king to end turmoil

April 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s government turned its attention to new measures to revive the economy on Wednesday, a day after the end of violent protests that further dented confidence in a country heading into recession.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the protesters’ figurehead, urged King Bhumibol Adulyadej — seen by many Thais as semi-divine — to help end the political turmoil.

Thailand kept a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok for a fourth day and security forces kept tight guard around Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s office, epicenter of protests by Thaksin’s “red-shirt” supporters.

An end to the latest political chaos in the kingdom allowed the government breathing space to focus on fixing the economy.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said Thailand may have to borrow more to finance additional stimulus measures to compensate for any economic losses from the political turmoil.

“We will have to review our public sector borrowing plans. With the problems this week, fiscal stimulus will probably need to play a bigger role to boost the economy,” he said.

POLITICAL BATTLE LINES

Thaksin lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a two-year jail term on a corruption conviction. His whereabouts are not known.

Financial markets were closed for the three-day Thai New Year holiday, but will reopen on Thursday. Shares and the baht were expected to come under selling pressure.

“The whole vicious cycle seems set to continue,” said Danny Richards, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The “red shirts” consider Abhisit’s government illegitimate because he came to office in December via parliamentary defections they say the army engineered.

They have vowed to resume their campaign to force new elections, which they would be well placed to win. Abhisit has ruled out elections until law and order is restored.

The Foreign Ministry revoked Thaksin’s passport, saying he helped instigate the unrest that caused an Asian summit to be canceled last weekend.

(Additional reporting by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat in Bangkok, Andrew Marshall in Singapore and Umesh Desai in Hong Kong; Writing by Ralph Gowling; Editing by Ralph Boulton)

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Tibetans-in-exile thank India for fifty years of asylum

April 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamsala / Shimla, Apr 1 (ANI): Tibetans living-in-exile in India hosted a thanksgiving ceremony here to express their gratitude to the Indian Government and the people of the country for hosting them for 50 years.

Organized by the Tibetan government-in-exile, the function was presided over by the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.

Tibetans are celebrating five decades of exiled life, from 1959 to 2009, with the year-long celebrations which started on March 10.

“We have assembled here to express our appreciation to the government and the people of India for hosting us for fifty years. So it’s also to remember what we as refugees have accomplished in India during these years,” said Thubten Samphel, spokesperson of the Tibetan government in-exile.

Meanwhile, in Shimla, the Tibetan exile community gathered by a public square and offered a traditional Tibetan shawl to a statue of the apostle of peace Mahatma Gandhi.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 and set up a Tibetan government-in-exile in India, which has an estimated 80,000 followers, after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

The Dalai Lama marked his 50 years in exile on March 10 by demanding ‘meaningful autonomy’ for his Tibetan homeland.

Beijing has downplayed the Dalai Lama’s demand for autonomy for Tibet .

Although a meeting of exiles last November had reaffirmed the Dalai Lama’s ‘middle way’ path, many said that their patience with Beijing may not last. (ANI)

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Tibetan exiles present play on alleged Chinese atrocities

March 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, Mar 29 (ANI): Tibetans living-in-exile presented a play here on alleged Chinese atrocities to mark 50 years of Chinese rule in Tibet.

Through street performance, Tibetans portrayed the alleged atrocities being inflicted by Chinese troops in Lhasa, the capital of the roof the world.

“This is just to show the world that how Chinese are brutally torturing Tibetans in Tibet, still people are dying. Many people are lost. We don’t know yet where they are?,” said Sonam, a Tibetan activist.

“Tibetans are living like a hell inside Tibet. The Chinese Government has been brutally torturing Tibetans. Cultural genocide is happening,” said Tenzin Tsondu, another Tibetan activist.

Meanwhile, Tibetan exiles staged a candlelight protest to mark the fifty years of Chinese oppression on their homeland.

Tibetans, including, Buddhist monks and nuns, holding banners and flags, took part in the vigil and expressed solidarity with people who they say are victims of atrocities by the Chinese authorities in the Tibet.

