Fear that CTA thought they left behind

[Rowntree]

This paragraph particularly stood out for me because it describes accurately how Lobsang Sangay and his cronies at the CTA works: Our leaders (supposedly democratically-elected) at the helm, instead of sandbagging the broken levees of trust here in India, where the functioning government in exile in CTA is trenched up, are busy touring the Western Hemisphere thanking them for decades of candy help, meeting senators and congressmen, parliamentarians, and policy makers, lobbying for the same things that they have been hypocritically promised for the past many decades.

This article is written by a Tibetan who has observed enough and decided to voice out his views on the failing CTA. I think he has given the CTA enough chance for them to do something for the Tibetans in the past 60 years but we all know the reality as to how the author put it: It Fear, that our people thought they had left behind, knocks ever closer in our home away from home.

Fear they thought they left behind

By Ugyen Gyalpo
WOODSIDE, NY, US, 25 July 2018

It hasn’t been easy for the Tibetans in India or Nepal these past few years in expressing their political stance and aspirations bestowed under the skies of a free society.

Although no refugee has seen the kind of genuine unconditional hospitality that Tibetans had been given for over half a century by our historical neighbor in India, a neighbor unlike any, from where most of the jewels of our civilization had been garnered, be it the quest of our spiritual awakening through Buddhism prior to our shamanic world or be it incorporating their rich ancient scripts and languages.

Yet with the ever-changing political dynamics of the world, and China’s indomitable rise and wielded clout, coupled with the changing, and I should also stress often confused, political aspirations of the Tibetan people, led by the beleaguered CTA succumbed into its own eternal internal turmoil, we have witnessed India’s slowly-evaporating brotherly love from the simmering pot of diplomatic fallout emanating from that flashed-out covert secretive mission by a Tibetan emissary to China, inadvertently keeping India out of the loop last year that had caused colossal mistrust within the Indian politburo until now.

We have also seen stricter surveillance on his movements as well as unfounded suspicions of His Holiness the Karmapa, with unfounded inquisitiveness of the Indian government as to whether the HH Karmapa would actually return to India as a result.

Tibet has been a thorny issue in China-India bilateral relations ever since His Holiness was given refuge. India has much to lose if Tibet is ever given genuine autonomy, or if China reclaims all of Tibet as based on the McMahon line.

India’s recent snubbing of the Tibet issue and of Dalai-Lama-related programmes and events are evidence of their intentional and well-calibrated withdrawal. The only way we Tibetans can earn back India’s hitherto undeniable moral support and trust is if we vehemently change our political course to that of reclaiming total independence. This would reshape the paradigm of where we stand as refugees in the eyes of the Indian government, and where our ultimate goal lies.

Tibet’s evaporating political stance of Independence as opposed to the Middle-way approach has a lot of geo-political implications as far as the danger of redrawing the McMohan line is concerned. Few of the northern Indian territories that were once part of Tibet before 1949 and decisively asserted control by the newly-independent India could become a thorny territorial contest, should Tibet is awarded genuine autonomy and should His Holiness retrace his footsteps back to his homeland.

The often-avoided and heavily-feared scenario is that of China encroaching on the disputed northern borders with authority once the whole of proper Tibet that was independent before Chinese occupation becomes the newly-awarded Genuine Autonomous Region of Tibet as demanded by the CTA and His Holiness.

Even without realizing such a lifelong wish of the Dalai Lama, we have already faced skirmishes around Doklam and the Arunachal belt.

As if there weren’t enough destructive forces barraging us from outside, Tibetan society these few years starting from the election that first saw LS getting elected, the internal divisions based on regionalism, cronyism, and nepotism haven’t been more rampant and ruthless.

In actuality, more than China could have ever wished for, notwithstanding their efforts in poisoning our society, many organically-brewed hate sentiments fuelled on the grounds of regionalism took root that not only petrified the Tibetan spirit of unity but also shook the essence of unwavering faith that we had upon each other.

