World Tibet Day (July 6, 2009)

On the occasion of international observance of World Tibet Day, Friends of Tibet will screen Martin Scorscese's highly acclaimed film ‘Kundun’ on Monday, July 6, 2009 at the Max Mueller Bhavan, Kala Ghoda, Next to Jahangir Art Gallery, Bombay at 6pm. Entrance is free to all.

Kundun (1997; Duration: 120 min; Direction: Martin Scorsese): Martin Scorsese's internationally acclaimed Kundun, is based on the life of the Dalai Lama. 'Kundun' literally means 'presence.' It traces the story of Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet, from his divine recognition as a two-and-a-half-year-old child to the day when Tibet was invaded by the Chinese Red Army in 1959, forcing him to live in exile in Dharamshala. The film charts the extraordinary growth of Dalai Lama from a giggling child into a world leader who raised the global consciousness about the Buddhist society, and the plight of Tibet and its people. The film has an evocative music score by Philip Glass. Scorsese was forced to film in Morocco after the Chinese authorities refused him permission to enter Tibet.

World Tibet Day: Founded in 1998 by Richard Rosenkranz, a Pulitzer Prize nominee in history, World Tibet Day was created with three main goals: first to create an annual worldwide event to help restore essential freedoms for those living in Chinese occupied Tibet; second to increase awareness of the genocidal threats to the Tibetan people; and third, to celebrate the unique beauty and value of Tibetan culture and thought. World Tibet Day has grown into one of the most important events on the Tibetan calendar. The event is held on July 6 - birthday of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

Friends of Tibet will observe World Tibet Day across the country with various programmes highlighting the issue of Tibet. To know more call: (022) 26409612, 9967021592 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

To know more about World Tibet Day, visit: www.worldtibetday.org

The Chinese occupation of Tibet is continuing and once again World Tibet Day is approaching. As you are aware, July 6, the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is observed as World Tibet Day by Tibetans and their supporters worldwide.

We saw an Uprising in Tibet in 2008 followed by a silence. The Chinese government continues to suppress those who dare to express their opinions. We believe that World Tibet Day is an excellent opportunity for people like us living in free countries to show our support and solidarity with Tibetans living under the Chinese military rule.

Founded in 1998 by Richard Rosenkranz, a Pulitzer Prize nominee in history, World Tibet Day was created with three main goals: first to create an annual worldwide event to help restore essential freedoms for those living in Chinese-occupied Tibet; second to increase awareness of the genocidal threats to the Tibetan people; and third, to celebrate the unique beauty and value of Tibetan culture and thought. World Tibet Day has grown into one of the most important events on the Tibetan calendar. The event is held on July 6 – birthday of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

We are asking you and/or your organisation to join us in observing July 6 (Monday) as World Tibet Day in your locality/country. Please send us a small note at: info@worldtibetday.org on what you plan to do on this day. Share your ideas and suggestions. Help us to make 2009 World Tibet Day a success.

Please check our website (www.worldtibetday.org) for helpful ideas on staging the event, and for a Message on WTD from HH the Dalai Lama.

Team World Tibet Day

World Tibet Day contacts:

Karma Yeshi Email: karmayeshi65@yahoo.com (Co-Director)

Richard Rosenkranz Email: RichardR888@aol.com (Founder & Former

Executive Director)

Sethu Das Email: sethu.das@friendsoftibet.org (Executive Director)

Virginia Balseiro Email: vikkibalseirososa@yahoo.com (Co-Director)

"World Tibet Day has opened many hearts to fundamental rights of the Tibetan people to preserve our culture and to practice our religion freely. The event had greatly raised public awareness to the present threat to the very existence of the Tibetan people.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Monday Night Slam (June 8, 2009)

'Monday Night Slam' invitation from Bombay Elektrik Projekt and Friends of Tibet

Bombay Elektrik Projekt’s raucous, informal and super-friendly Monday Night Slam, gets a Tibetan flavour this fortnight, as acclaimed poet-activist Tenzin Tsundue reads out his works. Monday Night Slam regulars, don't miss the special night and watch him perform in the flesh! We continue to seek out the best wordsmiths from across the city, so spread the word out to poets, closet writers, spoken word artists, musicians, any one with a performer's soul. We're anticipating a big night, as and the gorgeous, Rohini Ramanathan (catch her on Red FM, where she captures a million hearts with her voice) will be in charge of proceedings as always. Big ups and loads of love and respect to our resident contributors this month. Monday Night Slam creatives designed by Sathya.

The usual FAQs for the newcomers

Who wouldn't enjoy the opportunity to watch the most controversial local poets as they go nose-to-nose while a live, whooping and cheering audience gets rolling with them. Only poets brave enough to take the heat of interactive self-expression will advance to the final round to see who scores to become that evenings Top Dog Poet.

It will get noisy, heartfelt, ridiculous, rowdy, (and who knows - political) but it always gets going.

WHO: The most daring and provocative of Mumbai poets and spoken-word presentation artists.

WHAT: Sign up for the 12 presenting poet spots for the fortnightly Poetry Slam.

WHEN: Monday at 21:45 pm poets sign up for the Poetry Slam to ensue at 22:00.

WHERE: The Mumbai Times Cafe, Fifth floor, Crystal Shopping Arcade, Off Linking Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai.

