SFT India launched its first Renaissance Series in India

Amplifying  everything BANNED IN TIBET

Date: 13th Aug

A popular Tibetan poet from Tibet, Gade Tsering began his poem titled “My Tibetanness” in response to exile poet Tenzin Tsundue’s poem using the same title. This could be the tone of what the exile Tibetans are now coming together, adding voices to the Tibetans inside Tibet in the form a “Renaissance Series” undertaken by Students For Free Tibet, India.

SFT India launched its first  ‘Renaissance Series’ at TCV day school here Friday. The renaissance series is in response to all things “banned in Tibet” and will be amplified in exile.

The theme is on the creative voices of the Tibetans who are asserting their Tibetan identity in the form of blogging, film making, painting, songs, poetry and books which are banned in Tibet.

A two hour long event of 12 acts included exiled Tibetan poets, singers and activists performing compositions of the Tibetans inside Tibet, talking about works of Tibetans who have faced arrests and imprisonment for expression of their creativity. (more…)

Statement: Exile Tibetans mourn the earthquake victims in Kyegudo

April 14th, 2010
Dharamshala: Tibetans gathered at the main Buddhist Temple here in Dharamshala to pray and show solidarity to the victims of the earthquake that hit Kyegudo (Chinese: Yushu) in Tibet’s Kham Province.

“Not only are we grieving the death of hundreds of Tibetans who fell victim to this natural disaster, we are also concerned about the wellbeing of the thousands injured by the earthquake in Kyegudo early this morning.” said Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth Congress. “We demand immediate medical aid and rescue work for all those injured.”

The latest Chinese official death toll is 400, whereas Tibetans on the ground have been reporting more than 3000 deaths and 10,000 injured on telephonic conversations with families and friends in exile.

Tibetans in Yushu fear that the nearby dam situated in Pathang in Kyegudo could burst any time which might result to a huge loss of lives. Independent researchers have found out about existence of 14 dams - constructed or under construction - in the area.

“The Chinese government has aggressively exploited Tibet’s natural resources not even sparing areas such as Kyegudo which is considered to be an active seismic region.” said Ngawang Woebar, a former political prisoner and President of Gu-Chu-Sum, who is also a native of Kyegudo. “We demand the Chinese government to put halt to all these projects that threatens human lives in the region.”

Our heartfelt condolence to the family and friends of those who died in this earthquake.

Yushu is situated 800 kms south-west of Siling, Amdo (Chin: Xining, Qinghai) and is a home to around 250,000 people, mostly Tibetan. The region is also exploited for its huge deposits of mineral resources such as gold, coal, copper, lead and tin mines.

—

TYC, TWA, Gu-Chu-Sum, NDPT & SFT-India

Statement for Immediate Release

Contact: Tenzin Choeying, Dharamsala, India +91 981 636 8335
Tenzin Choedon, Dharamsala, India +91 981 647 9812

Tibetans observe Losar by raising the Tibetan National Flag

14 February 2010, Dharamshala: On the auspicious first day of Losar 2137, Students For a Free Tibet (SFT) will launch a new campaign ‘Raise Our Flag’ by distributing 500 Tibetan national flags. Tibetans and supporters will be urged to raise the flags to mark the beginning of the year of the Iron Tiger; a time for change, hope, renewal and an action to express a renewed commitment and solidarity towards the Tibetan movement.

“The National Flag is a symbol of freedom and resistance. Hundreds of national flags were defiantly flown throughout Tibet in the 2008 uprising to amplify the people’s call for freedom. The flag unifies all the Tibetans in our desire to help bring change on the ground inside Tibet.” Tenzin Choeying, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet, India, said.

‘Raise Our Flag’ campaign is supported by a number of local Tibetan businessmen including Chodak from Middleway Tours and Travels. Chodak explained, “As a Tibetan, I find it very inspiring hoisting our national flag on the very first day of Losar. It’s my responsibility to contribute to our cause through such campaigns.”

The modern Tibetan national flag was adopted in 1916. Its first appearance before the world was in National Geographic Magazine’s “Flags of the World” issue of 1934. (more…)