Conversation with Lodoe Gyatso la

Hosted by Tenzing Dhamdul, FNVA

In this episode we engage with Lodoe Gyatso is currently with the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) in New York. Prior to this, he served as a Youth Representative at the United Nations. He is deeply involved in the Tibetan Freedom Movement and has participated in several Tibet Lobby Days in the USA.

In this podcast, Lodoe Gyatso shares his experiences and journey as a Tibetan born in India and raised in the USA. He discusses his involvement in the Tibetan Freedom Movement and explains how his experience at the UN has helped him understand how the organization works to raise awareness about Tibet’s plight. He also emphasises that there is hope for Tibet, and that we must do our best in our respective fields, as this will eventually provide a larger platform to speak about Tibet.

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Conversation with Tenzin Yangzom la

Hosted by Tenzing Dhamdul, FNVA

In this episode we engage with Tenzin Yangzom la. She is the Campaigns Coordinator at the International Tibet Network (ITN) and previously she was also the Grassroots Director at Students for a Free Tibet (SFT). She is among the youth deeply involved in the Tibetan Freedom Movement and played a pivotal role in the shutting down of Confucius Institute at Tufts University. 

In the podcast, Tenzin Yangzom shares her experiences and journey with the Tibetan Freedom Movement. She explains how her family had a significant influence in her involvement with the movement with their constant support being the foundation of here. She discusses about the International Tibet Network (ITN), the story behind its genesis and the plethora of direct actions and campaigns she has been involved in. The most recent being the displaying of ‘Free Tibet’ banner on the bridge where Chinese president Xi Jinping motorcade had to pass through. She shares her engagement with Tibetans who had visited Tibet recently and concludes by telling us that the world’s perspective on China is changing.

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Conversation with Tashi Nyima la

Hosted by Tenzing Dhamdul, FNVA

In this episode we engage with Tashi Nyima la. He is the co-founder of Khadhok Arts, alongside his colleagues Tenzin Melak and Lea Taake. This Tibetan arts collective was established in 2023 with the goal of nurturing Tibetan artists and providing them with a much-needed platform to showcase their work. In addition to their recent exhibition, “Dreaming Tibet,” where young Tibetan children displayed their artwork, they will host their annual exhibition titled “Unsettled,” which will run from November 1st onwards in Dharamshala, India. 

In this podcast, Tashi Nyima shares his experiences and journey with art in the Tibetan exile community. He explains how his family had a significant influence on his artistic development through their support, encouraging him to pursue this profession. He also discusses how exposure to various art forms led him to focus on exile Tibetan art, which strongly relates to the community’s political and legal status, particularly in the context of his own freedom. He stressed on the fact how art connects Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet, with him stating that there is a very big artistic community inside Tibet. For him, art is a means to initiate much-needed debate within the community and serves as a powerful form of non-violent resistance through which one can convey their message. He hopes to raise global awareness about Tibet through his art and Khadhok Arts initiatives.

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Conversation with Tenzin Tsedub Lodoe La

Hosted by Tenzing Dhamdul, FNVA

In this episode Tenzin Tsedub Lodoe la shares his inspiring journey as a Tibetan based in USA. He currently is the national coordinator of Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG) USA and also a co-founder of Bodja Podcast which has been coming out amazing podcast of Tibetans from all walks of life in English.

Being a participant of the both the 2023 and 2024 International Tibet Youth Forum (ITYF) he shares us how relevant and important this annual forum is and it a hub to him where Tibetan youth from different countries come together to learn and then advocate for Tibet. Similarly being in the USA he spotlights the Tibet Lobby Day and how he has been taking part of it since his high school days, with it being central in pushing forth Tibetan related polices and resolutions in USA. 

He further highlights how advocacy in the USA by Tibetans contributed to the historic signing of the Resolve Tibet Act by US President Joe Biden led by the International Campaign for Tibet and Office of Tibet. He currently interns at Harvard’s Leadership & Happiness Laboratory and narrates to us about his heartfelt speech at His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 89th birthday in Dharamshala, India. He finally shares us messages from Tibetans in occupied Tibet and calls upon all Tibetans to embody the spirit of the Dalai Lama in spreading love and peace.