WHY: To take part in the most in-your-face fortnightly poetry competition in Mumbai.

HOW: Bring your best 3 poems and sign up for the three rounds of readings.

NEEDED: An audience.

To know more, call: 9820998790 or email: more@bombayelektrik.com

/ support@friendsoftibet.org

Face to Face: Vijay Crishna & Tenzin Tsundue (June 6, 2009)

They both 'belong' to Bombay. One an industrialist and an avid mountaineer, other a poet and Tibet activist. Both visited Tibet under Chinese occupation. One explored Tibet with his family, the other crossed the border illegally to reach Tibet. One returns home safely with firsthand experiences, while other ends up in a Chinese prison for months. And what they have in common is their passion for Tibet.

Friends of Tibet invites you for a face-to-face conversation between Vijay Crishna, industrialist and Tibet expert and Tenzin Tsundue, Tibetan poet and activist. They are coming together for the first time to present their experience and views on the Tibet issue. Do join us to listen to two interesting personalities of our times at 6pm on Saturday, June 06, 2009. Venue: YMCA, 1st floor, 12 Nathalal Parekh Marg, Near Regal Cinema, Colaba, Bombay. Entry Free. To know more, call us at: (022) 26409612 / SMS: 9967021592 / Email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

Friends of Tibet & Delhi Greens

Friends of Tibet (Delhi) and Delhi Greens had planned a whole new take on Tibet. Since the Olympics Torch relay, many in the University Area know about Tibet, but have no clue about the issue. So, the idea was to take a tour around Majnu Ka Tila, and also talk about the issue. Delhi Greens is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to ensure the direct participation of the citizens of Delhi in the making of decisions that impact them. Launched as a youth movement, Delhi Greens has grown to be a civil society organisation concerned with all environment and sustainable development issues in Delhi and in urban India. - http://delhigreens.org

As Friends of Tibet, we were always loooking for a way to work together. So, on Sunday, we were planning the tour around Majnu Ka Tila, to be followed up with a  talk, and interaction with the local Pradhans of MT. Majnu Ka Tila is a settlement for Tibetans in exile, and has been a part of the landscape of peripheral Delhi since 1959, a few months after the Dalai Lama escaped to India, and the flood of refugees from Tibet could not be provided for in Janpath or the Ladakh Buddhist Vihar under the ISBT flyover. The land was leased out to six of the eldest Tibetan refugees, and has been with their families ever since. The little cultivation on the banks of the river is looked after by the local 'Indians', migrants from Rajasthan and Haryana.

Tour Details: Date: March 22, 2009 (Sunday)

Time: 9.30 am Starts from: Delhi University (Viswavidyalaya) Metro Station (Those who will come to DU via the Metro after a long time, please take note that the DU Metro Station is no longer the last station as the Metro now goes further ahead)

 

In the pipeleine: We will follow up this tour with a conference in DU, on Environment and Tibet, the repucursions of changes in the Tibetan Plateau at the Centre of Environment Sciences. To know more, writre to: aparajita.sarcar@friendsoftibet.org

Screening of Two Controversial Movies (Feb 13, 2009)

Design & People and Friends of Tibet in association with Open Eyed Dreams to screen two controversial documentaries - “Sicko” by Michael Moore and “Angry Monk” by Luc Schaedler. While Micheal Moore (Director of Fahrenheit 9/11) investigates and compares American Healthcare system with that of Cuba, Luc Schaedler travels and documents the life of one of the most controversial monks from Tibet – Gendun Choephel. The documentaries will be screened at the OED Basement, Opposite Lotus Club, Warriam Road, Ernakulam on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 5.30pm. Entrance is free.

About Sicko: Opening with profiles of several ordinary Americans whose lives have been disrupted, shattered, and - n some cases - ended by health care catastrophe, the film makes clear that the crisis doesn't only affect the 47 million uninsured citizens - millions of others who dutifully pay their premiums often get strangled by bureaucratic red tape as well. After detailing just how the system got into such a mess (the short answer: profits and Nixon), we are whisked around the world, visiting countries including Canada, Great Britain and France, where all citizens receive free medical benefits. Finally, Moore gathers a group of 9/11 heroes - rescue workers now suffering from debilitating illnesses who have been denied medical attention in the US. He takes them to a most unexpected place, and in addition to finally receiving care, they also engage in some unexpected diplomacy. 

About Angry Monk: Tibet - the mystical roof of the world, peopled with enlightened monks? Only one of them would not toe the line - Gendun Choephel, the errant monk who left the monastic life in 1934 in search of a new challenge. A free spirit and multifaceted individual, he was far ahead of his time and has since become a seminal figure, a symbol of hope for a free Tibet. A rebel and voluble critic of the establishment, Gendun Choephel kindled the anger of the Tibetan authorities. The cinematic journey through time portrays the life of this unorthodox monk, revealing a face of old Tibet that goes against popular clichés. The film offers a fascinating insight into a country whose eventful past is refracted in the multiplicity and contradictions of everyday life. An outsider who was always open to new things, he eventually became a stranger in his homeland and homeless in foreign lands - a wanderer 

between worlds.

