Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Man of Moment

Today on April 27,2011 Tibetan election commission declared Dr. Lobsang Sangay as the  winner of the  third Kalon Tripa election. The harvard educated legal scholar flew from Boston and he had  a flurry of activities in washington D.C. It includes his last interview with RFA, and then with VOA followed by AFA, Reuter. Even BBC was frantic in reaching Lobsang say for interview  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13205481   His comments and respons are well thought and measured. He has the knack of addressing western media that none other candidate could possibly have done.


 He was indeed the man of the moment, extremely demanding, charismatic, articulate and friendly. He seized the opportunity to field quetions and grand interviews to many media outlets. His day one went without a hitch but with great hype.  It is encouraging and news to see the level of interest and importance given to his victory by international media.  I have already imagined, that Dr. Lobsang Sangay is a media savvy personality. His personality will bring much deserved attention to the plight of Tibetan people.
 
 I was a strong supporter of his candidancy from the day one till to the day of his landslid victory. His win signify the yearn for a change among the Tibetan dispora. Tibetan media, and lots of them have smeared, slandered Sangay, but to no vail.  He emerged as  people's prime minister.  It was a day that Tibetan exile have joined the mainstream of world democracy.  As Lobsang himself said, it is a unmistakeble signal to China that the younger generation of Tibetan exile government is set to lead the Tibetan movement with much vigour and valor. 
 
It is a  new chapter in the history of Tibetan exile and a new biggining for a new kind of struggle for Tibetan exile, with a lay person at the helm of the Central Tibetan Administration. It is a now time for all Tibetan to put aside any interal  political bickering and work toward for the greater cause of free Tibet.   Under the new leadership of Kalon Tripa, Tibetan has much to be exicited and hopeful. Exile Tibetan have elected an energetic and innovative and forward thinking scholard to lead the cause.
Dalai Lama announced his complete retirement and the process of delvoving all this power to elected Tibetan leadership has well underway. The Tibetan Chater is being revised to meet the Dalai Lama's wishes. That will vest great power on the person of Kalon Tripa.  I wish Tibetan Prime Minister elect Dr. Lobsang Sangay my best wishes, and may his vision for the future Tibetan being fulfilled.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Decision points

Soon after he left office, the 43rd former president of United State started to write his memoir" Decions Points". Running over 481 pages, the book is a great achievement for the president in laying out his legacy for the posterity. What a fine and phenomenal feat George W, Bush has crafted. My prospective of George W,Bush has been changed by the great insights on Bush illuminated in  book. Consequently I  respect him as a man of faith, and great integrity. His Dad wrote to him quoting " I love you more than tongue can tell".

On the chapter under Freedom Agenda, he has proudly scripted of his five time meeting with  His Holiness the Dalai Lama and being the first U.S president appearing with Dalai Lama in public. He shared with Hu that he was planning to attend the ceremony where the Dalai Lama would recieve the Congressional Gold Medal.  He told China's leaders they should not fear him . "This is not meant as a slap at China", Bush said "but as a measure of my respect for the Dalai lama and for the U.S congress", for he was a strong belief in religious freedom. Presuemablly Hu replied that this is a politically sensitive issue in China, " ...it will draw very strong reaction from the Chinese people". Bush rightly pointed out China wants stability, we want freedom.

Bush wrote that he found that the Dalai Lama to be a "Charming, peaceful man" whom Chinese leaders should embrace.  I recall that His Holiness said that he "loved" Bush, for he is straightforward and honest.

Courageous, candid, cunning, comical and contemplative, curious , conscioustious would be my abjectives to describe Bush.   I feel elated for having read this wellwritten great book. At times, Bush's sense of humor have strewn over the pages. Any events that come to his desk, he dealt it with the best interest of American people. He weighed each issues with its pros and cons and he regreted not of any decision that he delivered upon careful thoughts. The job of an American president is mindblogging, especially Bush had faced many national crisis during his presidency. Yet he handled them deftly and swiftly and carefully. I know the media pundits, have badmouthed Bush excessively, and his approval rating has plunged in the final years in white house.   But I have no doubt, read this book, and it will turn the tide, the books is a testament of Bush's sterling record as a great president, who steward America at times of great upheaval and crisis.

Bush was a very pragmatic and pratical person, as he wrote "let my actions send the messages". He is not that a gifted speaker as the current president Obama. But Bush is a man of a principle and god fearing. he belivers strongly that action speaks lounder than words and he practised it during his presidency. One of his favourite Bible verse for politicians Mathew 7:3-"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye"?

His memoir provides excellent insights on leadership, family value, religious faith and political ambitious. In the the first chapter, Bush wrote about his drinking habit and how he kicked the habit. He has beautifully summised his determination that was fueld by faith "I would not have quit drinking without faith. I also dont think my faith could be as strong if I hadnt quit drinking. I believe God helped open my eyes,which were closing because of booze"  and Bush always felt he had a special connection to the words of "Amazing Grace" :" I Once was lost, but now am found/ was blind, but now I see".

The power of words has been fully revealed on the pages of "Decision Points", it has established the Bush cow boy as a family guy, friendly and funny.  It is a must read for any one who is interested in humanity and humility.   This phenomenal memoir openned my unsatiated desire to know and read more other political memoirs, as Bush family has two other best seller by Laura and his daugher Jena. I have spent over 20$ to purchase the book and it was most fulfilling investment for me.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Happy time in Old Tibet

“Happy time in old Tibet”


Ten years of research and writing has resulted with this historical novel. Drawing from the theme of love, life and social situation of the old Tibet, Zhurai, a Chinese woman writer has woven what seemed to be an interesting and lively work of historical significance for Tibetan. Speaking at ICT to a minuscule audience of Tibetan and American, she has shared her determination to probe further the reality of old Tibet, at the background of what Chinese propaganda has been projecting the old Tibet as “dark society, barbaric”. The talk in Chinese, that was translated in English focused on her effort and interaction with the real people of Tibet, who belongs to different social status of the old Tibet. My understanding is the book is based on a true life account of some of the living characters of the historical novel. But the book has been written in a fictional, novel style.

My initial impression of the book is some pure research historical works of a writer, who makes a case against Chinese propaganda. The talk generated good discussion and curious questions from the audience. However, as the author said, the Chinese government didn’t receive the book positively. Its publication was denied by communist government in mainland China, so she has to publish it in Taiwan. I feel In order to fully appreciate the work of literature, a thorough reading is essential, albeit it is written in Chinese mandarin.

The author looks very gentle with a mild character and interesting personality. With a great sense of humility, she spoke of what she believed to be the true. “She portrayed a very perfect old Tibet society”, shared by one of the audience members. The author to my astonishment confidently said there was no serfdom in Tibet. She said it was a creation of the Chinese government for propaganda reason. There are nobles, merchant and farmers. There was only one instance of Tibetan farmers ever revolted, in Tibet’s 2000 history. It is a strong indication of the complacency attitude of the farmers, whereas in China, peasant revolt is a recurring phenomenon. The ICT lecture series is often very informative and eye-opener to many issues. I was glad, I could make it.