spent life promoting Tibetan Independence and raising awareness of the plight of Tibet. In 1950, he fled Tibet after the Chinese invasion to work for Tibet and the Tibetans in exile. He moved to Bloomington, Indiana USA with his family in 1965 and he served as a professor (continued on page 4) (continued on page 7)
(continued on page 4) (continued on page 7) Jigme Norbu, nephew of His Holiness the Dalai Lama , 45 years old, was struck and killed by a car Monday February 14 th on an American highway while he was participating in the 500km‘Walk for Peace’ from St Augustine, Florida south to West Palm Beach, Florida . According to Police he died on the scene. Jigme Norbu was a passionate activist for Tibetan Freedom, inspired by the dedication of his father Takster Rinpoche, H.H Dalai Lama’s eldest brother. He was born in 1968 in the United States and was a tireless activist for Tibet’s independence. He lived in Bloomington with his father, his mother and his two brothers, and studied International Law in Japan. His Father, Thubten Jigme Norbu A Tribute to the Life of Jigme Norbu spent life promoting Tibetan Independence and raising awareness of the plight of Tibet. In 1950, he fled Tibet after the Chinese invasion to work for Tibet and the Tibetans in exile. He moved to Bloomington, Indiana USA with his family in 1965 and he served as a professor copyright photo:AP Jigme and his father Thubten Jigme Norbu The writer, Tenzin Tsundue, a Tibetan poet and activist requests you to read this piece aloud to your family or to yourself. Indians call me ‘ching chong’, the Chinese arrested me when I walked into Tibet, beat me up in jail and threw me out and said ‘Get out of here, you bloody Indian’. Who am I? I am born and brought up in India and speak four Indian languages, love Bollywood, have more Indian friends than those of my own tribe. Who am I? My identity card is called Registration Certificate. It says you are a foreigner, and your nationality is Tibetan. But for India there is no Tibet, it’s only China, although we have Indo- Tibetan Border Police. Legally, no one is a refugee in India, there’s no refugee law prevalent here, but India is home to the largest number of refugees, from Parsis to Burmese, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans. My friend, Sopa, from our refugee camp in ROOM FOR HOPE Kollegal, Karnataka, fought in the Kargil War. Two soldiers on either side of him were shot in their heads, and when the survivors were being decorated in Delhi, Indian soldiers were photographed with the President, while medals for Tibetans were pinned by an officer in the top floor room. Rooms. We love rooms, bigger the better. That’s what we live in, because HOME is a sacred dream reserved for some distant future, but, inevitably coming, because our Dalai Lama says so. Even our exile government staff live in rooms. When her boyfriend moves in, they set up a kitchen against one of the walls. Other walls are for books, clothes, a TV set and of course a door and a window. When she gets pregnant it becomes home, and then we all join the house-warming party. Our rooms are decorated with protest slogans and photos of bullet-ridden martyrs. We live in India, but our hearts are in Tibet. We are neither here nor there. I grew up imagining homeland, a glorious return, but realize home is here where the struggle is, The Struggle is the Home. Tibetans make an annual pilgrimage. It’s not to Bodh Gaya or Benares, it’s to the local police station to seek an extension to stay in India for another year, a must for all Tibetans above 18, whether you came from Tibet in 1959, are born in India, or a celebrity escapee from Tibet in recent years. No exception. No one is above the law. Show your face and get the privilege. Lobsang got a job as a waiter in Sweden, excited, he packed for a two-year stint. At the last moment, just before his flight, the Delhi emigration officer said he has no clearance from the local police station. At 2am he had masala chai for 60 rupees at the airport and came back to Dharamsala. Go anywhere, be a tourist in Kerala or Rajasthan, pretend that you are a native in the North East. We were promised a dreamland from childhood, the world’s most beautiful country and its snowy mountains and rivers feed one sixth of the world’s population. We are brave people, we fight violence with nonviolence; our people in Tibet fight
Transcript
(continued on page 4)
(continued on page 7)
Jigme Norbu, nephew of His Holinessthe Dalai Lama , 45 years old, wasstruck and killed by a car MondayFebruary 14th on an American highwaywhile he was participating in the500km‘Walk for Peace’ from StAugustine, Florida south to West PalmBeach, Florida . According to Police hedied on the scene.
Jigme Norbu was a passionateactivist for Tibetan Freedom, inspiredby the dedication of his father TaksterRinpoche, H.H Dalai Lama’s eldestbrother. He was born in 1968 in theUnited States and was a tireless activistfor Tibet’s independence. He lived inBloomington with his father, his motherand his two brothers, and studiedInternational Law in Japan.