To know more, call: 9847044248, email: support@designandpeople.org or log on to: www.designandpeople.org

Design & People identify how design can intervene to make a contribution to the ongoing efforts to improve the lives of people disadvantaged by war, disability, and political and environmental conditions. We unite and encourage graphic, industrial and architectural designers to use their experience and skills towards social and humanitarian projects. Mission: Design For People In Need.

Open Eyed Dreams, a premier art promotion venture, was launched by Dilip Narayanan in 2002. The initiative that began with a collection from eight artists has today a growing portfolio claiming exclusive representation from over 40 eminent artists in the country. It has held six major shows and a National Art Meet in Kerala. More exhibitions, tours and camps are scheduled running up to 2009. The objective: Promote art and artists, going beyond regional borders.

Friends of Tibet is a people's movement to keep alive the issue of Tibet through direct action. Our activities are aimed at ending China's occupation of Tibet and the suffering of the Tibetan people. Friends of Tibet supports the continued struggle of the Tibetan people for independence. Friends of Tibet is also one of the principal organisers of World Tibet Day around the world.

Tenzin Tsundue Talk (Bangalore, Nov 13, 2008)

Since the beginning of March this year ever since Tibet burst into a tumultuous uprising in the international media, many things went unnoticed and not aptly explained, therefore a lot of confusion has been created especially in India. Besides there are a lot of changes happening in the Tibetan struggle, but where change is expected especially in relation to China, its getting worse, the hope is found only in the inside. The Tibetan community is looking inside, and has called for an Emergency Meeting this November where hundreds leaders, activists, thinkers with meet and discuss the future of Tibet.

Tenzin Tsundue will give a talk on the current scenario of the Tibetan movement after the Olympics in China, and the recent announcement of the Dalai Lama about this withdrawal from public life at a programme organised by Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore.

Date: 13th November 2008

Time: 6 PM

Venue: Alternative Law Forum, No. 122/4 Infantry Road, Bangalore 560001

Tenzin Tsundue is an activist, poet and writer working on Tibetan freedom for many years. Tenzin Tsundue joined Friends of Tibet (India) in 1999. Since then he's been working with the organization as its General Secretary. In January 2002 his profile peaked when he scaled scaffolding to the 14th floor of the Oberoi Towers, in Mumbai, to unfurl a Tibetan national flag and a banner down the hotel's facade which read 'Free Tibet'. China's Premier Zhu Rongji was inside the hotel addressing a conference of Indian business tycoons. The world's media featured this feat and Indian police officials congratulated him in prison for standing up for his rights. In April 2005 he repeated a similar stunning one-man protest that captured the world's imagination while Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao was visiting India's tech capital, Bangalore. Tenzin won the  first-ever 'Outlook-Picador Award for Non-Fiction' in 2001.

To know more about the event, email: support@friendsoftibet.org

'Tibet of Our Minds' (Bangalore, Nov 15, 2008)

Think Tibet and Friends of Tibet to jointly organise an audio-visual presentation by Vijay Crishna: 'Tibet of Our Minds: A Journey’s End?' at the Tibetan Youth Hostel, No: 7, SR Garden, Srinivagalu, Koramangala, Viveknagar, Bangalore 560047 at 6pm on November 15, 2008. Entrance Free.

'Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End?' – Vijay Crishna's audio-visual presentation based on his trips to Tibet shares his perspectives of Tibet's ancient and modern history and how these impact us today has been presented across the country.

Vijay Crishna runs light engineering and IT-related businesses in a separate company, Lawkim Ltd, within the Godrej Group, has practised theatre for many years and is a very keen trekker - a person of several facets who has also made several trips to Chinese-occupied Tibet exploring a fascination for the trade that sustained the entire area for centuries. In 1991 he established The Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research at his factory site in Satara district to research and propagate rare and endangered species of medicinal plants endemic to the Western Ghats. To know more, visit: http://www.tibetofourminds.org

To know more, call: 9916766931, 9886344125, 9742072824, 9886045576 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

Tibet: Eyewitness Accounts (New Delhi, July 29, 2008)

Sonam Dakpa and Kunsang were in Lhasa, when the capital of Tibet burst into tumultuous protest this March. Sonam, 34, monk, escaped Tibet that very day after witnessing crowds of people raising slogans expecting police clampdown, while Kunsang was in the middle of the protest shouting "free Tibet" and taking photographs. He tried to escape Tibet days after March 10 protest leaving his friends and family behind in the thick of uprising that quickly spread from town to town and reached across the occupied country. Kunsang was arrested at the Nepal border and taken back to Tibet and thrown into prison. After spending one month in jail and securing his release, losing his photography to Chinese police, he attempted another escape and this time he crossed the border and reached Dharamshala the capital of exile Tibetans and the home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India.

Friends of Tibet invites you to “Tibet: Eyewitness Accounts” by the two recent escapees and screening of videos and photographs from Tibet followed by comments by Tibet watcher Serta Tsultrim, Editor of Tibet Express and Member of the Tibetan exile parliament. The programme will be moderated by Tenzin Tsundue, Tibetan poet and activist.

Date and Time: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 6pm
Venue: India International Centre, IIC Annexe, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi
Contact: Aprajiata Sarcar 9899086964 Tarini Mehta: 9999792638
or email: delhi@friendsoftibet.org

Tibet Of Our Minds (Kochi, July 26, 2008)

Friends of Tibet invite you for 'Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End?', an audio-visual presentation by Vijay Crishna at School of Communication and Management Studies (SCMS), Pratap Nagar, Kalamassery, Kochi at 3pm on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Entrance Free.

'Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End?' – Vijay Crishna's audio-visual presentation based on his trips to Tibet shares his perspectives of Tibet's ancient and modern history and how these impact us today has been presented across the country.

Vijay Crishna runs light engineering and IT-related businesses in a separate company, Lawkim Ltd, within the Godrej Group, has practised theatre for many years and is a very keen trekker - a person of several facets who has also made several trips to Chinese-occupied Tibet exploring a fascination for the trade that sustained the entire area for centuries. In 1991 he established The Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research at his factory site in Satara district to research and propagate rare and endangered species of medicinal plants endemic to the Western Ghats.

To know more, call Friends of Tibet at: 9847044248, 9967021592 Email: kerala@friendsoftibet.org

World Tibet Day in Chennai

We the Members of the Dhamma Forum, Chennai and the Friends of Tibet in Chennai have organized the following programmes at Chennai to commemorate the Birthday of His Highness The Dalai Lama and to observe the World Tibet Day.

July 06, 2006:
6pm-7:30pm: Screening of the film “KUNDUN” at Dhamma Forum Hall.
July 07, 2008:
4pm - 6pm: Prayer and Meditation near Memorial Hall, Chennai 600003.

Ven. Ashin Wathawa / Ven. Mourya / Ven. Maha Nama / Prof. Marx / Erimalai Rathinam / K.Chandrasekaran / Madam. Asha Reddy /Tibetan Studants

All are invited. To know more about the event, write to: : K Chandrasekaran at: kochandrasekaran@gmail.com

World Tibet Day in New Delhi (July 6, 2008)

This Sunday, July 6, 2008 is the World Tibet Day. The Tibetan poet activist Tenzin Tsundue, who is recently back from The March to Tibet, is in Delhi. On Sunday, we have organised a meeting to commemorate the day. Please do take some time out to understand what Tibetans have planned for now, the future of the issue, especially after the Beijing Olympics.

Venue: India Habitat Centre, Open Air Auditorium
Time: 5.30 pm

To know more call: 9899086964 or email: delhi@friendsoftibet.org

Vijay Crishna Lecture (July 2008, Mumbai, Kochi)

Mumbai
Max Mueller Bhavan, Kala Ghoda, Next to Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai at 6pm on Sunday, July 06, 2008. Contact: (022) 26409612, 9967021592, Email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

Kochi
School of Communication and Management Studies (SCMS), Pratap Nagar, Kalamassery, Cochin at 4pm on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Contact: 9847044248. 9967021592 Email: kerala@friendsoftibet.org

Entrance is free.

World Tibet Day in Mumbai (July 6, 2008)

On the occasion of international observance of World Tibet Day, Friends of Tibet will organise 'Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End?', an audio-visual presentation by Vijay Crishna on July 6, 2008 (Sunday) at the Max Mueller Bhavan, Kala Ghoda, Next to Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai at 6pm. Entrance is free.

'Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End?' – Vijay Crishna's audio-visual presentation based on his trips to Tibet shares his perspectives of Tibet's ancient and modern history and how these impact us today has been presented across the country.

Vijay Crishna runs light engineering and IT-related businesses in a separate company, Lawkim Ltd, within the Godrej Group, has practised theatre for many years and is a very keen trekker - a person of several facets who has also made several trips to Chinese-occupied Tibet exploring a fascination for the trade that sustained the entire area for centuries. In 1991 he established The Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research at his factory site in Satara district to research and propagate rare and endangered species of medicinal plants endemic to the Western Ghats.

World Tibet Day: Founded in 1998 by Richard Rosenkranz, a Pulitzer Prize nominee in history, World Tibet Day was created with three main goals: first to create an annual worldwide event to help restore essential freedoms for those living in Chinese occupied Tibet; second to increase awareness of the genocidal threats to the Tibetan people; and third, to celebrate the unique beauty and value of Tibetan culture and thought. World Tibet Day has grown into one of the most important events on the Tibetan calendar. The event is held on July 6 - birthday of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

Friends of Tibet will observe World Tibet Day across the country with various programmes highlighting the issue of Tibet. To know more call: (022) 26409612, 9967021592 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org

World Tibet Day in Kerala (July 6, 2008)

Friends of Tibet and Design & People to join the international observance of World Tibet Day on July 6, 2008 (Sunday). The groups plan to discuss the Tibet issue and screen the film ‘Dreaming Lhasa’ (90 min) by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam at Lumirere, Opposite Andhra Cultural Centre, 13th Main Road, Panampilly Nagar, Cochin at 4pm.

The Dalai Lama praised the worldwide event, saying, "World Tibet Day has helped greatly in spreading awareness and gaining support for the Tibetan cause." He added that the event has brought to light basic and essential rights of the Tibetan people including their right to preserve a rich culture and the right to practice their religion freely.

According to Suku Dass, Friends of Tibet Campaigner from Kochi, this event strongly supports the restoration of basic freedoms for the Tibetan people, whose religion and culture is presently threatened with extinction due to genocidal policies of the Chinese government. He also says "World Tibet Day is celebrated on the same day we honor the birthday of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama," and added that the event also celebrates the unique and irreplaceable beauty of Tibetan culture and thought.

