Association of Tibetan Journalists

Talk by Dr Dibyesh Anand

atibetanj — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:37:46 +0000

TCHRD & Human Rights Desk, DIIR invites you to a talk by Dr. Dibyesh Anand, University of Westminster,London.

Title : The Tibet Factor in Sino Indian Relations

Venue: DIIR Lhakpa Tsering Hall

Time: Today ( 20/11/2011) at 4: 00 PM

Dr. Dibyesh Anand:

Educated at the universities of Delhi, Hull and Bristol, Dibyesh Anand is a Reader (Associate Professor) in International Relations. Before joining Westminster in 2007, he was a Lecturer in Department of Economics and International Development at the University of Bath. He has held visiting fellowships in several institutions including the Australian National University, University of California Berkeley, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the Central University of Hyderabad.

His publications are in the areas of Global Politics, Identities, Tibet, China, Hindu Nationalism, and Security. He is the author of ‘Geopolitical Exotica: Tibet in Western Imagination’ (University of Minnesota Press, 2007; published in South Asia as ‘Tibet: A Victim of Geopolitics’, Routledge India; Chinese translation forthcoming) and ‘Hindu Nationalism in India and the Politics of Fear’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011). He is currently working on a book ‘China’s Tibet?’ and a research project on the Sino-Indian boundary dispute. In addition to scholarly writings, he contributes regularly to popular media including newspapers, radio, and television .

The above biography of Dr. Dibyesh Anand is taken from his college link : http://westminster.academia.edu/DibyeshAnand

International Conference on Cosmology and Consciousness

atibetanj — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:30:53 +0000

PRESS INVITAION

Subject: International Conference on Cosmology and Consciousness, Dharamsala,

Date: 16- 18 December

Venue: TCV School Upper, Dharamsala

Time: 9am-5pm

For further enquiries contact :

Dr. Bryce E Johnson, Tel: 94183 16543, Email: bjohnson@exploratorium.edu, and Nyima Gyaltsen, Tel: 98052 92996, Email: nyimgyaltse@gmail.com

Conference presenters –

Indian:
Dr Sisir Roy, Indian Statistical Institute
Dr Rajesh Kasturirangan, Indian Institute of Science

Tibetan:
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jangchup Choeden, Gaden Shartse Monastery Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, Emory University
Geshe Nyima Tashi, Sera Monastery
Dr Pema Dorjee, Tibetan Medical Institute

Western:
Dr Bruce Greyson, University of Virginia Dr Chris Impey, University of Arizona Dr David Presti, University of California Dr Paul Doherty, Exploratorium

Leading international scientists join Buddhist philosophers to discuss such intriguing questions as life after death, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and the nature of consciousness at a conference in Dharamsala later this month.

The three-day meeting, titled ‘Cosmology and Consciousness – a Dialogue between Buddhist Scholars and Scientists on Mind and Matter’, will promote the integration of spiritual values and scientific investigations.

The conference will see presentations from top Indian and Western scientists and senior Tibetan Buddhist scholars. The event is an initiative of the Science for Monks program under the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which has taught science to Tibetan monks since 2001 under the inspiration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Conference partners include the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, and the Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco, USA. The event is made possible by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation and the ongoing support of the Sager Family Foundation.

“It is not only the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but the need of the time for Tibetans, and particularly Tibetan Buddhist monastics, to become conversant with modern science,” says Geshe Lhakdor, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. “Monastics studying modern science is a historic step in the history of monastic education and Tibetan Buddhism. Through becoming well-versed in traditional philosophical studies and modern science, it is our hope that monks and nuns can make a significant contribution to the betterment of the physical and mental health of people everywhere.”

The conference will be held at the Tibetan Children’s Village School, Upper Dharamsala, from 16 to 18 December, 9am to 5pm.

