Blood Notes of Theurang

Tashi Rapten is among the many Tibetan poets, writers and intellectuals arrested by the Chinese authorities since the brutal crackdown of Tibetan uprising throughout Tibet in 2008. But little is known on what charges and why he has been arrested and for how long.

The young man who was to graduate last year compiled some of his poems, notes and writings in one book, Trag-yig in Tibetan [Written in Blood] under the pen name of Theurang. The poetry and the essay works give an in-depth understanding of Tibetans' feeling and why they are against the Chinese regime.

The note is divided into five chapters, first four chapters are written in form of poetry. The last one, which has six sections including the conclusion, forms the main writing in essay style. The first chapter in the poetry section, 'Monologue in hell', he compares the prisons in Tibet to a region of hell, and how the people in these hell are left speaking with themselves about the hope and their aspiration in monologue and wondering what was their crime. How the people in the dark cells of prisons believe the ultimate visit of the rays of Sun light to usher the days of freedom and equality and to dispel the ignorance of the conqueror. Song of the soul and My Tibet in poetry chapter equally makes an incisive understanding of the poet's mind.

In the essay section,"Denpai Tugsher" [Trail of the truth], the author tells us about the truth behind the violence in March 2008, and who was responsible for this bloody incident. How Chinese authorities fabricated violence and blamed everything to the Dalai Lama. It discusses Olympic and how the Beijing Olympics brought repression in Tibet. It also dwells on the earthquake in the region and how it was handled actually and how it was broadcasted in media. The author has written about how Tibetan language is undermined, and how the security personal forces false confession from the students.

The book is an open testimony of a young Tibetan of what is going on in Tibet. His sentences and statements often end in question marks leaving the readers and the Chinese authorities to reflect on. In fact, the Chinese government should laud him for bringing these policy failure and misdemeanors in public, and make effort to rectify the policy if the leadership is really serious about the so-called policy of "harmonious society".

We don't know under what condition Tashi Rapten is in right now, but we commend him for his courage to challenge the repressive regime bent on destroying Tibetan nationality. If democracy, freedom and human rights is to triumph in this world, International community should raise voice for people like Tashi Rapten and others who are still languishing in prisons.

Following is the opening notes of the author in his book, Trag-yig [Written in blood]

Lhasa of the first half of March 2008 was not the peaceful and serene abode of non-violence and the heavenly Tibetan city that many have known. It was a bloody land full for corpses and infernos, inundated with gunfires and military contingents.

On that day, the people of Tibet who had silently swallowed their tears and sorrow for decades rose peacefully for Human rights and hit the gongs of the truth to assert their rights to life. On that day, humble people who had for more than five decades kowtowed to the dictates of tyrants and despots stood before the gunfires and shackles to raise the long cherished flag of democracy and equality. On that day, the people gave a clear message that from the depth of their heart they could no longer tolerate the oppression and invasion of the infamous rotten regime known for brutality and for deriding the nation's constitution.

On that day, who was the one who brought with force the frightful tragedy of 1958 once again on the humble populace's head? On that day, who staged deceit and false accusation and played with the lives of the brethrens of this land of snow and turned this fatherland into a bloody land? On that day, who shook and disturbed not only the lives of all beings but also the rivers, mountains and forest?

On that day, how humble and innocent the lives of each spirit representing truth and justice stood before the sound of bullets and horse lash, blood and dead bodies, armies and arms?

That day in March was much bloodier than anyone could dream of. That day was the historic day of March when each brave man and woman hoisted the flag of truth on the backbone of a nation's history. That day was..............