Understanding Tibet

Tibetan National Flag

Today is March 10.  History shows many events occurred on this day, but the one we remember today is the Tibetan Uprising Day.  On March 10, 1959, the Tibetans’ revolt against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet and the atrocities suffered by them reached a crescendo.  Fearing for the life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, his government officials advised him to leave the country.  Heeding their advice, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet and sought political asylum in India.  He was accompanied by scores of Tibetans who wanted to be with their political and religious leader.  Even today, many Tibetans put their lives in danger and find ways of crossing the border to come to India only to be with their leader in exile.  

Rituals and Festivals : Prof. Suman Oak

Publishers : Indian Secular Society, Mumbai; Year:2014; Pages:197

 

Readers of Freedom First will remember a series titled “Rites, Rituals and Festivals” published in its issues between December 2007 and October 2009 where Mrs. Suman Oak, retired professor of education, SNDT University had enlightened the readers on nine festivals as and when they occurred in a particular month.  Her book under review is not only a compilation of these articles, but it is much more than what was published in the pages of Freedom First.

Brigadier Suresh C. Sharma, our regular contributor, provides a brief review of the book.