February 18, 2007 Home for the Aged & Disabled, Lugsam Settlement # 2, Bylakuppe, India
For every Tibetan, Losar – the Tibetan New Year is a day of celebration and gathering of family and friends. Parents would wait eagerly for their children who are far away, to come home and spend time with them during Losar. It’s a very special day for any Tibetan but for those who have been separated from their family or those who doesn’t have anyone to call their own; it’s a day that would remind them of their lost ones.
In an effort to make a difference, the activists of Tibetan Volunteers for Animals (TVA) decided not to celebrate their Losar with their family but chose to spend time with the old ones at the Old Age Home and entertain them. The SOS TCV students headed by Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Head of School’s Veg-Club also joined the celebration.
A small program was organized in the morning by the TVA activists where in the students entertained the old people with their live performances. Thupten rocked the stage with Amdo Songs while Chodak and Samten backed him up with their ‘Dra-nyen’ (Tibetan Lute) skills. Mr. Tsering Phuntsok lak, the head of Chauntra School Veg-Club took everyone on a musical pilgrimage with his Flute and Yangchen a class Xth student regaled the audience with her melodious voice. Thupten and Sonam concluded the show with the Tibetan’s all-time favorite ‘Chang-shay’.
The Old Age group didn’t step back either. Popo Tsering Phuntsok at 75 seemed as young and energetic as a 20 year old boy while performing ‘drekar’ and the traditional Tibetan peacock-dance. From the ladies’ group, momo Kyizom astonished everyone with her high pitched melodious voice. The chef rejoiced his past youth with an old Indian song.
“It is for the first time in the History of Home for Aged and disabled, Bylakuppe that such an event was organized” said Mr. Tenzin Dhundup, Manager for Home for the Aged and Disabled. “The youth of today are changing and are becoming active in social works like never before which is very heartening and inspiring” he added.
“I have never enjoyed Losar so much like today” one of the old women was heard saying.
It wasn’t over yet, just before the lunch everybody gathered outside for a ‘GOR-SHAY’ a traditional Tibetan group dance which was enjoyed by all. Some couldn’t join because of physical disabilities but never the less participated by singing and cracking jokes.
“We thought it’s better to celebrate our Losar here with the old people so that we can bring a little joy in their lives but we never thought it would be so much fun” said Miss Yangchen Dolkar and Miss Tenzin Wangmo who traveled from Bangalore to organize the event.
A nice vegetarian meal was served for lunch. Tibetan Song Videos and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speech was shown in the afternoon to the audience.
At length, the organizing team donated 60 Recron pillows and 2 wheel chairs. The organizing team raised the fund through donations from their friends and family members.
“Old people here put bed-sheets, jackets and other pieces of cloth below their pillow because older people need a higher head rest and the pillow they have isn’t big or high enough. So we thought we should buy them a bigger and a softer pillow and add a little comfort in their lives” said Mr. Choyang, Treasurer TVA.
As the day passed by, it was yet another evening with the horizon painted with crimson color.
“The following days for those old people will be no different, sitting under trees chanting Mantras, looking through their silent windows at the passer-bys, the lonely tunes, their longing for love, family and companionship, their past glories & unheard stories; the faded memories & the lost smiles. Of course, we cannot bring back what they have lost but we can surely help bring a little comfort and joy in their lives. And with today’s Losar Celebration, I feel I have just done that” said Mr. Monlam Lobsang, Event Organizer and the Managing Director of Tibetan Volunteers for Animals Organization.
"If you want to see your future, visit an old age home. "
Special heartfelt thanks to Geshe Kelsang Damdul lak, Buddhist School of Dialectics, Dharamsala and Mr. Tenzin Namdak lak, Lugsam Settlement 2, Bylakuppe for sponsoring the wheel chairs.
Disclaimer: This event is organized by the activists of Tibetan Volunteers for Animals Group but is not a part of Organization's activities. All the expenses incurred are spent from the individuals’ own pockets and has no relation with the organization’s fund whatsoever. For more information please email