Independence Day

August 15, 2009 | Category: Culture, Events | News by: Jerry Z. (board member)

August 15th is the national independence day in India – a big holiday here – and there was to be a great celebration and competition in Lumla, the nearest place that could be called a town. Villagers and schools from a great part of this remote region came to celebrate the holiday, participate in the fun, and compete. So, most of the Gatsal community piled into our trusty truck for the 45 minute trip to Lumla, balancing and hanging on precariously for the rough and twisty drive, singing all the way.

Many people filled the central parade ground in Lumla. Festivities started with a military honor guard and the introduction of the primary guest, our very good friend Tsona Rinpoche, Abbot of the Bomdilla Monastery and the Minister of Energy for Arunachal Pradesh.  Rinpoche then began the formal proceedings with a long speech in Hindi and Tibetan, praising Ghandi and nonviolence and then going on to lecture the parents and the villagers of the importance of educating their children and preserving their cultural (Tibetan and Monpa) roots.  I know this because I had the opportunity to spend time with him and his secretary during a break in the ceremonies and we had a long discussion on these issues.  I was also able to update him on our progress at Gatsal, and he is very happy with what we are doing.

Then there was dancing: some good, some really interesting, and some great. The older children of Gatsal chose two traditional Monpa dances for their performance, and they were, (as usual) great – they even won a prize in their division!  After the dancing, the children did a bit of shopping for goodies – they had been given some pocket money – and then we piled back into the Tata truck for a picnic on the Lumla peak overlooking the school.  We all returned proud, hungry, and tired.  A great, truly fun celebration and day.

See the gallery for more great photos of the day!

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