Living Tibetan Spirits – Whole Dude

Whole Memorial – Whole Dude at Whole Foods Demands a War Memorial to pay Tribute to Tibetan Freedom Fighters

The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. A Tribute to Tibetan Martyrs

Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: 1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung,Lushai, Mizo Hills. This Memorial Stone was erected in Demagiri in honor of Captain Thomas Herbert Lewin, the Deputy Commissioner of the Chittagong Hill Tracts who built a fort in Demagiri to serve as the Force Headquarters of the British Indian Army First Lushai Expedition of 1871-72.

Excerpt: I am sharing this story about the British Indian Army First Lushai Expedition of 1871-72 to honor the memory of the Tibetan soldiers who arrived in Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai or Mizo Hills in October 1971 and gave their precious lives during the military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts initiating the Liberation of Bangladesh. On behalf of The Living Tibetan Spirits, I ask that a Memorial Stone be erected in Demagiri, Tlabung, the place which served as the Force Headquarters of The Fifth Army in Bangladesh under the command of Major General Sujan Singh Uban, the Inspector General of Special Frontier Force.

Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: 1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tablung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. Captain Lewin the founder of Demagiri Military Settlement lived in Demagiri for about nine years.

Captain Thomas Herbert Lewin was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner and Political Agent for the Chittagong Hill Tracts in March 1866. He held that post until 1875. In 1874, he was made an honorary Lieutenant Colonel.. He made his first camp at Chandraghona and later in Rangamati. He was the founder of a military camp and settlement at Demagiri ahead of the British Indian Army First Lushai Expedition of 1871-72.

Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: 1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. A view of Demagiri, Tlabung on the banks of the Khawthlang Tuipui or Karnaphuli River, the border between Mizo Hills and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The British Indian Army Lushai Expedition of 1871 to 1872 was a punitive incursion under the command of Generals Brownlow and Bourchier. General Charles Henry Brownlow commanded the Southern Column or the Chittagong Column for the Lushai Expedition and then served as Assistant Military Secretary for India for ten years. General George Bourchier commanded the East Frontier District, and in 1871 to 1872 he commanded the Cachar Column or the North Column in the Lushai Expedition.

In 1871, the British Indian Army military expedition named the Southern Column started from Kasalong in Rangamati and it followed the course of Karnaphuli River to reach Demagiri, Tlabung in Lushai, Mizo Hills. Whereas in 1971, the Special Frontier Force military expedition named the South Column started from Demagiri and initially it was an overland incursion followed by the use of passenger boat service to reach Rangamati and used captured vehicles to advance to Kaptai by road and launched a separate airborne operation to secure the Naval Base at Chittagong Sea Port. The South Column reached Chittagong by road taking advantage of the vehicles left behind by the enemy but camped in Kaptai and around the Kaptai Lake until the conclusion of the Campaign in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The objectives of the British Indian Army First Lushai Expedition were to rescue British subjects who had been captured by the Lushais (Mizos) in raids into Assam—including a six-year-old girl called Mary Winchester—and to convince the hill tribes of the region that they had nothing to gain and everything to lose by placing themselves in a hostile position towards the British Government. Mary Winchester, or Zolûti to Mizos, (1865–1955) was a Scottish girl who was captured and held hostage by the Lushai, Mizo tribes of Lushai Hills, Mizo Hills in 1871, and rescued by the British expedition in 1872.

Captain Thomas Herbert Lewin signed a Peace Treaty with Mizo Chief Rothangpuia of Thangluah clan following which he shifted his headquarters from Rangamati to Demagiri, Tlabung. The Mizos called him Thangliana or the Man of Great Fame. Captain Lewin returned to England due to ill health, was made an honorary Lieutenant Colonel and received a Colonel’s pension. He returned to India in 1875 to take up the post of Deputy Commissioner of Cooch Behar, and later became Deputy Commissioner of Darjeeling, where he remained until his retirement in 1879. In 1885, Thomas Herbert bought Parkhurst, a house in Abinger, near Dorking, Surrey where he lived until his death in 1916. Lewin was the author of several works on India and Indian languages.

The Story of South Column

I joined duty at the Military Hospital Wing of Establishment 22 (Two-Two) on September 22, 1971 and at the end of the month I was sent on temporary duty to provide medical support to Bangla Freedom Fighters training on the eastern banks of the Yamuna River between the Shivalik Hills and Dakpathar Barrage across the Yamuna River. This Training Camp was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Prasanta Coomar Purkayastha, The Regiment of Garhwal Rifles. I did not take my service weapon to perform this duty while the men did receive weapon training. I returned to Chakrata during the third week of October 1971 and was not yet aware of any battle plan to take military action in support of the Bangla refugees in India.

On October 19, 1971, while serving in the Military Hospital Wing of Establishment 22 (Two-Two) in Chakrata, I was asked to provide medical support to the Mobile Reserve Force (MRF), Kailana Camp in Chakrata Cantonment. I was not briefed about the nature of my temporary duty and I moved to the MRF Kailana Camp with a steel trunk and a bedding, a heavy load of personal belongings.

As an Officer of the Indian Army, I received training in the use of a 9 mm Sub Machine Gun known as Sten Gun or SMG (Carbine, Machine, Sten) and had always passed in my weapon training tests. It is a devastating close-range weapon. It is a compact, lightweight automatic weapon firing pistol ammunition and it would fire without any lubrication. The personal weapon is held in the Unit Quarter Guard (Armory) and is generally taken out for range practice and weapon training during peacetime and is carried during the performance of active duty deployment either training or actual combat operations. I proceeded for this assignment at MRF, Kailana Camp without taking my personal weapon and ammunition as it was primarily a peacetime assignment. My Movement Order did not specify that I must draw the service weapon and ammunition prior to proceeding on this duty. However, the men were personally briefed to prepare for a wartime duty and I was in the Hospital and did not listen to the motivational speech given by Gyalo Thondup, the brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. The Antonov An-12 is a four-engined turboprop transport aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. The above photo image is used just for the illustrative purpose. We were not permitted to take any photographs in the conduct of the covert military mission code named Operation Eagle.

At Sarsawa Air Force Station, I boarded the Antonov An-12, Soviet designed transport aircraft in the early morning hours of October 21, 1971. The runway was illuminated by rows of flaming torches on either side. The Commandant of Establishment 22 (Two-Two) Brigadier T S Oberoi delayed the departure of the flight until a hot breakfast was served to all the men boarding the aircraft. The men were fully armed and were dressed in combat gear and I was the only exception proceeding on Operation Eagle mission without carrying a service weapon. I was permitted to carry the heavy load of my personal belongings as the nature of the mission was not formally disclosed. While we boarded the aircraft in a single file, Brigadier T S Oberoi warmly shook hands of each person. He wished me all the best and did not inquire about my service weapon as the mission remained a secret and its objectives were not disclosed in Sarsawa. I was just taking part in an unknown military mission and did not even know the destination of this morning flight from Sarsawa Airfield until the aircraft landed in Kumbhigram Airfield near Silchar City in Cachar District, Assam. However, I checked the Movement Order that was issued to me. The Commandant of Establishment 22 has the authority to sanction my move from the Military Hospital Wing to the Mobile Reserve Force Base, Kailana Camp in Chakrata and from there to Sarsawa airfield where we often go for parachuting or para jumping. The Inspector General of Special Frontier Force has the authority to sanction my move from Chakrata to any other location within India. The Inspector General does not have the sanctioning power to ask me to move across the boundaries of India. The Movement Order deploying me for Operation Eagle that I received in Sarsawa did not specify any particular location but the Move was sanctioned by the Cabinet Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the executive branch of the Government of India which has the sanctioning power to move me to any location in India as well as across the borders of India. Before boarding the Antonov An-12 transport aircraft in Sarsawa, I knew I may have to move across the borders of India but had no clue about its precise location. I was not briefed and I did not ask any questions as my mission was still under the wraps of operational security. On October 21, 1971, I was blissfully unaware of the existence of a place known as Demagiri in Lushai, Mizo Hills. On that date I am aware of the training imparted to Bangla Freedom Fighters but had no clue about an impending operation that follows the course of the British Indian Army’s First Lushai Expedition of 1871-72.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. On October 21, 1971, I boarded the Antonov An-12 transport aircraft in Sarsawa without knowing the destination of my air flight.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. On October 21, 1971, I arrived in Kumbhigram Air Force Station, Cachar District, Assam and camped near the runaway to begin the road journey to Lushai, Mizo Hills on October 22, 1971.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. The 3-ton Lorry shown in this picture is used just for the illustrative purpose.. In 1971, the Indian Army was using TATA Mercedes Benz 3-ton Lorry for the transportation of men and supplies.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. On October 22, 1971, I moved from Kumbhigram, Cachar District, Assam to Aizawl, Mizo Hills in a military convoy and halted there for the night at the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), Project Pushpak, Officers Mess.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. On October 22, 1971, I arrived in Aizawl and spent the night at the Officers Mess of the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), Project Pushpak.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. On October 24, 1971, I moved from Lunglei to Demagiri, Tlabung.**

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. On October 24, 1971, the military convoy moved from Lunglei to arrive in Demagiri.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. I arrived in Demagiri on October 24, 1971. I walked up to the Khawthlang Tuipui, Karnaphuli River bank and looked for signs of activity across the border. Surprisingly, the area looked uninhabited while in Demagiri the streets were crowded with Bangla refugees.