Founded in 1998 by Richard Rosenkranz, a Pulitzer Prize nominee in history, World Tibet Day was created with three main goals: first to create an annual worldwide event to help restore essential freedoms for those living in Chinese occupied Tibet; second to increase awareness of the genocidal threats to the Tibetan people; and third, to celebrate the unique beauty and value of Tibetan culture and thought. World Tibet Day has grown into one of the most important events on the Tibetan calendar. The event is held on July 6 - birthday of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

Friends of Tibet will observe World Tibet Day across the country with various programmes highlighting the issue of Tibet. To know more call: 9847044248 or email: kerala@friendsoftibet.org.

Dr Nirmala Deshpande (1929-2008)

Friends of Tibet is sad to hear the demise of Dr Nirmala Deshpande (1929-2008), a prominent Gandhian who was also a true friend of Tibet. As a social-activist Dr Nirmala Deshpande devoted all her life to serve the marginalised sections of the Indian society and supported causes such as Tibet in whatever way she could. Not so many people are aware of the amount of work she has done in troubled; riot affected areas in this country, as she too believed that ‘peace is no news, but war.’

Our heartfelt condolences. She will remain an inspiration to all of us to continue our struggle for Tibetan independence.

Sethu Das
May 1, 2008

Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End (Bombay, May 4, 2008)

You are invited to: "Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End" - an audio-visual presentation by Shri Vijay Crishna, industrialist, theater personality, an avid mountaineer - a person of many facets has done many exploratory trips to the Chinese-occupied Tibet. Vijay Crishna will share his perspectives of Tibet's ancient and modern history and how these impact us today.

Time and Date: 5pm, Sunday, May 04, 2008
Venue: St Andrews College AV Auditorium, Bandra West, Bombay 400 050

Candle Light Vigil in Chennai (Apr 17, 2008)

Friends of Tibet (Tamil Nadu) to hold a candle light vigil in memory of hundreds of Tibetans inside Tibet who sacrificed their lives for an independent Tibet an open discussion on the Chinese aggression on Tibet and a since the 49th Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising on March 10, 2008. The event will be held at 6:30pm at 6 Buddha Street, United India Colony, Kodambakam, Chennai on April 17, 2008.

To know more about this event, you may call Anto V at: +91.9842363777 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

Kerala Groups to Protest Olympics Torch (Apr 17, 2008)

Kerala-based Human Rights and Social organisations have come forward to protest the ‘Olympics Torch of Shame’ which will be on the Indian Soil on Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Friends of Tibet, Design & People, Human Rights Law Network (Kerala), Periyar Riverkeeper, Kashi, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, World Tibet Day, Samajwadi Jana Parishad are some of the organisations participating in Thursday’s protest meet which will be held at the Theresa Square, Opposite Vanitha Police station, Ernakulam on April 17, 2008 at 5:30pm. Organisations are also planning to hold a candle light vigil and the screening of a documentary film on the Tibet issue at Theresa Square. The candle light vigil is organised to protest the Chinese aggression on Tibet and in memory of hundreds of activists who gave up their lives for an independent Tibet since the 49th Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising on March 10, 2008.

Meanwhile massive 25-feet high ‘Olympics Torch of Shame with No Flame’ conceptualised by Kashi Art Gallery is being erected at the Fort Kochi beach on April 13 (Photos and a report: http://peoplefortibet.blogspot.com/). The protest torch is attracting hundreds of people and will be kept unlit till the Olympics Torch leaves India.

Friends of Tibet is joining and organising protest marches and public meets at various places in India on April 17, 2008 to highlight the serious situation inside Chinese-occupied Tibet. To know more about the organisation and its activities, visit: www.friendsoftibet.org. To know more about events in India, you may call: +91.9967021592, +91.9895884379 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

'Torch of Shame with No Flame' (Apr 13-17, 2008)

A 25-feet high 'Torch of Shame with No Flame' will be erected at the Fort Kochi beach in Kerala on April 13, 2008 till the People's Olympics Torch guarded by Chinese thugs reaches India on April 17. Please do join us on April 13 at 5pm.

"Stop The Olympics Torture" (April 17, 2008)

To download the Design & People poster "Stop The Olympics Torture" in vector and PDF formats, go to: www.designandpeople.org














Though People's Republic of China has taken all security measures to crush people, protests are bound to follow the Olympics Torch throughout its 137,000 km-long journey - across five continents and twenty countries. On April 17, 2008 the torch carrying the 2008 Beijing Olympics flame will reach New Delhi. Friends of Tibet will join and organise nation-wide protests in India on April 17 to condemn the Chinese occupation on Tibet and the crackdown on the Independence activists since March 10, 2008. Declare loudly that "Humanity Is Much More Sacred Than Olympics Torch."

To Join or support Friends of Tibet in organising protests, kindly write to: support@friendsoftibet.org or call: +91.9967021592, +91.9418079832 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

Open Discussion on Tibet (Cochin, March 29, 2008)

Tibetan Government-in-Exile in India led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama says more than 130 people were massacred and thousands injured by the Chinese army since March 10, 2008, the 49th Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day. The Chinese government claims the death toll is only 22 and accuses the Dalai Lama for masterminding the recent violence inside Chinese occupied Tibet. Is China using the People's Liberation Army to crush the Tibetan people's movement?