His Father, Thubten Jigme Norbu
A Tribute to the Life of Jigme Norbu
spent life promoting TibetanIndependence and raising awareness ofthe plight of Tibet. In 1950, he fled Tibetafter the Chinese invasion to work for
Tibet and the Tibetans in exile. He movedto Bloomington, Indiana USA with hisfamily in 1965 and he served as a professor
copyright photo:APJigme and his father Thubten Jigme Norbu
The writer, Tenzin Tsundue, aTibetan poet and activist requests youto read this piece aloud to your familyor to yourself.
Indians call me ‘ching chong’, theChinese arrested me when I walked intoTibet, beat me up in jail and threw meout and said ‘Get out of here, youbloody Indian’. Who am I? I am bornand brought up in India and speak fourIndian languages, love Bollywood,have more Indian friends than those ofmy own tribe. Who am I?
My identity card is calledRegistration Certificate. It says you area foreigner, and your nationality isTibetan. But for India there is no Tibet,it’s only China, although we have Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Legally, no oneis a refugee in India, there’s no refugeelaw prevalent here, but India is hometo the largest number of refugees, fromParsis to Burmese, Bangladeshis, SriLankan Tamils and Tibetans. My friend,Sopa, from our refugee camp in
ROOM FOR HOPEKollegal, Karnataka, fought in the KargilWar. Two soldiers on either side of himwere shot in their heads, and when thesurvivors were being decorated in Delhi,Indian soldiers were photographed withthe President, while medals for Tibetanswere pinned by an officer in the top floorroom.
Rooms. We love rooms, bigger thebetter. That’s what we live in, becauseHOME is a sacred dream reserved for somedistant future, but, inevitably coming,because our Dalai Lama says so. Even ourexile government staff live in rooms. Whenher boyfriend moves in, they set up akitchen against one of the walls. Otherwalls are for books, clothes, a TV set andof course a door and a window. When shegets pregnant it becomes home, and thenwe all join the house-warming party. Ourrooms are decorated with protest slogansand photos of bullet-ridden martyrs. Welive in India, but our hearts are in Tibet.We are neither here nor there.
I grew up imagining homeland, a
glorious return, but realize home is herewhere the struggle is, The Struggle is theHome. Tibetans make an annual pilgrimage.It’s not to Bodh Gaya or Benares, it’s to thelocal police station to seek an extension tostay in India for another year, a must for allTibetans above 18, whether you came fromTibet in 1959, are born in India, or a celebrityescapee from Tibet in recent years. Noexception. No one is above the law. Showyour face and get the privilege.
Lobsang got a job as a waiter in Sweden,excited, he packed for a two-year stint. Atthe last moment, just before his flight, theDelhi emigration officer said he has noclearance from the local police station. At2am he had masala chai for 60 rupees at theairport and came back to Dharamsala. Goanywhere, be a tourist in Kerala orRajasthan, pretend that you are a native inthe North East.
We were promised a dreamland fromchildhood, the world’s most beautifulcountry and its snowy mountains and riversfeed one sixth of the world’s population.We are brave people, we fight violence withnonviolence; our people in Tibet fight
Contact Magazine 2 March 2011Mob : 98161-50326 / www.yogatribe.org
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Contact Magazine 3 March 2011
On February 24th, US Ambassador toIndia Timothy J. Roemer came to visitsH.H the Dalai Lama and for the first time,the US ambassador came to the seat ofthe Tibetan government-in-exile inDharamsala.
The meeting took place at the officialresidence of the Tibetan leader in themorning.
One of the main purposes of his visitwas to inaugurate a new reception centrefor Tibetan refugees.
The closed-door talks between the twomen lasted an hour and several importantissues were discussed and particularly theissue of dialogue between China and theDalai Lama’s representatives which cameto a standstill since January last year.
Timothy J. Roemer said he had “verygood discussions” with the Dalai Lamaand “will continue to have this veryproductive, engaging and very fruitfuldialogue in the months and in the yearsto come.” Source: yahoo.news.india
US Ambassador Envoy meetsH.H the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj
Contact Magazine 4 March 2011
(continued from page 1)at Indiana University while serving as H.Hthe Dalai Lama’s US representative. In1979, he founded the Tibetan-MongolianBuddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington,a center devoted to preserving Tibetanculture and religion.
He wrote a number of books andlectured about Tibetan situation atseminars around the world. In 1995; heco-founded the International TibetIndependence Movement (ITIM) andbegan the ‘freedom walk’. He has ledthree walks for Tibetan Independence. Hedied in 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana.
His work for Tibet inspired his sonJigme Norbu who had joined severalwalks for freedom all over the world. Hecarried on the works of his father.
Jigme has completed more than 21walks and bike rides and altogether hascompiled over 7800 miles both in theUnited States and overseas for Tibet.Two weeks ago, Jigme Norbu was inFlorida for a 500km ‘walk for Peace’ whichwas scheduled to star t the 14 th ofFebruary on Valentine’s Day to end inWest Palm Beach, Florida.The fellow walkers ended the walk on Feb.26th.