Themes under discussion will be The Nature of Mind and Consciousness, Life and Consciousness in the Universe, Limits of Knowledge and Knowing, Mind, Awareness, and Behavior, and Serving Humanity. Participants will discuss how best to advance investigations at the intersection of science and spirituality.

“As a museum dedicated to science, art, and human perception, the Exploratorium has a broad view of learning,” says Dr Paul Doherty, Senior Scientist at the Exploratorium, who will deliver a paper titled ‘The Boundaries of Science’. “This conference is bringing together individuals from different learning traditions. Thinking and questioning the world from different perspectives mutually enriches our ways of explaining the world we experience.”

The conference opens up the dialogue to the monastic community in an unprecedented way. In addition to the presenters, eighteen Tibetan scholars from thirteen monasteries and nunneries are leading the development of the panel discussions and will be engaged in the dialogue with scientist for the first time. The conference is preceded by a four-week workshop aimed at engaging these eighteen Tibetan monastic scholars with modern science.

“For over 10 years, Science for Monks has brought science to select groups of scholarly Tibetan Buddhist monastics and developed science leadership within the monastic community,” says Dr Bryce E Johnson, Project Manager of Science for Monks and Staff Scientist at the Exploratorium. “Our workshops, 15 of them so far, have engaged the monastics in scientific inquires into the nature of matter and mental phenomena. This conference provides a new opportunity for the cross-fertilization of ideas, and new relationships between scientists and Tibetan scholars. The conference and workshop will position a new cadre of monastics to support and grow the dialogue between Buddhism and modern science.”

The conference is part of a larger set of initiatives spearheaded by the Library that include the Sager Science Leadership Institute (also part of the Science for Monks program), and the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative a partnership between the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and Emory University.

Video Release by Lhamo Kyab

atibetanj — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:14 +0000

‘My Reminiscence, Prisoner of Conscience’, a live experienced video presentation will be released by Mr.Lhamo Kyab, a former political prisoner of Tibet. It recalls three years of merciless torment experience in Chinese prison and speaks about the inhumane situation on his fellow Tibetan prisoners.

Your presence stands for a valuable support and sympathy to him as well as all Tibetan political prisoners who are severely suffering under the Chinese political pressure.

Thanking You,

Video: ‘My Reminiscence: Prisoner of Conscience’
Venue: Gu-Chu-Sum Movement Hall, Jogiwara Road
Time; 10:30 – 11:30 am/Tuesday/ Dec 13,2011

Contact:
Phone No: 9736334448
9816523556

E-mail: lhamokyab12@gmail.com

—————–
Jigdal འཇིགས་བྲལ་
Program/Campaigns Director
Students For a Free Tibet – India

Human Rights Day: SFT-India, RTYC-Dharamsala

atibetanj — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:09:59 +0000

Students for a Free Tibet – India
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, DharamshalaPress Release
For Immediate Release

10 December 20113

Contact: Tenzin Jigdal – 9736660451
Tsering Yangchen – 9857952150

Photo Credit: Norbu Wangyal

CELEBRITIES AND POLITICIANS JOIN TIBETANS AND SUPPORTERS AROUND THE WORLD TO STAND UP FOR TIBET ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY.
Global solidarity actions in over 40 cities around the world are taking place as over 700,000 people around the world call for diplomatic efforts to Save Tibetan Lives.

[Dharamshala] – Thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters in five continents are marking Human Rights Day by taking to the streets to Stand Up For Tibet [1] just one week after the thirteenth incident of self-immolation by a Tibetan in Tibet has taken place.

On 1 December, Tenzin Phuntsok, a former monk in his forties, walked into the fields around Karma Monastery shouting slogans and scattering leaflets before lighting himself on fire. We received a confirmed report yesterday on his sad demise. Phuntsok became the twelfth Tibetan since March this year to self-immolate as a desperate (acts of protest the ongoing Chinese occupation of Tibet) plea for the world to Stand Up For Tibet. At least six have died including two nuns [2].