October 1971, Operation Eagle Deployment at Demagiri, Tlabung

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. On Monday, October 25, 1971, I selected Vietnam War Era US Army Infantry Assault M14 Rifle as my service weapon. **Operation Eagle. The military action to initiate the Liberation of Bangladesh involved the use of this US Marine Corps Service Rifle.**

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. The M14 Rifle was issued to me on Monday, October 25, 1971. On Tuesday, October 26, 1971, I returned the Gun to the Armory at Force Headquarters, Operation Eagle, Demagiri (Tlabung).

Friday, October 01, 1971 to Friday, October 15, 1971: I was at a Training Camp with Bangla Freedom Fighters near Dakpathar Barrage across the Yamuna River, Uttarakhand, India.

Tuesday, October 19, 1971: Moved from the Military Hospital Wing, Headquarters Establishment 22, Chakrata to the Mobile Reserve Force, Kailana Camp, Chakrata Cantonment.

Wednesday, October 20, 1971: Moved from Mobile Reserve Force, Kailana Camp, Chakrata to Sarsawa Airfield, near Saharanpur by road in a military convoy.

Thursday, October 21, 1971: Moved from Sarsawa Airfield to Kumbhigram Airfield, Cachar District, Assam in the Antonov An-12 transport aircraft. The air flight was provided by Aviation Research Centre. The Movement Order described the move as Operation Eagle deployment and did not specify the name of any location.

Friday, October 22, 1971: Moved from Kumbhigram Airfield, Assam, to Border Roads Task Force Camp, Project Pushpak, Aizawl, Mizoram by military convoy.

Saturday, October 23, 1971: Moved from Aizawl to Border Roads Task Force Camp, Project Pushpak, Lunglei, Mizoram by military convoy.

Sunday, October 24, 1971: Moved from Lunglei to the Force Headquarters, Operation Eagle Camp in Demagiri, Tlabung, Mizo Hills by road convoy. I viewed the Khawthlang Tuipui, Karnaphuli River. Found several Bangla refugees on the streets of Demagiri.

Monday, October 25, 1971: I was informed that I am posted as the Medical Officer of South Column under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan, the Regiment of Artillery. Attended the first briefing by Colonel Narayan. Briefed about the battle plan to operate on Manpack basis to assault the enemy posts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. I reviewed the options for my service weapon. I viewed the Hungarian AK-47 Assault Rifle and the US Marine Corps M14 Rifle. On the recommendation of the Company Commanders of South Column, I selected the US Marine Corps M14 Rifle.

Tuesday, October 26, 1971: Attended the second briefing by South Column Commander B K Narayan. Discussed the options for my service weapon. Took permission to return the US Marine Corps M14 Rifle and to serve in the military mission without carrying any service weapon and ammunition. Deposited all the heavy personal belongings in the store of Quartermaster of Force Headquarters Camp in Demagiri. Collected all the field gear, rations, medical supplies required for the conduct of operational tasks on the manpack basis.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills**. American made High-Explosive Fragmentation Mark II Hand Grenade. OPERATION EAGLE 1971. Pakistan’s Army uses this type of hand grenades. During Operation Eagle, the India-Pakistan War of 1971, I collected two such hand grenades at the enemy post that we captured. I removed the Detonator to safely handle the grenade. I took them home and presented them to my father as a piece of evidence of my participation in the War. My father was afraid to keep my evidence. The Grenades were buried in Alcot Gardens, Rajahmundry.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills**.The General Purpose Machine Gun M60 was designed for use in the Vietnam War was equally useful for our Infantry Operation Eagle in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills**. M1 Muzzle loading 81mm Mortar is a heavy piece of Infantry weapon which provides indirect fire support. During Operation Eagle, our men had carried them on their backs and used them to fire upon the enemy patrols whenever they had confronted us.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills.** **The most common weapon used by American Infantry Battalions in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Operation Eagle was fought on a manpack basis and this short-range, lightweight mortar was very useful.**

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills AN/PRC-77 Backpack radio set is similar to the AN/PRC-25 radio set. This has the additional ability to scramble voice communications while being transmitted. The US Army used the same radio sets in Vietnam.
.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills** Short-range, manpack, portable, frequency modulated (FM) transceiver that provides two-way voice communication. Radio Set AN/PRC – 25 is used in the Vietnam War and I had used the same in Operation Eagle.
.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills** **Operation Eagle: Fifth Army in Bangladesh. We used the Collapsible, Tri-fold, Entrenching Tool used by the US Army in Vietnam.**
.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills** Infantry marches on its feet. Boots are the most important equipment apart from Guns. I had used Ankle Canvas Boots used by the US Army in Vietnam, during Operation Eagle and had marched on feet to fight and dislodge the enemy from the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills**. A Soldier needs his gun, boots, and clothing to protect himself. During Operation Eagle 1971, I had used this US Army Nylon Poncho with Hood (Olive) to sleep on the ground and as a coat to protect myself from intense fog and dew prevalent in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills**.During Operation Eagle 1971 we were not allowed the use of cameras or photography. I would have looked like this man wearing Olive Green Coat Poncho. I had used US Army Cap-Jungle.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. The US Army Lightweight, Olive Green, Field Patrol Cap or Cap Jungle was worn by me during the entire duration of the military expedition.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills**.U.S. Army uses a variety of Individual Field Medical Kits. The Kits issued to us during Operation Eagle 1971 were Olive Green Canvas pouches worn on the belts by each individual. The medical supplies included Water Purification Tablets for use in water bottles, anti-Malaria pills, Insect Repellent Solution (DBP), Insect Repellant Cream (DMP), Injectable Tubonic Morphine, Oxytetracycline tablets, Multivitamin tablets, Field dressings, bandages and others. The Kits were not stamped but the contents reveal the place of origin.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. Field Rations supplied in Demagiri. Kraft processed Cheddar Cheese in Blue tins.

In October 1971, the US Army in Vietnam was using the same items and supplies that I was supplied in Demagiri. After the Sunset, South Column began its tactical move to Borunasury, a Border Security Force Company Post located South of Demagiri. The South Column marched in single file along a narrow walking trail observing absolute silence and without the use of lights. The trail was not maintained and was broken at several places with steep trenches and we had to very slowly negotiate these obstacles maintaining the distance between the person ahead and the person behind. Sometimes, we were forced to stop the march as the advance elements checked the route for any possible threats. We were in an area known for Mizo rebel activity and took precautions to avoid getting ambushed. I still remember the moment when I watched a bunch of snakes crawling under my legs while I rested on the trail using my heavy backpack as my support. I just silently watched the snakes without making any move and they moved quickly without noticing my presence.

Wednesday, October 27, 1971: Camped at Borunasury Border Security Force Company Post preparing for the next tactical move to assault the enemy post at Jalanpara, the Chittagong Hill Tracts located across the international boundary West of Borunasury. Using binoculars, we could watch activity at Jalanpara Camp as the enemy prepared trenches around the Camp.

