PROFILES IN COURAGE: DAY 39 – JANUARY 31ST
Lhakpa Tsering (1970-1990)
Student and pro-independence organizer
Born near Lhasa, Lhakpa Tsering attended Lhasa Sharchok school. On November 5th, 1989 he was arrested and charged with being a member of the banned “Snow Lion Youth Organization”, which advocated for Tibetan freedom and political rights. He was also accused with printing the Tibetan flag and distributing pro-independence posters.
Lhakpa Tsering was sentenced to 3 years in prison and sent to Gutsa Detention Centre where he was brutally beaten and tortured. He was then transferred to Drapchi prison, where he was singled out by prison authorities for displaying patriotic feelings.
As a result of the abuse he faced, he was unable stand upright, had difficulty walking, and was in constant abdominal pain. Fellow inmates tried to help him by providing traditional Tibetan medicine but his health remained in poor condition.
In December 1990, in anticipation of a visit by a foreign delegation to Drapchi Prison, the prisoners were strictly instructed to tell the visitors that Tibet had never been independent and had always been a part of China. Lhakpa Tsering boldly refused to accept these statements, and was subsequently subjected to further interrogation and torture.
On December 13, he was transferred to the hospital, however he was not properly examined and discharged. That night his condition deteriorated even further and he died in transit on December 15, 1990. He was 20 years old.
Lhakpa Tsering became the symbol of resistance in Drapchi prison. In a moving gesture of sadness and solidarity, prisoners staged a silent protest to mark his death. Pieces of his prison quilt were used to make protest flags and his quilt cover was used as a banner by prisoners sent outside on labor duty.
Like so many young Tibetans, Lhakpa Tsering was killed because he would refused to bend to the authority of his oppressors. We honor his memory and his unwavering commitment to the freedom of his people.
Tibetans cancel New Year celebrations
Tibetans inside Tibet and around the world are refraining from Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations this year to mourn the more than 200 Tibetans killed by Chinese forces.
For first hand information about the situation inside Tibet from Tibetan bloggers, visit: www.highpeakspureearth.com
This announcement was released on January 27th:
TIBETANS CANCEL NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS TO MARK ‘BLACK YEAR’
Prayer vigils planned to mourn Tibetans killed by Chinese forces in 2008Dharamshala, India – Tibetan exile groups announced today they will cancel Tibetan New Year celebrations to mourn the deaths of over two hundred Tibetans killed by Chinese forces following the uprising in Tibet last year, and to protest China’s ongoing crackdown. According to the Tibetan lunar calendar, February 25th will mark the first day of 2136, the year of the Earth Ox. Instead of the usual celebrations marked by singing, dancing and other festivities, silence will be observed and butter lamps will be lit in the temples and homes to pray for the deceased. Tibetan leaders also called on Tibetans worldwide to organize similar observances in their communities.
also from Reuters:
This year, some Tibetans, including exiles and intellectuals, are refraining from celebrating as a quiet protest gesture, and have urged others to do the same in heated exchanges on the Internet. Meanwhile, some communities that usually celebrate at the same time as Chinese have delayed their holiday to coincide with the Tibetan calendar.
PROFILES IN COURAGE: DAY 40 – JANUARY 30TH
Thupten Ngodup (1938-1998)
Tibetan patriot and martyr
On April 27, 1998 Thupten Ngodup committed self-immolation for the cause of Tibetan independence. His ultimate sacrifice became an image that symbolized the Tibetan people’s burning desire for freedom.
Thupten Ngodup was born in 1938 in Tibet in the village of Gyatso Shar, U-Tsang Province. As a young man he joined the Tashilhunpo monastery. After the 1959 Uprising he fled to India and settled in Bylakuppe.
In October 1963 Thupten Ngodup enlisted Tibetan military force. He was trained as a paratrooper and was involved in several missions along the Indo-Tibetan border. In Nov 1971 his company was stationed at the jumping-off point in north-eastern India, code name “camping ground”. He participated in the Indian war that liberated Bangladesh.
