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E-Talk: It is a pleasure to
turn the table, so to speak, and E-talk with you. How did you come about
the Idea of the E-Talk?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: As far as the idea of doing the E-Talk is
concerned, a) There are many accomplished Sherpas and in some cases non-Sherpas
from whom we all can learn great many things, but we have not reached
out to them. b) In our type of society those who bark a lot generally
has gotten lot of admiration, but those who are modest in their achievement
are ignored or sometimes forgotten c) I do not know if it is a Sherpa
nature or for that matter a human nature most of us quite often seem to
baselessly praise a great deal about “AFANTA” where as in
reality “NON-AFANTA” might deserve greater praise for their
achievements, actions and deeds. d) well, let me not get carried away
in my answer, so let me simply say that for above and many other reasons
I thought a forum like E-Talk is essential and compatible on an indispensable
website like Sherpakyidug.org.
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E-Talk: You have recently
decided to discontinue your involvement with this feature E-Talk. May
we know what transpired your decision?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: I like creating ideas then encourage others
to volunteer to give continuity to it if such ideas are of any value to
any one. Besides, I truly believe that there are many other folks who
might volunteer to enhance the E-Talk if given the chance. In this sense,
I have not quite decided to discontinue my involvement with E-Talk - rather
I am appealing to other Sherpas to help volunteer to enhance this feature.
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E-Talk: You are one of the
first Sherpa settlers in the United States, New York to be specific. In
the years, or decades, that you have been here, how do you see the implosion
of Sherpas coming to the city and to what do you attribute their reasons
of coming to New York?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: In general, I think it is great that so many
Sherpas are able to come to the United States. It seems as most Sherpas
came here to discover the opportunity available in this capitalist world
while few came due to the frustration from deteriorating economic, social,
educational, employment and other conditions in Nepal.
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E-Talk: When did you arrive
in New York City and what was the reason that made you leave your family
and our beautiful country of Nepal?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: I went to the United Kingdom to study before
I came to the United States of America. While in the UK, I received an
offer to work in the Police Force of Nepal. I decided to return to my
country when a good friend of mine, Sir Alfred Gregory, the official photographer
for Tenzing Sherpa and Hillary Everest Expedition to Mt. Everest, advised
me to visit the United States of America before returning to Nepal. I
took his advice and came to New York in May of 1982. At that time there
were only four Sherpas in New York. Of them two were my uncles who were
training to become pilots. Being a pilot was the most prestigious job
in Nepal at that time. When I found out that it would cost $ 10,000.00
and only six months to become a pilot, I made a mistake and dreamt of
"catching a bird" while letting the "bird in my hand"
fly. I postponed my return to Nepal and began working to save money for
my dream of flying high........ As time went by, like most visitors in
New York, I became fond of New York and the life it offered to me.
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E-Talk: Could you tell us
something about your student days and about the period of your life before
coming to the US?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: When I was a student, the importance of education
wasn’t stressed enough in our society. Only a handful of privileged
Sherpa family members, and mostly elite caste, were making the best out
of education. I was a high school drop-out venturing all over India in
search of free spirit without destination and purpose in life. With the
unconditional encouragement of my father and his relentless effort in
making me a better person I was able to finish my B. Ed. in Teaching.
I was involved for a short time as an activist and later a candidate for
Vice-presidency of Student Union affiliated with Nepal Communist Party.
I realized that my involvement in such activism was not making my mother
happy as she often talked to me about other sons of Sherpa family going
all over the world and making names for themselves and their family earning
lots of money, so to speak. I went to England with the intention to fulfill
my mother’s desire as well as hoping to get more education for myself.
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E-Talk: Could you share with
us some of the experiences you encountered when you first arrived in the
United States? Your first job? Your friends etc.? |
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Tsewang Sherpalama: As I had become a good hitch hiker while
in England I made to Manhattan from JFK Airport hitchhiking in a car.
I stayed with my uncle and aunt, Mr. And Mrs. Lakpa T. Sherpa for a while.
My Uncle Lakpa helped me to find a Health food store where I went to look
for a job. The owner of the store told me there were no positions available.
I insisted that he give me any kind of job for two weeks and would not
have to pay me if my performance became unsatisfactory to him. He looked
at me as I was from a different planet and finally offered me a job to
clean his store.
As I was working as a cleaner, I always stayed many hours late or came
early to help other people in the store without pay and without being
solicited for my help. This way I quickly, in six months, learned about
the whole business. As time went by my work ethic was well appreciated
and my value as a great employee was well realized by the owner and
he recognized this by offering me the position of Store Manager while
his two sons worked under me. Only in America can this happen!