The Tibetan exiles mark March 28 with protests and demonstration, as they believe since that day in 1959 they have suffered unimaginable religious, cultural and political repression at the hand of the Chinese authorities.

However, China marks March 28 as its inaugural Serfs’ Emancipation Day, marking the date in 1959 when Chinese troops took direct control of the government in Lhasa after being rushed there to quell an uprising. (ANI)

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Tibetans thank India for its support

March 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 27 (ANI): A five-day ‘Thank You India Festival’ hosted by Tibetans-living-in-exile in India is underway in New Delhi.

The festival organised by the India International Centre and the Bureau of Hisoliness the Dalai Lama is to commemorate the 50 years of exile.

“This is to commemorate 50 years in exile and also to thank the people of India for the support and sympathy that they have given us for 50 years,” said Tempa Tsering, the Dalai Lama’s representative.

On the first day of the festival, Tibetans put up musical programmes and also showcased handicrafts representing the essence of Tibetan culture.

During the five days, the commemoration will bring some of the most important Tibetan institutions together to showcase the Tibetan refugees’ accomplishments in community building, education and cultural preservation.

Beijing has downplayed the Dalai Lama’s demand for autonomy for Tibet.lthough a meeting of exiles last November had reaffirmed the Dalai Lama’s ‘middle way’ path, many said that their patience with Beijing might not last. (ANI)

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Tibetan exiles hold candlelight vigil in Himachal Pradesh

March 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamsala/Shimla, Mar 13 (ANI): Tibetan people living-in-exile staged a candlelight vigil in Dharamsala to mark 50 years of their movement.

A large numbers of monks, nuns including foreigners took part in the march, vowing to continue the fight for a free Tibet and return to their homeland.

Prayers were also offered for Tibetans who laid down their lives for the cause of freedom.

Women of the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association (RTWA) marked 2009 as the ‘International Year of Tibetan Women.’

“This candlelight vigil is to honour all the Tibetan women who died for Tibetan freedom and to safeguard the future generation’s freedom,” said Palkey, a member of the RTWA.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Tibetan women-in-exile participated in a peace march in Shimla. Later, they staged a candlelight vigil to mark the 50th anniversary of Tibetan National Women’s Uprising.

“Our women inside Tibet sacrificed a lot during the national uprising 50 years back. In their memory, we are holding a candlelight march. We are also thankful to the Indian Government for providing us asylum and giving us love and for allowing a peaceful march,” said Passang, president of RTWA, Shimla.

On March 10, 1959, Chinese authorities quashed an uprising led by the Dalai Lama, which forced him and many Buddhist men and women to flee Tibet.

The Dalai Lama marked his 50 years in exile on Tuesday by demanding “meaningful autonomy” for his Tibetan homeland, where Chinese authorities tightened security to stifle protests against their rule.

Tibetans across the globe are marking this week with anti-China protests, demonstrations, photo exhibitions and book launches to look back at 50 years of their failed uprising and ponder over the future course of action. (ANI)

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Chinese writer brings out her book on Tibetans

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, Mar 1 (ANI): The Tibetan’s Women Association (TWA) has released a book titled ‘Response to China’s White Paper on Protection of Tibetan Culture’ written by a Chinese writer.

The author of the book, Zhu Rui, who was born in China and is now based in Canada, lived and worked in Tibet for several years. She was also present at the event that took place on Saturday.

Zhu previously has authored a book and written multiple summaries during hertint as the author of the magazine ‘Tibetan Literature’.

B Tsering Yeshi, the TWA President, said the book was aimed at educating the global community, especially the Chinese, about the situation and struggle of Tibetans.

“TWA recognizes that the information is best disseminated through literature and houses plethora of publications that seek to serve our goal of educating the global community especially the Chinese nationality about the situation, struggle and the spirit of Tibet and the Tibetan people,” said Yeshi.

China has controlled Tibet since People’s Liberation Army troops marched into the region in 1950 and Beijing considers Tibet as an integral part of its territory.

