This person needs no introduction. Known for his vociferous love for Tibet, this young Tibetan, born in a roadside tent in Manali where his parents were construction workers, has no qualms about calling himself a refugee. A poet, a writer, an activist; unemployed and unmarried; “a realist and a pragmatic strategist”; and recently recognized style icon alongside many renowned personalities, Tsundue is so dynamic that even words fall short in order to describe what this person embodies. Tsundue comes across as a bold, confident, in the face type activist with an uncompromising belief in his ideals and conviction for a ‘completely independent’ Tibet, which puts him on the other side of the exile Tibetan government’s position. Disillusioned with the outside world’s lackadaisical attitude on Tibet, Tsundue believes that ultimately one should look within the Tibetan community for support, motivation and inspiration.
He draws inspiration from the likes of poet-saint Jetsun Milarepa, freedom fighter Aung Suung Su Kyi, writer Albert Camus and of course not to forget the Tibetan resistance inside Tibet against Chinese subjugation. Ignorant of his date of birth like many fellow Tibetans, he can be distinguished from a crowd with that patented red Tsundue band tied around his forehead, which he pledges to remove only when Tibet regains her complete independence. Dedicating his life on earth for the cause of Tibet 24 X 7, Tsundue has contributed immensely in raising awareness about Tibet. He is a General Secretary of the NGO, Friends of Tibet, and has organized and been a part of many seminars, festivals, discussions and meetings on Tibet. We are extremely honored to bring to you this month Tsundue, uncensored. Hear him to judge him.

Tibetan World: Tell me something about your childhood and the school days. What was your immediate reaction when you knew for the first time that you were a refugee?
Tenzin Tsundue: I changed three schools: from CST Kollegal in Karnataka to TCV Pathli Kuhl and then finally passed out from TCV Dharamsala. I have vivid memories of my school life. I was a curious and adventurous boy. In studies, I was always an average student, and poor in mathematics and memorizing lessons. I received much beating for failing to mug up poetry. I hated our poetry lessons English, Hindi or Tibetan.
Amidst homework, school curriculum and games, I slowly realized that we do not belong here, and that we are eventually to return to Tibet. I quite often looked at those Himalayan Mountains and wondered how Tibet looked like behind the snow-clad mountains.

T W:  You have been to Tibet via Ladakh on foot and also served few months imprisonment in Tibet. What really inspired you to take such a life staking risk?
TT- My fascination of Tibet grew ever since my parents told me stories of their lives in Tibet, the beauty and bounty of resources in Tibet, and also the serene, calm atmosphere unlike our mosquito infested refugee camp in Karnataka. As I grew up in school, I learned about the political situations in Tibet, which agitated me and left me restless and worried.
I used to think about the lives of Tibetans inside Tibet, especially about the political prisoners and youth. I had seen photographs and films on Tibet, but I wanted to see Tibet myself, in real, and perhaps lend a hand to the resistance movement inside Tibet. Once I resolved to do that, I did it.

T W:  To what extent today's Tenzin Tsundue is different from Tenzin Tsundue of school days? How did these transformations come about?
TT- The schoolboy Tenzin Tsundue was brash, adventurous, romantic and an explorer. Now he is organized, realist and also a pragmatic strategist. He is an artist. In his growth he has burnt many fingers, learnt lessons of life and has grown up into a fighter, a stoic man.

T W: There is hardly any nation in the world, which officially recognizes Tibet’s independence. Do you still feel that a completely independent Tibet can be a reality given the fact that the Tibetan government in exile has adopted ‘genuine autonomy’ as its goal?
TT- The seed of free Tibet lives in us and not anywhere outside. Without realizing that, if we went about searching for it outside, you will understand the ridiculousness of such an exercise. When USA suddenly stopped the military aid to the Tibetan resistance movement in 1974, when India did not support the Tibetan issue to be discussed at the UN in 1959, we should have realized that no one country would take up the Tibetan issue unless their interests are at stake.
Genuine Autonomy is only a wishful thinking. China has given us in writing that they are not interested in our most sacrosanct idea “Genuine Autonomy” and claims that “autonomy” is what the Tibetans in Tibet are enjoying and they will not compromise on anything more the status quo. We must immediately change our approach from the hopeful that someone like USA or India or Western pressure would bring freedom to us by default, to a pro-active one, where we fight our own struggle. We do not have to wait for others, nor beg for help.

T W:  Do you think that the Tibetan struggle in exile has reduced to a one-day wonder? What initiatives do you think should be taken to add more vigour and dynamism to Tibetan struggle?
TT- Much of the activism for free Tibet in exile has been aimed for that little media attention. They are reactions to Chinese politics and their hard work. One of the reasons why this is happening is because we have been telling stories without knowing the history. We must get down to the basics. Perhaps stop all that we have been doing, and spend time and energy on our conditions, and rethink on our strategies and policies. We need to re-organize our actions at all levels into a master strategy towards one goal.
I am sure this will churn out genuine interests and strength in the struggle.