These days it is hard out to even identify who is who within the Tibetan community, and where their interest lies. Your very best friend could well be your enemy based on ideological differences. Twenty years ago, all Tibetans were one and we had just one enemy. But now we have so many organically-grown new enemies within — all of our own making.

Our leaders (supposedly democratically-elected) at the helm, instead of sandbagging the broken levees of trust here in India, where the functioning government in exile in CTA is trenched up, are busy touring the Western Hemisphere thanking them for decades of candy help, meeting senators and congressmen, parliamentarians, and policy makers, lobbying for the same things that they have been hypocritically promised for the past many decades.

Instead of building friendship and trust with the Modis of our time, which is planned on snubbing Tibet-related activities as of late due to newer political developments and newer political stakes, instead of filling the wounds of our neighbours on whose backs we have become the most successful refugees in the world thanks to our own resilience, fire in the belly, resolve and hard work, and also to the environment to thrive, where jealously and hatred had been spawned, the results of which could be seen around the Arunachal belt, where calls for the return of the refugee has become the new unbelievable norm.

Instead of reaching out to our Tibetan brother and sisters in Nepal, whose political voice and freedom of expression has been quelled by the Nepalese government, on account of kowtowing to China for some baited economic relief with the promise of linking rail to Kathmandu and incentives for the landlocked banana republic, not realizing the greater design of pillaging and probably annexation of Nepal to follow.

Leaving fear and terror behind, the Tibetan people sought refuge in this holy land. A safe haven they once thought it was, but they now are besieged by greed and polluted souls. Honestly even Buddha would’ve regretted having born in such a place, where the followers of Buddha Dharma are beaten and threatened by the police in recent memory. Where even on the felicitation of the birth anniversary of one of Buddha’s own manifestations in His Holiness the Dalai Lama, they are brazenly attacked with brutal force and malicious intent. Many Tibetan activists are arrested days before the March tenth anniversary and all Tibet-related protests have been indefinitely banned.

Our elected leaders and members of Parliament, instead of meeting the policy makers of Nepal to revive their lost inner compassion for the Tibetans, and request to heal the wounded Tibetan sentiments and respect their freedom of expression and also in the interim not forgetting to thank them too in their “World Thank You Tour” for supporting the Tibetan refugees for decades. Our elected leaders instead of thanking the government where the majority of Tibetans are still living are touring far and wide, as if trying to accumulate sky mileage points.

Our leaders, instead of reaching out to the leaders of Arunachal Pradesh, where SUMAA, a student group that seem to have been possessed by demons of avarice, manipulated and bribed by the Chinese and who now are bent on kicking Tibetans out of the region out of pure jealousy and hole them up into the refugee-designated areas and threaten Tibetan-owned business to shut down, is a scary reality unfolding before our eyes similar to the Jewish witch hunt. To see our leaders with arms folded and not intervening to stop the hatred from exploding is the sign of our failed leadership.

Fear, that our people thought they had left behind, knocks ever closer in our home away from home.

https://www.tibetsun.com/opinions/2018/07/25/fear-they-thought-they-left-behind

[dsnowlion]

Our elected leaders and members of Parliament, instead of meeting the policy makers of Nepal to revive their lost inner compassion for the Tibetans, and request to heal the wounded Tibetan sentiments and respect their freedom of expression and also in the interim not forgetting to thank them too in their “World Thank You Tour” for supporting the Tibetan refugees for decades. Our elected leaders instead of thanking the government where the majority of Tibetans are still living are touring far and wide, as if trying to accumulate sky mileage points.

Our leaders, instead of reaching out to the leaders of Arunachal Pradesh, where SUMAA, a student group that seem to have been possessed by demons of avarice, manipulated and bribed by the Chinese and who now are bent on kicking Tibetans out of the region out of pure jealousy and hole them up into the refugee-designated areas and threaten Tibetan-owned business to shut down, is a scary reality unfolding before our eyes similar to the Jewish witch hunt. To see our leaders with arms folded and not intervening to stop the hatred from exploding is the sign of our failed leadership.

