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| Photo Courtesy: Senora Namchu (Facebook) |
On Wednesday, February 14, Thondup’s final rites were performed at his residence in accordance with traditional Buddhist customs. The cremation was completed early in the morning at 6:45 a.m. in the presence of family members, Tibetan Buddhist monks, and well-wishers.
Several prominent figures from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Dharamshala attended to pay their final respects. Dignitaries present at the last rites included Penpa Tsering, Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, along with ministers and members of parliament from the Tibetan community. Other attendees included Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly; Sonam Lama, Minister of the Ecclesiastical Department, PHE, and Water Resources, Sikkim; Aditya Golay, MLA, Sikkim; Sinora Namchu, Executive Councillor of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration; Ajay Edward, Central President of the Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front; and Kalon Gyari Dolma. Among his family members were his younger sister, Jetsun Pema, and his sons, Sey Kujyo Ngawang Tanpa Thondup and Sey Kujyo Khedroob Thondup.. Buddhist monks from monasteries across Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling offered prayers and conducted the last rites in adherence to Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
Born in 1928 in the village of Taktser in the Amdo region of Tibet, Gyalo Thondup was the second-eldest sibling of the Dalai Lama. He played a pivotal role in Tibetan politics, serving as an unofficial envoy for his brother and engaging with global leaders to advocate for Tibetan autonomy. Throughout his life, he was instrumental in shaping Tibet’s political discourse and international relations. His contributions will be remembered as significant milestones in the Tibetan freedom movement.
In 1939, Gyalo Thondup moved with his family to Lhasa. At the age of 14, he traveled to Nanjing, China, where he studied Standard Chinese and Chinese history. During this period, he formed connections with key figures, including Chiang Kai-shek. In 1948, he married Zhu Dan, the daughter of a Kuomintang general. With political tensions escalating in China, he left Nanjing in 1949, eventually settling in Kalimpong, India. By 1952, he became an Indian citizen and developed strategic contacts with the Indian and American governments to seek support for Tibet’s cause.
Between 1956 and 1974, Mr Thondup was a key figure in organising US support for Tibetan resistance fighters. During this period, he also represented Tibet at the United Nations in 1959, 1960, and 1961. His efforts led to three resolutions (1959, 1961, and 1965) condemning Chinese actions in Tibet and advocating for Tibetan autonomy.
Thondup was one of the first Tibetans to engage in diplomatic talks with India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, regarding Tibet. He played a crucial role in facilitating relations between the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and world powers, including the United States. His efforts contributed to the formation of the Special Frontier Force (SFF) in India, a unit dedicated to Tibetans serving in the Indian military.
In the 1960s, he established a noodle factory in Kalimpong, an entrepreneurial venture that became a significant part of his life. His memoir, The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong, co-authored with Anne F. Thurston, became an international bestseller, providing deep insights into the Tibetan struggle and his own experiences in diplomacy and espionage.
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| Photo Courtesy: FB Senora Namchu |
Thondup served in the Tibetan government-in-exile as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1993 and later as Minister for Security from 1993 to 1996. He was fluent in Tibetan, Chinese, and English, Thondup played a key role in fostering communication between Tibet, China, and the rest of the world. In 1979, with the permission of the Dalai Lama, he met Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping to initiate open political talks, though these discussions eventually ended in 1993. Throughout the 1990s, he continued to act as an unofficial envoy, advocating for Tibet through diplomatic channels.
Thondup remained a steadfast advocate for Tibetan independence. His tireless efforts to maintain Tibet’s cultural and political identity left an indelible mark on Tibetan history. While his approach was sometimes met with skepticism by adversaries, he was revered by generations of Tibetans who saw him as a key architect of their struggle for autonomy.
With Gyalo Thondup’s passing, Kalimpong lost one of its most influential figures, marking the end of an era when the town played a crucial role in Tibet’s history and its ties with India and China. His unwavering dedication to the Tibetan cause, strategic political engagements, and lifelong commitment to his people left a lasting legacy. He was survived by his family and numerous individuals whose lives were shaped by his work and vision.
