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The Lhamo Tsering Book Project and Photo Collection "Resistance"
A 15-volume account of the Tibetan Resistance
Movement carried out from exile
For nearly two decades starting in the late 1950s, Tenzing Sonam's father, Tsongkha Lhamo Tsering was a key resistance figure; he was the main organizer of the Mustang Resistance Force and the mastermind behind numerous undercover operations inside Tibet. Operating out of Darjeeling, and later, New Delhi, he was also the key liaison person between the CIA and the Tibetan resistance. During this entire period he kept meticulous and detailed records and documentation of each and every operation that was carried out. Following the surrender of the Mustang Resistance Force to Nepalese troops in 1974, Tsongkha Lhamo Tsering was imprisoned in Kathmandu for seven years. Following his release from prison in December 1980, Tsongkha Lhamo Tsering served in the Tibetan Government-in-exile before finally retiring as a Kalon (Minister) in 1996. He also embarked on a major project to write a detailed history of the resistance efforts from exile based on his own records and the enormous collection of material that he had gathered over the years. The work covers, among other things, the CIA-backed parachute missions inside Tibet, the undercover radio teams that went overland into Tibet, and the Mustang Resistance Force. In 1989, after Lhamo Tsering had written a first draft that ran into several volumes, Tashi Tsering, former Research Scholar at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and presently Director of Amnye Machen Institute, took on the responsibilities of editor and advisor. The first four volumes of this massive work which now runs into approximately 15 volumes have already been published by the Amnye Machen Institute in Dharamsala. The second volume has the distinction of being the first Tibetan publication to be fully indexed. Tsongkha Lhamo Tsering passed away in January, 1999. At the time of his death, he and Tashi Tsering had worked out the structure and contents of the remaining volumes. There remains some more editing and organizing of material to do, but the manuscripts are by and large ready for publication. There is no doubt that this tremendous undertaking will be a significant contribution to our understanding of recent Tibetan history besides also paying tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of countless unknown patriots who willingly volunteered to fight on behalf of their country and religion. Tenzing and Ritu are working closely with Tashi Tsering and the Amnye Machen Institute to ensure that Tsongkha Lhamo Tsering's monumental work sees publication in the way that he envisioned. Funds are constantly being sought to finance this venture. 
The Lhamo Tsering Photo Collection Lhamo Tsering's extensive photo collection, numbering in the thousands, are primarily of the Mustang Resistance Force. It also includes portraits of hundreds of forgotten heroes who willingly volunteered to go into Tibet on dangerous missions. Lhamo Tsering's collection is a part of the Amnye Machen Institute's Archives. For more information on the book project and the Lhamo Tsering Collection, please contact: Tashi Tsering, Amnye Machen Institute: White Crane Films: |