KalimNews, February 10, 2025 : Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, passed away peacefully at his residence, Taktser House, at 8th Mile of Kalimpong, on February 8, 2025, at the age of 97. His funeral service will take place on Tuesday, February 11, at 7 AM from his residence.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over a memorial prayer service for his brother, Gyalo Thondup, former chairman of the exiled Tibetan government in India, at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, on Sunday. Tibetan community members across the globe are mourning his loss, organizing memorial services to offer their sincerest prayers and deepest respect.
Born in 1928 in the village of Taktser in the Amdo region of Tibet, Gyalo Thondup was the second-eldest sibling in the family. Throughout his life, he played a pivotal role in the political landscape of Tibet, serving as an unofficial envoy for his brother and engaging with global leaders to advocate for Tibetan autonomy.
In 1939, Gyalo Thondup moved with his family to Lhasa. At the age of 14, he traveled to Nanjing, China, to study Standard Chinese and Chinese history. During his time there, he formed connections with prominent figures, including Chiang Kai-shek. In 1948, he married Zhu Dan, the daughter of a Kuomintang general. As political tensions rose in China, he left Nanjing in 1949, eventually settling in Kalimpong, India.
Thondup became an Indian citizen in 1952 and developed contacts with the Indian and American governments to seek support for Tibet.
Fluent in Chinese, Tibetan, and English, Gyalo Thondup facilitated semi-official contacts between the Tibetan government-in-exile and both the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China. Notably, with the Dalai Lama’s permission, he met Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979 to initiate open political talks. In the 1990s, he made several official visits to China, acting as the Dalai Lama’s unofficial envoy.
Beyond his political endeavors, Gyalo Thondup was an entrepreneur. In the 1960s, he established a noodle factory in Kalimpong, which became a significant part of his life. His experiences and insights were chronicled in his memoir, “The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong,” co-authored with Anne F. Thurston. The book became an international bestseller.
Gyalo Thondup’s life was marked by his unwavering dedication to the Tibetan cause and his efforts to bridge understanding between Tibet and China. His contributions to Tibet’s political discourse and his commitment to his heritage will be remembered and honored by many. His passing marks the end of an era when Kalimpong played a crucial role in shaping history regarding the Tibetan cause and relations between India, Tibet, and China.
On his death, political leaders across the country, including Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, expressed deep condolences and profound sadness over the passing of Gyalo Thondup. In a heartfelt statement, Tamang recognized Thondup as a distinguished figure whose significant contributions to the well-being of the community and marginalized groups will be cherished.
