Lhundup la’s Smile

I live close to SFT Headquarters and stop by regularly. I speak to Lhadon or Tendor almost daily and I live with Heather, who works at SFT every day. Still, I’m busy and so are they and sometimes I learn profound news by receiving an Action Alert or by visiting the SFT website, like anybody else. I just took a look at what I’ve been calling the “Lhad-blog” – www.BeijingWideOpen.org – and learned of the passing of Mr. Lhundup la, a former political prisoner and freedom fighter until the end. At the top of Lhadon’s moving tribute, she posted a photo of Lhundup la, with a big broad smile, standing between herself and Tendor. Just in case anyone might think that smile was just a pose for the camera, I’m posting my own photo of Lhundup la, taken behind the stage at this year’s March 10th Rally in Dag Hammarskjold plaza in New York. He had just given a speech to the assembled crowd about the 1959 Lhasa uprising and his harrowing experience as a political prisoner. He sat down to rest and drink some water. He looked up at me and gave me the smile you see before I had even raised my camera. I won’t soon forget it.