Who is Tenzin Tsundue?

I first heard about Tenzin Tsundue when a Tibetan friend of mine gave me a book of Tsundue’s poetry a year and a half ago (1)*. The publisher’s note of that book starts with these words, ‘Tenzin Tsundue is mad. He has no money, no job, no official position, no house, no belongings, but is hell bent on writing and activism for a Free Tibet.’ Powerful words. I remember flipping through the book, thinking it was passionate writing and forgetting about it. A few days ago I read a column by Tsundue in the Tehelka Paper called ‘No compromise on Tibet’. In what was the bravest and most passionate article I have ever read, Tsundue voices his displeasure with the Tibetan Government in exile for softening its stance on Tibet by seeming to be reconciled with gaining autonomy as a state within China rather than standing their ground on demanding freedom from Chinese occupation (2)*.I e-mailed Tsundue saying that his government was just being realistic. For I firmly believe that the Chinese Regime is the most barbaric regime since Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Government in Germany. The Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is on a visit to India.Tsundue was arrested today (10/4/05) when he protested from atop a building at the Indian Institute of Science where the Chinese leader talked to scientists. Tsundue from atop the fourth floor balcony made a speech and placed a “Free Tibet” banner. This is not the first time he has resorted to such measures. There is a passage from the about the author section of Tsundue’s book. It relates an event in January 2002 when ‘He (Tsundue) scaled scaffolding to the 14th floor of the Oberoi Towers, in Mumbai, to unfurl a Tibetan national flag and a banner which read “Free Tibet” down the hotel’s facade. China’s Premier Zhu Rongji was inside the hotel addressing a conference of Indian business tycoons. The world’s media featured this feat and Indian police officers congratulated him in prison for standing up for his rights.’ Tenzin Tsundue is the face of Tibet. I would go as far as saying that he is the Tibetan Martin Luther King. I am also very, very afraid for him. He has what it takes to ruffle China. In fact he has done more for the cause of Tibet in his short life then most human rights groups, nationalists and global bodies such as the U.N have done in decades. I am sure that China is weary of Tsundue and will stoop to any level (even harm Tsundue) to send a message to the Tibetans. For now I can only hope and pray for his safety, as I am sure all right minded people will. For by the sheer power of his belief Tsundue has already made the dream of a Free Tibet seem improbable, rather than impossible as it seemed before his arrival on the scene. For all those who think that there is nothing much a single individual can do Tsundue is THE classic examples of the power of ONE.I see him emerging as one of the persons who will shape the 21st Century. (1)*-The book I refer to and have quoted from is called Kora-a story and eleven poems. (2)*-This article assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of the Tibetan issue. For those who don’t information on the issue is available on the net. You might find a brief synopsis useful in understanding this article better.