Thursday, October 28, 1971: Crossed the international boundary West of Borunasury under the cover of darkness wading through the waters of a narrow stream. After marching through the forest for several hours, wading through shallow streams, avoiding all known walking trails and beaten paths, the South Column decided to Camp in the forest near an abandoned Chakma hut. One Company of South Column moved to a location just East of Jalanpara enemy camp to keep the enemy engaged while the assault gets launched from North of Jalanpara enemy camp.

Friday, October 29, 1971: The march resumed in the morning to reach a place North of Jalanpara enemy post to secure the enemy’s supply chain. Wading through the forest streams posed its own problems like leeches and my feet got soaked for so long, the skin simply peeled off. After Sunset, the enemy patrol spotted our movement and fired upon our position. We remained calm taking cover in trench pits and kept the enemy patrol at bay by very restrained response with a very few men returning the fire. The enemy patrol went back and didn’t get the chance to estimate the size of our force.

Saturday night, October 30/early morning hours of Sunday, October 31, 1971: Two Companies of South Column with Company Commanders Major Savendra Singh Negi, the Grenadiers, Major (Honorary) G B Velankar move South along the trail to assault the enemy post at Jalanpara. The enemy resisted the assault fiercely shooting the made in China machine guns and I was able to hear the bouts of coughing noise of the gunfire for several hours. Finally, the enemy was neutralized and the machine gun fire stopped.

Sunday, October 31, 1971: South Column Commander radioed me and spoke to me using my mother tongue Telugu. We knew the composition of the enemy troops and we knew that they would not be able to decipher the words spoken in Telugu. He asked me to come to the enemy post at Jalanpara. I moved there with four men providing me the escort. South Column lost nine Tibetan men in the action due to hostile fire and had 13 battlefield casualties. South Column cremated the bodies of the battlefield dead as per the Tibetan Customs. I was informed that an airlift of the battlefield casualties was not possible as the helicopter flight across the international boundary was not sanctioned. The men were utterly surprised and reacted with anger. I spoke to the men giving them the assurance that I can take care of the situation. I made a decision to evacuate the casualties to Borunasury Border Security Force Company Post in India by using improvised stretchers. South Column assembled a party of about sixty or sixty five men to lift the stretchers and to provide armed escort to the evacuation team. We marched to Borunasury Border Security Force Post on foot and had to halt the march after 4 hours due to night fall. During the night of Sunday, October 31, 1971, I continued to monitor the condition of the battle casualties providing nursing care and support. For this battlefield casualty evacuation, I performed the duties of the Army Medical Corps Medical Officer, Nursing Assistant, as well as Ambulance Assistant. The services of the AMC Nursing Assistants of the South Column could not be spared for this ground evacuation from Jalanpara as we had to be on alert for an enemy counterattack.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. The Mi-4 was a Soviet design medium-lift helicopter designed to carry 1,600 kgs of weight or 16 troops and had a maximum range of 500 km at typical speeds of 140 kmph to 160 kmph.The helicopters could be loaded up to the maximum since the sortie durations were not more than an hour or so in duration and the missions could be flown with less fuel..

Monday, November 01, 1971: The ground evacuation of the battle casualties resumed before dawn and I reached Borunasury Border Security Force Company Post early in the morning and prepared the battle casualties for airlift to the Field Hospital in Lunglei, Mizoram. Flight Lieutenant Jadhav of Aviation Research Centre (ARC) arrived at the helipad in Mi-4 Helicopter. Operation Eagle was provided airlift support by two ARC Mi-4 Helicopters.

On Monday, November 01, 1971, myself and the battle casualty evacuation team marched back to Jalanpara and the foot journey took about eight hours. I had a very surprising encounter with a Chakma youth who stopped me asking for medical assistance.

The Slow and Tedious Military Campaign in the Forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. THE FIFTH ARMY IN BANGLADESH – THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS. I arrived in Demagiri on October 24, 1971 and I attended the first briefing by Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan on October 25, 1971. THE FIFTH ARMY IN BANGLADESH – THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE INDIAN ARMY AND THE FIFTH ARMY IN BANGLADESH . WE USED THE SAME WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT USED BY THE US ARMY IN VIETNAM.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. Special Frontier Force-Establishment No. 22-Operation Eagle:. In 1971, Special Frontier Force initiated Liberation of Bangladesh with military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with Battle Plan Code-named Operation Eagle. This Operation is not governed by Army Act 1950.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills**.

Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: In 1971, Special Frontier Force initiated Liberation of Bangladesh with military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with Battle Plan Code-named Operation Eagle. This Operation is not governed by Army Act 1950.

borunasury-google-maps-1 Download

Tuesday, November 02, 1971: At Jalanpara, we expected the enemy to regroup and launch a counterattack the Company Post we captured. It did not happen. We used the beaten track to march towards Barkal which was our next target. As we marched out of Jalanpara in single file, an hour before the Sunset, we had an encounter with an enemy patrol. The advance party of the South Column exchanged fire with the enemy patrol keeping them at bay. The enemy patrol withdrew but left behind a booby trap using hand grenades and a trip wire. Several men marched over the trip wire without noticing it. Soon, the booby trap was discovered, but it was too late. A young Tibetan soldier had hit the trip wire setting off a loud explosion. I immediately rushed forward to see if I could provide some medical care and support. The blast force was too severe and hit him over the abdomen spilling his intestines. He died almost instantaneously. The South Column had decided to cremate him at that site on the forest trail. It taught us a bitter lesson about the use of the beaten tracks.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills**. Made in China High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade found during Operation Eagle 1971. Chinese Army uses the same hand grenades. Pakistan receives arms and ammunition from Communist China apart from the massive military aid it receives from the United States of America. In the Indo-Pak War of 1971, we captured enemy posts and recovered arms and ammunition that were made in China.

**1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills.**

During the month of November 1971, our march towards Barkal was hampered by the enemy sending heavily armed patrols waiting for us on the tracks we tried to use to reach the Karnaphuli River at Barkal. At the least on two occasions, we had prolonged exchanges of gunfire and we had to use the 81mm Mortar Bombs to checkmate the enemy patrol parties. It took us a while to locate the enemy’s camp in the forest East of Barkal.

Friday, December 10, 1971: The South Column launched a decisive attack on the enemy camp on a hill feature East of Barkal. The assault started early in the morning before the Sunrise to take advantage of the very dense fog. But, it was not much of a surprise. The enemy was fully prepared and the resistance was fierce. The South Column experienced the worst loss of battle dead in this attack. I duly identified all the battle dead and prepared the documentation before the South Column prepared individual graves to bury them on the side of the forest trail near the hill post East of Barkal. The battle wounded were airlifted to the Field Hospital in Lunglei. I met Flight Lieutenant Parvez Rustom Jamsaji, the Mi-4 helicopter pilot for the first time on Friday, December 10, 1971 when he had arrived at that South Column location.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills.The Mi-4 was a Soviet design medium-lift helicopter designed to carry 1,600 kgs of weight or 16 troops and had a maximum range of 500 km at typical speeds of 140 kmph to 160 kmph.The helicopters could be loaded up to the maximum since the sortie durations were not more than an hour or so in duration and the missions could be flown with less fuel. On Friday, December 10, 1971, the Mi-4 helicopter was loaded up to the maximum capacity to provide airlift support to the battlefield casualties.

Friday, December 10, 1971: The Battle for Barkal was intense. The enemy withdrew from the hill post taking away the battle wounded and battle dead casualties. The South Column captured an enemy soldier who could not run away because of his ankle injury. I treated this prisoner of war and got him airlifted to the Field Hospital, Lunglei.

Monday, December 13, 1971: The Indian Air Force sent a sortie in support of the advance of the South Column to capture Barkal. The IAF pilots were in contact with the South Column as they targeted the enemy’s fortified bunkers on the hill ridge that overlooks the Karnaphuli River.

Monday, December 13, 1971: The South Column crossed the Karnaphuli River using very small fishing boats left behind my the local fishermen on the east bank of the River. It involved the making of several trips. The enemy and even the civilian population of Barkal had fully withdrawn and I could not find any person in this small village. I visited the enemy’s fortified bunkers on the top of the hill ridge. The bunker roofs were riddled with large gaping holes. Apparently, the enemy withdrew from the post on Sunday, December 12, 1971. I checked the Medical Clinic in Barkal. There were no signs of any casualties from the air raid by the Indian Air Force.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. The South Column crossed the Karnaphuli River on Monday, December 13, 1971 to capture Barkal.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. The South Column advanced to Rangamati hiring a passenger boat service on Monday, December 13, 1971. The passenger boat came to Barkal from Rangamati.

