Tashi Delek

Well, I was done with giving my final exams and as I thought to myself, I decided that now is the time to complete my movie.

Back in February when we had to submit our final projects in college, I was motivated and inspired to go and shoot the story of Tibetans living in exile. Though the final project got submitted on time; I never could complete the film. Maybe because of the timelessness we faced (freelancing and studying mass communication together really don’t leave you with enough time to even sleep!)

So, meanwhile just to keep my thoughts alive I have been reading a lot of books and articles about the recent developments (read increased sufferings) in Tibet.

It has been 119 Self Immolation now. It was 102 back then, when I had gone to Dharamshala. 17 deaths in just 4 months! And I would want to reiterate these are not just deaths; these are the portrayal of inhumanity of a system perpetrated in the name of progress and ideology.

I don’t know why, but every time I try to be practical and rational and make the movie my sentiments, rather my conscience forces me to look towards these people with the eyes of compassion. How could you not feel for the people who have been forced to leave their country, who live with the insecurities of new ideas and new world taking over their 2000 years old culture?

It is not only their sufferings at the end of Chinese rulers, or their acts of courage that beholds my attention; it is their struggle to never let go, it is their perseverance that constantly beats through my mind.

Dharamshala is not just a tourist place for me anymore. It has become ‘Dhasa’ the place where His Holiness The Dalai Lama has been praying for the well being of his people since more than 5 decades. The place has attached to itself a sense of reverence by giving refuge to a lot many Tibetans.

It seems that not everyone feels the same way about the Tibetans. Clearly, the fact that the communist party is bewildered with the increasing acts of self immolation and tightening their claws without any apprehension from the International Community gives light to the conclusion that everyone is bias. Be it bias towards money and political benefits or humanity. For me, there is nothing more destructive than a nation being enslaved for more than 60 years. This gives me a legit reason to present a story bias towards the resilience of these people.

By having the scientific characteristics of a human, it has been stated obvious that we are never content. Following the notion I believe that making a 30 minute movie won’t really help. Of course it will be the source of knowledge for those ‘many people’ who enjoy their lives unaware of the unjust and unlawful sufferings of these people. I feel the emptiness and a need for a power, a force that could speak and act for the Tibetans letting them to fulfill their dreams to live and rest in peace in their country! And I wish for the power to be discovered soon.

Tashi Delek!

P.S. Tashi Delek means good greetings in Tibet.
If you want to know more about the Tibetan history of sufferings under the Chinese rule go to
http://shivangi92.blogspot.in/2013/03/the-tibetan-issue.html

The Tibetan Issue

"Majnu ka Tila mei kaha jana hai, madam?"
"Refugee Colony"…

This was a mere beginning to my journey. The journey which showed another shade of life to me. It all began with reading an article online about children coming from Tibet to India without their parents and families. It sounded like I've heard about the place. I was reminded of the world map where our teachers taught us to write Tibet in brackets on the map of China. I never knew reading further about Tibet would make the Tibetan Issue such a strong part of my life. That's what it is popularly known as, the Tibetan Issue.

Tibet was a beautiful independent country. Surrounded by huge mountain ranges the place had one of the richest religious and cultural heritage preserved within the hearts of every Tibetan. It was a serene plateau with echoing sounds of prayers. Under the blessings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, every Tibetan believed in living a happy and peaceful life. Tibet was, in its true sense The Roof of The World. However today what we know of Tibet is an entirely different story. In fact, do we even know about it? Today, it no more listens to the echoing prayers in monasteries. It no more feels the tranquility of air. It no more experiences the serenity. It now only witnesses the mourns and the cries of the people. The merry making lot are now seen sacrificing their lives by setting themselves ablaze! Yes, people of Tibet are dying! They are self immolating!

You must be by now wondering, what exactly it is that I'm so anxious about. It was in 1949 when the Communist Party of China came into power and stood up to reunite their 'motherland', Tibet. They said they wanted to liberalize Tibetans from the serfdom practices. They infiltrated and stealthily occupied Tibet killing thousands of people. Within a span of only a decade China forced the Tibetan religious and political leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to escape and take refuge in India. Since then, whom Tibetans believe to be the reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion is living in exile as a refugee! Since then thousands of Tibetans have crossed the borders to come and live in exile. What China terms as development are a bunch of cultural re-education and assimilation policies which forces Tibetans to abandon their language and culture and accept the communist regime. Tibetans are forced to defame and denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Voices with differences arose several times but were crushed by the draconian rule of the communist party. The protestors are suppressed, brutally beaten and detained in the prisons for several years. If that didn't sound enough, they are barbarically tortured by electrical prods being inserted into their mouths. They say it is a fate worse than death.

With its increasing powers China has curtailed media's entry into Tibet. Even the Chinese media cannot cover issues related to Tibet. Today, the only way left for these people to make their voice audible is through setting themselves on fire. Since 2008 107 people have self immolated themselves inside and outside Tibet. They cry out for freedom and call for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama back in Tibet. These people have died for their true identity. Identity of being a Tibetan. The only wish they have is for once to see His Holiness coming back to live in a free Tibet. They want to experience the and feel the presence of their 'god' closer than ever to them. What the world have named these acts as is desperate. I feel they are the most courageous and selfless acts by any human being. Of course, you don’t think setting oneself on fire is easy?

Who is it that these people want to reach to? It is the International Media and International Organizations. The United Nations, The United States Of America, Russia, Germany, France, The United Kingdom, Japan all these. They are not just names, they are the power source of the world. If together these nations can definitely bring a difference in the fate of these Tibetans, if not change. However, the questions that keep on lingering in my mind are why aren't these communities acting? Why aren't they initiating a firm dialogue with China? Is it because of their own economic interests? Will China ever be moved by the sacrificing acts of Tibetans to get their nation and freedom back? I haven't found the answers to these one's yet. But I'm sure, one day the sun will rise from behind the clouds and give these people their bit of the sunlight.

Meanwhile, Tibetans living in exile are persistent with their struggle. They all are doing their bit. Either by participating into the peaceful candle vigils or protest marches. While the martyrs are giving their lives, these people far away from their homeland carry the struggle forward and demand for solidarity. As a child when I first visited Dharamshala, what they call as little Lhasa, I saw these people as a part of the crowd. But today, for me they shine as the highest example of perseverance and selflessness.