Join an open discussion organised by Friends of Tibet in association with Design & People. The Discussion will be held on March 29, 2008 at Lumirere, Opposite Andhra Cultural Centre, 13th Main Road, Panampilly Nagar, Cochin at 11am. Panelists:

Dr Sebastian Paul (Member of Parliament)
Dr KS Radhakrishnan (Vice Chancellor, Sanskrit University)
Dr Venugopal (Editor, Bashaposhini)
Yesudasan (Political Cartoonist)
Adv Joshi Jacob (Samajvaadi Jana Parishad)
Adv N Nagareshan (Swadeshi Jagran Manch)
Geo Jose (NAPM)
Fr Prasanth (CMI)
Lhakpa Phanthok (Tibetan refugee living in Kochi) and many others.

Please do join us.
To know more about this event, call: 9847044248 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

Tibet of our Minds: A Journey’s End? (Dharamshala, Mar 27, 2008)

Please note the change in the programme timing. The lecture will begin at 9am instead of 5:30pm.
We cordially invite you to attend “Tibet of our Minds: A Journey’s End?” a talk by Shri Vijay Crishna, industrialist, theatre personality and an avid mountaineer who has made many exploratory trips to the Chinese-occupied Tibet. This event jointly organised by the Friends of Tibet and the Tibetan Administration will be inaugurated by Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche on March 27, 2008 (Thursday) at 9pm at the Lhakpa Tsering Hall of DIIR, Dharamshala. The lecture is free and open to public.

Vijay Crishna’s audio-visual presentation is based on his trips Tibet where he shares his perspectives of Tibet’s ancient and modern history and how these impact us today. Vijay Crishna is the Managing Director of Godrej Upstream, a subsidiary of the Godrej Group. In 1991 he established Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research in Satara district which researches and propagates rare and endangered species of medicinal plants endemic to the Western Ghats. He has been active in theatre since 1965, taking occasional bit role in films such as Gandhi and Devdaas.

‘Indian Cartoonists on Tibet’ (Pondichery, March 14-31, 2008)

'Indian Cartoonists on Tibet', a travelling exhibition from Friends of Tibet will be on display at the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture, (next to Bharat Nivas) Auroville from March 16-31, 2008. The inaugural presentation will be done by Claude Arpi (French Tibetologist and the author of 'The Fate of Tibet') and Sethu Das (President, Friends of Tibet) on March 16, 2008 (Sunday) at 5:45pm.

This exhibition of selected cartoons on the Tibet issue (1950-2005) and the tumultuous Indo-Chinese relations will feature the following cartoonists: Shankar, Ranga, OV Vijayan, RK Laxman, Ravi Shankar, Mario Miranda, Rajinder Puri, Prriya Raj, Yesudasan, Nanda Soobben, Abe Gowda, Kaak, Madhu Omalloor, Balu, Thommy, Ponnappa, Morparia and Prakash Shetty.

Indian Cartoonists on Tibet (Details) / The Pavillion of Tibetan Culture (Details) / To know more about the event, you may call us at: +91.9443006381, +91.9833191592 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org

Tibet at TISS (Bombay, Feb 15, 2008)

Tenzin Tsundue (Tibetan poet and General Secretary of Friends of Tibet) to speak on 'Tibetan Independence Movement in the Era of Globalisation' at a function jointly organised by Friends of Tibet and TISS Students Union in Bombay. The talk and at the screening of the BBC documentary: 'Conflicts: Tibet' will be held at the Conference Hall of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Deonar, Bombay on February 15, 2008 (Friday) at 4pm.

More about Tenzin Tsundue: http://www.friendsoftibet.org/tenzin/

About the BBC documentary 'Conflicts: Tibet' (30 min):
Directed by Oliver Clark, the documentary combines archive footage with the views of both the Tibetans and the Chinese. Personal stories from Tibetans in exile tell of the Chinese policy of patriotic re-education under which monks have been persecuted and have had to renounce the Dalai Lama. Yet the Chinese honestly believe that China has saved the Tibetans from feudalism, They say that they have built schools, hospitals and roads, and that 50 years after it 'liberated' Tibet, there has been 'great social progress' in the region, a view contested by the Tibetans in exile.

To know more, call Friends of Tibet: (022) 26409612, 9833191592 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

Reflecting on a Dying Culture (Bombay, Jan 29, 2008)

Vijay Crishna to talk on "Tibet: Its Complex Past and Present" at the Oxford Bookstore, Apeejay House 3, Dinsha Vacha Road, Churchgate, BombayJanuary 29, 2008 (Tuesday) at 6.30pm.

Vijay Crishna is an industrialist, theatre personality and an avid mountaineer – a person of many facets has done many exploratory trips to the Chinese-occupied Tibet. He is the Managing Director of Godrej Upstream, a subsidiary of the Godrej Group. In 1991 he established Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research in Satara district which researches and propagates rare and endangered species of medicinal plants endemic to the Western Ghats. ‘Tibet Of Our Minds: A Journey's End’ – Vijay Crishna’s audio-visual presentation based on his trips to occupied-Tibet where he shares his perspectives of Tibet's ancient and modern history and how these impact us today has been presented across the country. He has been active in theater since 1965, taking occasional bit role in films – like Gandhi and Devdaas.

