Kunchok Gyatso
BANGALORE, India, 28 November 2017
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Ma Huateng, CEO of WeChat, are happy and thankful to exiled Tibetans for boosting their business in recent times by our non-stop 24/7 active engagement on their products — exchanging pro- and anti-views in a series of rows from Tenpa Yarphel to Penpa Tsering sacking case and so on, which have erupted at intervals since the last general election. Ma is happy not only for the business growth, but also double happy to see his government’s policy of sowing discord among Tibetan come true.
Their Research and Development (R&D) wing conducted a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to find out what at root contributed to this revenue boost; a bit out of unusual curiosity this time as this unexpectedly, to their surprise, came from the exile Tibetan community, a foreign donation receiver community.
The finding says, “Their, Tibetans, failure to keep national interest above regional interest is the root cause that worked to our advantage, shooting the profit up by 10% against previous quarter’s 5%, as the study found”. I SWEAR!
Upon deeper investigation by Mark and Ma into how this finding contributed to the revenue growth, the research team explained further saying, “This created disunity among them (Tibetans) and that keeps them active on our products, Facebook and WeChat.”
Both Mark and Ma are convinced and ordered the sales team to develop a marketing model that would help keep this market factor alive for a long time! Research team suggested to Sales Team to keep cholkas, choluks, rangzen and uma as key parameters while developing the model.
No! For me and my fellow Tibetans, this finding is not good news, particularly at a time when we are going through a most difficult phase in history, when our entire civilisation and its culture is rolling at the edge of extinction under China’s tyrant rule. How we can afford that? But yes, failure to place national interest above sectional interest is the key reason, as found by these companies (I really meant it! Don’t ask for proof, but!), that often we find ourselves caught up in an unending cat fight on Facebook, knowing well that we just can’t afford this at this time! Not at all! Please.
Unity, indeed the most important thing that we always cry for, is not a Halwa that will fall automatically inside by keeping mouth wide open facing the sky. Certain prerequisite causes and conditions are required to be fulfilled and “treating national interest above sectional interest” (referred to as “NoR” hereinafter, National over Regional) is one among them. In fact it is the main prerequisite without which unity will remain a shy bride reluctant to marry us!
We must have the wisdom and courage to see things and analyse them from the perspective of national importance — not from subordinate sectional like provincial, religious, party, and organisational levels — though indeed, these too have their own weightage of relative significance. When faced with a situation of choice between national and sectional, a clash of interest, such that accommodating both is not possible, and having to let go one (reluctantly) is inevitable, as a true patriot Tibetan, we should always have the courage to hug the national one and let go of the sectional interest, no matter how important the sectional one is. We are a proud race whose history is full of such heroic sacrifices, and always proud to narrate them to our children and world. Why we can’t do the same now in 2017?
Frequent eruption of chaos at different intervals is neither, because those who stir such unrest are not anti-social elements, nor they are pro-China. No. Not at all! Failure to place national interest above sectional interest is the only reason to be blamed for ending up in a cat fight, slapping each other with anti-Dalai Lama and anti-democracy charges, using His Holiness and democracy as a tool to mute the other disagreeing party as if the charging party is having monopoly patent rights over it.
The solution lies in the antidote of regionalism which is true patriotism — seeing oneself inseparably one with his fellow countrymen. This comes from a feeling, a sense of belongingness to a common family tree of which the root lies in common culture, history and blood. And thereby the consciousness of all members is soaked deeply in an uncontrived love for his nation and people. For someone who has developed this love, regionalism appears as a self-destructive venom equivalent to suicide, like robbing the same bank where you have your own money. And divisive regional politics is out of the question! Regionalism won’t be able to deceive us any more!
Sounds good? But how?
An analysis of what is good for my nation is auto-inclusively good for my regional interests also, both right now and in the future. And the flip-side, ignoring national interest for regional — a poorly-calculated, self-destructive approach — will convince us of the importance of the NoR (National over Regional) formula, the pillar of unity.
In our case, mere sharing of a common history, having endured unthinkable agony and suffering under Chinese brutal rule alone, should be sufficient for overcoming the addiction of regionalism. But sadly it doesn’t seem working that way! What went wrong? Is China’s atrocity and torture still not enough? When the Chinese bullet released from the gun barrel has never discriminated between Khampa, U-tsang, and Amdo, why should we? When we are never asked if we are Khampa, Amdo, or U-tsang while renewing RC (our stay permit) why should we bother so much? What on earth is eating us that deep to go that regional!
True patriotism is not guaranteed by merely being attired well in Tibetan dress or speaking fluent Tibetan. Nor by eating tsampa every day also. A career-oriented nationalism is a seeming nationalism, not a true nationalism. It is rather more a business model disguised as nationalism, using public platforms for self-promotion. Such nationalism is heavily conditioned on incentives that the player draws into his pocket from the exploitation of public platforms to which he clings to in the name of service to country and people. Once the incentive stops pouring in, whole nationalism also dies along with it!