Tibetans living in exile contend that Chinese atrocities have increased since the Tibetan uprising in Lhasa in March 2008, whereas China blames the Dalai Lama led clique for instigating unrest in that region. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: atrocities, chinese nationality, chinese writer, dalai lama, Dharamsala, global community, lhasa, liberation army troops, living in exile, plethora, Rui, tibet, tibetan culture, tibetan literature, tibetan uprising, Tibetans, tsering, twa, unrest, yeshi

Exiled Tibetans in Kashmir boycott Losar celebrations

February 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Leh, Feb 27 (ANI): The new year celebrations of the Tibetan exiles are muted and subdued this year as they mourn for the loss of lives of those killed in Lhasa by the Chinese.

The Tibetans living in Leh region of Jammu and Kashmir have joined their compatriots across the world in boycotting Losar celebration.

A calm and quiet prevails in the region as the people go about their day to day activities in a normal manner, sans the enthusiasm which usually marks the heralding of Losar every year.

“We are not celebrating Losar this year because in last year so many Tibetan people had died. And Chinese government had led lots of Tibetan people in problem and presently also they are in very difficult situation in Tibet,” said Karma Dorje, Vice President, Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC).

Posters about boycotting the Losar celebrations are put up in every nook and corner of the region as children wearing caps with messages of ‘Free Tibet’.

“We are not going to celebrate the Losar because many people have died in Lhasa. We pay homage to them,” said Tenzin Zangmo, a Tibetan exile.

The protest gains significance as the 50th anniversary of the exile of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled to India after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, comes close.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 50th anniversary, atrocities, chinese government, chinese rule, compatriots, dalai lama, free tibet, Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir, lhasa, living in exile, new year celebrations, nook, spiritual leader, tibetan exile, tibetan exiles, tibetan uprising, tibetan youth congress, Tibetans, tyc

Tibetans boycott Losar celebration, stage protest in Delhi

February 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi/Dharamsala, Feb 25 (ANI): On the first day of their New Year celebration, Tibetans in exile staged a protest rally boycotting the Losar celebration.

Carrying Tibetan flags and shouting slogans against the Chinese Government, the protesters demanded international intervention to end the alleged atrocities by the Chinese against the Tibetans in Lhasa.

“Through this campaign, we want to voice our resentment to the Chinese government. We want to appeal to the international community, United Nations, European Parliament, respective countries and individuals to bring some constructive events to our struggle,” said Thupden, President, Tibetan Youth Congress, New Delhi.

Boycotting the Losar celebration, the Central Tibetan Administration assembled in the main monastery of Tibetan’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and offered prayers to show their solidarity with those killed in the last 50 years.

“Our government and people are not celebrating Losar this year to show solidarity with the Tibetans, who have been killed in the last 50 years and particularly last year when hundreds of Tibetans were killed under the Chinese crackdown,” said Dawa Tshering, member of Tibetan Parliament in-exile.

The protest also gains significance as the 50th anniversary of the exile of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled to India after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, comes close.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 50th anniversary, central tibetan administration, chinese crackdown, chinese government, chinese rule, dalai lama, Dharamsala, european parliament, international intervention, lhasa, living in exile, new year celebration, protest rally, spiritual leader, stage protest, tibetan flags, tibetan parliament, tibetan uprising, tibetan youth congress, Tibetans

Dharamsala’s exiled Tibetans protest against Chinese atrocities

February 24, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, Feb 24 (ANI): Tibetan exiles today marched through the streets of Dharamsala to express their solidarity with Tibetans who are still suffering under Chinese rule.

Carrying flags and chanting slogans, the protestors said we are organizing a protest to show our solidarity towards the Tibetans who are suffering still under the Chinese rule and at this situation the condition inside Tibet is getting worst.

They also alleged that China has stepped up security inside Tibet and is coming down harshly on natives there.