Well, at least he is smart and brave enough to voice out his opinion. Basically the Tibetan leaders, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay is not doing a good job as a leader and he does not really care. Everything he does is the opposite of what the Dalai Lama wants. This Sikyong only wants to fatten his wallet and is just using Tibetan in-exile to get sympathy from the world, so that they will donate. None of the funds reaches any of the TIbetans. So this dude is really brave to voice out the truth about CTA. I hope to see more of such courageous honest Tibetans!

[Harold Musetescu]

Hello dsnowlion

You stated "Everything he does is the opposite of what the Dalai Lama wants. "

Yet Tsem Tulku has stated that the CTA is under the "Total Control" of the 14th Dalai Lama.

If Tsem Tulku is right then Lobsang is doing exactly what the 14th Dalai Lama wants him to do.

Or is Tsem Tulku wrong and you right? 

[Drolma]

Finally, there is still a Tibetan who is smart and sees what is really going on with CTA. He is right to say Lobsang Sangay is not putting the interest of the Tibetans before himself. He is touring around the western countries to ask for more sympathy and money. He even went to Israel, what was he doing in Israel?

Lobsang Sangay has no intention to strengthen their relationship with their hosting country India, he is not building a closer relationship with Nepal, let alone China. He has never really had any plan for a better regional relationship.

The writer also points out that 20 years ago (which is before the Dorje Shugden ban), Tibetans were in unity, everyone got along very well with each other. But later Tibetans were separated by their differences in faith and political views. If internally there is no unity, then Sangay doesn't have to talk about bringing the Dalai Lama and Tibetans back to Tibet. How to strike a deal when there are so many differences within the Tibetan leadership?

[Pema8]

Instead of building friendship and trust with the Modis of our time, which is planned on snubbing Tibet-related activities as of late due to newer political developments and newer political stakes, instead of filling the wounds of our neighbours on whose backs we have become the most successful refugees in the world ...

Yes, the Tibetan Cause is now 60 years old. It is sad, but who can continue as refugee for such a long time. Wouldn't it be better to accept the facts?

Unfortunately, the Tibetans don't seem to build friendships with India nor with China. So what is their future? Why are they running around but not making progress? So, there is reason to be afraid of what lies ahead of the CTA as time is running out.

[Alex]

With the current CTA, His Holiness will definitely can't get Tibet back. It is impossible. They are too corrupted and selfish to do anything. They are not supporting the Dalai Lama's decision to get back to They present to follow H.H
The skill cup is an ornament. Even after H.H Dalai Lama has said that the small house is racist. When H.H Dalai Lama returns to Tibet, there is no need for CTA and they will have to dissolve. It will be best to dissolve them so they won't bring more harm to Tibetans.

[SabS]

I applaud Ugyen Gyalpo for his well written sentiments. Unfortunately it will be just a piece expressed unless more and more who feel the same dare stand up to express theirs publicly. It seems that even in US as democratic as it can get , the fear of the Tibetan Leaders is strong and the repercussions that may come. Scary isn't it. I don't blame them though as many had said that CTA works with CIA so safety is questionable. It is so sad that the Tibetans escaped with hopes but ended up hopeless. The thing is, CTA is committing all the offences under the nose of the world and getting away with it. Why hadn't any of the world political leaders said anything to curtail CTA's corruption? It has been 60 years and surely they must see something not right? Especially being able to remain in refugee status and their major income is sponsorship but no improvement in the exile's living condition? It seems that everything now hinges on the Dalai Lama, whether the refugees are able to return to Tibet or will they disappear into other citizenships. CTA is certainly not going to fulfil their dream, that's for sure.

[Pema8]

Well said SabS! Indeed it seems that the Tibetan community in India did not specifically benefit from all the donations in the way most people would expect.

Who would support the cover up on the CTA's corruption and inefficiency? Very sad for the Tibetans in Exile.

I hope that the Dalai Lama will finally bring the Tibetans home as without him I guess it will never happen.