Today, marking World Human Rights Day, Tibetans and Tibet supporters around the world are taking action in the Stand Up For Tibet campaign spreading awareness about Chinese brutality in Tibet and gathering support. Here in India young tibetans and Indian are taking the campaign to Indian cities like Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Baroda. In Dharamsala, Students for a Free Tibet India and Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, are jointly working together to fuel the campaign. “These desperate acts of self immolations are Tibet’s cry for freedom.” said Tsering Yangchen, Vice-President, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamshala.

“These cases of sacrifice by self-immolations are ultimate practice of nonviolence where they give up their lives so that thousands of others may live in peace. They are our heroes.”

The international campaign ENOUGH Global Intervention to Save Tibetan Lives has continued to gather strength in recent weeks. Rare and moving footage capturing the self immolation of Palden Choetso [3] (a 35 year old nun who self immolated and died on 3 November) and the response of local people in Tibet, who organised prayer gatherings and candlelight vigils, has galvanised international support. Already, over 700,000 people have supported online petitions and pledges calling for urgent diplomatic action [4]. Prominent personalities include Desmond Tutu, Radiohead and Paty Chapoy and a host of parliamentarians from around the world.

“Governments around the world must listen to the call by over 700,000 people to immediately take bold, multi-lateral diplomatic action to press China to end the crackdown before more lives are lost,” said Tenzin Jigdal, Program Director, Students for a Free Tibet – India [5].”We urge the Indian Government to pressure China to bring an immediate end to the ongoing crackdown in Eastern Tibet.”

China has occupied Tibet for over six decades and it remains one of the last cases of colonial oppression, constituting one of the longest-standing injustices one nation has perpetrated against another. Tibetans are now at breaking point, many feel the only choice is to sacrifice their own lives in a desperate plea for help.

For the List of Influential Signatories visit: http://standupfortibet.org/enough/influential-signatories/

Notes:
1. ENOUGH: Global Intervention to Save Tibetan Lives: http://standupfortibet.org/
2. There have been 13 self-immolations in total since February 2009. For more background information see http://standupfortibet.org/further-information/
3. Rare footage of Tibetan Nun’s Self-immolation Smuggled out of Tibet http://youtu.be/heRelfk_QW4
4. See Avaaz https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_tibetan_lives/ and Stand Up for Tibet http://standupfortibet.org/enough/dk-speakup-petition-1/

5. www.sftindia.org

Signature Campaign-SFT-India & RTYC-Dharamsala

atibetanj — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:02:06 +0000

Dear Sir/Madam

Students for a Free Tibet-India and Regional Tibetan Youth Congress,Dharamsala are organizing a signature campaign on December 10, Human Rights Day.

Global solidarity actions in over 40 cities around the world are taking place. More than 700,000 people around the world, including celebrities and politicians, are calling for diplomatic efforts to Save Tibetan Lives. Prominent personalities include Desmond Tutu, Radiohead and Paty Chapoy and a host of parliamentarians from around the world.

This year alone we have now seen 12 cases of Tibetans setting themselves on fire with Tenzin Phuntsok from Chamdo, Tibet as the latest victim who succumbed to his injuries on December 6, 2011.

Date: December 10, 2011

Venue: Near Tsuglakhang (Main Temple) Gate, Dharamsala

Time: 10 am

Contact: Tenzin Jigdal – 9736660451

Tsering Yangchen – 9857952150

—————–
Jigdal འཇིགས་བྲལ་
Program/Campaigns Director
Students For a Free Tibet – India

Book Launch by Kazat Akmatov

atibetanj — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:28:47 +0000

Renowned Kyrgyz author believes that Tibetan culture can solve
the world’s current economic crisis

The media is invited to the launch of English language edition of
renowned Kyrgyz author Kazat Akmatov’s international and national
bestseller, Arhat, at the Lhakpa Tsering Hall of the Department of
Information & International Relations, on 8 December 2011 at 10:00
AM.