In 1983, Thupten Ngodup was discharged from his unit. He moved to Dharamsala, where he became a cook for Tsechokling monastery. He lived on a small plot next to the monastery. According to friends, he was a friendly but quiet man, who never missed a single demonstration for Tibetan freedom.
On March 10th, six Tibetans went on hunger strike to demand the United Nations take action to help end China’s occupation of Tibet. The hunger strike, organized by the Tibetan Youth Congress, went on for 49 days when Indian police forcibly removed three of the protesters. The raid occurred in advance of a visit by the head of the Chinese army to India.
Two days later they returned to remove the remaining three hunger strikers. A the age of 60, Thupten Ngodup joined the hunger strike in India, volunteering to be part of the second group of hunger strikers. One April 27, as Indian police returned to remove the remaining hunger strikers, Thupten Ngodup doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire.
Those who witnessed the event, describe how Thupten Ngodup, enveloped in flames cried out “Bod Rangzen – Independence for Tibet” and “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama” as he ran. The police were able to extinguish the flames, but 90% of his body had sustained severe burns. He was taken to the hospital where he was visited by the Dalai Lama. Thupten Ngodup died on April 29th.
Shortly before he self-immolated, Thupten Ngodup was interviewed by Voice of Tibet radio:
“I joined the Hunger-Strike because I am a Tibetan and I have a duty to perform…. No, there is no fear in my heart at all. The Tibetan situation has become desperate… I am giving up my life to bring about peace and fulfillment to my unhappy people…. I have one hundred percent confidence that the people inside Tibet will not only continue the struggle but will intensify it.” – Thupten Ngodup, April 23, 1998
Read a moving tribute to Thupten Ngodup by the Tibetan scholar Jamyang Norbu.
URGENT: PROTEST WEN JIABAO’S UK VISIT
LONDON - Sunday 1 Feb, 11am - 1pm Chinese Embassy - Gather opposite the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place London W1B 1JL
Nearest tubes: Regents Park, Oxford Circus or Great Portland Street.
6pm – 10.30pm: Natural History Museum. Gather opposite the museum's main entrance, on Cromwell Road.
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. China Britain Business Council dinner.
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Monday 2 February, 8am - 10.30am Downing Street - Gather opposite Downing Street, at Richmond Terrace, London, SW1A 2AA. Wen Jiabao will be meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Wen Jiabao will be arriving early, so please try to be there for 8am!
Nearest tubes: Westminster, Charing Cross
CAMBRIDGE - 2pm - 5pm West Road Concert Hall - Gather opposite on West Road CB3 9DP. Wen Jiabao will be giving the Rede Lecture.
Venue information: http://www.westroad.org/contact/find_us.html
URGENT: PROTEST WEN JIABAO’S UK VISIT
LONDON - Sunday 1 Feb, 11am - 1pm Chinese Embassy - Gather opposite the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place London W1B 1JL
Nearest tubes: Regents Park, Oxford Circus or Great Portland Street.
6pm – 10.30pm: Natural History Museum. Gather opposite the museum's main entrance, on Cromwell Road.
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. China Britain Business Council dinner.
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Monday 2 February, 8am - 10.30am Downing Street - Gather opposite Downing Street, at Richmond Terrace, London, SW1A 2AA. Wen Jiabao will be meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Wen Jiabao will be arriving early, so please try to be there for 8am!
Nearest tubes: Westminster, Charing Cross
CAMBRIDGE - 2pm - 5pm West Road Concert Hall - Gather opposite on West Road CB3 9DP. Wen Jiabao will be giving the Rede Lecture.
Venue information: http://www.westroad.org/contact/find_us.html
- Language Awards, Lhakar, and Tibetan Education « Lhakar on Language Awards, Lhakar, and Tibetan Education
- polo shirts
on NEW PHOTOS, NEW PROTESTS, AND A NEW GENERATION
- NYC Summer Lhakar Actions « Lhakar Diaries on SFT in DC
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