[Alex]

Well said SabS! Indeed it seems that the Tibetan community in India did not specifically benefit from all the donations in the way most people would expect.

Who would support the cover-up on the CTA's corruption and inefficiency? Very sad for the Tibetans in Exile.

I hope that the Dalai Lama will finally bring the Tibetans home as without him I guess it will never happen.

It is obvious the Tibetans did not get any of the donations given to CTA that is intended to help them. Millions of funds had been given to CTA but there are no changes in the situations in the Tibetan settlements. They are still living miserably in Tibetan settlements as desperate as 60 years ago. Clearly, CTA has not been doing their job.

I don't think anyone will even notice how corrupt CTA is because of all the attention that is given to CTA is to get on China's nerve. They do not genuinely care for the welfare of the Tibetans. So many Tibetans have self-immolated and no one said anything to stop it.

Dalai Lama has started on his actions to push to go back to Tibet. He has voiced out on several occasions cleary that he wants to go back to Tibet under China. He is ok to be with China and said China and Tibet can help each other. Dalai Lama is getting himself back to Tibet with or without CTA's help.

[SabS]

It is obvious the Tibetans did not get any of the donations given to CTA that is intended to help them. Millions of funds had been given to CTA but there are no changes in the situations in the Tibetan settlements. They are still living miserably in Tibetan settlements as desperate as 60 years ago. Clearly, CTA has not been doing their job.

I don't think anyone will even notice how corrupt CTA is because of all the attention that is given to CTA is to get on China's nerve. They do not genuinely care for the welfare of the Tibetans. So many Tibetans have self-immolated and no one said anything to stop it.

Dalai Lama has started on his actions to push to go back to Tibet. He has voiced out on several occasions cleary that he wants to go back to Tibet under China. He is ok to be with China and said China and Tibet can help each other. Dalai Lama is getting himself back to Tibet with or without CTA's help.

Actually I do think that the everyone, especially Government heads do know of CTA's corruption but chose to ignore for their own advantage. They used the Tibetan Cause to irk China and for that "holier than thou" attitude. Now everyone wants to be on China's side and no longer need CTA to be the cactus anymore. CTA is extremely desperate and worried about their continual source of income begged from diminishing sponsors, in face of Dalai Lama's wish to go back to China and India's growing hostilities. Lobsang Sangay stupidly, even now, will be going to court countries that are so irrelevant politically and I very much doubt his using Dalai Lama's name will be of any use. I honestly think that as things go, with the Dalai Lama going back to Tibet, India may just take back refugee lands before the expiry. Walls are closing in and still Lobsang Sangay worry about his own pocket and not his people. When will they wake up to stand up to their corrupted President and take charge for their welfare?

[Alex]

It is obvious the Tibetans did not get any of the donations given to CTA that is intended to help them. Millions of funds had been given to CTA but there are no changes in the situations in the Tibetan settlements. They are still living miserably in Tibetan settlements as desperate as 60 years ago. Clearly, CTA has not been doing their job.

I don't think anyone will even notice how corrupt CTA is because of all the attention that is given to CTA is to get on China's nerve. They do not genuinely care for the welfare of the Tibetans. So many Tibetans have self-immolated and no one said anything to stop it.

Dalai Lama has started on his actions to push to go back to Tibet. He has voiced out on several occasions cleary that he wants to go back to Tibet under China. He is ok to be with China and said China and Tibet can help each other. Dalai Lama is getting himself back to Tibet with or without CTA's help.

Actually I do think that the everyone, especially Government heads do know of CTA's corruption but chose to ignore for their own advantage. They used the Tibetan Cause to irk China and for that "holier than thou" attitude. Now everyone wants to be on China's side and no longer need CTA to be the cactus anymore. CTA is extremely desperate and worried about their continual source of income begged from diminishing sponsors, in face of Dalai Lama's wish to go back to China and India's growing hostilities. Lobsang Sangay stupidly, even now, will be going to court countries that are so irrelevant politically and I very much doubt his using Dalai Lama's name will be of any use. I honestly think that as things go, with the Dalai Lama going back to Tibet, India may just take back refugee lands before the expiry. Walls are closing in and still Lobsang Sangay worry about his own pocket and not his people. When will they wake up to stand up to their corrupted President and take charge for their welfare?