Mr Akmatov focuses his storytelling power on the egoism that is so
deeply entrenched in the soul of every human being. In “Arhat” the
ego is the root cause of countless individual tragedies and, by
extension, of the overarching tragedy of the human race, both past
the present.

Crafting an intriguing tale of adventure and tragedy set against
the extraordinary natural beauty of Tibet, Akmatov takes this
complex philosophical topic and addresses it through the story of
an unusual Kyrgyz boy (an” indigo child”) named Adilet, who
discovers that he is the reincarnation of the great yogi Milarepa.
The key events in the novel take place in a Tibetan Buddhist temple.

Readers have described Arhat as prophetic, with a unique vision of
humanity’s future in the face of serious moral and economic crises.

Prominent writers and critics have called the theme of the ego a
“super theme”.

Since its first publication in 2007, Arhat has received a number of
prizes and awards, among them: the international Ruhaniat prize
(2007), Kyrgyz Government’s The Bestseller of 2009, The Bestseller
of 2009 by Kyrgyz Radio and Televsion and The Book of 2009 by
Kyrgyz Tuusu newspaper.

In 2007, the novel was presented in three languages (Kyrgyz,
Russian and Bulgarian) in Moscow in 2007 at the Bibliobraz
festival. It has been published twice in Russia (2007, 2008).

The translation in Farsi and Turkish languages are nearing
completion, while the work on German translation is underway.

Kazat Akmatov was born in 1941 in Bozteri village of Ysyk-Köl
raiyon. While serving as a member of the USSR Writers Union in
1970s, he was repressed by the powerful Communist Party for years:
for his 1978 anti-Russian novel Earth Time, for his anti-party play
The Night of the Formation in 1983 and for his anti-Soviet novel
Years Around the Sun, etc.

Akmatov was awarded for literary work with the Lomonosov Prize with
a gold medal (2007). He also holds the All-Union Ostrovky prize.

Mr Askar Aitmatov, former foreign minister of Kyrgyztan and Kalon
Dicki Chhoyang, responsible for the Department of Information &
International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, will
jointly launch the book at the Lhakpa Tsering Hall of the
Department of Information & International Relations, on 8 December
2011 at 10:00 AM.

Media contact:

Lobsang Choedak
+91 98822 32476 / +91 1892 222510

Passport Photos-Documentary

atibetanj — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:03:55 +0000

‘*Passport photos’* the documentary film by Black Coffee Productions and
Think Tibet was screened at the Insight Film Festival at Manchester.

Contact Think Tibet: +91 9886344125

The 2-day festival held on the 3rd and 4th of December focuses on films of
faith, offering a forum through which faith can be explored, discussed and
understood. Lobsang Thardoe, program and project manager of Think Tibet
represented the filmmakers and producers at the festival. He participated
in the workshop by FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE on script writing and screenwriting
workshop by Henry Swindell, writer manager for BBC writers’ room north of
England.

On the second day of the screening, he was invited to speak on the film and
about Tibet. Speaking of his experience, Lobsang says, “It was wonderful to
be here at the Insight Festival. I had the opportunity of meeting the Lord
Mayor of Manchester, who was the Chief Guest, and speak briefly about
Tibet.” Passport Photos was selected out of 300 documentaries received from
worldwide and received an official selection award.

Lobsang will meet supporters of Tibet and other associates of Think Tibet
in London and Manchester.

‘*Passport photos’*, is a short documentary film comprising of a collection
of conversations with young urban Tibetans, all named Tenzin. They talk
about their lives, families, dreams and what it means to be living in
exile.

The film ‘*Passport Photos’* competed its post-production work in 2010, the
film was first premiered at the IBN Arabi Film Festival in Murcia, Spain on
January 31, 2011. Following the rave reviews and critics’ thumps-up for
this niche film, it was screened at seven other 2011 International Film
Festivals; Vientianale International Film Festival, Laos, Dawson City
International short Film Festival, Canada, MCM International Short Film
Festival, Netherland, Outbox International Short Film Festival, Lebanon,
Kimera International Film Festival, Italy, Australian Refugee Film
Festival, Australia and I’ve seen Films International Film Festival, Italy.