Monday, December 13, 1971: The South Column advanced to Rangamati after the Sunset. A large crowd of Bangla citizens had gathered to greet us as we disembarked from the passenger boat. The crowd was cheering, wild with excitement and enthusiasm as the enemy withdrew from Rangamati prior to the arrival of the South Column.

Tuesday, December 14, 1971: The South Column advanced to Kaptai by road taking advantage of the vehicles abandoned by the enemy.

Friday, December 17, 1971: The South Column deployed itself in Kaptai and a few locations around the Kaptai Lake. Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan, the South Column Commander officiated as the Imam of the Friday Morning Prayer Service held at the Kaptai Guest House where we camped. A very large number of Bangla citizens of Kaptai attended this Prayer Service and the large conference hall at the Guest House was fully packed.

Soon after capturing Kaptai, South Column Commander Colonel B K Narayan and myself along with our Bangla guide Mr. Siddique Ahmed went to Chandraghona using a captured enemy car. Mr. Siddique Ahmed worked as an engineer in the Chandraghona (Karnaphuli) Paper Mills before he joined the Bangla Freedom Movement.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. The Bangla Guide assigned to South Column, Mr. Siddique Ahmed worked as engineer at Chandraghona (Karnaphuli) Paper Mills, Chandraghona. We visited the Paper Mills soon after capturing Kaptai.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Mizo Hills. Soon after capturing Kaptai, South Column Commander Colonel B K Narayan, myself, and our Bangla guide Mr. Siddique Ahmed visited Chandraghona. A view of the Karnaphuli River at Chandraghona.

Tuesday, December 14, 1971 to Saturday, January 22, 1972: I camped in Kaptai and could fortunately enjoy the comforts of residing in the Guest House whose staff prepared and served hot meals using our military rations. I could purchase a few personal care items and some casual wear at the local market in Kaptai. I was visiting the Company locations deployed around the Kaptai Lake using the speedboats the enemy abandoned.

1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. The South Column was camping in Kaptai on Monday, January 10, 1972, the Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Return Trip From Chittagong to Amritdhara Bhavan, 97-A Rajpur Road, Dehradun

**Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: The Expedition to Mizo Hills concluded by our return to Kolkata Port from Chittagong Port after 3-days Sea Voyage.**

Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: The Expedition to Mizo Hills concluded with a 3-Day Sea Voyage from Chittagong to Kolkata Sea Port. Military Trucks were waiting on the Dock and took us to Howrah Junction Railway Station for a Military Special Train Journey to Dehradun.

Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: My Expedition started at Chakrata and it proceeded to Mizo Hills via Sarsawa Airfield and on the return trip, we took a ship to Kolkata Sea Port and from Howrah Railway Junction we returned to Dehradun in a Military Special Train. I did not immediately return to Chakrata as I was granted the Balanace of Annual Leave of 1971.

**Please read the story “Mavericks of Fifth Army” published by Colonel Satish Singh Lalotra who served as Company Commander, D Sector, Special Frontier Force during 1993-95.**

Whole Surrender – Whole Dude at Whole Foods must choose the Path to Surrender, Father, Jesus, Buddha or Enemy

I am a refugee and who is my refuge?

On Friday, May 01, 2026, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. For I give shelter to the Living Tibetan Spirits in my consciousness, I exist as a slave in a free country. I consciously experience the problem of occupation, the lack of independent existence.

Buddha Purnima, is an auspicious day that marks the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is believed that this was also the day he attained enlightenment. Buddha Purnima falls on a full moon night, usually between April and May. This year it will be observed on Friday, May 01. Also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima or Vesak.

Buddha Purnima is based on the Asian lunisolar calendar. It is celebrated with great fervour in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and numerous other South East Asian countries including Thailand, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia and Indonesia.

What is the difference between refuge and refugee?

As nouns the difference between refuge and refugee is that refuge being a state of safety, protection or shelter while refugee is a person seeking refuge in a foreign country out of fear of political persecution or the prospect of such persecution in his home country, i.e., a person seeking a political asylum. Some persons who need safety, protection or shelter may live in a foreign country without applying for political asylum.

My Musings on Buddha Purnima. I am a Refugee. Who is my Refuge?

On May 24, 1956, I was in Mylapore, Madras, Chennai, India. I went to the Indian Posts & Telegraphs Office on Kutchery Street to buy the First Day Cover issued in celebration of 2500th Buddha Jayanti.

On May 24, 1956, I was not aware that I would fail to see the brightness of the Full Moon on Friday, May 01, 2026. I see darkness. I see gloom. I learned the art of controlling my mind. I learned the art of self-discipline. Yet, I do not experience freedom while living in a free country.

My Life’s Journey began in Mylapore, Madras, Chennai, India. Amongst other places, my Service in the Indian Army Medical Corps took me to Establishment-22 at Chakrata, Dehradun District, Uttarakhand on September 22, 1971. After successful execution of a military operation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts during October 1971 to January 1972, I was posted Delta Sector of Vikas Regiment. I performed this Journey in a transport plane shared by the US and landed in a US built airfield in Doom Dooma, Tinsukia District, Assam, India during February 1972 prior to the US President Richard M Nixon’s visit to Peking.

While I was serving in D Sector, Establishment-22 in Doom Dooma, I got married in January 1973. I served in Vikas Regiment during the presidency of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Eventually, I arrived in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1986 without knowing that the US President Gerald Ford lived in Ann Arbor as a student. It’s not the end of the story. It’s the beginning of my journey as a slave in a free country.

I find myself living and surviving inside the belly of a Big Fish or a Great Whale. Prophet Jonah survived his ordeal just for three days and three nights. The Son of Man remained in the heart of the earth just for three days, and three nights. For me the end is not in sight for I am living under a very dark shadow, inside the belly of a Big Fish or a Great Whale without the hope of seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

The Paths of Surrender to find Refuge

In my analysis, I am a person in need of Refuge, Shelter, or Protection. I performed my Life Journey under shadow, the darkness of secrecy seeking a false sense of security. I need to break the shackles of secrecy to declare that I am a Refugee. As I am trapped, I can’t go to the Buddha for refuge, I can’t go the Dhamma for refuge, and I can’t go the Sangha for refuge. Who is my Refuge? To Whom, I should address my Petition? If I have no refuge, I ask God to take this cup of agony from me.

On Friday, May 01, 2026, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. If I have no refuge, I ask God to take this cup away from me. Jesus chooses to Surrender to the Soldiers of King Herod, and Buddha teaches Surrender to Buddha, Dharma and to Sangha. To find Freedom from the trappings of my life, just like Jonah, I may have to travel to my Enemy’s Kingdom

Buddha Purnima: Significance of Buddha’s Teachings

Clipped from: https://in.style.yahoo.com/buddha-purnima-significance-buddha-teachings-043009143.html

Buddha Purnima : Significance of Buddha’s Teachings

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm among the Buddhist community as it is one of their most important and sacred festivals. The festival also known as Vesak as it is observed on a full moon in the month Vaisakha, marks the birth of Buddha, the day of his enlightenment as well as the day he entered nirvana and left his human body form.

This year, Buddha Purnima falls on May 01, which is a Friday.

However, it should be noted that different Buddhist communities may celebrate Buddha Purnima on different dates provided there are two full moons in the month of May.

The significance of this day can be understood by the events it upholds. Legend has it that Buddha’s wife Yashodhara, his first disciple Ananda and the Bodhi tree, the holy place under which Buddha attained enlightenment were all born or created on this very day. It is also believed that on this day Gautam Buddha chose to preach his first sermon in Varanasi or Banaras in India.

By the evidence found in history, Gautam Buddha was born between sixth and fourth century BCE.

Buddha was a firm believer of Karuna (meaning compassion) and Ahimsa (meaning non-violence). He spent his life searching for peace and truth. He believed that the material pleasures held little significance in life, and dedicated his life to spirituality and religion.