Since the announcement of his death,several tributes have been organized.In Taiwan, where Jigme conducted Walkfor Peace last December, fr iendsremembered him as ‘selfless and strong-willed’ (source: Taipei Times)
In Washington, The Capital AreaTibetan Association (CATA) held aprayer service for Jigme Norbu on feb15.(Source: International Campaign forTibet)
In New-York, Tibetans and supporters
in New York City held a prayer sessionon feb15 to mourn and pay respects tolate Jigme Norbu. The prayer wasorganized by the New York and NewJersey chapter of the Tibetan YouthCongress. Meanwhile, Tibetans in thegreater Boston area also held a prayersession at the Kurukulla center on feb16.(Source: Phayul.com)
The Tibetan Mongolian BuddhistCultural Center in Bloomington, Indianaissued a statement on feb16 expressingdeep regret about his tragic death.
In Dharamsala, Tibetan exilecommunity, several hundred peoplegathered at the main Buddhist temple inIndia’s Hiamalayan town of McLeod Ganjlast Wednesday (Feb16) to combine theirvoices in prayer following the tragicdeath of Tibetan activist and freedomfighter and hero Jigme Norbu.Throughout the ceremony cups of teaand Tibetan bread were distributed by
monks and volunteersto the chanting crowd,while the traditionalwhite scarves were laidin the temple over thestatue of the Buddha.The Tibetan YouthCongress (TYC), thelargest pro-i n d e p e n d e n c eorganization in theTibetan community inexile, organized theprayer service (Source:Tibet Post).
On the walk, hereportedly carried a signwhich read “FOR
WORLD PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS, andTIBETAN INDEPENDENCE.”
Jigme’s message would be: ‘be kind toeach other, bring peace with yourpresence, claim your freedom and use itfor good, and please support Tibetans toreturn to a peaceful life of dignity andindependence.”
copyrightphoto:AP
copyright photo:AP
photo:thefirstpost .co.uk
Prayers in McLeod Ganj’s main temple
DharamsalaCommunity
Library free library service
book and magazines
Daily 9am to 6pmSunday closedNear Gu Chu Sum,
Jogibara Road.McLeod Ganj,Dharamsala
photo:getty images
Contact Magazine 5 March 2011
Rishi Yoga Centre
Teacher Shivam has been practicing yoga and meditation forthe last 18 years. Shivam has been teaching different methodsof yoga such as Hatha, Kundalini, Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga.
He has taught in Europe,UK, New York and India.Fluent in English, French and Spanish.CONTACT: Shivam. Phone: 0981 656 5138
On 5 March 2011 the Tibetan year of2138 will officially begin. Celebrationsbegin 1 March in Mcleod Ganj and willcontinue until 15 March. TheseCelebrations vary from region to regionin Tibet. Monasteries celebrate byenacting a protector deities' puja (ritual)to begin preparations for Losar. ManyTibetans celebrate with dancing, makingguthuk and other special dishes, andgather to be with their friends and family.The last day of the year is a time to cleanand prepare for the approaching NewYear. In the monasteries it is a day ofpreparations. The finest decorations areput up and elaborate offerings are madecalled "Lama Losar". Celebrations ofLosar are designed to bring peace,prosperity and bounty in the coming year.
2138 will bring with it these traditionalcelebrations neglected in 2009, andmuffled in 2010. Tibetans in McLeod Ganjdecided to boycott Losar in 2009 due tothe violence enacted against Tibetanprotesters in March 2008, when Tibeterupted in protest following the 49thanniversary of the Tibetan Uprising of1959. The Chinese crackdowns onprotesters resulted in the reported deathsof a hundred people. This was also theyear that marked the 60th anniversary ofthe Chinese invasion of Tibet and 50years of Chinese occupation of Tibet andthe exile of its government. The followingyear it was important to Tibetans tocommunicate that they did not intend togive up their traditions and culture toChinese repression, but that they wouldnot be bribed into celebrating either. Theystruck a balance between celebration andobservance in performing the traditionalpujas associated with the Tibetan NewYear, but did not participate in itstraditional recreational activities. Thereforelast year’s celebrations were muted.