The film “*Passport Photos*’ has been directed by Preetam Koipillai in
collaboration with Tenzin Jangchup Lingpa and Lobsang Thardoe.

The film has screened in eleven countries in thirteen international film
festivals during 2010-2011.

Delhi Exposure Trip

atibetanj — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:57:19 +0000

New Delhi, 16-18th October, 2011: A group of 9 member of ATJ was able to participate in the 2nd Media Exposure trip in colloboration with Empowering the Vision, New Delhi.

Interactive session with Gautum from Times of India and Geeta from BBC at Envision Office, New Delhi.

The one to one interactive session with Gautum and Geeta was very helpful in understanding the mentalities of the Indian Press and also how news is gathered and distributed in India.

The interactive session also involved a discussion on media ethics and the roles and responsibilities of a journalist.

At BBC with Sanjoy Majunder

Sanjoy Majunder, BBC correspondent spoke about BBC India and how an individual correspondent is now responsible for producing stories for both Radio and Televsion and also writing online blogs as well.

We were able to see the various sections of BBC and also had a look at their monitoring process where a team of researchers analyze all the news from across the Globe and produce and assist the correspondents in their news reports.

CNN-IBN Michael takes ATJ around the CNN-IBN workspace

Michael of CNN-IBN took us around the studios as well as the newsroom of CNN-IBN where we were able to see firsthand how they produce TV news and also was able to see an editorial meeting.

ATJ with Sanjoy Narayan, Editor-in-chief, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Mr. Sanjoy Narayan introduced Hindustan Times to us and also spoke about history of Hindustan Times.

He also mentioned about the Technological Developments taking in the online scenario and the changing face of Print Media vis-a-vis online media.

ATJ was able to visit NDTV and AP during this media exposure trip. At the same time, we were able to present them with the situations inside Tibet and also the emergence of Tibetan Media in Tibet as in Exile.

Q & A session with outgoing Kalon Tripa

atibetanj — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:00:33 +0000

Samdong Rinpoche with Tibetan Journalists.

Kashag, 3rd August, 2011: At the request of ATJ to outgoing Kalon Tripa Samdong Rinpoche la, ATJ was able to organize a Q&A session with Professor Samdong Rinpoche before the end of his term as Kalon Tripa.

This Q&A was held at the Kashag Conference hall and was attended by the representatives of all the Tibetan Media houses.

ATJ elects first ever female president

atibetanj — Sun, 15 May 2011 10:43:52 +0000

Neugal Park, Palampur, 15 May 2011 — The Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) has new executive members.

Lhakpa Kyizom, a reporter for VOA Tibetan Service, is the new President of the Association. She was elected to the post following a meeting of the new executive members on 16 May. She became the first ever ATJ’s female president.

Gurbum Gyal, a reporter from Voice of Tibet, was re-elected to the executive, to the post of Vice President.

Yeshe Choesang from Tibet Post was elected as the Secretary; Tenzin Wangyal, a reporter from Radio Free Asia, is the Accountant; and, Dhonkho, reporter from Tibet Times, is the Public Relations Officer.

Eighteen members of the Association elected the five new executive members on 16 May 2011 after amendments made in the ATJ’s rules at the day long General body meeting held today.

The former executive members — Tashi Wangchuk, Dhundup Tashi, Jigme Dorjee, Choenyi Woeser, Tenzin Wangyal, Dekyi Methok and Gurbum Gyal — will officially hand over the charges of the Association to the new executives on or before 22 June, 2011.

The former President Tashi Wangchuk, on behalf of out going executives congratulates all the new executives at the dinner hosted to the participants of General body meeting, where matters related to ATJ’s rules and recognition of independent media were discussed and finalized.