The Wellbeing Programme is a philanthropic initiative by Friends of Tibet, a non-profit organisation founded in 1999 to support the cause of Tibet and to create awareness about the issue of Tibet amongst people all over the world. This initiative researched, designed and implemented by Friends of Tibet aims at the restoration, propagation and promotion of the endangered traditions and practices of Tibet.
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"For A Good Cause, God Sends Help in Unfathomable Ways"
Victoria Sheldon, a PhD student from Canada volunteers for the 40th Wellbeing Tibetan Medical Camp organised by Friends of Tibet and Men-Tsee-Khang, Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute of HH the Dalai Lama in Kochi from October 21-24, 2014. (Photo: Eswar Anandan)
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I was browsing my facebook, and a post stopped me... minutes of silence followed.
"Prosperity of hospitals and pharmaceuticals depend upon the continued and new illness of patients and prescriptions of tests and procedures not required for them."
Isn't it true?!
It reminded me about a participant I was helping in translation. A senior lady working as a post woman, active and loved by all. She is diabetic, and two years back she went to a hospital and was advised medication. Once she started following the medication, she started developing skin infection. She consulted a physician and she was prescribed treatment for the infection. Once she started with the medicines, she felt breathlessness. A chain reaction of illness followed!
A Normal Day For Her, But Life Changing
She was delivering letters at Ashirbhavan, Kochi, as usual. That's when she heard about the Tibetan medical camp. Confused and exasperated from the series of medical misadventures, she decided to give a try. Now its more than a year, a regular participant at the camp, she got rid of the side effects and infections; she is afraid thinking about how one medicine led to a series of infections.
The Lab Test
Active with no tiredness, burning sensation or weight loss, with a good appetite, the last visit to the lab for blood test caused another stress. The technician at the lab asked her why she is not taking any allopathic drugs. She was advised to first bring down the values by taking allopathic drugs then to experiment with alternative medicine!
Typical Scenario
Here is a healthy woman who fell prey to so called side infections undergoing treatment one after another, who got rid of the infections and is living a normal, healthy life. Now being warned to go back to a life of side effects and infections!
Wellbeing is not about falling prey to drugs and a series of infections, one leading to another, it's about a drug free life, living a healthy life enjoying an active life and a natural smile. Every camp, looking forward to meet the smiling faces, interacting with them sharing the joy and sorrow of life, thanking participant who regularly brings delicious idly and mouth watering chutney, it feels like being part of a family, a home away from home.
Keeping aside one's worries about illness, supporting other participants who are in much need, some participants spend more time at the camp, volunteering! They say it gives them immense happiness, hearing it gives me a sense of joy.
'For a good cause, god sends help in unfathomable ways.' - Shri Yeldtho Mathew, Campaigner, Friends of Tibet.
I was sharing this story with a good friend and fellow volunteer Shri. Yeldtho Mathew when he said this beautiful quote.
So true. While preparing for WB40, we received a request to volunteer. Ms. Victoria Sheldon is a PhD student from Canada. She is living in Kerala for a few months and she heard about the Tibetan medical camp and wanted to volunteer! She ended up being the star of the camp, interacting in fluent malayalam with all participants, coordinating and guiding them, comforting some, asking their experience. It was a delight to see her volunteer, infusing more positivity in the beautiful environment of the medical camp.
Tibetan medical camps also is a meeting place for the countable tibetan population at kochi. Namgyal Tsundu a tibetan businessman is a regular at the camps. Speaking fluent malayalam, he spends time at the camp interacting and translating. One of the days we met at his residence for a sumptuous dinner. The discussions always take a beautiful turn towards Rangzen*, hoping one day they can go back to where they belong; staying in a place they do not own and forced to be away from a place which is rightfully theirs.
Often people ask me why Tibet, when there are lot of issues to be focused here.
Why Tibet
Why Tibet, asks many
Corrupt and poor
Free Tibet, Free India
Free Tibet, Save India
Free Tibet, Save nature
Free Tibet, give back identity
*Rangzen = Independence
(This report is prepared by Eswar Anandan, a 'Friends of Tibet' Campaigner based in Kochi. He can be reached at eswar.anandan@friendsoftibet.org)
Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing, PO Box 16674, Bombay 400050, India.
(By Eswar Anandan, October 25, 2014)
When enough to do
And issues many
In your country
So vast and wide!
Rich and dirty
High as the himalaya
Deep as the Indian ocean
The roof of the world
Mother of mighty rivers
Once a pillow separating
The evil from the good
From the monster nation
Diverting water stream
Slaving innocents
In the name of development
Polluted by the red dragon
Creating imbalance
Confusing nature and nations
Stolen from countless
For its people came here
Trusting us, and it's people
Live in a land which is not theirs
Deprived of land, which is theirs!
Email: wellbeing@friendsoftibet.org Web: www.friendsoftibet.org/wellbeing