Since Buddha was born in a Hindu family, the festival holds a lot of significance for the Hindu community. In Hinduism, Lord Buddha is believed to be the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, Buddha Purnima is an auspicious day for devotees of Lord Vishnu and is observed with full fervor in India.

Buddha Purnima has a lot of astrological significance as well. Buddha was born with Cancer Ascendant and Moon in Libra, and with the Sun positioned in the mighty Mars. In His Horoscope, the Moon is also aspected by five planets-Sun, Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Saturn, and these made Him mentally strong.

In Buddhism, it is believed that for you to be able to enjoy good health, bring happiness to your family, and enjoy peace in life, you must first master control over your mind. In Hinduism, devotees of Lord Ganesh practice a similar belief; that by gaining control over one’s mind, one can find the way to enlightenment. Astrologers believe that to gain control of your mind, you should strengthen the Moon in your horoscope.

How to Celebrate Buddha Purnima

If you want to achieve mental peace and bliss this Vesak, you should follow Buddha’s “Eightfold path”. It is the only true way to celebrate the festival.

According to Buddha, the Eightfold path included-

Having the Right View or Understanding, by knowing the truth,

Having the Right Intention, by freeing your mind of bad thoughts,

Having the Right Speech, which does not hurt others,

Having the Right Action, by working for the good of others,

Having the Right Livelihood, by maintaining an ethical standard in life,

Having the Right Effort, by resisting evil,

Having the Right Mindfulness, by practicing meditation,

Having the Right Concentration, by controlling your thoughts.

It is believed that by following this path, you can be free from your sufferings, bring harmony and peace, and even bring in more positivity and optimism in your life.

For those who may be suffering from malefic effects of Planet Saturn, following the Eightfold Path can help you release mental pressure and also boost confidence in your life.

Devotees celebrate the festival by serving others and feeding the hungry while they themselves keep a fast and do charitable work.

Lanterns are also a special part of the celebrations. Mostly seen in Sri Lanka and South Korea, people light colorful electric lanterns, which signifies happiness and enlightenment. Happiness is believed to be the result of the individual becoming more mindful in their life.

On Friday, May 01, 2026, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. If I have no refuge, I ask God to take this cup away from me. Jesus chooses to Surrender to the Will of Father and Buddha teaches Surrender to Buddha, Righteous Action and to the Community called Sangha.

On Friday, May 01, 2026, I am searching for possibilities within, not contrary to God’s Will. Jesus surrenders to the Will of God and Buddha teaches Surrender to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangham. For I give shelter to the Living Tibetan Spirits in my consciousness, I exist as a slave in a free country. I consciously experience the problem of occupation, the lack of independent existence.

Whole Dude at Whole Foods needs a Final Destination to Rest in Peace

I am a refugee. What is my final destination?

*Whole Dude at Whole Foods needs a Final Destination to Rest in Peace*.

I am a Refugee for I host ‘The Living Tibetan Spirits’, the Spirits of young Tibetan Soldiers who gave their precious lives while dreaming about ‘Freedom’ in Occupied Tibet.

For I am a Refugee, I am not entitled to the benefits entitled to the citizens of my host nation. I am in the search of my Final Destination where I can die with Peace and Dignity. My host nation is Free and yet as a Refugee I live under terms and conditions imposed on my existence as a Refugee. What is the Choice I can make? The options are, 1. Labor until Death in the host nation, and 2. Peaceful Death in the Enemy’s Prison.

India – Tibet – China Dalai Lama says he would like to return to Tibet before he dies

Clipped from: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Dalai-Lama-says-he-would-like-to-return-to-Tibet-before-he-dies-47397.html

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism fled Lhasa during the 1959 uprising. Beijing considers him a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. Like Xi Jinping, Donald Trump never asked to meet him.

Dharamshala (AsiaNews/Agencies) – “The Tibetan people have trust in me, they ask me [to] come to Tibet,” said the Dalai Lama in an interview with the BBC.

Speaking with the journalist, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism talked about his desire to return to Lhasa before he dies. He was forced to abandon the Potala Palace (his official residence) during the Tibetan uprising against Chinese military rule in 1959.

Since then, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, has found refuge in Dharamshala (India) along with another 10,000 Tibetan Buddhists who live their Himalayan exile in Arunachal Pradesh.

In the interview the Dalai Lama describes India, the country that welcomed him, his “spiritual home”. Grateful for the hospitality he received, he notes that one advantage of not being able to return home to Tibet is that India is a free country where he can express himself openly.

Although he has often tried to engage Beijing in dialogue, to safeguard the autonomy of Tibetan religion and culture threatened by a “cultural genocide”, the Chinese Communist Party has always branded him a “dangerous” separatist seeking Tibetan independence.

In order to return to Tibet, he gave up his political role in 2011 to remain only as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. But the Chinese Communist Party continues to view him as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.

At the age of 84, he enjoys good health, although he needs an assistant to walk. In April, Tibetan Buddhists all over the world were concerned for several days after his sudden hospitalization in a Delhi hospital for a lung infection.

In addition to going home to Tibet, the Dalai discussed various topics in the BBC interview: Brexit, migrants, a female Dalai Lama woman who should be “more attractive” than a man.

He also voiced strong criticism of US President Donald Trump who, in his view, lacks “moral principle”. The slogan (America First) that allowed him to win “is wrong”. The US leader, he noted, like Xi Jinping, never asked to meet him.

Whole Losar – Whole Dude at Whole Foods praying for Freedom and Happiness in Tibet

Whole Dude at Whole Foods Wishes You all Tashi Delek

On behalf of Special Frontier Force-Establishment 22-Vikas Regiment, I greet Tibetans on Losar, Tibetan New Year 2153. I pledge to renew support to Tibetans to help them find Happiness in Tibetan New Year beginning on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Losar 2026, the Tibetan New Year, will be celebrated on February 18, 2026, marking the start of the 2153rd year, which is the Year of the Fire Horse. This 15-day festival (with main festivities lasting 3 days) represents a time for cleansing, family gatherings, and renewal.

Key Details for Losar 2026 (Year of the Fire Horse):

Date: February 18, 2026, falls on a Wednesday.
Significance: The Fire Horse is associated with movement, strength, and transformation.
Duration: The main, most significant celebrations occur over three days (Feb 18–20), though festivities can last up to 15 days.
Preparations: Homes are cleaned and painted, and a special noodle soup called guthuk is prepared on New Year’s Eve (Feb 17).
Celebration Activities: People wear new clothes, visit monasteries (like the Potala Palace or Sera Monastery), exchange greetings of “Tashi Delek,” and witness masked dances to ward off evil spirits.
Regions: It is a major holiday in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of India.

It is a time to pay homage to deities, make offerings, and enjoy traditional food like kapse (fried pastries).

Tibet Equilibrium 2026: Special Frontier Force shares Happy Losar Tashi Delek Greetings

On behalf of Special Frontier Force-Establishment 22-Vikas Regiment, I greet Tibetans on Losar, Tibetan New Year 2153. I pledge to renew support to Tibetans to help them find Happiness in Tibetan New Year beginning on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Whole Dude at Whole Foods Honors All Veterans

November 11, 2025 – Honoring the Veterans of Special Frontier Force

Excerpt: On November 11, 2025, the Veterans of Special Frontier Force, a military alliance between India, Tibet, and the U.S., was honored for its operations in Bangladesh in 1971-72. The tribute, taking place on Veterans Day, recognized these veterans for their exceptional contributions, amid the general silence from Tibet, India, and the U.S. The force, identified by the U.S. military weapons and supplies they used, executed their inaugural combat mission, Operation Eagle, securing peace in what is now Bangladesh. The extensive list of weapon systems and support supplies used during these operations from the U.S. arsenal signified the close cooperation between the allies during this period.

Whole Dude – Whole Veteran: November 11, 2025. Honoring the Veterans of Special Frontier Force. 1871 and 1971, One Hundred Years Apart, Southern Column vs South Column. The Military Expeditions to Demagiri, Tlabung, Lushai, Mizo Hills. The M14 Rifle was issued to me on Monday, October 25, 1971.