T W:  You have been advocating 'complete Independence' for few years now. Do you believe in non violent means to achieve your goal of complete independence?
TT- I have always believed that one-day Tibet will be free, all my life I stood for the Independence of Tibet. I believe that the historically proved independence of Tibet as the status of our country is the truth and it shall prevail. For that I am a willing soldier.
I believe in the power of Non-violence, where I am willing to work hard and suffer so that truth triumphs. But it is not the casual definition of exile Tibetans ideas of “Non-action non-violence” where people say prayers and expect miracles at altar of the Buddha. Non-violence for me is all about action, an engaged mass movement for social change.
However, I respect others who use violence to press for justice driven by their ideologies. Morally speaking, without exploring all possibilities of Non-violence, violence cannot be justified. Sometimes, human beings are pushed to such limits of patience that they burst out. If I have to take up violence, this would be my last resort.

T W:  Young Tibetans today consider you as a role model. They really want to do something concrete and decisive and contribute towards the attainment of the ultimate goal. How do you think this juvenile energy can be positively and productively channeled?
TT- Today, Tibetan youngsters are angry and frustrated about the helpless and desperate conditions we are growing up with. There are apparent motivations to support free Tibet, but not a single government in the world supports us, and yet the world talks about peace, non-violence and justice.
Tibetan youngsters must look inside and find inspiration from within the community. For me the Tibetans in Tibet are my source of inspiration, their silent resistance against the onslaught of Chinese atrocities encourages me to work 24 X 7.
We must find our own reasons to get involved in the struggle, study and understand the history and find reasons to fight for the cause ourselves, rather than being carried away by small talks of peers and elders. That kind of emotional heat doesn’t last. Each one of us must grow up individually motivated. We will then make the best soldiers to champion our cause.
Another important thing I must stress is the importance to create a common bridge with the Chinese democracy activist. Unless whole of China is not free, unless China doesn’t shake off its old imperialist beliefs, Free Tibet in isolation and as special case is next to impossible. That’s why my slogan Free China! Free Tibet!

T W:  How did you get the idea to climb the 14th floor of Oberoi hotel in Mumbai to unfold the FREE TIBET banner during Chinese premier visit? What was the reaction of the VIPs there?
TT- Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji was coming to Mumbai on Jan 16 2002, so I learned from newspapers. When I came to know that the Oberoi Hotel was to host him, my perspectives of the five star hotel changed. I studied the building for technical flaws from various directions. When I observed the long ladder like scaffolding and going up the Oberoi towers it gave me ideas.
The idea was to register my protest with Zhu Rongji about the ongoing brutal occupation of my country. Since he was beyond my reach and all doors being shut, I thought to use the window. When I had climbed to the 14th floor, I unfurled the Tibetan national flag on the scaffolding and tied the long red banner reading “FREE TIBET”. I saw numerous Chinese dignitaries staring at me in shocked surprise from their hotel windows. The message went across even to China as the media splashed the news everywhere.

T W:  In highlighting the Tibetan Issue don't you think you have neglected the dreams of your parents? Do you think you are a good son of your parents?
TT- If I had stayed with my parents in Kollegal Refugee camp, I would have been of some practical use to my parents. But I don’t think my parents have dreamed to make me into a cowboy in the jungle of Karnataka and to fight the wild bores guarding our cornfield in the night.
I promised my parents that I would work for Tibet and take them back to their lost country with dignity. Working like this with no definite career or no salary or security, my parents worry about me more than they do about my younger siblings. For few years, joint by my sister and other relatives, my parents tried to push me into taking “a proper salaried job” and perhaps get married, but I remained a strong head and they got tired. I think, my parents are proud of my commitment for Tibet.

T W: As a writer and an activist, you have written number of articles and essays in some of popular dailies. What recognition and awards you have received till now?
TT- I have received many appreciation letters from Tibetan youngsters. For me, this is my highest achievement and recognition of my work for Tibet, as a writer and activist. I do not have to mention awards or publication here.

T W:  When do you think will the time for the removal of the red band from your forehead come?
TT- The red band I am wearing on my forehead is a mark of my pledge that I would work for the independence of Tibet, and I would take it off when that dream comes true. When will it come off?
Nobody knows the future. I only know my duty. I work for Tibet every day, every moment. I would be sad if I have to die wearing the red band on my skull.

Full name: Tenzin Tsundue
Date of Birth: Amala knows no date, says it was snowing outside. My parents were road construction labour. It was in the early 70’s
Place of Birth: Half way to Rotang pass from Manali, in a roadside tent, Himachal Pradesh
Aim: To free Tibet
Favouite dish: There is soup and stuff to ea, Thukpa is a wholesome meal, and keeps you warm.
Favourite place: Mumbai is my training ground as a fighter. It is home to some of my best friends.
Favourite writer: Albert Camus the French writer is extremely artistic and satisfies my intellectual quest
Hobbies: Now I don’t find time, but I love to cook, garden, watch film and read
Strength: I have no possession.
Weakness: I lost my laughter.
Most embarrassing moment: during a lunch at a workshop, I kept discussing when everybody finished eating. Kalon Tripa and the rest 100 odd people waited on me till I finished my last bit.
Happiest moment: 4th March 1997, when I crossed into Tibet all by myself, finding myself in my dreamland I celebrated singing wildly and dancing in that cold desert.
Favourite lines: a Tibetan saying
“Perfection comes by training
As the shepherd is at the sling”

Tenzin Tsundue is a writer and activist for free Tibet. He can be contacted at tentsundue@hotmail.com