Introduction


The Tibetan Society being a family oriented one, the concept of old people’s home and home for the handicapped are relatively unknown. Family taking care of its disabled members and respect for the elders form an inherent part of the Tibetan traditional norms. Invaded by China, Tibet had lost 1.2 million of its population, i.e. 20% of its total population, in years of brutal political persecutions that followed. The event forced His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama to flee into exile in 1959. Around 80,000 of his people followed, him over the icy Himalayan passes into Indian plain. Subsequently a temporary exile Tibetan Government was set up in Dharamsala, (H.P) with His Holiness the Dalai Lama as its head. Unending Stream of refugees continue to arrive from Tibet even to this day.

In the past, the Tibetan families had been able to support themselves and their less productive members by drawing income from their livestock, agriculture products or business ventures. Earning a livelihood today however, both in Tibet and in exile has become much more difficult task and on top of that, having handicapped family members in the face of such challenges causes serious financial strain. The handicapped faces scarcity of appropriate training and rehabilitation facility, as the host country’s support system is simply not geared to work with the fringes of minority exile population. It was in response to repeated appeals from parents and other concerned individual in the exile community, that Realm of Courage was started establishing in 1998. The Tibetan Government in Exile, as well as some NGOs, had established a few old homes in various settlements but ‘Nyingtob Ling’ is the first Tibetan for the handicapped in exile.

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama blessed the project and gave the name Nyingtob Ling which means “Realm of Courage”.

 

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