My struggle for independence

When I was growing up in school, I viewed Tibet as this magical land of spirituality, peace and harmony. The name 'The Roof of the World' seemed to describe its holiness and breath taking beauty. While reading Tintin in Tibet, I wondered whether I would ever be able to meet the affable and youthful monks like Tintin did. How little I knew about this great nation! Even while I was in college, I only knew that Dharamshala had a significant Tibetan population and His Holiness the Dalai Lama resided there, but I had no clue about its painful history. Face it, I was only into Tibetan markets and momos.

A few years have passed and I am now a lot more aware about my neighbouring country, my fellow human beings. And now when I think about Tibet, I feel a great pain and suffering in my heart, as if I was a Tibetan in my previous birth. If I even begin to imagine the kind of oppression and frustration that each and every tortured Tibetan soul must be facing, I feel this great burden on my heart and I desire to do something to support the cause of Free Tibet!!

I wonder how the Chinese government can be at peace with their enforced domination which is based on their arguement that their ancient monarchs and dynasties ruled Tibet through surrogate authorities. How can they ignore the fact that since the beginning of its millitary domination in 1949, Tibet has been struggling and pushing and fighting for its freedom. Just because Ashoka ruled over many parts of the neighbouring countries does not give India the right to storm into another nation and force our rule over them. Could China be giving more priority to historical facts over the voices of all the Tibetan people who have been shouting for independence since 1949?

A lot of people in India look upto China and its cities as role models of economic development. We strive for our GDP growth to emulate the Chinese story. There is so much hope that one day the Indian Elephant will outlast the Chinese tiger (or is it dragon?) WHAT IS THE POINT ? Is it more important to be the rulers of economic forces or the champion of rights? The Left parties often prod the other parties to condemn the oppression of any country but why does it remain silent in the case of Tibet? It is all right to be ambitious in our dreams but we must be brave in our criticism as well. So if its a country whose idealogy is revered by a political party, the misdeeds of that country should also be reprimanded. If China wants to project itself as an emerging superpower then let it channel its power with justice, humanity and transparency. It blocks all information on the Internet and media that it forgets that even Iraq allowed UN inspectors at its nuclear plants. The latter had nothing to hide about its deeds, is it another story in the Chinese suppression of the Tibetan protests?

A few days before I was proud to be in the midst of two hundred young people marching for a Free Tibet, their passion and their emphasis on the non violent nature of the struggle was humbling and inspirational. The group who mostly comprised of college students spoke about how their movement was based on ahimsa and karma. Many of them shared stories about how they are being indoctrinated in schools by the Chinese education system, as young students they had no idea about whether there was a national flag of Tibet, what was their culture, their history. They spoke about how they were confused about their own history because they were told by their parents one thing and were taught a completely different thing in schools. A young boy rightly said that it is like somebody barged into your house, threw your siblings and parents out of the house, shot your friends and told you that you can continue to stay in the house only if you abide by their rules. Put yourself in the shoes of a Tibetan soul and feel what he or she is going through in your heart.

All those people who talk of the Tibetan struggle as a lost cause, I hope they do remember that the story of our independence also spanned over many decades.Yet I feel so sorry that instead of complete independance many people in Tibet are resigned to settle for complete autonomy instead. In other words, Im telling the person who has occupied my house that he or she can continue to be the ruler of my house but I would like to become a paying guest, so atleast I can lead my life in my own manner. I have lost my home, my land to this mighty bully. I only dream that the demand for autonomy would be granted, but still one day the Tibetan freedom that many people around the world dream of would become a reality..

Here below I have penned a few lines for the people struggling for freedom in Tibet and Palestine, albeit in a non violent manner!!!

One day I dream of peace,
Of a nation full of proud people
Ecstatic in their celebration of their freedom.
Their land and homes are theirs again
From beneath the graves its spirit and culture will be reborn.
A nation full of happy people
who on that day will shout in one voice
'We have won our Independence'

The above is a dream, a hope, a prayer and for sure a glimpse of the future!!

See the video below