His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in London, Mr Thubten Samdup, attended events on Tibet during his visit to Chhiping Norton and Northampton.
Representative Mr Thubten Samdup participated in ‘Evening for Tibet’ held in Chipping Norton on 2 March. Chipping Norton is a thriving market town on the edge of the North Oxfordshire Cotswolds, an area of outstanding beauty, with rolling hills and idyllic limestone villages. “The reason for Mr Thubten Samdup’s visit was his wish to speak to the people of Chipping Norton, as they are the constituents of our Prime Minister, David Cameron, who was invited but sadly declined the invitation as he was occupied elsewhere,” Ms Diana Hughes told this website.
In his address at the packed Town Hall, Mr Samdup spoke about the grim situation in Tibet in view of the increasing self-immolations by Tibetans. He said that the none of these self-sacrificing individuals had taken any lives other than their own when they died. He said that this was the non-violent way, in direct contrast to terrorist acts involving suicide elsewhere in the world.
He spoke about the UK’s special connection with Tibet as a soverign nation before its invasion by the Chinese communist government in 1950.
The sufferings of the Tibetan people were made particularly poignant by the screening of the film ‘Escape from Tibet’. This highly acclaimed film, which depicts the flight across the Himalayas of a group of refugees, particularly focussing on two brothers, Pasang and Tenzin. Tenzin, who was 11-year-old when he acted in the film, is now a young man in his twenties studyin in London. His brother Pasang also lives in London. “There was nobody in the audience who was not touched by the Tibetan’s astonishing record of endurance and the triumph of the human spirit,” Ms Hughes said.
Other highlights of the event include Tibetan cuisines and a song by Jane Alston about the tragic self-immolations in Tibet titled “Burning in the mountains”.
Tibetan Flag Raising Event in Northamptom
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative Mr Thubten Samdup attended a Tibetan flag raising event organised by Ms Caroline Scattergood in Northampton on 5 March. Dignitaries present at the event include Mayor and Mayoress Roger and Jenny Conroy, the Leader of the Council David Mackintosh, Keith Davies, former leader of the Council and many other councillors, including the Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Cllr Terry Wire.
Mayor Roger Conroy read out a letter from TV presenter, Gloria Hunniford, expressing concern over the tragic situation in Tibet. The letter said “It is a great honour to send love to this event and help keep the Tibetan lineage alive. My daughter, TV celebrity, Caron Keating, was battling with cancer and she had the Dalai Lama’s photo by her bed and Tibetan monks prayed at her home. She gained incredible strength from their kindness and care. I wish you much success in this incredibly honourable cause. My very best wishes. A mother’s message from the heart”.
Caroline Scattergood, one of the organiser, spoke about a 20-year-old Tibetan girl named Tsering Kyi, who took her life in desperation to help Tibet. She left a message to the her family saying that “Life is meaningless if we don’t do something for Tibet.”
David Mackintosh, Leader of the Council, spoke on behalf of the Council and their 14 years of support for the Tibetan people, despite being asked by the Chinese officials to not fly the flag last year. “The Council say, It’s traditional now!” , he said.
A letter was read out from Michael Ellis, MP for Northampton. He said, “I am pleased that the people of Northampton will again have an opportunity to show their support for the Tibetan people. I would have liked to have been able to attend but I am required at the House of Commons.
I remain very concerned about the situation in Tibet. The conduct of the Chinese Government with regards to Tibet has repeatedly shown how little they respect the rights and will of the Tibetan people. I hope that the new Chinese Leadership will show a reforming attitude to this matter and a new-found respect for Tibetan culture but until they do campaigners like those here today are so very important.
I know the Prime Minister also feels strongly about this, and alongside the Foreign Secretary, have repeatedly raised the human rights issue with the Chinese Government at every available opportunity. This diplomatic pressure will continue and I hope we will all eventually see a peaceful and equitable
resolution,” Mr Ellis said.
Before the flag was raised the audience sat in silence and contemplation while healing Tibetan sounds flowed around them, played by Rozz & Ant.
They were asked to pray for Tibet and the deceased’s mothers and fathers and share in their loss and grief.
The flag was raised and we were left with this thought:
The true way to mourn the dead …… is to take care of the living that belong to them.
“So, Northampton will take care of Tibet.”
(Based on report sent by Ms Caroline Scattergood of Shine-a-light on Tibet and Ms Diana Hughes)
