By Tsering Namgyal
Minneapolis, Minnesota – In continuation of what has become an annual event of community giving, Tibetan community in Minneapolis served lunch to the underprivileged citizens on Saturday.
The organizers said the charity event is an aperitif to a series of activities aimed to celebrate the His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th birthday.
“It is a prelude to the week-long celebrations we are organizing for the His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th birthday on July 7 this year,” said Dr. Tsewang Ngodup, the president of Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM).
Ngodup said the TAFM the event, now in its second year, was inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s call to give back to the host community and will become an annual feature of the organization.
Tashi Tsanjhang, a director of the TAFM overseeing the meal service, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stressed the importance for Tibetan exilic community to not just be self-sufficient but also to extend help to the local community, particularly the underprivileged.
Tsanjhang said Westerners tend to like the food because they find it different. Volunteers prepared meat balls, spaghetti, chicken curry, rice and fruits in the morning on Saturday.
Those present at the venue, which is decorated by Tibetan prayer flags and a poster detailing a brief introduction to Tibetan culture, appeared pleased with the ambience.
“The curry was not overpowering. It is not as strong as what they make it here. Everything tasted good,” said Eddy, 53.
TAFM had two more events on Saturday: father’s day celebration and a scholarship contest for high school students.
The week-long celebration, from July 2nd to July 6th, would include inter-state cultural performances, featuring groups from Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota, men’s Pawo Thupten Ngodup Memorial Tournament; men and women’s basketball tournament; a mega-concert ,and several dance parties. It is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of Tibetans in the US.
With about 3,000 Tibetans, Minnesota has the second-largest Tibetan community in the United States, after the New York-New Jersey area.
