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Tsewang Sherpalama: Along with
being very successful in business, you are also someone who is very much
involved in politics of Nepal and immensely dedicated social worker. What
drives you to such motivation in all the fields I mentioned? |
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Jip Tshering Lama: My source of motivation for involvement in the fields
of social work, business and politics is the desire to work for the betterment
of my family, community and country. I also hope my work in social and
political fields will show the way for other Sherpas. I have passionately
pursued my work in business, social service and politics and with God's
grace I have been able to give continuity to all these three areas. Among
these, social work is the most satisfying to me but one cannot support
a family by just doing social service. In the process of making a living,
I got involved in the construction business.
Years of experience in the construction industry and
the realization that the most effective way to uplift the social condition
of Sherpas is through politics made me enter active politics.I believe
that unless we Sherpas are able to reach the decision making level, we
cannot take our community, language, culture and religion forward. That
is why I am involved in politics to do something for the Sherpa community
and the nation as a whole.
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Tsewang
Sherpalama: Most of the Sherpas in Nepal are engaged in the business of
Mountaineering, Construction and Carpet industries. What other field of
business, in your opinion, should Sherpas explore as well ? |
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Jip Tshering Lama: I think each Sherpa should decide
what business to pursue depending on his/her own interest, skill and unique
situation. Apart from mountaineering, carpets and construction, there
are many opportunities such as hydropower, hotels and export and import
business. No matter which line of business one chooses, the key thing
is to work hard and not be discouraged when things don’t go your
way.
Our first priority should, however, be to encourage
our younger generations to strongly pursue their educational goals.
The importance of education cannot be undermined. If we are educated,
we will have the wisdom and vision to do anything in life. On the other
hand, if we fail to impart the value of education to our younger generations,
the Sherpa community will not be able to compete in these changing times.
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Among many
social services you've provided for the Sherpa causes, which one in particular
has been most satisfying to you? |
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Jip Tshering Lama: Perhaps the most satisfying
of my work in the social field has been the work I was able to do as the
President of Sherpa Association of Nepal for eight years, with the support
and goodwill of fellow Sherpas. During my tenure as the President for
two terms, I placed high emphasis on preserving and promoting our language,
cultural heritage and religion. I believe we were able to make some remarkable
achievements towards this goal.
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Tsewang Sherpalama: How did
you become a central member of the Nepal congress Democratic party ?,
and why Nepali Congress party?
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Jip Tshering Lama: I have been a supporter of multi-party
democratic system and became an active member of Nepali Congress in 2036
B.S. At a very early age, it had stuck in my mind that the Communists
in China had forced Dalai Lama out of Tibet, so I never gave any thought
of joining the Communist Party. Plus, I believed in the principles of
the Nepali Congress as the most appropriate for our country.
Since 2036 B.S. and post 2046 B.S., I have been actively
involved in the activities of the Nepali Congress at district, regional
and central level. After the division of Nepali Congress, I was nominated
a Central Member of Nepali Congress Democratic.
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Do you
intend to run for a political office in the near future?, and if yes,
why should all Sherpas regardless of party affiliation support to elect
you? |
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Jip Tshering Lama: I have not made thought about
running for a political office yet. This would depend on the situation
of the country in the days to come. If there is peace and the situation
is favorable, I may choose to run for a political office.
As a minority in Nepal, the only way for us Sherpas to
move forward is by uniting and working towards our own upliftment. Like
I said earlier, unless we are able to reach the decision making level,
the issues faced by Sherpas will not be addressed. I am hopeful, that
if the situation leads me to run for a political office, all Sherpas irrespective
of their party affiliation will support me.
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Which one
do you think is more important to us, our ethnic Sherpa
identity, or our national Nepali identity ? |
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Jip Tshering Lama: In my view, both our Sherpa
Ethnic Identity and our Nepali National Identity are of equal importance.
We would be incomplete without either of the two.
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Tsewang Sherpalama: There is
a saying "behind every successful man there is a woman". What
role did Mrs. Jip Tshering Lama played in your success? |
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Jip Tshering Lama: My wife has been a pillar
of support in my family and in my life. I feel fortunate to have a wife
who has been by my side during good as well as tough times. A huge share
of credit for my success goes to my wife, whether it be my involvement
in social work, business or politics. She was a little hesitant at first
about my step into politics but now she has no complaints.
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Tsewang Sherpalama: You visited
New York few times. You saw what most Sherpas do, and how our life style
is in New York. What word of wisdom do you want to share to us? |
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Jip Tshering Lama: I was very pleased to see
that the Sherpas in New York have not forgotten or ignored our culture
and way of life. You have all continued to celebrate Losar, Lhapso, Buddha
Jayanti and other Sherpa festivals with much passion and enthusiasm. I
was very happy to see that you have maintained your identity as a proud
Sherpa even in a foreign land. I have visited New York twice and both
my visits were brief so I was not able to spend much time with all of
you. I hope I can meet more Sherpas in New York in my next visit.
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Tsewang Sherpalama; Your son,
Sange was very instrumental in his unconditional devotion to bring this
SHERPAKYIDUG.ORG website live. What do you think contributed such unconditional
devotion in him, and how do you describe your pride of his work? |
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Jip Tsheringlama: My wife and I have always encouraged
Sange and my other children to give back to the community. My involvement
in social work might also have instilled in Sange the sort of devotion
he has shown to this website. Sange was the Chairman of Red Cross Circle
at Budhanilkantha School so he has been involved in community work since
his school days. I am obviously proud of the work he has done for this
website.
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I would like to thank Mr. Jip Tshering Lama
for participating in this SHERPA-E-TALK. STAY TUNED FOR NEXT SHERPA-E-TALK
with a Sherpa who has achieved a lot, yet admirably remains so modest.
- Tsewang Sherpalama
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