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Conversation with Tenzin Passang La
Hosted by Tenzing Dhamdul, FNVA

In a compelling and enlightening podcast episode, we delved into the world of Tenzin
Passang, a young Tibetan women who currently is the India National Director of Students
for a Free Tibet.

Tenzin Passang passionately unfolded the genesis of Students for a Free Tibet, a globally
recognized Tibet Support Group. She shed light on the driving forces that led her to become
an integral part of this organization, emphasizing the commitment to advocating for the
rights and freedom of the Tibetan people living under occupation.

A focal point of the conversation was the critical role that SFT plays in countering the
misleading narratives propagated by Beijing concerning Tibet. She highlighted the various
initiatives orchestrated by SFT to raise awareness and provide the Tibetan perspective on
the situation in Tibet. This underscores the organization’s dedication to fostering a
comprehensive understanding of the Tibetan struggle for freedom.

The conversation delved into the specific initiatives undertaken by Students for a Free Tibet.
She elucidated on the multifaceted approaches employed by the organization to challenge
the status quo, emphasizing the importance of a proactive stance in addressing the complex
circumstances faced by Tibet.

A poignant glimpse into her personal journey unfolded as she recounted her time at
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The profound impact of her experiences at JNU on her
perspective and activism became evident, underscoring the transformative power of
education and intellectual discourse in shaping individuals committed to social justice.

A particularly inspiring segment of the episode focused on her triumphant battle against
cancer. Her resilience and determination served as a testament to the strength of the
human spirit. Additionally, she shared the unwavering support she received from her family
and friends, illustrating the importance of a robust support system in overcoming adversity.

In summary, this podcast episode serves as a powerful narrative of courage, activism, and
personal triumph. It not only captures the essence of Students for a Free Tibet but also
provides a compelling insight into the life and journey of Tenzin Passang.

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Conversation with TENZIN NYINJEY

Hosted by Tenzing Dhamdul, FNVA 

The Unsilenced: Voices of Young Tibetans podcast session saw FNVA engage with Tenzin Nyinjey, a well-known Tibetan Researcher and Rangsten Advocate. Many Tibetan youngsters also see him as a resource person. His thoughts and opinions focus on the sub-altern, which is a much needed space developing in the Tibetan diasporic community. The podcast session with Tenzin Nyinjey engages upon, Tibet, The Tibetan Freedom Movement, The Tibetan Uprising Day, The Exile Tibetan Democracy and the Tibetan Youths. When it came to democracy and the democratic reforms practiced by the Tibetan community he stated ‘Democratic reforms should not be pigeon-holed and restricted to political structures. Democracy in the offices, hospitals, schools, homes and other institutions should be taken in account.’

Tenzin Nyinjey details us his humble journey from the Tibetan Settlement of Odisha, after which he left this settlement for studies to Shimla then Delhi and finally reached Dharamshala, where he served for more than a decade at various offices. The Department of Information and International Relations, the Library of Tibet Works and Archies and The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) being a few notables one where he left his mark. His journey from a small Tibetan settlement to the Dharamshala is a journey which is frequented by Tibetans born in exile.

When discussing on the differences that he observed when living in India and now in Canada he mentioned that there is definitely a stark differences in terms of the level of development and wealth but he putting that aside he stated that ‘There is not much appreciation for the wealth and beauty, with there  being a clear lack of alternative world view among the general Canadian Public’. He also stated ‘In India it was more a relaxed environment while here it is pay check to pay check, where if you do not continue to work, you will likely be kicked out from your rented rooms’. 

On the Tibetan exile democracy setup, he is of the opinion that it is very exciting times especially since His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and his office, the Ganden Phorang handed down the political power to elected Tibetans. The reason being that it gives the Tibetans, the common Tibetans a space to not only be heard and be represented but have their opinions and chart out the new Tibetan political environment through their vision. ‘I think right now it is very important for Tibetans to withdraw and reflect and have honest and internal conversations among ourselves’ said Tenzin Nyinjey.