Whole Dude – Whole Veteran: November 11, 2025. Honoring the Veterans of Special Frontier Force. The weapon used by the Veterans of Special Frontier Force in Operation Eagle, the Bangladesh Ops of 1971-72.

Veteran’s Day is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Originating in 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson marked a year since the end of the First World War, the day coincides with other days of remembrance around the world including Armistice Day in the United Kingdom and Remembrance Day across the Commonwealth of Nations. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in service, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including the living.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, I honor the Veterans of Special Frontier Force while Tibet, India, and the United States remain silent about the contributions of the living and the dead veterans of Special Frontier Force in support of Freedom.

The military Veterans of Special Frontier Force (particularly Establishment 22 prior to conversion to Vikas Regiment)serve the United States for they used the military weapons and military supplies provided by the United States. A soldier is always identified by the military weapon that he uses in his fight against the enemy.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

VETERANS DAY – ARMISTICE DAY – HONORING ALL WHO SERVED

Clipped from: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/veterans-day-honoring-all-who-served-3332001

Veterans Day In The United States And Europe

**Whole Dude – Whole Veteran: November 11, 2025. Honoring the Veterans of Special Frontier Force. Veterans Day Proclamation in 1954 by the US President Dwight Eisenhower.**

Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained from combat. That’s not true. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor America’s war dead.

Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors ALL American veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in the lives to keep our country free.

Armistice Day

To commemorate the ending of the “Great War” (World War I), an “unknown soldier” was buried in the highest place of honor in both England and France (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These ceremonies took place on November 11th, celebrating the ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). This day became known internationally as “Armistice Day”.

In 1921, the United States of America followed France and England by laying to rest the remains of a World War I American soldier — his name “known but to God” — on a Virginia hillside overlooking the city of Washington DC and the Potomac River. This site became known as the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” and today is called the “Tomb of the Unknowns.” Located in Arlington National Cemetery, the tomb symbolizes dignity and reverence for the American veteran.

In America, November 11th officially became known as Armistice Day through an act of Congress in 1926. It wasn’t until 12 years later through a similar act that Armistice Day became a national holiday.

The entire World thought that World War I was the “War to end all wars.” Had this been true, the holiday might still be called Armistice Day today. That dream was shattered in 1939 when World War II broke out in Europe. More than 400,000 American service members died during that horrific war.

Veterans Day Creation

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration (now called the Department of Veterans Affairs) to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day National Ceremony

At exactly 11 a.m., each November 11th, a color guard, made up of members from each of the military branches, renders honors to America’s war dead during a heart-moving ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

The President or his representative places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler sounds Taps. The balance of the ceremony, including a “Parade of Flags” numerous veterans service organizations, takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.

In addition to planning and coordinating the National Veterans Day Ceremony, the Veterans Day National Committee supports a number of Veterans Day Regional Sites. These sites conduct Veterans Day celebrations that provide excellent examples for other communities to follow.

Veterans Day Observance

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the day of week on which it falls. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is always held on Veterans Day itself, even if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. However, like all other federal holidays, when it falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the federal government employees take the day off on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).

This federal law does not apply to state and local governments. They are free to determine local government closings (including school closings) locally. As such, there is no legal requirement that schools close on Veterans Day, and many do not. However, most schools hold Veterans Day activities on Veterans Day and throughout the week of the holiday to honor American veterans.

Allied Veterans Day Around the World

Many other countries honor their veterans on November 11th of each year. However, the name of the holiday and the types of ceremonies differ from the Veterans Day activities in the United States.

Canada, Australia, and Great Britain refer to their holidays as “Remembrance” Canada and Australia observe the day on November 11, and Great Britain conducts their ceremonies on the Sunday nearest to November 11th.

In Canada, the observance of “Remembrance Day” is actually quite similar to the United States in that the day is set aside to honor all of Canada’s veterans, both living and dead. One notable difference is that many Canadians wear a red poppy flower on November 11 to honor their war dead, while the “red poppy” tradition is observed in the United States on Memorial Day.

In Australia, “Remembrance Day” is very much like America’s Memorial Day, in that it’s considered a day to honor Australian veterans who died in the war.

In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of ex-service members in Whitehall, a wide ceremonial avenue leading from London’s Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph, a war memorial in Whitehall, which was built after the First World War. At the Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, a two-minute silence is observed at 11 a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars.

Whole Supreme – The celebration of the Dalai Lama

Tibet Consciousness – The Supreme Ruler of Tibet

On tibet.net

Tibetans are celebrating His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday with a photography exhibition, ‘Dalai Lama in Frames’ at Centre Atrium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Dalai Lama relinquished his temporal powers and Tibetan Exile community have a parliament and a Prime Minister to attend to affairs of Tibetan Government in Exile.

Tibetans in Occupied Tibet continue to claim Dalai Lama as the Supreme Ruler of Tibet for they have no opportunity to elect their own representatives. Until Democracy is introduced into Tibet, Tibetans have no choice; His Holiness the Dalai Lama will remain the sole representative of Tibetans.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4162 USA
Special Frontier Force-Establishment 22-Vikas Regiment

Visual celebration of Dalai Lama’s life

On tibet.net

Shweta Sharma, Dec 29, 2015, DHNS
Photo exhibit
His Holiness The Dalai Lama turned 80 this year. In Tibetan custom, especially in Amdo, the north eastern part of Tibet, where he was born, family members celebrate the 80th year of one’s birth with great joy. Extending this celebration to the national capital, the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (FURHHDL) put together ‘Dalai Lama in Frames’ a photography exhibition based on his life and activities.

“The main idea behind organising this exhibition is to showcase the life and activities of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in visual form. If you check his schedule, you can see that he travels extensively to different parts of the world engaging in talks, teachings, festivals. Even in India, he travels to various parts of the country meeting people, students, and children and participating in many meetings and gatherings,” Thupten Tsewang, director (administration), general manager (programmes), FURHHDL, tells Metrolife.

The exhibition shows the Dalai Lama’s life in pictures through the lens of Tenzin Choejor, his official photographer. So, in one image the Tibetan spiritual leader can be seen with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, captain of Indian cricket team, at Dharamsala (2014); in another picture he is seen offering prayers at the Gupt-Ganga Temple in Srinagar (2012); while another image shows him blessing the patients at Tahirpur Leprosy Complex in New Delhi (2014).

“We did not have any strict system of selecting the images. However, we have tried our best to select those images which depict his genuine effort of reaching out to people of different backgrounds and circumstances,” Tsewang says.

He adds that the images are broadly based on the three main commitments of His Holiness. “Firstly, images such as his engagement with various religious leaders (depict his efforts) to promote religious harmony in the world. (His images) with students, children, patients, politicians, business people depict his efforts of reaching out to people of various backgrounds to engage and promote human values. Thirdly, engaging with Tibetans and Buddhists (depict his effort) to preserve Tibet’s Buddhist culture, a culture of peace and non-violence,” he says.

The exhibition is on at the Centre Atrium, India Habitat Centre until December 31.

Tel: +91 (80) 25880000 Fax No. +91 (80) 25880523

**Tibet Consciousness – The Supreme Ruler of Tibet.Lhasa, Potala und Medizinberg von Osten. My Prayers to Lhasa River.**

Whole Rebirth – Visiting the Dalai Lama’s Birthplace

Tibet Consciousness – The Dalai Lama’s Birthplace

Special Frontier Force shares with pleasure a story, “In the Dalai Lama’s home town, a moment of limbo,” published in The Washington Post.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4162 USA
Special Frontier Force-Establishment 22-Vikas Regiment

THE WASHINGTON POST

In the Dalai Lama’s home town, a moment of limbo

**TIBET CONSCIOUSNESS – THE 14th DALAI LAMA’S BIRTHPLACE, TAKTSER, AMDO, TIBET.**

What the birthplace of the Dalai Lama looks like

The spiritual leader was born Lhamo Dondrub to parents who farmed barley and potatoes in the village of Taktser.

The spiritual leader was born Lhamo Dondrub to parents who farmed barley and potatoes in the village of Taktser.
The simple farmer’s home where the Dalai Lama once lived was leveled long ago and has been reconstructed several times during his exile. The latest changes, announced in 2013, cost $400,000 and saw the addition of a 10-foot-high wall. Emily Rauhala/The Washington Post

BY EMILY RAUHALA NOVEMBER 19 at 10:35 PM

Taktser, Amdo, Tibet — The first snow of the season lies light on the hills and the air smells of wood smoke; the police who guard this village on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau must be inside by the stove.

