“For me, Tibetan people are my role model. They are very honest, very polite and are very sincere people. As I said earlier, they treat me like a family member… This has made a profound impact on me. It has transformed me into a better person,” says Sarwan Kumar, Nangchen Settlement Office, Chauntra. 

Social Media Executive: Could you briefly tell us about yourself?

Sarwan Kumar: My name is Sarwan Kumar, Son of Shri. Dewan Chand, from Jharu village, P.O. Matra, Tehsil Joginder Nagar, District Mandi, H.P. I joined at this office of Nangchen Settlement on 1/11/1985, initially as a tractor driver. When I joined here, Nangchen Tibetan Settlement Officer Ku-ngo Khedup la, office secretary Nangsa la and Ku-ngo lhakdor la were serving at the office. They gave me an appointment letter and even to this day I have kept it safely with me.

Social Media Executive: Please explain your job description and how best does your work represents you or vice versa?

Sarwan Kumar: I am a driver and I drive very well. I have been maintaining the office vehicles in very good condition so far, without any major repair work. Wherever they send me, I go. If the peon of the office is on leave, I do his work as well, like making tea, cleaning the office etc. So everybody in the office is very happy with me because I do all kinds of jobs without any hesitation or complaints.

Social Media Executive: What inspired you to serve the Central Tibetan Administration?

Sarwan Kumar: When I was around 17 or 18 years old, I came to the settlement office looking for a job. I requested the Tibetan Settlement officer Ku-ngo la to employ me as a driver at the office as the office had vehicles but did not have a driver. Ku-ngo la and the office secretary told me that they would get back to me later on this. After some days I received their letter by post, asking me to come to the office to discuss job possibilities. As there were no telephones during that time, I was anxiously waiting for their letter. After a brief discussion, they agreed to employ me and that’s how I started my job at this office on 1/11/1985.

Social Media Executive: What does it mean for you to work as department staff (Rangkhong leje) under CTA?

Sarwan Kumar: I am not CTA staff, I am a Rangkhong leje (department staff). I have been working here for more than 33 years now. But I don’t feel tired or bored. Whenever I come to work, I feel proud about serving at this institution. It makes me feel that I am doing something for a larger cause. Even though I am not a Tibetan, I have never been treated differently or discriminated against. I have always been treated like a part of the large Tibetan diaspora family. This inspires me to keep working and keep serving and contributing to the Tibetan cause.

Social Media Executive: How best do you think you could make a difference to CTA?

Sarwan Kumar: I am a very small part of this huge institution. When you are a mere driver, you might feel that you don’t matter. But what we have to remember is that it is the small parts that make the whole engine function efficiently. If I don’t do my work honestly and if I don’t report to my work on time, important meetings might get disturbed or cancelled which may later have a larger impact on the whole Tibetan cause. So, by doing my work with all honesty and sincerity, I believe that I am contributing in my own small ways and making a difference to CTA. I was around 17 or 18 when I started working and now I am 52 years old. As long as I am in good health, as long as I can work, I will continue to work with the same honesty and sincerity.

Social Media Executive: Who is your role model and why?

Sarwan Kumar: For me, Tibetan people are my role model. They are very honest, very polite and are very sincere people. As I said earlier, they treat me like a family member. Whenever I meet Tibetan Lamas they bless both me and my family. This has made a profound impact on me. It has transformed me into a better person. I feel inspired to continue to work to the best of my abilities and to live like the Tibetans with utmost honesty, sincerity and politeness.

Social Media Executive: What is your piece of advice for young Tibetans serving or wishing to serve at CTA?

Sarwan Kumar: There are many new staff members joining our office. I want to tell them that they should work with all honesty and sincerity like the older staff members. They should finish all the work assigned to them with the utmost integrity and respect. They shouldn’t consider any work to be too small or inconsequential. Every work, small or big, is a step towards the larger cause. With all humility, I wish all the youngsters all the very best!

Every first Saturday of the month, as a part of its shout-out campaign, DIIR’s Social Media Desk will be profiling a civil servant of Central Tibetan Administration. This week we are pleased to profile Shri Sarwan Kumar, department staff at Bir/ Chauntra Nangchen settlement.