Is on a world tour to spread awareness, seeking freedom for his homeland
Is on a world tour to spread awareness, seeking freedom for his homeland
Crossing 22 countries in seven months, Lhakpa Tsering, a New York-based Tibetan-in-exile, vroomed into Delhi on his grey BMW motorcycle.u00a0 Named 'Tibet One', the pulsating 1200cc bike, is a chariot for the 40-year-old Tibetan activist who began his 'Free Tibet World Tour' from the United Nations' headquarters in New York on March 10, observed as the Tibetan Uprising Day.
wheels in motion: Lhakpa's BMW, worth $18,000, is attracting more
attention than his agenda. Pic/arjun panwar
The tour will end on October 29 at seat of the Tibetan Government-in- exile at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, where Tsering grew up in a village for Tibetan orphans. It was Dharamshala where his pregnant mother had reached 40 years ago, after crossing the Himalayas from Tibet only to die shortly after his birth.
"I have left my family behind (in the US) during my world tour. I saved money and generated resources to embark on this trip for the Tibetan cause. I want to make people aware worldwide about the suffering of Tibetans in Tibet under Chinese occupation. I want to show that Tibetans living in exile are also trying to highlight their plight," Tsering said.
Lhakpa has a BMW, worth $18,000. Naturally, the bike is attracting more attention than his agenda. The expedition, which started seven months ago, will culminate in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. Currently in Delhi, the 40-year-old Lhakpa is slightly bemused that it is his bike that is making news. But then again, when scribes start asking questions related to the machine, they also want to know why he is touring on it. So Lhakpa feels the bike has served its purpose.
Born in exile in India after his parents fled Tibet, Tsering and his six siblings found themselves to be orphans. His mother passed away within six months of his birth. His father, being too poor, donated the children to the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) in Dharamsala. His father also died later.
Brought up and educated at TCV school, Tsering volunteered for the Tibetan cause in India and Nepal. In 1995, he migrated to the US and is now working in the private sector."The world needs to hear the voice of Tibetans. I want to be the voice for our nation," said Tsering, who used his savings to buy the $18,000 bike, and fund the world tour.
In each city, Tsering would share the story of Rangzen - Tibet's fight for freedom, with students and people in caf ufffds. "In Canada someone asked me if Tibet was a part of China. I explained the ground situation and felt happy that at least I was setting the record straight for some."
In Europe, the Tibetan flag on his bike attracted a lot of attention. "But it was tough to convey my message to people as I didn't know the local language." He flew into Japan, skipping Russia and China. From there he headed to Australia and then to Chennai, where his bike got caught in bureaucratic red tape. The customs department insisted on a document, which required a $18,000 deposit. Finally, a Tibetan family in Canada paid the deposit.
"The world bike tour is relevant when Tibetans across the world are electing the next Tibetan Government-in-exile. The world needs to know that every 'chinki' face is not always a Chinese. There is a country called Tibet," said Tibetian writer-activist Tensing Tsundu.
| Rough ride |
| Tsering, who migrated from India to the US in 1995, says he had to face many hindrances during the journey. For instance, the customs department seized his bike at the Chennai airport. Seeking help from anyone, Tsering pointed out that the officials were seeking $18,000 (Rs 825,000) as deposit to release his motorcycle. |
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