Tibetans have over the past several weeks responded to the Tsunami victims through different humanitarian actions to express their deep concern and support. Especially, major efforts were channelized in the alleviation of the suffering of the Indian brothers affected by the disaster in South India.
In Dharamsala, a 2 day-long Mega Charity Show was organized by the Tibetan Youth Congress
to raise funds for the Tsunami victims. The show staged on the 14th and 15th January was performed by volunteer artistes from Delhi, Chandigarh, Sarah and Dharamsala including popular singer cum comedian Michael (Tenzin Gyalpo), JJI Exile Brothers, Gonpo of TIPA, RTYC Chandigarh, Sarah College students, Longsho Group, Jamyang of “Born Refugee”, Kalsang of “Snow-Lion Band” and Dhasa Guys.
The show featured an exotic variety of presentations such as traditional Tibetan and Ladakhi song and dances, Rock music, Western and Bollywood song and dance items and Jokes. The fact that most of the Tibetans being out of station on sweater business didn’t affect the flow of audience thronging the auditorium to watch the show. The greatness of the cause attracted even the foreign tourists who donated funds in hundreds for the bereaved families.
The Mega Charity Show has Former Kalon Tripa, Mr Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Former President of TYC, Mr Lhasang Tsering, gracing the occasion, as the Chief Guests. Besides enjoying the show, the Guests and the audiences alike made generous donations to support the victims of the Tsunami. “I feel extremely honored to be a part of this wonderful cause. As an individual, even if we think of doing something for our bereaved Indian brothers, it is, of course hard. So when TYC invited me to perform for this show, I felt it my responsibility to do my bid and pay back India for all they have done for us”, said Tenzin Gyalpo alais Michael. The 2-day Charity Show was anchored articulously by Michael with a constant dose of witticism and humor and lively presentations. The artistes also gave classic performances, swinging gracefully and alluring audience along the music and the sacred cause.
Namgyal Monastery and TYC will be conducting a relief campaign and adopt a village 40kms north off Chennai city. The funds raised from the Mega Charity Show will be used for the same purpose. A team of 10 volunteers led by Mr Sherab Woeser, International Secretary, Tibetan Youth Congress, along with another team of monks from Namgyal Monastery led by Kusho Trinley has traveled to the village, which was found severely devastated by the Tsunami waves and which sadly remain neglected, with no relief supports whatsoever from any quarter. Former TYC Centrex and currently Namgyal Monastery’s Administrator Kusho Trinley and Ex-Centrex, Jamyang Choephel has earlier traveled to the devastated area and made a preliminary survey. They found the village in grave and appalling conditions and decided to adopt the village and conduct the reconstruction work.
Consequently, a joint campaign was coordinated for this humanitarian cause and the action plan formulated that includes erecting new tents for the 300 odd families of fishermen, arrangement of basic facilities, books and toys for the children, construction of a temporary school for the students and buying about 10-15 boats for the families to facilitate daily source of income and to enliven their occupation. The team and the efforts though small compared to the others, will nonetheless, contribute in making a great difference in the lives of the affected families and spur them ahead to start afresh with a renewed vigor and hope taking a cue from the Tibetan brothers who had suffered greater devastation in their lives and who still remain homeless and stateless. Detail reports on the progress of the rehabilitation and reconstruction campaign follows from the relief site.