We can infer from the analysis that having to cling to a public office and position is not an essential requisite if one truly has the dedication to serve nation and people. Happily one can contribute to nation and people independently, without clinging to governmental post and position. We have many such personalities around to quote for examples.
When someone is aggressively coming forward with the claims of wanting to serve nation and people, but says, “I can do that if I get this chair”, extra care must employed to establish the honesty of that claimant before handing over the chair. Once the chair falls into the claimant’s custody, it’s not that easy to retrieve it later on when discovering the claimed honesty is contaminated with hidden self-serving interests. You will find many layers of legal protections and disciplinary formalities to cross in order to pull that chair back.
Treating sectional interest above national interest breeds vested interest groups deviously pressuring government to fulfil their narrow demands. Holding society at ransom by slapping accountability for law and order breach is a common practice of defence mechanism they employ for justifying their counter-measures, which fundamentally are directed at safeguarding their own sectional interests. It looks seemingly lawful in its appearance. But a closer careful observation will reveal that all allegations labelled are skilfully sensationalised or polarised with complete disregard to the fundamental rights of citizens enshrined in the constitution. How democracy can be protected by defeating the very values and ideals of democracy?
Leaving officials elected or appointed, presiding over state apparatus unchecked and unquestioned unconditionally for their accountabilities will render government becoming a kangaroo court where anyone gets sentenced anytime at the sweet will of authority. And our society is in no way immune to such vulnerability. The people’s role in a democratic system doesn’t end at voting and getting their choice of candidate elected. A constant watchful eye on their leaders’ performance, and barking loud enough when any lines are crossed, is a duty as well as a right also. Later, if the system has collapsed in a malfunctioning corrupt state, it will be difficult to be cured back to health. Then the people themselves are to be blamed for not having monitored well when anti-democratic elements were attacking the system, not the leaders then.
Remaining neutral and indifferent when the national interest is threatened and paying safe is cowardice, irresponsible and selfish. It amounts to a dereliction of a sacred duty (kartav) of protecting society that a citizen owes to his nation, and will be counted among defaulters, adharma, the enemy of society. Doing so would result in a nation getting denationalised and pocketed by few elite lutyens for profit, leaving mango people like you and me licking dry voting spoons.
And our democracy, a gift from His Holiness, which we received without having to shed even a single drop of blood, must not suffer any dent at such a young age. It is not only a hope to six million Tibetans, but for millions of oppressed Chinese also, that one day they too will breathe freedom and liberty. For world community and common Chinese to delegitimise and derecognise the CPC, our democracy is the chariot for the war — if the world can be the warrior! We cannot afford to let it become a playing ball in a few incumbent leaders’ hands for a domestic power struggle. It’s an exemplary model that His Holiness, as a global peace advocate, has set to the world: That when a refugee community can go for democracy on foreign soil, why can’t the rest? — referring to dictatorial regimes like Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea, China and so on.
Keeping these wider perspectives in mind, we Tibetans have a responsibility, always, to defend this democracy for Tibetans, for the Chinese, for the world — and thereby proving to the world that Tibetans are capable of taking care of themselves politically during a post-Dalai Lama era.
Otherwise going too much towards regionalism will upset both Tsongtsen Gampo and Langdarma who will yell at us, the former from heaven and the later from hell, for disintegrating their unified great empire of Tibet. And that too at a time when it is at an unpredictable edge of survival or extinction.
Let us fail the marketing model that Facebook is developing! Thank you.
About the author
Kunchok Gyatso, LLM, is a corporate lawyer working as an in-house legal counsel, based at Bangalore. He can be reached at [email protected]
More articles by Kunchok Gyatso on Tibet Sun.
Such profoundly articulated thoughts…
“And our democracy, a gift from His Holiness, which we received without having to shed even a single drop of blood, must not suffer any dent at such a young age. It is not only a hope to six million Tibetans, but for millions of oppressed Chinese also, that one day they too will breathe freedom and liberty. For world community and common Chinese to delegitimise and derecognise the CPC, our democracy is the chariot for the war — if the world can be the warrior! We cannot afford to let it become a playing ball in a few incumbent leaders’ hands for a domestic power struggle. It’s an exemplary model that His Holiness, as a global peace advocate, has set to the world: That when a refugee community can go for democracy on foreign soil, why can’t the rest? — referring to dictatorial regimes like Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea, China and so on.”
We, all the Tibetans, must learn to see such a visionary gift His Holiness the Dalai Lama has bestowed on us.
Well Written Cho Gyatso La!