This year Losar is to be celebrated infull force in McLeod Ganj as His Holinessthe Dalai Lama is giving teachings andmany businesses and NGO’s arescheduled to shut down for the muchanticipated holiday. His Holiness willdeliver his annual political statement onthe commemoration of the 52ndAnniversary of the Tibetan NationalUprising Day in the morning in front of
Losar is Celebratedin McLeod Ganj after Recent Years of Protest
the Main Tibetan Temple on 10 March2011.On March 14 & 15 His Holiness willgive two-day teachings on The FourNoble Truths at the Main Tibetan Temple,and on March 19 His Holiness will give ashort teaching from the Jataka Tales inthe morning also located at theMain Tibetan Temple.Tibetans will celebrate thisyear of female iron hare boththrough spiritual observance,hearing teachings, andcelebrating the beginning ofwhat is hoped to be a happynew year, with dancing,feasting, and celebrating whatit is to be Tibetan.”This year,many Tibetans are planning to observeLosar for one reason only: because weare Tibetan. We will speak Tibetanlanguage, wear Tibetan dress, andobserve Tibetan customs, thusstrengthening our identity and our spirit.Through this observance we will findnew courage and opportunities toadvance our struggle. In observing Losar
with family and friends, Tibetans will reachfor happiness, which, as much assuffering, is an integral part of a freedommovement.” Writes Tenzin Dorjee,Executive Director, SFT and LhadonTethong, Director, Tibet Action Institute.
Losar traditionallytakes place during theflowering of the apricot trees,as a sign of hope, prosperityand a bountiful new year forthe farming communities ofTibet. In recent years, TibetanRefugees have sufferedviolations of human rights,been victims of naturaldisasters, and seen the fiftieth
year of Chinese Occupation come and gowithout realizing their dream ofIndependence. Perhaps this year Losar canbring renewed hope, in the face of strife,just as those first flowers bloom despitethe harshness of winter. Enjoy whicheverway you choose to celebrate Losar andhere’s to an auspicious year of 2138.
Contact Magazine 6 March 2011
photo:rtycminnesota.org
Prior to 1959, when China took control ofTibet, the political system within thecentral Asian nation was rootedpredominantly in their spiritual values.
Following the Chinese invasion, H.H theDalai-Lama fled to India where he set inmotion a process to limit his owntemporal authority while at the same timepolitically empowering the Tibetanpeople. In January 1960, H.H the DalaiLama announced a program to establishan Assembly of elected officials thatwould not only represent the Tibetanpopulation in exile but also all Tibetansstill living in occupied Tibet. Electionswere duly held and the first Assembly ofMembers took office on September 2,1960.Since then, 12 similar Assemblies havebeen formed.
The process of democratizationaccelerated in 1990 when the assemblygrew from 12 to 46 members and electedministers (Kalons) for the first time.Further advances were made in 2001when the position of Prime Minister(Kalon Tripa) was elected by universalsuffrage. Professor Samdhong Rinpocheran unchallenged in both the 2001 and2006 elections cycles.
This is the Central Tibetan Administration(CTA).
Today, there is only one political party inDharamsala, created in 1994. It is theNational Democratic Party of Tibet andwas founded by the Tibetan YouthCongress, the largest Tibetan non-governmental organization.
On March 20th 2011, Tibetans will electtheir new Kalon Tripa, making him the 3rd
Prime Minister in the history of theTibetan government in exile.
Tibetan will elect their new Kalon TripaThe 3 candidates are Lobsang Sangay,Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and TashiWangdi.The members of the 15th TibetanParliament are also elected, the parliamenthas 47 members and 94 candidates.
Last October, the candidate LobsangSangay led the race for Prime Minister toTenzin Namgyal Tethong and TashiWangdi.
Currently, 79,111 Tibetans have registeredto vote in the preliminary round inOctober and 3300 voters have beenregistered since last October.More than 82,000 Tibetans are called tovote with the majority residing in India,Nepal and Bhutan. The rest of thecommunity lives in the northern states ofAmerica, in countries throughoutWestern Europe, Australia and variousother countries.
The election results will be announcedon April 27.The mandate of the outgoing firstminister Samdhong Rinpoche isscheduled to end next August 14th andthe Prime Minister should come intooffice the next day.
Brief presentation of the threecandidates:
Kalon Tripa 2011 candidates
L O B S A N GSANGAY
“Unity, Innovation and Self-Reliance keyto Tibetan movement’s survival andsustenance”. Dr Lobsang Sangay
Lobsang Sangay is a Tibetan lawyer andan expert specialist in Tibet, andinternational law on human rights.He received an education in Tibetan
refugee school in Darjeeling and receivedhis Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Artsfrom Delhi University in India. LobsangSangay received his Doctorate in Lawand Master of Laws from HarvardUniversity. He is currently a researchfellow at the East Asian Legal StudiesProgram at Harvard Law School.
