the 12th self immolation

A former monk at Tibet’s Karma monastery, the scene of  a recent crackdown by Chinese security forces, set himself on fire on Thursday in protest against Chinese rule in Tibetan areas, a Tibetan source in exile said.

Karma monastery, located in the Chamdo prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), was taken over by Chinese armed police following the Oct. 26 bombing of a nearby government building.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/protest-12012011162741.html

Girl in Translation

My curiosity was piqued by my wife's interest for the debute novel "Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok. More information available at author's blogsite  http://www.jeankwok.com/contact.shtml. Choekyi finished reading it in a couple of days: something I couldn't believe and been testing her throughout my own reading on the character plot, event and story. She has amazingly recalled all with great clarity and my doubt of her complete reading of the novel was put to rest. My dear wife hardly recommend me to read any book, but this recommendation was outstanding.
As she was flipping through some magazine, and then suddenly, her eye fell upon this novel. She immediately handed over the title and asked to bring it for her reading.  I dropped at the NVCC library, and without  much effort, located this book and borrowed for Choekyi's reading.   Choekyi was indeed absorbed in this book and turned its last page in a couple of day. I took it from her and began thus my reading of the novel.   It is so gripping and down to earth , simple and yet so true. The novel turned out to be a "semi-autobiography". As an immigrant myself, I told Choekyi and this novel inspired me to write a novel about my own life. She retorted as usual " You are abnormal". She was not at all interested on what I said, but I went on " I can relate myself so much and in so many ways to the character in the novel. There wasnt anything extraordinary stuff in the novel. As a matter of fact, my own life has been more eventful, more adventurous and more colourful to than  the protagonist Kimberly. My life story may contain much more interesting, intriguing and more suspense than what I have read in the novel.  This debute novel  is well written, and the each characters are well defined. if I had the knack or flair for writing a novel, then I dont have to work hard to create plot for my novel. If I go on and tell my own story honestly and truthfully, then the plot is already in placed in the story.
In terms of substance, my own is a story of chasing American dream by overcoming all life's odd and obstacle.  I even suggested her that the title of my book will be " The Tale of Four Brothers".
Tibet faced its tragedy, and its people are scattered all over the world.  Many of them have interesting tales to tell, rug to riches type or about culture assimilation, loneliness, hope, separation, death, regret, anger, helplessness. hard-work, perseverance, struggle, jealousy, adjustment, adaptation, guilt, redemption and honour so on. 


Besides, a novel written in English can be an every effective way to promote Tibetan people's cause. A great tool to reach across boundary and culture barrier and ethnicity. I long to see a exiled Tibetan novel. It is high time that the world should see one from a Tibetan writer.

Girl in Translation is a mesmerizing novel. It was in the Newyork Times Best Selling List and why the novel has become such a hit is simply, it is intriguing, humane, and reflects reality in America. Tt is a story of loves, dream and poverty, perseverance, wit and wisdom. I recommend it to young people who have reached at  crossroad of their life and not knowing which direction to move. 
The novel teaches you the virtue of handwork, the god of small things, and the beauty of brain, and the potential of people.

Webcaste

"what is the effect"?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15799762

spectator,sympathizer or supporter.

I am horrified to watch this grotesque vidoe of self immolation in Tibethttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5o2RFqA_l4&feature=player_embedded. To me I am seeing for the first a human being is burning himself alive. His hands are trembling and his body were twisting with spsam, he has not breathed his last yet.  A closer look one can discern how the flames were shooting from his mouth. That is we heard he has swollen kerosne.There has to been something that is larger than his life,  that drives him to such extreme action. It can not be just a mere patriotic feeling and restment against the Chinese government. The invididual has put himself on harm's way with full knowledge of its consequence.  What you can call it? desperation, courage, bravery, selfless act, violent or sheer madness. Personally, this type of self immolation is unfathomnable to me.   Maybe the Tibetan people's spirit are as real as the flame of the self immolation.  This ultimate sacrifice has tobe the the true symbols of Tibetan spirit. The flame of freedom has been ignited, and it will not be put out by the herrendous gust that blew from the east.

This tragic news from Tibet has petrified me, I racked my brain as what is calling on us. And I penned this piece on this blog as what exiles can do given our situation. As I watch and ponder over the situation and circumstance that led to this immense sacrifice, I started to get numb. The monk, Tsewang Norbu has set himself ablaze, and he is consumed and engulfed by the flames beyond recognition. However, based on the video pictures, he did not do it in isolation. The self immolation took place in a sparsely crowded market area. the clip that we see shot at the moment of incident. Tsewang Norbu has fallen down and lying back, and he is still alive and fighting for life.
The onlookers, who have gathered to watch him dying are mostly Tibetans. This I could make out from their vague conversations and chattering.

What I can not understand is why those people who are nearby appears to be so indifferent. It is completly in contrast to the another self immolation in Amdo Ngaba, where the crowd are shouting, screaming and calling for the Dalai lama frantically. Which is indicative of the dire situation and the crowd's understanding of why the self immolation is occuring.  Whereas the people that have sorrounded the bornfire that Tsewang Norbu made has  no such sense of urgency or remorse. If i am not mistaken, I had an impression of those people were watching him dying are  acting so unsamaritan. Noone is coming forward to assist the burning victem. The usual report of hundreds and thousands of Tibetans showing solidarity and sympathy for the victems, seemed to be so unreal based on this clip. Those spectators are so relaxed, they are chatting leisurely, and caring so little for the cause that the this man burnt himself. When the Vitanam monk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37cMtCrKoAburnt himself to death. The people around him were worshipping and prostrating infront of him. Any Tibetans can not remain as a spectator when such a scene of self immolation unfolding infront of your eyes.
Recently, in China, people's apathy made international headlines when a child struck by a car were left unattended by dozen of people who passed by, not even calling for police.  I hope the Tibetan, whose is known to have a culture of compassion and equanimity, act kindly and selflessly.  This clip is indeed very graphic and disturbing and more disappointing is the way those onlookers are reacting to the scene. When I asked someone, what she would do on this case, she said " I would not try to put out the fire, because it is too late, and however, I will show my solidarity and support by raising his slogans against the Chinese government".  I dont know what I will do when I am a witness to such unbearble scene.



  

Human Rights Appeal

In a direct appeal to China’s President Hu Jintao, two major human rights organizations have called on the Chinese government to end the “repressive” policies in Tibetan areas that are being blamed for 11 self-immolation protest deaths so far this year. Read more at...

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/appeal-11072011164439.html

New interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU0OyNrNVjI&feature=player_embedded