“So many Chinese troops are deployed inside Tibet and situation is getting intense,” said Yangdom, a protester.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 50th anniversary, atrocities, chinese rule, chinese troops, dalai lama, Dharamsala, flags, lhasa, living in exile, natives, protester, protestors, slogans, solidarity, spiritual leader, tibet, tibetan exiles, tibetan uprising, Tibetans, unrest

Dalai Lama holds special prayers in Sarnath for world peace

February 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Sarnath (UP), Jan 14 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, along with hundreds of Tibetan monks from across the world, offered special prayers for world peace here on Tuesday.

The congregation of praying monks and other devotees expressed concern over the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and elsewhere including the alleged Chinese repression in Lhasa.

” We are offering prayers for harmony due to several terrorist activities that takes place in the country such as the recent Mumbai terror attack. A few days back, you must have heard of Chinese repression in Tibet as well, and still there are Tibetans imprisoned there. So we are also offering prayers for their freedom,” said Laanga Shite, a monk.

Tibetans living-in-exile have contended that the Chinese atrocities have increased since the Tibetan uprising in Lhasa whereas China blamed the Dalai Lama and his ‘clique’ for instigating such unrest.

This situation had resulted in riots, which later spilled over to the rest of Tibet and Chinese provinces.

At this congregation of prayers, the monks reiterated that Buddhism is a religion of non-violence and its followers want human beings to live in peace and harmony.

“Buddhism is a religion of non-violence. Buddhism followers across the world want peace to prevail in entire universe. We want that human beings should live in peace and should live together with love. This is our main motive and this is the motive of today’s prayers,” noted Morogin Sheen, another monk.

The Dalai Lama recently arrived in Varanasi to inaugurate a week-long meditation-teaching programme that was attended by his followers from India as well as abroad.

Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: buddhism, Chinese provinces, chinese repression, dalai lama, devotees, first sermon, lhasa, living in exile, Lord Buddha, peace and harmony, sarnath, sheen, terror attack, terror attacks, terrorist activities, tibetan monks, tibetan spiritual leader, tibetan uprising, varanasi, world peace

Tibetans in exile voice their problems in a round table symposium

February 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamshala, Feb 7 (ANI): Tibetans living in-exile here discussed their problems and shared their experiences with the officials of the District administration in a round table conference.

The conference named ’50-years of exile and 50-years of togetherness’ was organised by the Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR) on Friday in an endeavour to share the experiences of living in India and also to bridge the communication gap between locals and the Tibetans.

TCCR is a non-profitable, educational organisation dedicated to the non-violent management of conflicts in the Tibetan Community and the world as a whole.part from the Tibetans, several social activists, local leaders, top brass of the State police and other officials attended this pro-interactive meeting.

Many issues concerning both the communities were discussed at this meet, the first of its kind.

“The main objective of this seminar was to build partnership between the two communities Indians and Tibetans. Their 50 years in exile here and whatever problems they have faced here and whatever benefits they have gained here,” said Shubhra Tiwari, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Dharamshala.

On their part, the Tibetans felt that it was a good effort as they set forth many issues, which otherwise were neglected.

“I think it is extremely important because many times we have conferences, big conferences and seminars where we talk about the political level, and small community level issues are not addressed at all. I think this kind of round table where people from big organisations and offices are present, but, at the same time, we are talking small grass-root issues. So these interactive sessions have potential about bringing things which are hidden, which are not really spoken off,” said Sonam, Associate Director, Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution.

Chinese troops occupied Tibet in 1950 and thousands of Tibetans including the Dalai Lama fled the mountainous region in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Although Tibetan exiled spiritual leader’s faith has been reportedly faltering in the Chinese Government, the Dalai Lama says that he has faith in China’s people on whom he pins his hope for an eventual change in the Chinese policy towards Tibet.

Envoys of the Dalai Lama and Chinese held talks in 2008 after a series of riots in Tibet that were the most serious challenge to Chinese rule in the mountainous region for nearly two decades. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: assistant superintendent, chinese troops, communication gap, conferences and seminars, conflict resolution, dalai lama, dharamshala, district administration, educational organisation, grass root, interactive sessions, living in exile, main objective, mountainous region, social activists, tibetan centre, tibetan community, Tibetans, togetherness, top brass