Quote:“If given the privilege and honor to serveHis Holiness the Dalai Lama and theTibetan people, I will be guided by thethree principles of unity, innovation, andself-reliance. Unity as the foundation,innovation as the process, and self-reliance to sustain the movement and toguide us in restoring freedom in Tibet.”Source:wikipedia-kalontripafortibet.org
T E N Z I NN A M G Y A LTETHONG
E x p e r i e n c e ,Integrity, Vision,Innovation
copyrightphoto:TenzinTethong-rangzen.net
Tenzin Namgyal Tenzin Tethong or‘Tethong’ is a Tibetan politician. Hecurrently teaches in the Department ofHistory at Stanford University where heis Distinguished Fellow for the pulpitTibetan Studies Initiative.It started its activities within the Tibetancommunity in exile as a student andteacher in the first school of Tibetanrefugees in Mussoorie. In 1967, he joinedthe Department of Education as asecretary and translator.It was representative of the Dalai Lama inNew York between 1973 and 1986 and hisspecial representative in Washingtonbetween 1987 and 1990.In 1990 he was one of three ministerselected by a special congress of Tibetansin exile in Dharamsala, officials fromvarious ministries (economy, internal,international relations and Prime Minister)for 5 years. He was Prime Minister ofTibetan government from 1993 to 1996.
copyright:2011campaign.ndp4t ibet.org
Contact Magazine 7 March 2011
Quote:The cause of Tibet, truly much greaterand more significant than ourindividual lives, will surely outlive us all and beultimately redeemed.”
Tashi Wangdi is the representative of the14th Dalai Lama in France and Europesince January 2009 after its representativein America between 16 April 2005 and late2008. Since 1966 he has worked for theTibetan government in exile. He wasminister of the most important ministries,including Ministry of Information andInternational Relations, Education,religion and culture, safety, and health.Tashi Wangdi has been a representativeof the Dalai Lama with the Indiangovernment in New Delhi.
Quote:“We seek a solution within the frameworkof the Chinese Constitution to ameaningful autonomy,” said TashiWangdi on the status of his government.“Until we can achieve this goal, we dohave a government in exile with a charter-a Constitution. Under this charter, HisHoliness is actually the head of the stateand the Prime Minister is the head thegovernment.”
Source: wikipedia - nextkalontripa.com
This is the first time that an electioncampaign is conducted. There have beendiscussions organized by differentgroups and organizations, followedclosely by the Tibetans.We can see here a new step towardsdemocracy.
The peoples’ choice of their next leaderwill have monumental significance. Whileensuring close ties are maintained withlocal Tibetans and their cultural identity,
the new leader must also promote thevital importance of human rights andthe ongoing process ofdemocratization.
Chinese guns with their prayers andmilitant hope to change Chinese mindswith Buddhism. As an activist I tryGandhi, Dalai Lama is too complicated; Ikeep my guru in my heart, but functionwith Gandhi from my head.
In 2008, when protests against theBeijing Olympics raged in India, I wasarrested in Kullu. The reason? I hadn’tregistered my departure from Dharamsala.I was locked up for 11 days, with extendeddetention for 14 days in Dharamsala,watched over by two old moustachioedpolicemen. Now even the CommonwealthGames are over, the Cricket World Cup ishere, and still I have to appear for courtcases the police have no interest inpursuing. After the recent High courtruling, Tibetans born in India are eligiblefor Indian citizenship following NamgyalDolkar’s example. When my Indianuniversity friend recently pleaded withme to get rid of all my court cases andlegal hassles, I said: “I am Indian, perhapsmore Indian than you. Why do I need acertificate for that?”
(continued on page 1)
image: songtsen.org
Origin
During the 7th Century AD SongstemGampo (569-649AD), the 33rd king ofthe Yarlung Dynasty of southern Tibetand the first Emperor of Tibet, sentThonmi Sambhota, one of his ministers,to India to gather information onBuddhism. The minister then reputedlydevised a script for Tibetan based onthe Devanagari model and also wrote agrammar of Tibetan based on Sanskritgrammars.
The new Tibetan alphabet was used towrite Tibetan translations of Buddhiststexts. The first Sanskrit-Tibetandictionary, Mahavyutpatti, appeared inthe 9th century. Wood block printing,introduced from China, was used inTibet from an early date and is still usedin a few monasteries.
Tibetan literature is mainly concernedwith Buddhist themes and includesworks translated from Sanskrit andChinese and original Tibetan works.There are also literary works about theBon religion, a pre-Buddhist religionindigenous to Tibet. The most unusualgenre of Tibetan literature is that of gter-ma or 'rediscovered' texts - reputedlythe work of ancient masters which havebeen hidden in remote caves for manycenturies.
Notable features
* The Tibetan alphabet is syllabic,like many of the alphabets of India
and South East Asia. Each letter hasan inherent vowel /a/. Other vowelscan be indicated using a variety ofdiacritics which appear above or
below the main letter.
* Syllables are separated by a dot.
* Consonant clusters are writtenwith special conjunct letters.
