A Harvard University academic has been elected prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile and will take on the political role previously played by the Dalai Lama. Lobsang Sangay won 55% of the votes cast by Tibetans around the world. He defeated two candidates for the role, Tenzin Tethong and Tashi Wangdi. Read more
How Tibet was separated from India by the British? Historically, Tibet had been a part of India, that is Bharat, just like Burma and other countries including SEA countries. In 1935 Aden and Burma were separated from India for administrative convenience. The movement of people from India of the ancient Bharat to Tibet had been a regular feature, as it is just like going to Kashmir from Kanyakumari and vice versa. Even the Tamil siddhas were reportedly gone to China though Tibet and returned back. Read more
China on Friday made its unhappiness clear over US Speaker of House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi meeting the Dalai Lama and her statements on Tibet and warned against any meddling in its "internal affairs" by "any country, organisation and person".
Tibet's largest anti-China protests in almost two decades broke out on March 10, sparking riots in Lhasa, demonstrations in nearby ethnic Tibetan provinces, and daily pro-Tibet protests around the world. Read more
In one of history's more absurd acts of totalitarianism, China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission. Read more
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has said he accepts the Chinese sovereignty on Tibet, albeit with a measure of self-rule for the Tibetans, but asserted that the so-called autonomy granted to Tibet by the Chinese has in reality meant the "rule of terror." In an interview with the CNN-IBN TV network, the Tibetan spiritual leader claimed that the Chinese, among themselves, had different and contrasting views of Tibetan history but added that regardless of the past he had accepted that Tibet was part of China.
"The past is past. When the People's Liberation Army came to Tibet, according to legal experts, Tibet was a de facto independent nation. Therefore, we consider it an occupied land. But that doesn't mean we are seeking independence. Tibet is a backward country, economically, materially. Therefore, for our own interest as far as material development is concerned, we want to remain within the People's Republic of China".
The Dalai Lama's clarification comes after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's offer to hold talks with the spiritual leader on the Tibet issue, provided he dropped the demand for an independent Tibet. The Dalai Lama explained his idea of real autonomy for Tibet, mentioning that he wanted the Tibetans to control all aspects of their life, except foreign affairs and defence.
"I think many visitors to Tibet, including many Chinese, can see that Tibet is actually ruled by terror, the rule of terror. The Tibetans should have the final authority, except in foreign affairs and defence. At present, on paper there's autonomy, but in reality every key position is occupied by Chinese, who have no idea of the past events, of Tibetan culture or Tibetan habits or mentality. Of course, there's no question the value of Tibetan spirituality".
The Dalai Lama and thousands of his followers fled to India from his homeland in 1959 when Chinese communist troops cracked down on a Tibetan uprising against its occupation. The 71-year-old leader has lived in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala with his government-in-exile since then. More than 70 000 Tibetan refugees are estimated to be living in India.
An authorised biography of the Dalai Lama, Man, Monk, Mystic, by Chicago-based Indian origin journalist Mayank Chhaya is being published simultaneously in nine countries. The book will be published in India in February, followed in March by releases in the US, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Taiwan and Russia.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has urged Tibetans not to think in terms of history and accept Tibet as a part of China.
“What we demand from the Chinese authority is more autonomy for Tibetans to protect their culture”
He has decided to devote the rest of his life for promotion of human values and protection of human rights and freedom which had no boundary, he said, recalling his journey from Lhasa to Arunachal Pradesh via Tawang on mule back in 1959.
Ani Pachen (1933-2002) was a Buddhist Tibetan nun who led her clan in armed rebellion against Chinese invaders. She was captured and spent 21 years as a prisoner. Her name at birth was Pachen Dolma, but she became known as Ani Pachen (translation, "Nun Big Courage") when she became a nun. She led 600 Tibetan resistance fighters on horseback against the tanks of the Chinese Communists, leading to her being nicknamed "The Tibetan Joan of Arc".
On the Tawang to Lhasa highway, climbing past a moonscape of craggy mountains and luminous lakes, is a road sign that sums up why this edge of India is bitterly contested. It reads: Lhasa (capital of Tibet) 508km, Delhi, (capital of India) 2534km. This is a land that the rest of the world has all but forgotten. Nestling under the folds of the Himalayas in north-eastern India, the town is shielded by a permit system that curbs mass immigration and international tourism.