Your Right to Have the Right Map

On the occasion of World Human Rights Day, on December 10, 2007, Friends of Tibet launched 'The World With Tibet' campaign with a world map showing Chinese-occupied Tibet as an Independent country. The first copy of the map was released by Venerable Geshe Lhakdor, Official Translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This map with the primary aim of education also illustrates Turkistan, Manchuria and, unified Inner and Outer Mongolia as separate countries along side China.

To receive a free World Map anywhere within India, simply send your complete postal address to: support@friendsoftibet.org or write to: Friends of Tibet, PO Box: 16674, Bombay 400050. More: http://www.friendsoftibet.org/global/campaigns.html

Black Hat Dance (Bombay, Feb 2, 2008)

For the first time in Bombay, monks from the Menri Monastery of Bon to perform the "Black Hat Dance" during the inaugural day of the exhibition of photographs, thangkas by Li Gothami at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum of Western India), MG Road, Fort, Bombay on February 2, 2008. To know more, call: 9833191592 / 26409612 or email: support@friendsoftibet.org.

The Black Hat Dance: Most masked dances that can be seen today in the monasteries of the Tibet or Ladakh, contain complex religious and philosophical themes. How ever, these plays may derive from the ritual dances of Bon. Which were originally performed as means of venerating nature and protective deities and also as New Year celebrations? These last took place at the time of winter solstices; they celebrated the victory if the spring season with its fertility over the crippling season of winter.

The religious dimension of these dances is shown by the fact that they are performed in the monastery courtyards and by the fact that the masks, with the exception of the clown masks, may only be worn by monks. Since the Cham dances are the crowing conclusion of a ritual lasting several days. The actions, dance steps and movements of the protagonists are exactly prescribed. Masks that are inhabited during the dance by the more important protective deities are accordingly treated with great deference. They are kept in a special- usually dark-room, the gonkhang. Entry into this room is often prohibited to lay persons and women. Since these masks symbolize the divine presence, they are the object of regular ceremonies.

The black hat religious dance is also called the “dance of Tshog of mother tantra” forms a part of complex bonpo esoteric rituals which it self, like all other rituals of this type, is primarily conceived as a means of attaining spiritual realization. The dance is particularly connected with the cutting of the Tshog in the rite as indicated by its name. The Tshog is an offering to the tutelary divinities and literally means “assembly”. Its ingredients are parched barley flour, butter, cheese, dried fruit and Tibetan brewed ale. The dance therefore was not conceived in the beginning as a public spectacle and was attended only by the adepts who were performing the rituals. It was thus a totally private ritual. However, from about the fifteenth century it gradually became more public and formed a part of the annual festival along with other traditional religious dances in the monasteries.

Menri Monastery: The first Menri Monastery was built in the 14th century in Central Tibet. It remained the main monastery of Bon (The Bon Religion Bon is the ancient indigenous religion of Tibet. It was founded by Buddha Tonpa Shenrab eighteen thousand years ago in western Tibet and continues to the present day by an unbroken lineage.) and a premier centre of religious teaching and practice until the Chinese army destroyed it in 1959 and during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. During that time, many Tibetans fled to India as refugees. His Holiness the Menri Trizin, the 33^rd Abbot of Menri Monastery, after many hardships reestablished the present Menri Monastery in exile at Tibetan Bonpo Settlement, Dolanji (near Solan), to preserve this unique and ancient tradition.

The monastery offers advance religious training in Dialectical Studies. The nine-year course of study includes philosophy, logic, poetics, astrology, medicine, ritual and meditation, and the languages of Zhang-Zhung and Sanskrit. The monks also studies and practices the Bon tradition of Sutra, Tantra and Zogchen. The training in Zogchen includes the highest meditation practices such as the dark retreat and the visionary practices. On the successful completion of the studies, the monks are awarded the Geshe Degree, the most advanced degree in the Tibetan religious traditions. Most of the Geshes become teachers, serving the educational needs of both the monastic and lay communities. Some of them enter meditation retreat after their studies or focus on rebuilding old monasteries or developing new Bon centre.

Human Rights Day (Bombay, Dec 10, 2007)

On the occasion of World Human Rights Day and the 18th anniversary of awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, rights groups will come together on December 10, 2007 to organise various programmes in Bombay city. A function at Sharda Mangal Karyalaya at Dadar organised by the Tibetan Residents Association in association with Dharma Rain Centre and Friends of Tibet will be addressed by Venerable Geshe Lhakdor, former official translator of the Dalai Lama who will be on a week-long lecture series on Buddhism, in connection with "Buddha Dharma Week". The function will be held at the Sharda Mangal Karyalaya, Sharda Talkies, Lane adjacent to Dadar Fire Brigade Station, Dadar from 9am onwards.