Learn about theTibetan language
Losar Greetings:Happy Losar - ‘Losar Tashi Delek’
Happy New Year - ‘Losar Sang’
Losar Greetings - ‘Kham Sang’(www.omniglot.com)
Contact Magazine 8 March 2011
- Map #3
TraditionalTibetan Soft Dolls
For play or decoration!Individually handcrafted and filled
with pure, local sheep wool.Tamana Shop,
Jogiwara Rd, or visit our workshop.Contact: 981 637 4389
We specialize in Mongolian Pashmina,Silk Pashmina, Ladakhi Wool, purePashmina, Silk Angoora, Yak Wool,Pure Wool Shawls &Kullu Shawls.Deals in semi-precious & precious
stones jewelry.Wholesale and retail available
We are open 7 days a week: Mon - SundayPlease visit in Bhagsu Nag near taxi stand at
Losar (TibetanNew Year)March 5 Losar is theTibetan New Year,a time for familyand friends togather together andwelcome the NewYear. People wish each other goodluck and hope for peace andprosperity and making resolutions forthe coming year.
10 March 1959 :Tibetans rebelagainst ChineseforcesOn this day in 1959,Tibetans band together in revolt,surrounding the summer palace of the DalaiLama in defiance of Chinese occupationforces. China’s occupation of Tibet begannearly a decade before, in October 1950,when troops from its People’s LiberationArmy (PLA) invaded the country, barelyone year after the Communists gained fullcontrol of mainland China.
Teachings inDharamsala,H.P., India onMarch 14 &15 His Holinesswill give two-day teachings at therequest of a group of Thais.
Teachings in Dharamsala, H.P.,India on March 19 His Holiness will give a short teachingfrom the Jataka Tales in the morning.
Holi (The Festival of Colours)March 19Holi was originally a spring fertilityand harvest festival. Nowadays, it ismore a celebration of life, and is avery lively celebration that is fun forall participants. Holi is celebrated onlast full moon of the month of
MarchEvents Calendar
Phalguna (in February orMarch).Bonfires are lit on the nightof the full moon to rid the air of evilspirits. On the next morning, theparticipants smear each other withpaint, and throw colored water anddye in the air and at each other.Duringthe festival of Holi there are nodistinctions of caste, class, age, orgender. After all, who can tell peoleapart when they are daubed with paint?
HOME STAYLha can arrange accommodationwith local Tibetan famlies,breakfast and dinner included.The Homestay program is provided byLha to directly benefit the daily life of
Tibetan refugee families.
LOCATION: Lha Office,Temple Rd, main market
PHONE: 220 992
Contact Magazine 9 March 2011
Ayuskam Health CareLOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place,near Bhagsu taxi stand and near TibetanHotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod GanjMOBILE: 9805928923/9736211210WEBSITE: www.ayuskama.comLha Tibetan
Cooking SchoolLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 220 992HOURS: Registration from 9am-11am, See pg 3.
Naam Art GalleryLOCATION: Main Road Sidhbari DharamsalaMOBILE: 9816043708
Tibet MuseumLOCATION: Near the Main Temple and theNamgyal Monastery gate, McLeod GanjHOURS: 9am-5pm, Tue-Sun
Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Yearsof Struggle and OppressionLOCATION: Gu-Chu-Sum hall on Jogiwara Rd,next to the Lung-ta Japanese RestaurantHOURS: 2am-5pm on Mon, Wed and Fri
Music ClassesKailash Tribal Music SchoolAll kinds of Indian Traditional instrumentsWEB: www.musictribe.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near Green ShopHOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]
Library of Tibetan Works & ArchivesLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, betweenMcLeod Ganj and Lower DharamsalaHOURS: 9-10am, 11-noon and 3-4pmPHONE: 222 467
Public Audience with HH KarmapaCONTACT: Cheme ChoegyalLOCATION: SidhpurHOURS: 2.30pm, Wed and SatPHONE: 9816315336DETAILS: www.kagyuoffice.org
experienced teacherBeginner, intermediate and advanced
Contact: Om Yoga Meditation CentreKetan Lodge, Jogiwara Road.
Tel. 9816494732www.omyogaindia.com
Indian Cooking ClassesLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to TibetanAshoka GuesthouseHOURS: 10am-6pmPHONE: 941 813 0119EMAIL: [email protected]
Lhamo’s Kitchen, Tibetan Cooking ClassesLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green ShopPHONE: 981 646 8719HOURS: 8am-9pm
Nisha’s Indian Cooking ClassLOCATION: Hotel Lotus Leaf, Jogiwara RdHOURS: Classes from 4-6pmEMAIL: [email protected]
Sangye’s Kitchen Tradit ionalTibetan Cooking C lassesRecommended by Lonely planetLOCATION:Lung-ta Restaurant, below theTashi Choeling Monastery on Jogiwara RdHOURS:10am-12pm and 4-6pmPHONE: 981 616 4540EMAIL: [email protected]
Ayuskam Health CareLOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place,near Bhagsu taxi stand and near TibetanHotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod GanjMOBILE: 9805928923/9736211210WEBSITE: www.ayuskama.com
Dr. Sant Marwah ClinicLOCATION: in front of Main TempleHOURS: 9:30am-6:30pmPHONE: 221 106, 98160 21106
(continued on page 10)
D . C . A .NEW ATTRACTION IN TOWN:
BOWLING ALLEYIS NOW OPEN
POOL AND VIDEO GAMESFrom the bus stop construction site, take thestaircase all the way down to basement 2.
