Hi there,
New Year is a matter of great enthusiasm and joy! All over the world people celebrate the occasion with social, cultural and religious fervor. Tibetans too all over the world celebrated their new year ‘Losar’ on February 13 2021. Having transgressed the intimidating rat year of 2020 to iron bull year of 2021, hopeful expectations from Covid-19 paranoia?
In Ladakh the small community of Tibetans arrived after crossing the vast plateau of ‘Changthang’ in 1959 when Tibet was occupied by China a very ugly moment in the History of peace loving Tibetans. Upon their arrival the Tibetan refugees got jobs on the Srinagar-Leh road construction based at Langru in Lamayuru which supported them in such an unexpected situation.
During past 60 years the Tibetans have been decently settled in Leh district. A separate Assistant Commissioner was appointed to redress the issues of the Tibetans during 1960s-70s. An irrigation canal was constructed to bring water to their settlement from River Indus so that they could practice farming by growing barley, peas, vegetables also perennial fodder Alfa Alfa to raise horses of which they are extremely fond of and take part in dairy farming with the introduction of Jersey cow cross breeding with local cows initiated by animal husbandry department during 1970s.
The Tibetans like its local counterparts began raising large number of Jersey cows which were 50 % Jersey. Now these have become 100% Jersey cow in last 40 years. I remember many Tibetans folks visiting our farms in Serthi (Sakti) village to buy bulk hays and fodder feed for their Jersey cows which brought in scarce money into farming families.
The children of the Tibetan community joined the ‘Para Troops Regiment’ famously ‘Vikas’ and generations of them have taken part in many of the army operations with enthusiasm and zeal not less than a local soldier!
What makes the Tibetan so special is that they have maintained their unique ‘Cultural Heritage’ outside their own country over the past 60 years. Not only have they survived the tragedy but have in fact thrived through it with their innate trading qualities which they consider to be natural gift. Moreover, they are also steeped in chanting numerous mantras with devotion which have come from later Indian Buddhist Maha Panditas refer to as ‘Nalanda Masters’ by his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama .
It is said that King Songtsan Gampo revived Buddhism in Tibet in the 7th century A.D. After realizing the mundane inadequacy of life and overcoming the pain inflicted by constant war in the medieval era. Thus Buddhism ushered in period of long tranquility and peace in and around the region.
Tibet was also over ridden with ‘Bon Tradition’ which spread from the western region of ‘Zhang Zhung’ during the ensuing periods. They practiced the worship of ‘Spirits’ and ‘Gods’ besides practicing animal sacrifice. The ‘Shamans’ and ‘Occults’ were the psychic healers and forecasters of events. People consulted them which gave them temporary relief. These also came as a legacy and it continued for a long duration of time until the teachings of the Buddha simply left it redundant.
Tibet until mid 20th century remained isolated from the modern civilization steeped in their cultural tradition and monastic domination oblivious of modernity and scientific knowledge. But when they understood their plight it was too late. Their traditional ally the Chinese built a road until Lhasa in the name of bringing modernization and development instead occupied it for good?
A Million Tibetans sacrificed their life for freedom and against the illegal occupation of their fatherland during late 1950s. The ‘Cultural Revolution’ of late 1960s further destroyed the remaining ‘Buddhist Heritage’ of Tibet for good.
The world and the United Nation body remained a mere spectator and it lost a unique region and cultural heritage forever. And the Chinese extended their border until the foothills of the Himalayas for the first time in modern History.
The western understanding of Tibet remained shrouded in mysticism and naïve romanticism. For them a Tibetan Lama (monk) lived in a celestial Kingdom of ‘Shangri-La’ where one never aged drinking potion which made life immortal!
At present his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama lives ‘Apolitical Engagement’ since the year 2011. He has openly stated that the Tibetan Government should be run by educated modern Tibetan men and women. The politics and Governance should be undertaken by future lay representatives not monks. Monks must concern themselves with monasteries learning the Dharma and helping the humanity on the path of Buddha Dharma.
At present, Tibetans all over the world are forging greater alliances to show case their genuine desire to return to Tibet under the Chinese rule provided they are given complete ‘Internal Freedom’ to practice their religion and follow their ancient culture and tradition without interference from Beijing.
This is as per the desire of his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s ‘Chatters of Demand’ given to the ‘European Parliament’ during 1980s. A very practical solution to Chinese impasse which does not harm ‘Chinese Sentiments’ and Tibetans regain ‘Self Determination also self Esteem’, a genuine win win case for both the Civilization partners.
The Tibetans have been also airing views for India to play more proactive role in engaging with China rather than remaining dormant with age old 1962 phobia. China is the biggest market economy expected to overtake U.S in the coming decades. India too wants to be 3 trillion or more dollar economy and both countries can benefit from each other if relations are better.
Thus playing the Tibetan chords all parties’ concern gains. China remains as one entity and Tibet with genuine self rule ushers in peace and development in the entire region including the Himalayas!
This would bring new economic hope in the region of ‘Greater Ladakh’ which includes regions like Lahoul, Spiti and Kinour besides opening of ancient trades of Amritsar, Hoshairpur, Kulu, Skardo-Gilgit, Yarkand, Changthang and Ngari Skorsoom (Western Tibet).
But this is easier said than done. However, the world has become more aware of Tibetan issues now than in the past thanks to Covid-19 as I see it. Moreover, U.S Congress has passed the by- partisan vote in favour of Tibetan cause which is unprecedented and historic.
In a unipolar world China is facing the pressures of more trade sanctions from the U.S as time moves on. With its continued opaque and old fashioned foreign policy it tends to be moving in grey zone which doesn’t seem to energies its economy let alone the economy of the world. It is only expected that China with its ‘Civilization Legacies’ ushers in a new dynamism of acceptance and resolve its age old discord permanently ushering in socio economic bonanza in the post Covid-19 scenario!