‘The Biggest challenge when I was researching on Tibet and Tibetans during my time in Dharamshala is the emotional drainage. Being a Tibetan one is deeply involved in the struggle itself and at the same time doing research. It is difficult to possess this combination of where you can be emotionally involved and mentally strong’ asserted Tenzin Nyinjey when enquired upon his biggest challenge when it came to researching Tibet. He also mentioned that there is a critical need of translating works on Tibet published in English to Tibetan, so that the wider Tibetan community can have access to such texts that which would eventually enlarge their horizons.

Tenzin Nyinjey said ‘China will continue to suppress the Tibetan dream of freedom and independence. At the same time they are very smart in neutralizing the Tibetan struggle, the moment a Tibetan tries to express political views be it in the form of a serious article, or poem or even displays a picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Crackdown ensues.’ He mentioned Tibetan intellectual Go Sherab Gyasto and how because of his progressive works, he is behind bars now. On Xi Jinping and China he views that its current leadership is continuing to tread down this path of belligerence, with the imminent invasion of Taiwan an inevitability. With the US central intelligence bodies growing concerns over it, backing his opinion here.

He finally concluded by bringing out an honest appeal to all the Tibetan Youths to not rest on their laurels but continue to persevere. He shared his own regrets here of not doing and exploring enough during his college days. And wants the Tibetan youth who have this envious advantage of being Bilingual (Indian PM allowing His Holiness the Dalai Lama to set up Tibetan schools being a catalyst) to make the most out of it and bring change to Tibet and the larger world community. Before which he sincerely thanked the Tibet supporters for their continued support to Tibet and the Tibetans.

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https://youtu.be/7nBVBGELH4g 

The Unsilenced: Voices of Young Tibetans podcast session saw FNVA engage with Sonam Tsering, a known blogger who writes on Tibet, an activist and is also the current General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest Tibetan NGO in exile. Sonam Tsering in this episode tells us about his journey from Tibet to India, his writings, the Tibetan Youth Congress and his message for Tibetans and Tibet supporters worldwide.

Sonam Tsering expounds in detail his arduous journey from Tibet, how it was brought up to him by his family and his eventual meeting with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He further narrates his upbringing in India, going to a TCV school and eventually pursing further studies at Hindu College and O.P. Jindal University. Even though he was studying in a space where Tibetans were the minority, he continued to hold Tibet close to his heart and took part in several activities and initiatives for the resolution of the Tibet-China Conflict.

When discussing on his recent tour in the frontier regions of Northern India, Sonam was both encouraged and sad at the same time. He was encouraged by the fact that Tibetans continue to come together to talk about Tibet and its future, especially the school children who raised pertinent questions when discussing on Tibetan independence and its freedom movement. He however felt a deep sense of concern and sadness when he noticed the drawings of small Tibetan Children. Here unlike the drawings of his time in school which were around the theme of Tibet and its way of life, the current drawings depicted a modern world very far from the Tibet, our homeland, which stands illegally occupied to this day by the People’s Republic of China.

Being the General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, he explained its structure, its genesis and even their prospective plans; especially of this year, when India our host country has the role of presidentship of G20. 

When dwelling upon his initial years as a Tibetan Youth Congress member, he shared with us a poem titled as “The Yellow Guard” and this poem captured his feelings when providing volunteer service to pilgrims during the 2017 Kalachakra Initiation at Bodh Gaya. The Poem is as follows and can be accessed along with more writings of his at https://sonsnow.in/ 

In the mid of cough and cold
I am the Yellow Guard
Guarding ten and thousands of tents
Listening the hateful songs of innocence
Snoring here and snoring there
Killing the youthfulness of the silent night

I am the Yellow Guard
Guarding the gods men
In the mid of evils and devils

He concluded by giving his sincere thanks to all those who have been and continue to support Tibet.

