A Tibetan Hero

I am a final year undergraduate student working with Students for a Free Tibet, Delhi.

I want to tell you about a brave young man.

Dhondup Wangchen is a Tibetan man who is serving eight years in prison for a crime he did not commit: for making a film that tells the truth.

‘Leaving Fear Behind’ is a poignant film that captures the suppressed voice of Tibetans inside Tibet prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the film, Dhondup Wangchen courageously documents the views and concerns of Tibetans from all walks of life. A young man tells us of his underground education movement in an attempt to save the unique language and culture of his people. A nomad relates the restrictions on cattle grazing by the Chinese government. A farmer weeps at the very mention of the Dalai Lama.

Dhondup Wangchen’s film tells of Tibetan life under Chinese occupation from the eyes of Tibetans.

Visit www.leavingfearbehind.org for details on the film. Sign a petition for the release of Dhondup Wangchen at www.studentsforafreetibet.org

What is ‘Democracy’?

Uproar in the Karnataka Assembly and subsequent claims of the death and mockery of democracy.


Liu Xiaobo wins Nobel Peace Prize for his sustained efforts in upholding human rights in China and calling for democratic elections.


Preliminary elections in Kyrgyzstan, one more step in the Central Asian country's path to democratic reform, signalling stability in a terribly troubled region.


First round of elections for Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, a community striving to build a strong democratic government.


A couple of events in the past couple of days, combined with my growing interest in political happenings around the world, have led me to question my understanding of the concept of democracy. In the face of such struggles for arriving at democracy, what do I, a citizen of the world's biggest democracy, understand by this? I don't know, quite frankly. What is my relationship with the government, the state? In a democratic setting, what rights do I enjoy? What are the freedoms that I am entitled to, and am I taking them for granted? How closely is my sense of belonging, my identity as an individual tied to my being a free citizen in a democratic country?


What do you think?

thoughts on a journey

bottle-green

parrot-green

lime-green

yellow-green

thousands of shades of green whiz by my window as I journey down to Bangalore to see my brother and visit old haunts. a vast stretch of unknown land. fields, trees, bushes, rocks, rivulets. a man urges his cattle to plough his field. a poultry farm. muddy water. a scarecrow in an inviting field. a river! beautiful in its still movement.

blue. white. blue. white. blue. white.
another train rushes by.

a lone woman carries firewood home. a temple. a well.

I remember the intricate topographical maps I drew in geography class in school. every road, every temple, every well, every stream was spotted.