BASEMENT 2, NEW BUS STAND(BELOW BUS STAND),
MCLEODGANJ - Map #28CONTACT Ramesh @ 9218037006
Contact Magazine 10 March 2011
M AS S AG E
Lha Healing Oil Massage Courses &TreatmentLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 220 992HOURS: Registration from 9am-11am, See pg 3.Jannat AyurvedaLOCATION: Akash Hotel, down Jogiwara Rd,next to the Lung-ta Japanese RestaurantPHONE: 981 654 6243
Kailash Tribal School with Yogi SivadasWEB: www.yogatribe.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the GreenShop - Map #6HOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]
Nature Cure Health ClubLOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka,Jogiwara RdPHONE: 941 813 0119EMAIL: [email protected]
Shiatsu & Swedish MassageLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 220 992See ad pg 3.
Traditional Thai MassageLOCATION: Opposite the Govt. Tourist Infor-mation Centre, Hotel Surya RdPHONE: 981 633 9199EMAIL: [email protected]
LA NGU AG ES
HEALTH SERVICES
Kumar Ayurvedic and PanchkarmaLOCATION: Hotel Surya Rd, opposite theTourism Informations CentrePHONE: 941 824 9399OURS: 10am-2pm and 2:30-7pmMaanav Health ClinicLOCATION: Main SquareHOURS: 10am-12:30pm and 2-5pmPHONE: 941 815 5795EMAIL: [email protected]
Post OfficeThe McLeod Ganj Post Office is located onLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace CafeHOURS: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri;9:30am-noon, Sat.PHONE: 221 924Parcels and money orders can besent in the mornings only.
Bus Schedule* Times and prices may vary.
Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.
LEAVING FROM THE MCLEOD GANJ BUS STAND, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:DELHI: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs330) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs355) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1035) AC TATA: 8:30pm (Rs840)
FOR BOOKINGS:LOCATION: ticket stand under McLLo’s, main squareHOURS: 10am-6pm, dailyPHONE: 221750
For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.
TAXISA private taxi to Lower
Dharamsala will cost youRs150. Cram into a jeep(from the bus stand), andit’ll only cost you Rs10.
Esoteric Meditation CenterKailash Tribal School with Yogi SivadasWEB: www.yogatribe.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop- Map #6HOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]
Himalayan Retreat CenterOffers meditation, as well as guided camp-ing tours & health services.PHONE: 981 612 2372LOCATION: Off Jogiwara Rd, near the Lung-taJapanese Restaurant
Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki CentreSee the Yoga & Reiki section.
by the Lonely PlanetVisit us for: Swedish massage courses
and treatment, Zen Shiatsu courses andtreatment, reflexology treatment, SPAand Singing Bowl Treatment, steambaths,
sauna and mud baths.Our teacher has had experience teaching in Israel.
Drop-in Yoga Class at LhaLOCATION: Temple RoadPHONE: 220992
Himalayan Iyengar Yoga CentreLOCATION: Dharamkot, on the footpath to Bhagsu - Map #5EMAIL: [email protected]: www.hiyogacentre.com
Kailash Tribal School with Yogi SivadasLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green Shop- Map #6WEB: www.yogatribe.orgHOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]
The Mountain Cleaners is a volun-tary organization founded in April 2009by Jodie Underhill who have success-
fully set up a waste management system atthe popular trekking destination Triund.You can help Jodie and the Mountain
Around Town: Helping OutANIMAL RESCUE
Dharamsala Dog RescueWe are in urgent need of vet volunteers,animal experts and sponsors. We are in im-mediate need of sponsors for two paraly-sed dogs that need a home, wheelchair,monthly food and medicine. Please contactus if you see an injured/sick dog. Anythingyou can do is appreciated.WEB: www.hnsindia.orgLOCATION: Behind the District Court Complexon Chilgari St, Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 981 622 0841EMAIL: [email protected]
Rogpa Community Free Tibetan BabyCare Centre was created in order to helplow-income, Tibetan families become self-sufficient and independent by providingfree child care so that the parents can goout and work.The Centre provides care, art time, gamesand fun for Tibetan refugee children frominfancy to three years. Volunteer require-ments: a love of infants, a minimum commit-ment of 15 days, a willingness to do hardwork (there are lots of diapers to bechanged!) and a desire to create and main-tain a fun atmosphere.LOCATION: Rogpa office (near TibetanAshoka Hotel, Jogiwara Rd)HOURS: 9am-1:30-5:00pm.PHONE: 981 665 9549EMAIL: [email protected]
PUBLICATION
