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More Tibetans return to homeland  |
Homesickness is an emotion shared by many overseas Tibetans. Most of them fled abroad, following the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959, after his failed attempt at an armed rebellion. Since 1979, this group of overseas Tibetans has been returning to the Tibet Autonomous Region for visits and pilgrimages to trace their roots. Our reporter Mei Yan talked to a returned Tibetan and examines his life then and now.
Gungthag Ngudup, aged sixty-three, has spent two thirds of his life away from his homeland. As a Lama, at the age of seventeen in 1958, he left China for India. There, he followed the 14th Dalai Lama.
But his dissatisfaction with the Dalai Lama was building up throughout the forty-five years he stayed in India.
GUNGTHAG NGUDUP, Returned Tibetan,said:"The Dalai Lama's brother was in charge of daily affairs. He amassed a huge fortune through his business affairs. But he ignored the miserable life of the Tibetans in India. I also received a threatening letter forbidding me from returning to Tibet. At that time, I began to think about coming back."
In 1983, he and 18 other Tibetans came back for a visit. After that, Ngudup visited Tibet every year. With his own eyes, he witnessed the rapid developments in the region. Because of what he saw, he became determined to return. In 1990, his wish was accomplished. He is now satisfied with his work and life in Lhasa. He is working with the region's People's Political Consultative Conference. But one thing still haunts him-- rumors aganist Tibet outside China.
GUNGTHAG NGUDUP, Returned Tibetan ,said: "In the past ten years. I've travelled abroad several times. Some overseas Tibetans say that Tibet forbids people from practising religious activities. The rumors were initiated by the Dalai Lama who wants to split China. But each time, I try to persuade them of my own experience and ask them to come back to see the truth."
He says many lamaseries have been renovated and people have freedom of belief.
Gungthag Ngudup is among more than fifteen hundred Tibetans who have returned since 1979. Local government officials say that overseas Tibetans are welcome to return to their homeland.
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