Little Lhasa

Since 1960, when Dharamshala became the temporary headquarter of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, it has risen to international fame as “The Little Lhasa in India”. SFT is providing opportunities for students all across the world to explore the magnificent land of Buddhism. International students are joining SFT for the Annual flagship program which is normally held in June.
“Little Lhasa” lets the participants experience Tibet and explore Tibet’s political condition, its unique culture, heritage and history of Dharmashala.
During the one week course, participants get an opportunity to engage with Tibetan activists, leaders and former political prisoners and visit places like Norbulingka, Tsug-la-khang,Nechung monastery, Tibetan government in exile, Library of Tibetan works and archives and Tibetan Children’s Village.
This year we had 12 participants from South Africa, China and India. The group consisted of participants from all walks of life such as Professors, activists, researchers,students and lawyers.
“I had applied for The Little Lhasa program not knowing much of what to expect, but I was also really curious to know about the Tibetan cause and SFT. This, was my first ever visit to Dharamshala and my first interaction with the Tibetan people.

 

The program on the whole gave an up-close and personal exposure to the various organizations which deal directly with the Tibetan struggle. Meeting the heads of these organizations and listening to them speak about their struggle is not something an average visitor would have access to, or be aware of. It establishes the ground realities that the people are experiencing politically, culturally and economically. On the other hand, we also lived amongst a thriving community which has survived the harshest conditions and has been successful in maintaining their identity. Thus, the program really is a wholesome experience in understanding the Tibetan exile community, the spirit that keeps the struggle alive and the injustice that the community as a whole faces from the external forces all around it. I also think this instigates us to question ignorance and the play of power that countries engage in and its effects on peaceful communities.

LITTLE LHASA 2019

 

 

  • SFT – India has been organising Little Lhasa Program for the past eight years, for eight years students from different parts of the world have visited McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, the residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama , learning the Tibetan way of life and exploring the hub of cultural matrix of Tibet.
  • This year, we are ready to give you all a wholesome firsthand experience of the Tibetan settlements all over India and their incredible histories of how they came into being.
  • Since this year marks the 60 years since Tibet has lost its independence to Chinese Communist Party. We are going to mark the year as an important historical year by extending the Little Lhasa Program for a month.
  • So Join us for our SFT – India’s flagship program Little Lhasa where we have north zone where we will visit McLeod Ganj and for south zone we will visit one of the largest Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppee, Mysore

    Highlights:

    • Explore  McLeodGanj, the hub of Tibetans in exile and the seat of His Holiness the 14th  Dalai Lama, where you will visit the Central Tibetan Administration(Tibetan Government in Exile)various NGO’s, Interactions with activists, artists, former political prisoners and many more.
    • Visit Tibetan college students in Bangalore and Delhi to understand the youth activism in these two regions and to engage in their personal struggles. Also you will get the chance to familiarize in their search of identity in new environments
    • Collaborate with different monasteries, schools and the communities  to understand Buddhism as the root of Tibetan culture and its adaptation in schools and community.
    • Hike to triund and witness the breathtaking view of McLeodGanj and celebrate the idea of freedom and have fun with SFT – India staff.

     

    TESTIMONIALS FROM FORMER PARTICIPANTS

    Overall, this initiative by SFT of bringing more students towards the Tibetan crisis in an engaging experience which makes it possible for an outsider to understand and see reality as it is experienced by the people living it.”- Roshni Thapa (Student from St. Xavier’s College Mumbai)

    Overall, this initiative by SFT of bringing more students towards the Tibetan crisis in an engaging experience which makes it possible for an outsider to understand and see reality as it is experienced by the people living it.”- Roshni Thapa (Student from St. Xavier’s College Mumbai)

    “The Students for a Free Tibet-India’s Annual LITTLE LHASA PROGRAM from June 20th-25th, 2017, in Macleodganj, Dharamshala, H.P., was a lifetime experience to hail the Free Tibet cause and getting close to the Tibetan way of life, culture and functioning of its government in exile. Above all, the very program sensitizes about the Tibet and its people in exile. Each day of the program was well organized and during the progression, each day brought us close to the Tibet and made us visit key persons heading various Tibetan organizations and the Tibetan government in exile. It is very surprising to know that Tibetan are not anti-Chinese. Heads off to you; because Tibetan have all rights to hate the dragon, but as per my understanding, Tibetan way is Buddhist way, so of course they believe that, every individual have Buddha inside. However, when deviated may create horrendous results for the mankind. The same what China is doing to innocent Tibetans….. I urge my deep gratitude to the coordinator of the Little Lhasa 2017, Ms. Rinzin Choedon for giving us an opportunity to be educated about Tibet and the Tibetan cause. Ms. Rinzin is a wonderful human being and took all loads of the program with ease.”- Vikram Vir Bharti  (Faculty & Research Scholar,Department of Tourism,Kumaun University, Nainital)