Under the blue dusty makeshift tent in the Mcleod Square, Dharamsala, Ani Phuntsok Namdol sat huddled with dizziness and shiver from the Dhauladaur chill and the weakness from the 7 day fasting for Tulku Tenzin Deleks release from the Chinese prison. She was one of the four nuns from Dolmaling Nunnery who fasted for seven days during the Two months Relay Hunger Strike organized by Tibetan Youth Congress.
The 33-year-old nun from Kham arrived in India in 1996 and is presently pursuing her religious studies in Dolmaling Nunnery in Dharamsala. ” My brother was arrested by Chinese security forces in 1992 for participating in a demonstration in Lhasa and in 1998, his sentence was further extended for demonstrating inside prison, in the aftermath of Pawo Thupten Ngodups martyrdom in India. He was released from prison only recently”, said Ani Phuntsok Namdol
The sacrifices and the contributions of the monks and nuns in the Freedom struggle of Tibet portray vividly every other documentary film on Tibet. The very fact that a larger population languishing in prisons being monks and nuns speaks clear and loud their unmatched contributions to the cause. The story doesnt end there. The monks and nuns like Ani Ngawang Sangdol, Ven. Palden Gyatso and Kusho Bakdro and other former political prisoners continue to raise their voice for Tibet even in the exile.
In exile, Ani Phuntsok had had her share of service for the Tibetan cause, being a part of Peace March organised by TYC in 1997 from Dharamsala to Simla and the Peace March in 2000 and a Cycle rally from Calcutta to Mumbai in 2001 organized by SFT. And she was also the part of the Freedom March organized by TYC from Dhasa To Delhi last year. Yet Ani Phuntsok aspires to strive relentlessly for the cause saying, “I will always participate in any campaign until Tibet is free. For that end, I am even ready to lay down my life.”
Same story goes for the 31-year-old nun, Ani Thupten Donchung who arrived in India nine years back. She had also participated in the Peace March led by TYC Executives Karma Yeshi and Choekyong Wangchuk in 1999 and the Hunger Strike in 1998. Ani Thupten recounting her experience in freedom struggle in India said, “Despite my commitment to serve for Tibet from India-the land of freedom, I was utterly shocked when we (marchers) were detained by Indian Security forces in Pithoragarh from proceeding to Mt Kailash. I was brutally picked up and hauled into a police van by two policemen. That was a moment of shock, torment and humiliation I cannot erase from my mind”.
Ani Tenzin Tsomo, a 26 year old nun from Lithang fled to India in 1990 and wish to return to Tibet after the completion of her studies in a couple of years to preach Buddhism in Tibet. “If that couldnt be possible, I will continue to dedicate my life for our cause because our activities in India and abroad are very important and have been a cornerstone for the release of many political prisoners in Tibet. So TYC must continue to led us all in that direction.” said Ani Tsomo.
Sonam Dickey, 33-year old nun from U-tsang has been ordained when she was 15. In Tibet, she pasted pro-independence posters and leaflets in her monastery and on the third occasion, she was arrested and detained for 3 months. Later, though she was released, she was expelled from her nunnery, her familys houses and other properties were confiscated. She stayed in a village working in the fields for living. Even outside prison, she had to undergo daily political indoctrination sessions and harassment and was kept under surveillance for three years. ” The chinese officials even nationalized and commercialized the natural springs, hills and traditional houses in our place. And we have to pay to use them.” Ani Sonam further added, ” I have a poor health which often prevents me from participating in all political activities but I was able to take part in Peace March in 2000 and Hunger Strike in Delhi after the Pawo Thupten Ngodup’s martyrdom”.
Ani Phuntsok Namdol, Ani Tenzin Tsomo, Ani Thupten Donchung and Ani Sonam Dekyi sat on 7days fast to support the campaign to seek the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek from the Chinese prison. The four petite patriots are a part of 150 nuns from Dolmaling Nunnery who sat on 48 hours relay hunger strike for eight days.
Dolmaling Nunnery has 295 nuns including substantial number from Ladakh, Lahaul Spiti, Nepal, Taiwan, Korea, Australia and Russia. During the ongoing two months Relay Hunger Strike organized by Tibetan Youth Congress, several Ladakhi nuns including Tenzin Bhuti, Tenzin Lhadon, Jangchup Wangmo, Ngawang Dolma and Ngawang Wangmo sat on fast. Earlier during the Freedom March, a Ladakhi nun, Ani Sonam Dolkar joined her Dharma sisters to campaign for Tibet. Led by Head of the Nunnery, Geshe Rinzin Chodak and Gegu( Disciplinarian) Ani Tenzin Choedon, Dolmaling nuns, like Jamyang Choling Nunnery etc, were ever supportive of the campaigns for a Free Tibet organized by Tibetan NGOs in India. The dedications of these petite patriots deserve our recognition and attention so that they may not remain Unsung forever.
