Tibetans in Australia, NZ and South East Asia

In her meditative posture  If you are thinking what is the relationship between a 'nurse profession' and 'Tibetan Buddhist teaching', here is a short trip into it.  When you face an uphill task challenge, either you take it or give it up. However, Sydney based Tibetan young nurse opted to take the challenge.  The Tibetan lass shares her experience in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic that had nurses around the world at the forefront of the duty. The service rendered by them and other health professionals during the pandemic were both risky and sacrificial. For Dawa Dolma, there are two choice given the pressure from society as well as grave personal health concerns. Either she quit the job and isolate to save herself from the virus or become a saviour. She aptly and bravely chose the latter, and she didn’t regret, but relish. However, the brave-heart was deeply disheartened by  reports of certain nurses and health care professionals being assaulted and spat upon by mem...

A lone Tibetan recently  took to street with a placard in front of the Chinese Consulate protesting against China’s continued occupation of Tibet and seeking independence for the country. Clad in complete traditional Tibetan dress, the protester carried a placard in his hand that read 'Protest against illegal occupation and Tibet and seeks restoration of Tibet’s independence’.  He was also seen flashing the Tibetan national flag which is banned in Tibet and can result in criminal charges under China's ant- separatism  law. He was amongst the victim of Chinese occupation whose families have also suffered imprisonment for expressing their political views and registering their protest China’s continued occupation of Tibet and harsh policies and governance on Tibetans inside Tibet. Sometime later, the activist was found to be facing questions from the local police (at the behest of Chinese consulate office). The police even claimed they received call from the consulate offi...

Federal MP Bob Katter flashing Tibetan National Flag flanked by Vincent Do, Tenzin Doring and Drew Pavlau Unless history proves it otherwise, perhaps it was the first ever meet by a Tibetan activist to  Federal MP Bob Katter  or vice versa. Brisbane based Tibetan activist who is also  president  of Queensland Tibetan Community met with Federal MP Bob Katter outside the state parliament house on the sidelines of joint press conference by the Honorable MP and Drew Pavlau in support of the latter for inquiry into Chinese influence into the University of Queensland in the backdrop of Drew’s suspension over his activism against Chinese government. The low profile Brisbane based Tibetan activist was introduced to Federal MP by none other than  Drew Pavlau , who has been ardent supporter of Tibet, Hongkong and Ugyurs cause. During a meeting, the Tibetan activist was also able to gift him with a multilingual book on Tibet and Tibetan self-immolation published ...

Tibetans in Queensland during a 'Losar' or Tibetan New Year along with Councillor Vicky Howard in whose constituency most Tibetans in Brisbane live  The first Tibetans who migrated to Australia in 1972 never thought a virus from the Wuhan city of China would one day impede Tibetans in their migration to Australia (from India). The only foreboding is Tibetans will face an uphill task travelling to India which happened since 2012 when it has been told metaphorically as ‘even ants can’t escape Tibet border’.                     The ascension of Xi Jinping marked the reduction of Tibetans escaping into India and 2020 marked the impeding of Tibetans migrating to India due to Wuhan originated COVID 19. Though it hardly had impact on the Tibetans residing in Australia, it profoundly impacted those who are otherwise bound to have made their way into the country that has been offering them form...

Drew Pavlau's academic rights sandwiched inside the Chinese flag for two years unless he fights for it in the Supreme Court against the University of Queensland. According to reports in the Australian mainstream media, the Queensland's top university decided to uphold the suspension verdict of their most popular student on Monday. Drew, who shot to international fame after facing backlash from Chinese in the university for his pro-Hongkong free speech and democracy activism in the campus remains optimistic of his case in the Australian court.    Drew, who is often seen in the news in his light blue T-shirt fronted with 'Free Tibet' wrote on his Twitter post, "Its not over yet as the impending victory has just been delayed".     The young, maverick anti-CCP and pro-democracy activist who is often seen brushing shoulders with victims of Chinese oppression and fighting for their causes will have to protect his free speech with the help of Australian j...

The Tibetan Community of Queensland celebrated 85th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on Saturday this week around New Farm park riverside. The 70-100 strong small, but closely knitted Tibetan members gathered around 12 pm celebrating the birthday till 5pm as more joined. The day began with a prostration by members to His Holiness's portrait followed by recitation of prayers for 'Gyelway Shapten' ('Long Life) and chanting of mantra ‘Om Mani Pay Mi Hum’. The little children whom the Tibetans call ‘future seeds of Tibet’ gathered with folded hands in their traditional attire  as a sign of deep respect in front of a white cake adorned with letters “Happy 85th Birthday Your Holiness” wishing His Holiness happy birthday in both Tibetan and English in the backdrop of huge portrait of H.H the 14th Dalai Lama in a makeshift altar as locals in the vicinity watched in awe.  The members then engaged in different games in different groups as t...

Credit: Queensland Tibetan Community (Facebook page) The Tibetan community of Queensland who couldn’t celebrate the 85 th birthday of their leader His Holiness the 14 th Dalai Lama on 6 July on account of state restrictions in the wake of COVID 19 is set to celebrate his birthday on 11 th July at new farm park riverside, according to the community’s Facebook page, Queensland Tibetan Community. Tibetans inside Tibet who face ban celebrating His Holiness birthday from the Chinese authorities reportedly celebrated their leader's birthday out in the open park earlier. Some of them disappeared following the event. The celebration in new farm park would mark a support for them.  The approximately 140 strong Tibetan community in the state, nearly 40% of whom are children will have members coming all the way from Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to participate in the birthday celebration of the Dalai Lama, who had visited Australia several times including Brisbane. On July...

Brisbane city is a home to numerous nationalities. Its home to Hongkongers, Tibetans, Vietnamese, Ugyurs, Indians, Chinese et al. If a virus in Wuhan city from China can spread around the world, a call for  freedom from China could well spread around the world. One such gathering rally was organised by Hongkongers under the banner of Hongkong International Alliance Brisbane, with speakers and attendees from Australia, East Turkestan, Tibet and Vietnam. The evening in the city was usual, there were those who were part of the rally clamouring for support, speakers speaking on how China is responsible for the deaths of millions of minorities and other nationalities. The rally which began at around 7 pm on the evening of July 1 was going normal in the main CBD until a well-dressed Chinese youth showed up out of blue to snatch the mike from the young Hongkong speaker. The Chinese man who said while raising his hand toward the mike, “it’s a freedom of speech right!” snatching th...