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

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