Now that His Holiness the Dalai Lama had spoken about his wish to return to Tibet under China a few times on different events, China should have picked that up already. I wonder why there is no move from China to fulfil Dalai Lama's wish because it is extremely beneficial for China if Dalai Lama willing to go back to Tibet under China. One of the reason might be they are still confused about Dalai Lama's and CTA's stance on the issue.

CTA is still going around the world talking bad about China while the Dalai Lama said he wants to go back. They are contradicting themselves and it confuses China. CTA is not doing what the Dalai Lama wants now and that is weird because CTA is should be supporting every decision that Dalai Lama makes.

I fully support Dalai Lama's decision to return to Tibet because that is where all the Tibetans will have a home. They had been in refugee status for 60 years now and the CTA did not manage to do anything to improve that. In fact, they worsen the situation with their corruption and fights for political power. Let His Holiness the Dalai Lama go home and end the suffering.

[Drolma]

It is obvious the Tibetans did not get any of the donations given to CTA that is intended to help them. Millions of funds had been given to CTA but there are no changes in the situations in the Tibetan settlements. They are still living miserably in Tibetan settlements as desperate as 60 years ago. Clearly, CTA has not been doing their job.

I don't think anyone will even notice how corrupt CTA is because of all the attention that is given to CTA is to get on China's nerve. They do not genuinely care for the welfare of the Tibetans. So many Tibetans have self-immolated and no one said anything to stop it.

Dalai Lama has started on his actions to push to go back to Tibet. He has voiced out on several occasions cleary that he wants to go back to Tibet under China. He is ok to be with China and said China and Tibet can help each other. Dalai Lama is getting himself back to Tibet with or without CTA's help.

Actually I do think that the everyone, especially Government heads do know of CTA's corruption but chose to ignore for their own advantage. They used the Tibetan Cause to irk China and for that "holier than thou" attitude. Now everyone wants to be on China's side and no longer need CTA to be the cactus anymore. CTA is extremely desperate and worried about their continual source of income begged from diminishing sponsors, in face of Dalai Lama's wish to go back to China and India's growing hostilities. Lobsang Sangay stupidly, even now, will be going to court countries that are so irrelevant politically and I very much doubt his using Dalai Lama's name will be of any use. I honestly think that as things go, with the Dalai Lama going back to Tibet, India may just take back refugee lands before the expiry. Walls are closing in and still Lobsang Sangay worry about his own pocket and not his people. When will they wake up to stand up to their corrupted President and take charge for their welfare?

It is very obvious that the CTA's sponsors are using the Tibet cause to irk China. There are so many refugees in the world, why are they not receiving the same kind of help from the west?  The big sponsors of the CTA are the west, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. These are the countries that always have issues with China.

Lobsang Sangay and the CTA certainly don't have the intention to protect and take care of the welfare of the Tibetans. They see how they can make use of the Tibetan plight to make money for themselves, that is why after 60 years they are still refugees! As a refugee, they don't have to work hard for the money, they just have to make themselves look pitiful and make China look bad.

But as China is getting more powerful and stronger, more countries are starting to get friendly with China, no one wants to offend her. Many countries no longer want to give the visa to the Dalai Lama to visit them. The Tibetans cannot rely on the CTA to give them a better future, they have to either fight hard themselves to get the Indian citizenship or they can choose to go back to Tibet or migrate to other countries with their own effort.

[Rowntree]

Yes, the Tibetan Cause is now 60 years old. It is sad, but who can continue as refugee for such a long time. Wouldn't it be better to accept the facts?

Unfortunately, the Tibetans don't seem to build friendships with India nor with China. So what is their future? Why are they running around but not making progress? So, there is reason to be afraid of what lies ahead of the CTA as time is running out.