Contact MagazineSubmit a single piece or become a steadycorrespondent of this local, grassrootspublication. Contact needs volunteers towrite, proofread and edit copy and work ongraphic design.Volunteers needed, especiallythose with a knowledge of Photoshop.CONTACT: Lobsang Rabsel at the Lha office,Temple Road.PHONE: 981 615 5523EMAIL: [email protected]
Volunteer language teachers, for both long-and short-term placements, are needed forquality education in Mcleod Ganj:
Gu-Chu-Sum provides support for ex-po-litical prisoners and their families. It alsoorganises campaigns for the release ofcurrent political prisoners.Gu-Chu-Sum School needs volunteers forits English conversation classes and tutor-ing sessions from 6pm onwards, Mon- Fri.LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, downstairs Lung-taJapanese RestaurantHOURS: 4:30-6:30pmPHONE: 220 680EMAIL: [email protected]
Tibet Hope Center is a registered NGOstarted by two Tibetans to support thenewcomers from Tibet.We run a conversation class where ourstudents can practice their English, andwe are in constant need of conversationpartners. They love to ask questionsabout your life and exchange ideas onmany topics.Think Globally, Act LocallyWEB: www.tibethopecenter.orgLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, behind Gu-Chu-SumHOURS: 4:30-5:45pm, daily, and we evenhave a campfire every evening!PHONE: 981 637 3889EMAIL: [email protected]
works with Indian com-munit ies l iv ing in
poverty toward a healthy and sustainablefuture.Needed urgently: volunteer primary teach-ers and assistants for maths, English andart, as well as nurses and health workers.CONTACT: Tashi LhamoLOCATION: Top floor, Bank of Baroda oppo-site art gallery, Kotwali Bazar, DharamsalaPHONE: 981 608 1562, 223 930EMAIL: [email protected]
TUTORS & CLASS ASSISTANTS
Lha Donation CenterAccepting donations of all kinds: clothing, sleep-ing bags, books, school supplies, office sup-plies, medical supplies, used laptops, finan-cial assistance... Donations are clearly recordedand distributed to those in need, both Tibetanand Indian. Lha is a registered non-profit,social service organisation. See advert on pg 3.
Tong-LenDonations welcomed: medical supplies, sta-tionary, books, toys and children’s clothing.LOCATION: Top floor, Bank of Baroda oppositethe art gallery Kotwali Bazar, DharamsalaPHONE: 981 608 1562, 223 930
DONATIONS
Volunteer TibetYou’re motivated to share your timeand assist organisations in the Tibetancommunity. Even if you’re j us t
passingthrough Dharamsala, there are stillmany ways to donate your time & make adifference.
Women’s Team Volunteers required to teachIndian women computer/English skills. For moreinformation visit [email protected] mobile 09817515123
For a full list of volunteer opportunities,bothlong- and short-term, please contact us:
The Active NonviolenceEducation Center (ANEC)facilitates trainings, workshopsand open forum discussions onnonviolent strategies to help
resolve disagreements and differences atall levls of human society.As part of our General Outreach Program,ANEC welcomes volunteers from westerncountries to participate in informal paneldiscussions on ideas and views of regionaland global peace and nonviolent strategies.Free lunch and tea for volunteers.WEB: www.anec.org.inLOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, KhajanchiMohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 941 809 4476, 941 898 7745EMAIL: [email protected]
Learning and Ideas for Tibet (L.I.T.) isa non-profit organization that needs arange of volunteers interested in theTibetan movement and communityeducation.CONTACT: LaurenPHONE: 941 879 4218L O C AT I O N : Jogiwara Rd, near the KoreanRestaurant
Lha Community Social Work fostersprojects for the benefit and enrichment ofthe local community.We provide a library, English and Frenchclasses, computer training, medicalassistance programmes, environmentalprogrammes and clothing distribution toneedy Tibetans and Indians, in addition tosupporting construction and renovationprojects. See ad pg 3.WEB: www.lhaindia.orgLOCATION: Temple Rd, across from StateBank of IndiaHOURS: 9am-noon and1-5pm, Mon-FriPHONE: 220 992
Nyingtob Ling (‘Realm of Courage’) helpssupport Tibetan children from disadvan-taged families.The children work hard at making delightfulhandicrafts and paintings. They are sofriendly and LOVE visitors!LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, SidhpurPHONE: 0189 224 6366, 981 685 1841EMAIL: [email protected]
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
A N E C
The Clean Upper Dharamshala Projectwas founded in 1994 to provide awaste management system in andaround McLod Ganj. The GreenWorkers, the Handmade Recycled
Paper Factory, the Green Shop and theEnvironmental Education Centre are part ofthe Clean Upper Daramshala Project. Joinus for the weekly guided tour on Wednes-days at 3 pm at the office of CUDP!
