Thujke Che India! Hundreds of Tibetans gathered in Nagpur are saying these words. They simply mean ‘Thank You India.’ Commemorating 50 years
of their exile, the Tibetan community (around 240 families) settled in a refugee camp at Pratapgadh, tehsil Arjuni Morgaon, in the neighbouring Gondia district organised various programmes in the city.
As a part of nation-wide celebrations, the community here decided to hold this special thanksgiving festival to show their gratitude to Indians for giving them shelter since the Chinese occupied their country in 1959. During the three-day long programmes they organised exhibition showcasing handicrafts and cultural programmes with songs and folk dances. The event commenced on April 24 and concluded on Sunday. Similar programmes will be organised in Gondia and Bhandara in May.
Palden Lhundup, secretary of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said, “We want to thank the Indian government and the people for giving us shelter over the last 50 years. We also want to tell them that their support has not gone waste. Over theses five decades we have preserved our culture and identity while making steady progress in the field of education and health science.” Tibetans, especially women, still wore their traditional costumes and children were also keen on preserving their rich and traditional cultures, he said.
Barring voting rights, Tibetans enjoy all facilities given to Indian citizens including being considered for government jobs. However, they can not apply for a top post like collector.
Tenzin Phendey, secretary of Multipurpose Tibetan Cooperative Society, said the government had set up a CBSE affiliated school, a primary health centre and also provided agricultural land where they produced rice. “Besides, we also weave carpets, manufacture incense (without stick), sell ayurvedic medicines and during winter season sell winterwear,” he added.
Lhundup said the community was definitely getting restless over present situation in Tibet. “However, we haven’t lost hope. Compared to India’s struggle for freedom, our struggle is still young,” he said and added, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama sends his message that we should not lose hope, we won’t.”
Many among the present day Tibetans have never seen Tibet. Says Phendey: “Though I was born and brought up here in Gondia district, still my passion to see my homeland is no less than those who actually escaped from Tibet five decades back.”
of their exile, the Tibetan community (around 240 families) settled in a refugee camp at Pratapgadh, tehsil Arjuni Morgaon, in the neighbouring Gondia district organised various programmes in the city.
As a part of nation-wide celebrations, the community here decided to hold this special thanksgiving festival to show their gratitude to Indians for giving them shelter since the Chinese occupied their country in 1959. During the three-day long programmes they organised exhibition showcasing handicrafts and cultural programmes with songs and folk dances. The event commenced on April 24 and concluded on Sunday. Similar programmes will be organised in Gondia and Bhandara in May.
Palden Lhundup, secretary of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said, “We want to thank the Indian government and the people for giving us shelter over the last 50 years. We also want to tell them that their support has not gone waste. Over theses five decades we have preserved our culture and identity while making steady progress in the field of education and health science.” Tibetans, especially women, still wore their traditional costumes and children were also keen on preserving their rich and traditional cultures, he said.
Barring voting rights, Tibetans enjoy all facilities given to Indian citizens including being considered for government jobs. However, they can not apply for a top post like collector.
Tenzin Phendey, secretary of Multipurpose Tibetan Cooperative Society, said the government had set up a CBSE affiliated school, a primary health centre and also provided agricultural land where they produced rice. “Besides, we also weave carpets, manufacture incense (without stick), sell ayurvedic medicines and during winter season sell winterwear,” he added.
Lhundup said the community was definitely getting restless over present situation in Tibet. “However, we haven’t lost hope. Compared to India’s struggle for freedom, our struggle is still young,” he said and added, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama sends his message that we should not lose hope, we won’t.”
Many among the present day Tibetans have never seen Tibet. Says Phendey: “Though I was born and brought up here in Gondia district, still my passion to see my homeland is no less than those who actually escaped from Tibet five decades back.”