current situation of tibetan refugees in exile tsering paljor geography teacher, tibetan homes...
TRANSCRIPT
CURRENT SITUATION
OF TIBETAN REFUGEES IN EXILE
Tsering Paljor
Geography Teacher, Tibetan Homes School Mussoorie, INDIA
Geographical Association Annual Conference - University of Derby 12-14 April 2007
Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959
His Holiness the Dalai lama & 80,000 Tibetan refugees seek refuge in India, Nepal and Bhutan
The problems faced by Tibetan refugees in India
A refugee family in the early 1960’s
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Tibetan refugees at Mesemari camp in 1960’s
His Holiness’ Priorities a) Rehabilitation of refugees b) Education of children c) Preservation of Tibetan culture & identity The assistance given by the
Government of India The establishment of first Tibetan
settlement in 1960 The first school for Tibetan refugees
comes into being on 3 march 1960 Setting up of cultural institutions,
monasteries, nunneries, with the stress on Tibetan language as integral part of cultural heritage
Tibetans doing road construction works in the early 1960’s
TIBETAN GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
The Tibetan Government in exile was established in April 1959 in Dharamsala.
It is popularly Known as Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)
The Tibetans both Inside and outside recognize the CTA as their sole and legitimate government
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has democratized the Tibetan Government set up in India
CTA ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
A Total number of 52 settlements in South Asia. 35 in India, 10 in Nepal & 7 in Bhutan
There are 24 Agricultural Settlements, 16 Agro-industrial settlements, 10 Handicrafts based settlements and Individual settlers all over the country
TIBETAN SETTLEMENTS IN INDIA
A Tibetan settlement in West Bengal
The Location of different settlements
The administrative set up in the settlements
The life in the settlements
TIBETAN SETTLEMENTS IN INDIA & NEPAL
Life in the Tibetan settlements in India
Agriculture as the primary occupation in the settlements
Small scale business during winter
A Tibetan ploughing his land in the settlement
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Tibetan Market at Mussoorie
Total of 122,078* Tibetans living in exile worldwide
85,000 in India, 13,000 in Nepal and 1,500 in Bhutan
So far 12,153 number of Tibetans have moved to other parts of the world
The largest concentration of Tibetans in the west is located in USA & Canada ( 7000 )
Source: Tibetan Demographic survey Dharamsala 1998
DEMOGRAPHY OF TIBETAN POPULATION IN EXILE
Countries Population
India 85,000
Nepal 13,000
Bhutan 1,500
Europe 5,153
USA & Canada
7000
Approximately 2000 to 2500* new refugees come to Exile in India Every year
Steps taken by the Government in exile to rehabilitate them
* Tibetan Reception Centre, Dharamsala
New Arrivals from Tibet at THF, Mussoorie. 2006
NEW REFUGEES
New arrivals at Tibetan Reception Center, Dharamsala
Opening of Reception centers.
Overcoming the problems posed by difference in age groups.
Percentage of Different age groups of new refugees
Educational facilities for Teenagers and young adults in TCV and THF schools
Launching of basic education programme for adults
Tibetan Reception centre at Dharamsala
NEW REFUGEES
Photo
Teenagers & young Adults
45%
Adults ( 26-59 )33%
Young children ( 0-13 )
17%
Elderly 5%
AGE GROUP PERCENTAGE OF NEW REFUGEES
Source : the book “ challenge in Exile”
Growing Age of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Unemployment problems faced by educated Tibetan Youth
Danger of losing Tibetan identity
CHALLENGES IN EXILE
THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS
?