Beyond a solitary checkpoint, a paved road rises up and around and passes a high-walled courtyard with a richly painted gate. Nearby, a sheep picks through a pile of hay, unobserved except by security cameras.

It was here, in what Tibetans call Amdo (and the People’s Republic named Qinghai province), that a boy named Lhamo Dondrub was born in 1935 to parents who farmed barley and potatoes.

Identified as the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama at age 2, he left for Lhasa in 1939 and fled to India in 1959. But in his birthplace — known to the Tibetans as Taktser — and across the plateau, his presence is still keenly, if quietly, felt — much to Beijing’s dismay.

In 2006, a top Chinese official called the battle against him a “fight to the death.” With each year that passes — he turned 80 in July — that looks to be increasingly true.

Last year, the Dalai Lama raised the possibility that his title may die with him, musing also that he might reincarnate as a woman, reincarnate outside Tibet or not reincarnate at all.

Beijing countered that the man they call a “wolf in monk’s robes” must absolutely reincarnate. It seeks to control what happens when he dies by, among other things, staking a claim on his place of birth.

That leaves Taktser in limbo. “In a way, his birthplace represents and embodies the Tibet problem: It’s there, and the Chinese authorities cannot make it disappear,” said Yangdon Dhondup, a research associate at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

“To find a way around this is to make it as difficult as possible to access it so that slowly, this place — and in extension, the Tibet problem — is forgotten from the mind and from history,” she said. On the road to Taktser, the sweep of history is in full view.

From the provincial capital, Xining, you drive east on a freeway flanked by half-built high-rises, and then south along a valley floor, passing villages being razed and rebuilt with state money — mud-brown courtyards resurrected in grayish white, often with standard-issue stenciling on the walls.

Roadside billboards feature the face of President Xi Jinping and praise the Communist Party. “Deeply implement the spirit of the 18th Party congress,” reads one. There are few signs, though, marking the way to Taktser.

Beijing’s strategy in Tibetan areas is twofold: forcibly restrict religious practice while pumping money into development in a bid to control, and eventually change, the Tibetan way of life. Some Tibetans call it colonization. Beijing has long preferred “liberation,” and state media regularly tout expensive efforts in road and rail construction, mass resettlement and the restoration of historic sites.

Migration is changing many towns and cities on the plateau, including Taktser. In 2011, a Chinese state media report noted that the once-Tibetan town was home to 44 Tibetan families and 25 Han Chinese families.

The simple farmer’s home where the Dalai Lama once lived was leveled long ago and has been reconstructed several times during his exile. The latest changes, announced in 2013, cost $400,000 and included the addition of a 10-foot-high wall.

That money was part of a $250 million effort to urbanize the district. A local official, Sun Xiuzong, in 2013 cast the plan as a triumph. “Today, the once bleak, underdeveloped county is closer to a boom town,” he told the Xinhua News Agency, praising better tap water and “blacktop roads.”

Critics counter that here and elsewhere, investment comes with conditions: Some visitors who make the trip are welcome, some of the time — but only if they check in with the police. And by staking its claim on the Dalai Lama’s birthplace, the state signals something more: plans to control his lineage after death. When a search party from Lhasa set out to find the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1935, its members followed a series of signals, sustaining centuries-old tradition.

Today, the toddler they found in Taktser wonders whether it’s time to end that system. “The Dalai Lama institution will cease one day,” he told the BBC last year. Better to end it with a “popular” leader, he said, than to risk a “stupid” one.

That did not please Beijing. At an annual meeting last March, members of the officially atheist Communist Party said that the Dalai Lama must reincarnate — according to their dictates.

“Decision-making power over the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and over the end or survival of this lineage, resides in the central government of China,” said party official Zhu Weiqun, according to state media reports.

“The party will try every single way to intervene and control the reincarnation,” said Woeser, a Tibetan poet and blogger, who like many Tibetans uses one name.

There is precedent. In 1995, the Dalai Lama named a 6-year-old as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, the second-most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. China declared the appointment illegitimate, the boy and his family disappeared, and Beijing appointed its own Panchen Lama.

Many believe they have a similar plan in the works for when the Dalai Lama dies — raising the possibility of rival candidates and a succession struggle.

“China is convinced that it simply has to wait out death, then appoint their own Dalai Lama,” said Elliot Sperling, an associate professor at Indiana University who studies Tibet. “Even if Tibetans don’t accept it, Beijing believes it has enough control, and enough in terms of the mechanism of repression.”

For now, Beijing’s tight grip on Tibetan areas prevents most locals from speaking candidly on the issue. As dusk settled over Taktser, villagers declined to chat, ducking inside or simply saying, apologetically, “I can’t.”

Over tea and Tibetan bread, one family said they indeed appreciated improvements to their housing over the years and hoped the village would continue to prosper. Their names have been withheld because they are not allowed to speak to visitors.

Asked about the Dalai Lama, a farmer in his 30s shook his head, looked at the ground, then nodded toward the spiritual leader’s rebuilt house.
“Shuo bu shang,” he said in Chinese. “It’s hard to say.”

Gu Jinglu in Hongya and Liu Liu in Beijing contributed to this report.

RauhalaE.png?ts=1440434927026&w=180&h=180

Emily Rauhala is a China Correspondent for the Post. She was previously a Beijing-based correspondent for TIME, and an editor at the magazine’s Hong Kong office.

That leaves Taktser in limbo. “In a way, his birthplace represents and embodies the Tibet problem: It’s there, and the Chinese authorities cannot make it disappear,” said Yangdon Dhondup, a research associate at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

**TIBET CONSCIOUSNESS – LABRANG, AMDO REGION, EASTERN TIBET. THE 14th DALAI LAMA WAS BORN IN A SMALL VILLAGE CALLED TAKTSER.**

Whole Supreme – The Temporal and the Spiritual Ruler of Tibet Living in Exile

The Supreme Ruler of Tibet is unlike any spiritual leader or king

I am pleased to share the photo images of the 14th Dalai Lama, the Supreme Ruler of Tibet, living in exile.

All photographs are part of the book, ‘A God in Exile: The Fourteenth Dalai Lama by Raghu Rai’, published by Roli Books.

The BBC News shared these photo images describing the Dalai Lama as a ‘spiritual leader’. Photographer and author Raghu Rai went a step further in recognizing the Dalai Lama as “A God in Exile.”

In my analysis, the relevance of the 14th Dalai Lama relates to the Institution of Dalai Lama that governs Tibet giving a sense of reality to the Tibetan Living Experience. If the Dalai Lama is just a Spiritual Leader, he would not be living in exile. If the Dalai Lama is indeed a ‘God’, Communist China would have utterly failed in crushing the massive Tibetan Uprising of March 1959.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada

Special Frontier Force-Establishment 22-Vikas Regiment

The Dalai Lama: Intimate portrait of a spiritual leader – BBC News

Clipped from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45585890

The 14th Dalai Lama. The Supreme Ruler of Tibet living in exile. **The Supreme Ruler of Tibet is unlike any spiritual leader or king**

Image copyright Raghu Rai Image caption The Dalai Lama watching the TV series, Mahabharata

A new book by acclaimed Indian photographer Raghu Rai offers an unprecedented glimpse into the life of one of the world’s leading religious figures.

A God In Exile is the result of a photographer’s decades-long insight into his muse. Rai took his first picture of the iconic Tibetan spiritual leader in 1975.

He recalled being stopped by the Dalai Lama’s security. “I somehow managed to make eye contact with His Holiness and asked him if I could take some photos of him. He smiled and said yes,” Rai told the BBC.

Over the years, he has photographed the Dalai Lama many times and has cultivated a “deep friendship”.

In March 1959, as Chinese troops crushed an attempted uprising in Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama, who was born Tenzin Gyatso, fled into India. He was then a young man in his mid-20s.

Image copyright Raghu Rai

The Indian government granted him asylum and he settled in the northern town of Dharamshala. About 80,000 Tibetans followed him into exile, most of whom settled in the same area.

