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>>Ngawang Ratutsang- Kalon Tripa hopeful
www.whatabouttibet.com columnist Ngawang Ratutsang is hoping to run as a candidate in this year's forthcoming Kalo Tripa elections. Whilst we here at www.whatabouttibet.com do not wish to favour any one candidate over the others, Ngawang has asked us to host this page, and in the interests of fairness, we will do the same for any other Kalon Tripa candidates who would like us to do the same. May the best candidate for the future of Tibet and Tibetans win.
Name: Ngawang Tenpa Ratutsang
Age:
Home: Swayambu, Kathmandu
E-mail:ngawang@dr.com or ngaten@gmail.com
Telephone: 00 977 1 2173009 (Residence)
About Me
My name Ngawang Tenpa Ratutsang and I was born in the year of Iron Bird i.e. 1957. I was conceived in Lhasa and delivered in Kalimpong, India. I have never lived in Tibet.
I attended nursery in the Tibetan Self Help Center in Darjeeling, then transferred to Central School for Tibetans in Mussoorie and transferred once again to Darjeeling. I joined the Central School for Tibetans in the first batch of the 10+2 scheme. After taking the final exam of the 10+2, joined compulsory military training in Tibetan Regiment in Indian Military.
Before joining the College in Delhi, I worked for the Council for Tibetan Education as a volunteer for one year under Rikha Lobsang Tenzin as the head of the Dept. Graduated from Hans Raj College, North Delhi Campus and moved to Kathmandu, where I married and have lived ever since.
My main policies:
1. To save our Identity as Tibetan.
2. Establish Identity foundation or base.
3. Get all Tibetans together in one place, away from Asia and China.
4. Approach Support Groups, state governments and the UN.
5. Do not take His Holiness for granted.
6. I prepare for Post HHDL situation.
7. Ensure that unity remains after His Holiness.
8. Autonomy is "Cultural Suicide" .
9. Buy time. The most crucial element.
10. Do something to help Tibetans living in Tibet, and stop their suffering.
What are my chances of becoming Kalon Tripa?
Personally I think, if I had a public like USA, UK and European Nations, I would win the election because they can decide themselves based on what I propose as KT. With the exception of educated youngsters, large numbers of Tibetans tend to follow the direction given up the influential elders.
Secondly, largely promoting my campaign in English provides a difficulty in getting votes from undecided voters, who only know Tibetan scripts. However, for the use of computers, and for the New Tibet project it is indispensable to possess English proficiency.
To secure the vote, I must further convince the public that my New Tibet agenda is feasible. I think this can come in the form of supporting letters from the International Support Groups and even Governments.
I have to be extremely creative and explore all avenues to catch up with the voters to make a remarkable difference because 95 percent of the Tibetans do not know me. I confidently believe that New Tibet is the only solution at this time and if Governments are willing, I see places like;
1. Southern Arizona Desert land
2. Central Australia (e.g. near Alice Springs)
3. Northern Canada
4. Alaska, USA
as being suitable sites for the project.
As long as we are away from the reaches of the PRC and all together under one roof, we could bring a sense of togetherness and generate new sense of unity and pursue an Independent Tibet.
European nations and USA have always been behind us and they should do this for Tibetans to safeguard the Tibetan Identity and Struggle. We will stay as refugees and pursue our cause.
It is also becoming important to maintain “New Tibet” as my agenda and idea. So other contestants and public are aware of whose is it. I am proud of the publicity it has generated through emails.
Nations sympathetic towards Tibet should take up ‘Mega Settlement’ plans for Tibetans to continue our struggle. They can make us their “Bargaining Chip” and we will bring added value by pursuing our goal in a New Tibet way. Also, we will be a hard working and good-natured asset to their societies, and hopefully can further enrich them with our vibrant culture and peaceful ways. This way we can say NO to the Peoples Republic of China.
Short Term Policies:
While New Tibet will be the on going goal of the Nation taking precedent overall, education will be the sector which should receive immediate attention. The current authorities must be commended for supplying education to all new arrivals up until the age of 30, and the Dalai Lama must be praised for his realization of the importance of education. Without education individuals can find it harder to relate to National issues. Those who abstain from availing education due to household and business affairs coupled with carelessness and laid back attitude are responsible in promoting negative trend in the society at grass roots level which eventually could becomes a national apathy problem. Uneducated people are potential problem to the society and a serious obstacle to the efforts of the educated members of the society. Should New Tibet be realised, it is also important that English and computer literacy are taught, and that all Tibetans are well educated in our own language and culoture so that these may prevail long into the future. Education is of upmost importance for the opportunities it provides to individuals and our nation as a whole.
30 Plus Open English Class:
These citizens are the backbone in building the nation, hence educating them is crucial to nurture the future generation of Tibet in the progressive direction. They are either parent or businessmen comprising good portion of the population playing an important role as state machinery oiling the nation directly and indirectly. It is up to us whether we want to make them into a productive citizen or a potential burden to all. It is important to educate them for the following reasons;
· So they can help contribute towards their children’s homework.
· Be able to assess the children’s educational progress.
· Direct access to information and Govt. announcements.
· To be part of Educational Force at National level.
· Educated parents can breed responsible citizens.
· Such parents can contribute towards organized society
Computer Literacy:
As we all know by now that we are in the digital age. Information technology is the reality of everyday life of today’s world. Those who are computer literate have a distinct advantage over others- in access to information and job opportunities, and this will become even more apparent in the future. An emphasis must be put on computer literacy including at least the basic internet skills. Computers are a powerful learning tool, and allow people to compete in the competitive global society. The internet is also crucial in spreading the word of our Tibetan audience to a larger audience, and hopefully we can gather support for our casus in this way. People can also get paid by online jobs, which are available worldwide.
Local Counselors for New Arrivees:
All the new arrivees from Tibet are well received by the Reception Centre here in Kathmandu, and then at the reception centers in Dharmasala. They receive immediate attention as to the accommodation, boarding and immigration formalities. I applaud the recent effort to build a dormitory for 250 new arrives, as it is sorely needed, especially during winter. However, their needs do not stop there. People arriving in India arrive in a new place where the language and everything else is different. I feel that in the initial period of their stay we need a team of Counselors in close coordination with the Reception Committee to help arrivees show them around in an effective way. New Arrivees are new to the place hence, they need all the help they can get, including after the Reception Center.
How the team of Counselors can help:
By forming a Counselors local network group looking after their needs.
Arrivees need to know the prevailing political situation to safeguard themselves. Like Curfew, Bandha, Chakka Jam etc.
To avoid over paying for goods where there is no price control.
Helping them to organize onward journey, train or bus tickets at the prevailing price and coordinate with the next local Counselors (for example, Counselors in Darjeeling) to receive them.
Keeping updated computer records of the arrivees handled by the Network.
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