The only redeeming feature that seems to bind us together is the word, “Tibet: Tibetans”. A foreign word that encompasses, Bhopa, Amdo, Khampa, and seemingly connects us together — on the surface. I congratulate the author on his sincere and emotional appeal to Unite.
How can we achieve this unity? Well for starters let’s reduce the importance of and the use of the words, Bhopa, Khampa, Amdo, and use a Tibetan word for “Tibetans” that would include all three provinces. (The word Bhopa has been used but has not been sitting right with Amdos and Khampas. Traditionally the word, Bhopa was used to represent people for U-Tsang region). Then let it be taught in all “Tibetan” schools.
The current political system needs to be revamped. Seats should be allotted to political parties and not given based on regionalism. There are more, but I digress. I wish we had many more Kunchok Gyatsos among us.
Enjoyed reading this piece! Yes, regionalism is a threat to unity as the author has pointed out! A must read piece for all Tibetans!
Regionalism is a problem not only in Tibetan community, but also everywhere where there are multi-cultural sub-ethnic groups. The Author has rightly pointed out the perils it may bring if not checked in advance! A good read!
The world model is based on consumerism. Whether capitalism or communism, man must look for his gratification and that unfortunately is not perceived in the mystical. Our education system confines us to this principle and a child of 2 or 3 begins his journey into consumerism and ego gratification from an early age.
Tibet is no different after its scattering. Though the people are scattered by this unfortunate fracture by China, today the contemporary Tibetan wants more material than spiritual. We cannot mistake cultural for spiritual. So as such the legacy is dwindling whether we like to believe it or not. Most Tibetan youth are focussed on becoming upwardly mobile. The spiritual or mystical is relegated to the few, and true practitioners are fewer still so to lead the contingent of scattered Tibetans, is increasingly difficult. The wisdom aspect as HH the Dalai Lama teaches is what one needs to focus on but like us Indians, Tibetans are steeped in the cultural and feudal. So now we are faced by those who want to modernise and go with the consumer world deemed as modern or those who cling to their old roots of “moh” and rituals and the rest of it, which is good if one is not using it to get ahead in the consumer world but most cases such esoteric means are applied alas for mundane things. So we are back to square one.
The great Dalai Lama is advancing in years and it is up to the Tibetans to rise to his core message and teachings and also into the wealth of their ancestors, but perhaps this ocean of dharma was for the wider world and not just for the Tibetans, therefore this misfortune of displacement. China’s plan of neutralising Tibet will most likely take form, but the flowering of Dharma will have gathered roots worldwide so anyone Tibetan or otherwise may partake of this garden. Trying to maintain unity and solidarity within the small Tibetan community one can only hope for the best.
As an Indian born and a child of Buddha, I wish you all well in remaining rooted to the middle path.
What good is “unity” if people are suppressed to express their grievances and frustrations in the name of preserving some vacuous idea of unity?
Democracy is messy and sometimes even unpleasant but transparency and free speech are indispensable. We Tibetans don’t realize this because we didn’t earn democracy. It was “gifted” to us!
Its amazing to read such an articulate and deeply-researched article. The dangers of regionalism are brought out in all their hues. The poignant appeal by the author to eschew it right away is a warning which all Tibetans would do well to heed. The statement — robbing a bank where one has kept money — is very hard-hitting and should drive home the perils of regionalism. I’m sure the Tibetans are sensible people who will immediately realize the seriousness of the situation and unite for the greater good of their people.
“Regionalism is equal to robbing the same bank where you have your money,” I am touched by this line the author has skilfully articulated. A must-read piece!
In this time of bigotry and tribal supremacy, this piece is a much needed voice of wisdom, farsightedness, and maturity. The only way forward for our young democracy and our political struggle is to be able to put national Interest above petty regional and sectarian interest, and work together for the larger cause despite of our difference of opinions on many social and political issues.
But if our democracy should work in a genuine sense, any kind of tribal supremacy, nepotism, violence, and bigotry must not be tolerated in the name of unity and all opposition and dissension such acts by government as well as Individual should not be suppressed by labelling them as anti-Tibetan.
For me, the current series of protests from people are not just against the LS Kashag for removing PT from Donchoe, it is also an act of defiance against tribal supremacists from a certain region and their act of violent thuggery and nepotism from which people have suffered silently for a long time. Now they are saying ‘enough is enough.’
The author has brought up an important point requiring for unity, “nationalism over regionalism.” Worth reading!
Good one. Every Tibetan should read this.
This is the pure and real spirit of Tibetan.
Finally a needed voice on-time. At this moment, all the youths should take a lead and abandon the old sectional feeling, and push for the unity like the author of this great piece. And please, defiantly not the other way around!!!
Well said bro. your voice is not only for the voiceless people that is also for those silly jerk who are fighting in the darkness with no hope.