Keeping the Tibetan flag flying high

The presence of Tibetan sweater sellers on Mumbai streets mark the arrival of winter in Mumbai. Monday witnessed all these sweater sellers come together for a different purpose —to pay homage to their spiritual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Many Tibetans gathered on Monday to mark the 29th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Dalai Lama. The celebration function was followed by screening of the film ‘Escape of the Dalai Lama from Tibet’. There also was a fine exhibition of traditional Tibetan dance and food.

The screening of the film left all the Tibetans emotional as it depicted their struggle to break free from their homeland. During the interactive session that followed, Nidhi Tuli, director of the film, was clearly overwhelmed. She revealed, that she decided to make a film on the exiled spiritual leader after she got a chance encounter with him.

Tenzin Tsundue, poet, writer and Tibetan activist, also spoke on the occasion. He shared his experiences and spoke of how the film brought alive their decisive past in such techni-coloured details that most of the old people relived their journey to this welcoming land. The dances, songs and food gave a glimpse into a world that isn’t all momos and smiles, but also the pain of being a refugee and the longing to return home.

The event was a reminder of the Tibetan culture that will remain alive in most of our hearts.

The screening of the film left all the Tibetans emotional as it depicted their struggle to break free from their homeland