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Conversation with Chemi Lhamo

The Unsilenced: Voices of Young Tibetans podcast session saw FNVA engaging with Tibetan Youth Icon Chemi Lhamo, who is a community organizer and human rights activist based in Canada. Canada has a sizable number of Tibetans and this has seen major legislations being passed on governmental level. The Tibetan Heritage month – A month-long celebration of Tibetan culture and way of life in Canada in July, being the epitome of it. The session with Chemi Lhamo saw her touch on various topics ranging from her engagements with Tibetans, the recent Chinese mass uprising, Sports and Activism, her personal life journey which she still embarks upon, Tibetans migrating from India, activity and initiatives by Tibetans in Canada for Tibet, China’s tactic and polices which aims to assimilate and eradicate Tibetans in China occupied Tibet, on Reincarnation (His Holiness the Dalai Lama) and her experience in contesting at the Parkdale-High Park Councillor Elections this year.

Chemi Lhamo when asked upon her recent trip to Paris, where she was part of the Future of Tibet Conference stated how she was elated to witness that unlike the first FoT Conference in Washington DC, the one in Paris had youths and Tibetan women participating in high numbers. She asserted how Tibetans need such spaces to discuss future policies, gather thoughts and suggestions, and implement them as it would set the tone for Tibetans and Tibet. She also got the opportunity to engage with Tibetan youths in Europe through the Office of Tibet and thanked them and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) whose work, efforts and initiative inspires and has her belief. When the recent Chinese mass uprising was discussed, she saw hope and was glad that Chinese people themselves are now taking the stand against the atrocities committed by their Communist government. She shared to us how when taking part in a A4 revolution protest, a Chinese lady applauded her and the Tibetans. She pointed out this stark contrast in Chinese attitudes towards Tibetans as she herself was threatened by the Chinese student body when she was elected as the president of the student council at the University of Toronto – Scarborough only a few years back.

Engaging on her personal life, she saw herself as othered like many refugees throughout the world and only when she had matured did she come to ask questions on her own identity. This struck by her even when she migrated and settled in Canada and has been an impetus in her moving forward in life. On sports Chemi Lhamo went beyond the mundane expressions of teamwork and joy, explaining how these days big entities which includes sovereign nations are using it as a PR utility, with Sports Washing becoming more prevalent than ever. She focused on Beijing’s 2022 winter Olympics and the current Qatar 2022 FIFA world cup, the latter which has the death of thousands of migrants that too from India and the Indian Subcontinent on their hands. While touching upon Tibetans in Canada, she reminded and let us know how they are doing their best and continue to adapt various means in preserving and flourishing the Tibetan culture. Here, she illustrated the Tibetan Gorshey (Tibetan social dance) and the intergeneration magic she witnesses every week, in particular how she witnesses 4-5 year old Tibetan children born in Canada dancing and engaging on the same space with 80-90 year old Tibetans.

On Tibet and the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, she brought to light the recent two major polices carried out the Chinese Communist Regime in Tibet and that is 1. Colonial Boarding school 2. Arbitrarily and enforced Mass collection of Tibetan DNA. These two initiatives aim to uproot Tibetans from their own way of life with the latter focusing to boost surveillance and further control the Tibetan, treating them more like livestock rather than humans. She shared how Dr. Gyalo (the one who was the primary source of the Colonial Boarding school report brought forth by the Tibet Action Institute) told her that when teaching in Tibet, he witnessed how his niece totally forgot the Tibetan language and were not able to communicate with their grandparents in just a few months after being enrolled in such boarding schools. When it comes to reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, she asserted that the final decision should and always lay with the Tibetans, who are the ones that have revered and continue to revere the institution of the Dalai Lama for more than 4 centuries. On top of this she called upon various governments to adopt similar resolutions like the TPSA (Tibet Policy Support Act) which was passed in the US Congress.

Elaborating on the recent election she took part as an independent candidate for Parkdale-High Park Councilor, Toronto, Canada. Chemi emphasized the role of community and how they were the driving motivation behind her contesting. She only has thanks for all those people who came out in thousands supporting her and though she still has not fully taken all this in, she believes the people of Parkdale-High are gearing up for much needed change in the coming years.

She concluded by giving her sincere thanks to all those who have been and continue to support Tibet even though due to China’s unprecedented rise it has become a complex issue to many. And to all Tibetans to remember, learn, understand and listen to our Tibetan sisters and brothers in Tibet who continue to bear the brunt of Chinese atrocities yet still form an unshakable resistance against the Asian dragons.

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https://rss.com/podcasts/conversationsontibetwithfnva/

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