In the evening, Dharma Rain Centre, Indian Committee for Cultural Freedom and Friends of Tibet will jointly organise a Panel Discussion on "Human Rights: Tibet, Burma and India" at the MC Ghia Hall, Rampart Row, K Dubash Marg, Kalaghoda, Bombay at 6.30 pm. The speakers are Venerable Geshe Lhakdor (Official translator of HH the Dalai Lama), Dr Ramu Manivannan (Burma Expert), Yogesh Kamdar (National Vice President, People's Union for Civil Liberties) and other panelists include Vijay Crishna (Industrialist and Theatre Personality), and CA Kallianpur (National Coordinator, Friends of Tibet). The panel discussion will be moderated by Aspi Mistry of Dharma Rain Centre.

About Speakers & Panelists:
Venerable Geshe Lhakdor has served His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama as his official translator and religious assistant since 1989. He has translated numerous books by His Holiness from English to Tibetan and from Tibetan to English. He is also the Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamshala.

Yogesh Kamdar is a Bombay-based writer and the National Vice President of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).

Dr Ramu Manivannan is reader in political science at the Chennai University, Dr Ramu is also the founder of Buddha Smiles, a program on education, peace and development of children in India and the Burmese refugee community living in India. He is a peace researcher and an activist.

Vijay Crishna is an industrialist, theatre personality and an avid mountaineer - a person of many facets has done many exploratory trips to the Chinese-occupied Tibet. He is the Managing Director of Godrej Upstream and has been active in theater since 1965, taking occasional bit role in films.

CA Kallianpur is a researcher on Tibet issue and the National Coordinator of Friends of Tibet.

About Organisations:
The Dharma Rain Centre is contemplated as a resource centre that offers a supportive environment to all those who are interested in exploring Buddhist thought and practice. Presenting all the major Buddhist schools and traditions, in a non-sectarian and non-denominational manner, its vision includes dialogue and understanding between different schools of Buddhism and interaction with other religious and scientific traditions.

Indian Committee for Cultural Freedom (ICCF) was founded in 1951 as a non-party organisation of scholars, writers, artists and scientists to defend intellectual liberty, to cultivate a spirit of free enquiry and an appreciation of the arts. Among its founding members were Jayaprakash Narayan, Minoo Masani, Khushwant Singh, Tarkateerth Laxmanshastri Joshi and Asoka Mehta.

To know more about the event, call: 986927904 / 9833191592 or email: dharmaraincentre@gmail.com / freedom@vsnl.com / support@friendsoftibet.org

Buddhadharma Week (Bombay, December 8-16, 2007)

December 8, 2007 (Sat) 6.30pm
Ven. Geshe Lhakdor - Public Talk
"The Art of Living & Dying" at Gita Mandir, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chowpatty
Sponsored by: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Dharma Rain Centre, LTWA and ICCF (Indian Committee for Cultural Freedom)

December 9, 2007 (Sun)
This day for meetings with group members and private audiences. Please send in your requests by e-mail.

December 10, 2007 (Mon) 9am
World Human Rights Day
Function at Sharda Mangal Karyalaya, Sharda Talkies, Lane adjacent to Dadar Fire Brigade Station, Dadar.
Organised by Tibetan Residents Association in association with Friends of Tibet and Dharma Rain Centre to commemorate the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Lhakdor-la to address audience in Tibetan. (Translation provided too)

6.30pm
Panel Discussion on "Human Rights: Tibet, Burma and India"
MC Ghia Hall, Rampart Row, K Dubash Marg, Kalaghoda, Bombay
Ven. Lhakdor-la "Human Rights in Tibet – 50 years of ' Liberation' Through Cultural Genocide."
Dr. Ramu Manivannan: "Human Rights in Burma and India 's Role"
And other speakers (to be confirmed later) on "Human Rights – India "

Organised by: Dharma Rain Centre, Indian Committee for Cultural Freedom and Friends of Tibet.

December 11, 2007 (Tue) 6.30pm
Public Talk at Manuski Centre, Deccan College Road, Yerawada
"The Wheel of Life (Bhava Chakra)"
Ven. Lhakdor will unveil of a tracing of the Wheel of Life and give a talk on its significance. The tracing was made in 1948 by Li Gotami from the Tsaporang Caves in Tibet.

December 12, 2007 (Wed) Morning/Afternoon
Interaction with college students

6.30 pm
Screening & Discussion
Max Mueller Bhavan, Rampart Row, Kalaghoda. Screening & Discussion on "Travellers and Magicians", a film by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche (Khyentse Norbu) whose first film was "The Cup". Sponsors: Max Mueller Bhavan, Dharma Rain centre

December 13, 2007 (Thu) 2pm
Film Screening & Interaction with students of XIC (Xavier Institute of Communications)
On the college campus, open only to the students of the college.
6.15 pm Talk and Discussion at P.E.N. All India Centre, Theosophy Hall .
Ven. Lhakdor - "Faith and Reason in the Dharma"
This will be the inaugural talk in a monthly series titled "spiritlevel@PEN".

December 14, 2007 (Fri) 6.30pm
Interaction with college students. Public Talk - Chunabhatti Buddha Vihara
Ven. Lhakdor will address a mainly Buddhist audience from the local area, and other members of the Vihara community. His talk will be translated into Marathi.

December 15-16, 2007 (Sat) 10am-6pm
Workshop/Retreat

To know more, email Dharma Rain Centre at: dharmaraincentre@gmail.com, dharmaraincentre@vsnl.net or call Aspi Mistry: 986927904; abmistry@vsnl.com / Supriya Rai, 9821050797