LOSAR - TIBETAN NEW YEAR
Losar, Tibetan New Year falls on the first day of first moon (month) of Tibetan lunar calendar, some time in February or March by Gregorian calendar every year. It is the biggest event of a year celebrated all over Tibet with much fun and frolic. Tibetans being fond of celebrations, Losar is celebrated for fifteen days in row. Chang (local beer made mostly of barley), Shabdro (dance), songs, grand meals are the biggest part of the celebration.
I, being born in a foreign country after my parents fled the persecution led by Chinese Communist Party , had never been part of this grand celebration. Yet, even in India my parents gave their best to celebrate Losar in the way it used to be celebrated back in Tibet, preserving the culture which became one of the target of CCP's destruction.
Chinese started invading Tibet in 1949, ever since then more than six thousand monasteries were destroyed , million Tibetans were killed, thousands were put behind bars, hundreds were publicly denounced.
In 1959 a handful of Tibetans following their leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama made it to India crossing the giant Himalayas on foot. As guided by their leader they main objectives were escape CCP's persecution and preserve their culture which has become the target of CCP's destruction.
With these fortunate Tibetans 'Losar' too reached India and continued but short lived. The year was 2008 when the world was watching the Olympics played in China, a small of group of Tibetans hoping their voice which is silenced in the corners of CCP's prisons, would be heard with Olympics, raised their voice against CCP, but unfortunately the world once again turn deaf to their voice and Chinese as usual brutally crackdown those peaceful protesters. Around 200 were killed and many end up in Chinese dungeons.
Showing our sympathy and solidarity we Tibetans abroad shun Losar celebration that year. But Chinese brutality continued in Tibet................... the world stood by like a on looker without any limbs watching somebody without any reason was being killed in front of him.
Ever since that year (2008) Tibetans out side Tibet did not celebrate Losar.
How can we? As many as 99 Tibetans inside Tibet have set their precious human lives on fire calling for the return of their leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for Tibet.
This year too we are not celebrating Losar to show our sincere solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Tibet who are going through the darkest hour.
We also hope the world knowing the truth will not just stand by and let the innocent Tibetans butchered by Chinese for no other reason than just being Tibetans.
Losar, Tibetan New Year falls on the first day of first moon (month) of Tibetan lunar calendar, some time in February or March by Gregorian calendar every year. It is the biggest event of a year celebrated all over Tibet with much fun and frolic. Tibetans being fond of celebrations, Losar is celebrated for fifteen days in row. Chang (local beer made mostly of barley), Shabdro (dance), songs, grand meals are the biggest part of the celebration.
I, being born in a foreign country after my parents fled the persecution led by Chinese Communist Party , had never been part of this grand celebration. Yet, even in India my parents gave their best to celebrate Losar in the way it used to be celebrated back in Tibet, preserving the culture which became one of the target of CCP's destruction.
Chinese started invading Tibet in 1949, ever since then more than six thousand monasteries were destroyed , million Tibetans were killed, thousands were put behind bars, hundreds were publicly denounced.
In 1959 a handful of Tibetans following their leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama made it to India crossing the giant Himalayas on foot. As guided by their leader they main objectives were escape CCP's persecution and preserve their culture which has become the target of CCP's destruction.
With these fortunate Tibetans 'Losar' too reached India and continued but short lived. The year was 2008 when the world was watching the Olympics played in China, a small of group of Tibetans hoping their voice which is silenced in the corners of CCP's prisons, would be heard with Olympics, raised their voice against CCP, but unfortunately the world once again turn deaf to their voice and Chinese as usual brutally crackdown those peaceful protesters. Around 200 were killed and many end up in Chinese dungeons.
Showing our sympathy and solidarity we Tibetans abroad shun Losar celebration that year. But Chinese brutality continued in Tibet................... the world stood by like a on looker without any limbs watching somebody without any reason was being killed in front of him.
Ever since that year (2008) Tibetans out side Tibet did not celebrate Losar.
How can we? As many as 99 Tibetans inside Tibet have set their precious human lives on fire calling for the return of their leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for Tibet.
This year too we are not celebrating Losar to show our sincere solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Tibet who are going through the darkest hour.
We also hope the world knowing the truth will not just stand by and let the innocent Tibetans butchered by Chinese for no other reason than just being Tibetans.