Image copyright Raghu Rai

Thronged by Tibetan worshippers and tourists, the Dalai Lama is seen in the above image blessing a woman at a ceremony.

“When he sees his Tibetans, my god! You should see his eyes! It’s like a grandfather doting on his grandchildren,” Rai says.

In 2014, Rai decided to curate the hundreds of photos he had taken of the Dalai Lama and compile them into a book – a project which, he said, has been in the making for 40 years.

· The ancient wisdom the Dalai Lama hopes will enrich the world

Image copyright Raghu Rai

Many of the photos in the collection capture the Dalai Lama in candid moments, giving us an intimate glimpse into his everyday life.

“He loves to play with animals – I was waiting for him one day when he suddenly showed up with a cat,” Rai says.

Image copyright Raghu Rai

Rai also captured scenes from the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday celebrations in 2015 at home in Dharamshala.

He hosted his siblings, including his older brother, Gyalo Thondup (pictured above), whom he introduced to guests as a “troublemaker”.

The book’s preface, written by Rai, offers readers an account of his interactions with the Dalai Lama.

“He left an indelible impression on me – gentle, gracious, humble and full of wonder. It is peculiar to say such a thing, but I got the strange yet pleasant feeling of being equals, despite his position. In hindsight, I realise it was because His Holiness behaved with such unfeigned kindness and lack of vanity.”

Image copyright Raghu Rai

Many images in the book feature the Dalai Lama performing innocuous chores such as repairing his TV or gardening in his home – tasks that he always did himself, Rai says.

Image copyright Raghu Rai

“In a lot of ways, he gave me everything a photographer ever wants from a subject,” the photographer says.

Image copyright Raghu Rai

Among the Dalai Lama’s favorite places at his home is the garden, where he grows all sorts of plants.

All photographs are part of the book, ‘A God in Exile: The Fourteenth Dalai Lama by Raghu Rai’, published by Roli Books.

Whole Compassion – The Year of Compassion in celebration of Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday

Whole Compassion – The Bodhisattva of Compassion

On Sunday, July 06, 2025, I declare that I am a Refugee and I need a Refuge for I do not have either “willpower,” or “Free Will.” I join the Tibetan community in the celebration of the 90th Birth Anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. May God Bless Him with a Long Life.

**In Tibetan Buddhism, Bodhisattva-Avalokitesvara is physically manifested as His Holiness The Dalai Lama.**

90th Birthday MessageJuly 5, 2025

On the occasion of my 90th birthday, I understand that well-wishers and friends in many places, including Tibetan communities, are gathering for celebrations. I particularly appreciate the fact that many of you are using the occasion to engage in initiatives that highlight the importance of compassion, warm-heartedness, and altruism.

I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organizing events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts.

While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.

As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion.

I develop determination and courage in my daily life through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters such as Shantideva, whose following aspiration I strive to uphold.

As long as space endures,
As long as sentient being remain,
Until then, may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.

Thank you for using the opportunity of my birthday to cultivate peace of mind and compassion.

Tashi Deleg and with prayers,

Dalai Lama

5 July 2025

I am a Refugee, and Who is my Refuge? Musings on the 84th Birthday of the Dalai Lama

On Saturday, July 06, 2019, I declare that I am a Refugee and I need a Refuge for I do not have either “willpower,” or “Free Will.” I join the Tibetan community in the celebration of the 84th Birth Anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. May God Bless Him with a Long Life.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada

Special Frontier Force-Establishment 22-Vikas Regiment

**I am a Refugee. Who is my Refuge? I have neither ‘willpower’ nor free-will.**

Dalai Lama 84th birthday | 10 Inspirational quotes from Tibetan spiritual leader Tenzin Gyatso

Clipped from: https://newsroompost.com/lifestyle/dalai-lama-84th-birthday-10-inspirational-quotes-from-tibetan-spiritual-leader-tenzin-gyatso/460036.html

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

New Delhi: The 84th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is being celebrated today in the main Tibetan temple Tsuglagkhang in Mcleodganj, Dharamshala.

10 Inspirational quotes from Tenzin Gyatso

#Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

#Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.

Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions.

#My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

#If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

#Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

#Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.

#Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.

#The purpose of our lives is to be happy.

#We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

Whole Question – To be, Or Not to be Tibetan is the Question

To be, or not to be Tibetan is the First Question

Tibetan Exiles like all other human beings may face a perplexing question about their Identity. To Be Tibetan, Or Not To Be Tibetan is the First Question. Man is a terrestrial creature and his identity is largely shaped by his natural habitat. To be a Tibetan in Tibet is easy and natural. For Tibetans living in exile for a long time, alienation from native land poses a painful choice. To resolve this crisis, if I could help, I prefer to remove any superimposition of Chinese Identity over Tibetan territory. I prefer the second choice, “Take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them?”

LONG LIVE TIBETAN RESISTANCE.

Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-4162 USA
Special Frontier Force-Establishment 22-Vikas Regiment

THE DIPLOMAT

Image Credit. Tibetans in Exile. Natalia Davidovich

Tibet in Limbo: An Exile’s Account of Citizenship in a World of Nation-States

The international community needs to address the plight of Tibetan refugees.

By Tenzin Pelkyi for The Diplomat
January 06, 2016

Recently, an Al Jazeera article offered a profile of statelessness which featured tales of refugees from around the world. From Tibet to Kazakhstan, Syria to the Dominican Republican, the intimate glimpses of life for the millions of dislocated individuals in countries across the globe highlighted the common obstacles faced by those forced to flee their ancestral lands.
Tibet is a prime example of this 21st century phenomenon of statelessness in a world of nation-states. In fact, many parallels have been drawn between the troubled Himalayan region and stateless peoples from the Palestinians to the Kurds.
In 2015, a number of important events took place in the secretive underbelly of Tibetan exile politics – a world unto itself for those of us who have to navigate it either as members of the in group (Tibetan exiles) or out group (non-Tibetan activists, scholars, journalists), including the Tibetan exile elections, inception of the Tibetan feminist movement, the rising numbers of self-immolation protests in Tibet, and a major rebranding of the official Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) policy of “genuine autonomy” for Tibet (i.e. “The Middle Way”).
As such, I think it’s important to properly contextualize the article and clarify a few key points in regard to the issue of Tibetan refugees.
Having personally been born after the cut-off point for Indian citizenship granted to Tibetan refugees after the 2010 ruling, I, like many others, take issue with the arbitrary window period for citizenship. Although it’s certainly better than no such law at all, there is still a restriction on citizenship for future Tibetan refugees and an entire generation excluded from this opportunity. Tibetans like myself, who were naturalized in the U.S. after relocating through the special visa provision for Tibetan refugees included in the Immigration Act of 1990, are privileged in holding American citizenship. But there are far more in the settlements in India who are not so fortunate.
Beyond the issue of a cut-off point for citizenship, the very idea of Indian citizenship was hotly debated in the Tibetan exile community. Those advocating for Tibetan independence, which the exile administration opposes, have argued that granting exiles Indian citizenship when the administration is headquartered in India would negate the very existence of such an entity. An official name change of the CTA was posed in 2012 and met with vocal opposition for restricting its jurisdiction to “the Tibetan exile people,” encompassing only the exile population of roughly 128,000 rather than the entire population of Tibet (over 6 million). Indian citizenship thus has tremendous implications for any prospects for Tibetan statehood.
With the rise of disputes between Tibetan exiles in the Indian settlements and locals, legal protections for Tibetan refugees are becoming an increasing concern. Tibetan exiles are required to carry and renew a registration certificate and an identity card to travel overseas. A lack of citizenship means Tibetans are unable to own land and travel freely. Harsh penalties, including incidents of arrest, for the mere failure to renew these documents have further heightened fears over the tenuous nature of exile in the settlements. Restrictions on employment opportunities in India have also contributed to growing debate over Indian citizenship.
As we head into the new year, the plight of Tibetan refugees must be more fully addressed by the international community, lest we have yet another global humanitarian crisis on our hands.
Tenzin Pelkyi is a writer, activist, and law student. She sits on the board of the Asian American Organizing Project and is also the founder/editor of the Tibetan Feminist Collective. She writes and speaks regularly about Tibet, Asian American advocacy, reproductive rights, and racial justice.