Well, the Tibetans were meant to be a refugee for 99 years, as long as the lease of land is valid. Lobsang Sangay even announced that they have another 50 years to go. The question though is will he be alive by then? Obviously not. So why is he planning for a future that will not exist for him and really do something for now?

[Alex]

Yes, the Tibetan Cause is now 60 years old. It is sad, but who can continue as refugee for such a long time. Wouldn't it be better to accept the facts?

Unfortunately, the Tibetans don't seem to build friendships with India nor with China. So what is their future? Why are they running around but not making progress? So, there is reason to be afraid of what lies ahead of the CTA as time is running out.

Well, the Tibetans were meant to be a refugee for 99 years, as long as the lease of land is valid. Lobsang Sangay even announced that they have another 50 years to go. The question though is will he be alive by then? Obviously not. So why is he planning for a future that will not exist for him and really do something for now?

I think Lobsang Sangay is quite clever to announce that because he can easily pass the responsibility of bringing Tibetans back to Tibet to the next generation because he would be dead by then. In the meantime, he has secured 50 years of donations from those who still have sympathy for them.

The only thing is His Holiness the Dalai Lama might not have another 50 years to spare. Tibetans who are living in Exile suffering being a refugee might not have another 50 years to wait. All he thinks about is him and how he can throw the problem to another person to solve because obviously, he does not have what it takes to lead Tibetans back to Tibet.

The whole weight has been on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's shoulders all along and CTA is not doing anything to lessen the burden but to increase it. Even though His Holiness is said to have retired from his political position but it is impossible for everything to pass without his supervision because the current members of the Tibetan leadership are not reliable. All of them are still selfish people who only cared about their own wallet and welfare while neglecting the entire Tibetan Community in Exile

[SabS]

Yes, the Tibetan Cause is now 60 years old. It is sad, but who can continue as refugee for such a long time. Wouldn't it be better to accept the facts?

Unfortunately, the Tibetans don't seem to build friendships with India nor with China. So what is their future? Why are they running around but not making progress? So, there is reason to be afraid of what lies ahead of the CTA as time is running out.

Well, the Tibetans were meant to be a refugee for 99 years, as long as the lease of land is valid. Lobsang Sangay even announced that they have another 50 years to go. The question though is will he be alive by then? Obviously not. So why is he planning for a future that will not exist for him and really do something for now?

I think Lobsang Sangay is quite clever to announce that because he can easily pass the responsibility of bringing Tibetans back to Tibet to the next generation because he would be dead by then. In the meantime, he has secured 50 years of donations from those who still have sympathy for them.

The only thing is His Holiness the Dalai Lama might not have another 50 years to spare. Tibetans who are living in Exile suffering being a refugee might not have another 50 years to wait. All he thinks about is him and how he can throw the problem to another person to solve because obviously, he does not have what it takes to lead Tibetans back to Tibet.

The whole weight has been on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's shoulders all along and CTA is not doing anything to lessen the burden but to increase it. Even though His Holiness is said to have retired from his political position but it is impossible for everything to pass without his supervision because the current members of the Tibetan leadership are not reliable. All of them are still selfish people who only cared about their own wallet and welfare while neglecting the entire Tibetan Community in Exile

I must say the honour goes to Lobsang Sangay. Such deviousness! The land offered by India expires at 100th year and its a balance of 30-40 years? So how does he get to make plans for 50 years? Very willy way to trick the Indian Government into extending their lease? Is he so dumb to think he is clever? He is just making sure that the continued funds will last his lifetime and then who cares for the rest after that. He will leave behind his name of dirt that's for sure.

Imagine, refugee for 100 years...thats a century and more than an average person's life span. Two-three generations of refugees. Hmmm India certainly have a burden to bear. Such generosity! And how does CTA treat their host country? With arrogance and presumption. Phhhtt! Some thank you parties? As though India can't throw their own parties. CTA really look down on others when they themselves are just beggars.