Remembering the Past The Dalai Lama Mourns Loss of Elder Brother, Veteran Tibetan Leader

Remembering the Past The Dalai Lama Mourns Loss of Elder Brother, Veteran Tibetan Leader

New Delhi - In a somber display of respect and reverence, prayers were offered in India on Sunday to mourn the passing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's elder brother, Gyalo Thondup. A veteran leader of the exiled Tibetan people, Gyalo Thondup was 97 years old at the time of his death.

Born in 1928, more than three decades before the 1959 uprising in Lhasa against Chinese forces, Gyalo Thondup played a significant role in shaping the fate of Tibet. He later served as chairman of the Tibetan government in exile's Kashag or cabinet in the early 1990s and was the personal emissary of the Dalai Lama.

As His Holiness offered prayers for the deceased leader, many are left wondering about the future of Tibet and its leaders. The passing of a generation of Tibetan leaders, including those who can remember what their homeland was like before the 1959 uprising, raises concerns among many in the diaspora about the future.

At 89 years old, His Holiness has decades yet to live, but his followers are bracing for an inevitable time without him. The Chinese government's assertion that Tibet is an integral part of China has raised fears among exiled Tibetans that Beijing will name a rival successor to the Dalai Lama, bolstering control over the region.

Gyalo Thondup was instrumental in reaching out to international organizations and governments to promote the Tibetan cause. As the point person to take up the Tibetan issue internationally after the Lhasa uprising, he played a crucial role in garnering support for the Tibetan people's struggle for autonomy.

Additionally, Gyalo Thondup was key among those who reached out to the CIA for supplies and support to launch guerrilla attacks against Chinese forces as a Cold War proxy. His legacy will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come.

As the Dalai Lama said in his prayers, he wishes for the deceased leader's soul to be able to work closely with him for the Tibetan cause in all future lives. May Gyalo Thondup's passing serve as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring our past, while also paving the way for a brighter future.

The World is Changing

Tibet has alternated between independence and control by China over the centuries. The Chinese government claims to have peacefully liberated the region and brought infrastructure and education to the people. However, many exiled Tibetans fear that Beijing's intentions are far from peaceful.

The International Campaign for Tibet group has paid tribute to Gyalo Thondup's tireless efforts in promoting the Tibetan cause internationally. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and dedication to a just cause.

In the face of uncertainty, it is crucial that we honor the past while working towards a better future.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.