Tibetan notes - 12

 BJP bigwigs attend ‘Thank You India’ event in Himachal → Minister of State for Culture attended the summit.

The event was meant to express gratitude to India. Indian leaders desisted from making any political statement and focussed on religious-cultural dimension of the relationship. China considers all Tibetan Govt-in-exile's activities as secessionist activities, so India has to be very cautious to avoid ruffling Chinese sensitivities. Earlier Cabinet Secretary's note had caused some pain to Tibetan refugees. Now the Indian government wants to re-emphasise the Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader who is free to carry out religious activities. A couple of Congress MPs also attended the event.

The Dalai Lama said it's a guru and shishya relation between India and Tibet. Spiritual cousins. India, however, adheres to ‘one China’ policy. The bonds with Tibetans are but intensely religious and can be defined only at the spiritual level.

Do they still believe that they can return some day and will be allowed to keep their culture which they preserved for decades in exile?

▣ THE SEARCH FOR HOME: The youngest generation is getting ready to move on.

[McLeodganj — Main temple of His Highness The Dalai Lama, Tibet Museum, Tashi Choeling Monastery, Library of Tibetan Works and archives].

Kunsang Tenzing (33) moved to India at six. He had a close group of six friends. It was almost his family. They have left for the West.

Lobsang Wangyal, journalist and organiser of the Miss Tibet beauty pageant.

1950 — China's PLA's 40,000 troops defeat 8,000-strong Tibetan army in 12 days.

1959 — Uprising against Chinese occupation. Thousands of Tibetans are killed by Chinese troops. The Dalai Lama escapes to India with 80,000 Tibetans. — The Tibetan government is established at Mussoorie → Moves to Dharamshala (1960).

1960 — The first Tibetan settlement starts taking shape in Bylakuppe near Mysore.

1988 — The Dalai Lama shifts from demanding independence to seeking full autonomy under the Chinese rule.

1989 → Nobel Peace Prize for D. Lama.

2011 → The Dalai Lama hands over his political authority to an elected leader.

Tibetan community in exile (127,935)

94203 (India), 13514 (Nepal), 1298 (Bhutan) →

18926 (elsewhere).

Tibetans in India are neither officially ‘refugees’ nor Indian citizens, since India hasn't signed 1951 UN Convention on refugees. They are foreigners given ‘Registration Certificates’ certifying them to be living in India. It's renewed every five years. Since 2011, a Delhi High Court order paved the way for Tibetans born between 1950 and 1986 to avail themselves of Indian citizenship. It's a matter of deep concern to the community because many look down upon surrendering Tibetan identity.

TRAVEL: They get ‘Identity Certificate’ from the Indian government which serves as their travel document. Many foreign authorities, though, don't recognise these certificates.

‘Migration to the West my only hope’ —

Tseering Yangzom at the age of 10, twenty years ago, held a stranger's hand to flee Tibet. She is trying hard to find ways to get back to Tibet. Orphaned. Stayed with an uncle who mistreated her. Travelled on foot for 15 days to reach Lhasa → Nepal → India. She is now a Public Relations Officer of the National Democratic Party of Tibet, the primary political party of exiles. Her brother has died suddenly in Tibet leaving behind 5 children. She wants to move to the West to earn money to send it back for their schooling. Most of her friends have migrated to the US. She was able to speak to her brother through WeChat. — Thinley started feeling homesick a decade after fleeing Tibet. A teacher in McLeodganj, a group of friends notwithstanding. He tried to sneak in from Nepal, arrested by Chinese and deported back. The youngest generation is restless in the town. Foreigners Registration Office in Dharamshala says that of the 15,000-strong community, 100 have left during the last 2 years. While India is salvaging ties with China, the youngest feel cheated to move on further.

The community is spread over 45 settlements in 10 Indian states.

India's refusal to sign the 1951 treaty means they are 'foreigners' not 'refugees'. → No property ownership → no govt. jobs

Lobsang Yangtso → Doing her PhD from JNU. So wants to go to the US because she cannot teach in govt-run university.

Registration Certificate had to be renewed every year till 2014. Now every 5 years. It's traumatic to line up to get the signature. Like a motor vehicle. The youngest generation has aspirations which can't be adjusted in the limited status which is just sufficient to allow them to keep their culture alive. But there is a life beyond.

Tenzin Choezin — Head consultant at the Tibetan government-run Tibetan Career Centre.

India doesn't even officially recognise that Tibet has been occupied by China. They are worried about their standing in India post Dalai Lama.

Those who apply for Indian citizenship have to relinquish welfare benefits. They hardly feel confident about maintaining themselves without these. Even older persons feel helpless and are open to the idea of migrating to the West.

Sonam Dechen, associate director, Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution.

Kunsang Tenzing, 33. Came to India at 6. His divorced parents left him with his grandmother who took him to India. His close group of 6 friends meant family. They are now scattered over US and Europe. He is eager to leave, which is very tough. Given their statelessness, only two out of ten tourist visa applications are successful. Agents charge 26 lakh to facilitate transit to the US.

SHAM MARRIAGES: Foreign tourists marry young Tibetans for a price and visa. A young woman paid an American 15 lakh to get a spouse visa.

Karma Choejing, additional secretary of the CTA's home department — Some Tibetans have landed in Africa without any documents, en route to the US.

Dawa Rinchen, the CTA's officer-in-charge of Dharamshala settlement — Tibetan diaspora contributes immensely.

Key occupation — Agriculture and handicraft production.

'It's best to serve in European cafe.'

Is it a quest for home? It's basically about having that feeling at the end of the day, that you have settled down.