As a new comer, I did not have many friends whom I could truly be defining
as my friends. My uncle Dawa Jangbu Sherpa was the only friend I had,
and I truly respected his work ethics and advice on how to live modestly
while attempting to be the best one can be. Few years later, I met a
Sherpa Bhai who called me Dai and as time went by he became a brother
in need, a dear friend I am proud to be associated with indeed. Frankly,
he is the only friend I have who reminds me of my shortcomings and as
needed helps me to overcome my weaknesses. This Bhai was non other than
my friend Sonam Sherpa. Over the years I have been blessed with friendships
of many Sherpas, other Nepalese, Americans and non-Americans. I will
especially treasure my friendship with Steven Cooper, an American Jew
who believes he was born in Tibet in his previous life.
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E-Talk: To what do you attribute
your success in your career as Managers of various health food stores
coming from Nepal and going to schools there? It is indeed a daunting
task to have so many native born Americans working under you, isn’t
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Understanding my own
responsibilities for which I am paid for, my belief in being a firm and
fair manager and my performance in producing the highest profitability
with customer service to be # 1 priority in the business were the main
attributions to my successful career as a Manager. My educational background
from Nepal helped me in a sense that being a good manager is no different
than being a good teacher as both skills require knowledge of planning,
implementation and importance of producing a result. Although studied
in Nepal, four year courses I have taken in Health and physical education,
and human psychology immensely helped me develop my career and better
understand the customers.
I find everything in life that needs to be performed well seems always
to be a daunting task. Working with Native born Americans has been the
most comfortable task as I did not need to worry about how my relatives
and/or my community would react about my dealings with them. As long
as there is an understanding that work related comments, job related
arguments and mutual respect are a way of life to be cherished at work
I find working with native born Americans quite relaxed and more productive.
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E-Talk: After arriving in
the United States, you got married and now you have three children. Being
busy with the family you have, you are also involved with many worthy
causes. How do you make time for all these extracurricular activities?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: I am humbled by above
comment, but I do not believe that I deserve to be illuminated to this
extent. I can’t make time that I don’t have; I have only done
what I can and when I can.
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E-Talk: You served our Sherpa
community as the president of Sherpa Kyidug; United Sherpa Association,
in New York, for a term. How was that experience?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Great! I enjoyed working
with 10 other great folks who basically did everything I might have been
credited undeservingly.
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E-Talk: You have come out
with 5 CD’s with songs written by you. Where do you get the inspiration
to write songs and why do you produce these cds? From what we all know,
Nepali CDs are not really a money making venture, but you still keep churning
them out. Why?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: The first Album was an
inspiration I received from my wonderful and loving wife. The unexpected
sale of the first Album led me to produce two more albums to solicit funds
to provide scholarships to Orphan and economically disadvantaged Sherpa
students, particularly in urban Nepal. The third album was not produced
by me but I have written three songs for it. The fifth album, The Simple
Monk, which was written with dedication to the most admired person in
my life, non-other than His holiness the Dalai Lama, was produced by Migyul,
a Himalayan Community Magazine in New York. As far as producing Song Albums
for making money, I have not thought of that yet! I did it because I liked
doing it…. On the other hand may be I should think of venturing
into making money? With that said, keep an eye for my soon to be released
6th album of Nepali Songs about the Sherpas, “I ain’t Sherpa
for Nothing!” I hope every one will buy not one but two? One for
yourself, and other one as a gift to your non-Sherpa friends.
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E-Talk: You established a
not-for-profit organization on your own called Sherpa Sewa, America that
looks to help many orphaned Sherpa children and recognizes other Sherpas
or non-Sherpas who have contributed to preserving Sherpa culture. How
has been this experience in helping the orphans and how has it helped
our Sherpa community by recognizing others?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: SherpaSewa, America is
proud that we have been able to provide scholarship funds to Orphan and
economically disadvantaged SHERPA STUDENTS in Nepal three years in row.
Sherpa Sewa, America, has so far provided 21 Sherpa students with such
scholarships and remains committed in providing scholarships to more students
in the future.
Sherpa Sewa, America, has also provided funds necessary to recognize Sherpas
who have contributed their time, talent and dedication in preserving the
Sherpa Culture and Language in Nepal.
Although this has been the most satisfying work we have done, I must
and I will admit that such successes would not have been easily achieved
without the generosity of many Sherpas and non-Sherpas living in the
United States of America. We are sincerely grateful to those who have
supported our project either by donating money or by buying my Nepali
CD albums, or by simply encouraging us in this project.
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E-Talk: You are in New York.
How do you make sure that the really needy children are getting the help
you intend to give and that the right people are being recognized?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Recipients of the Sherpa
Sewa, America “Shrerpa Vidya Puraskar” and people being recognized
have been for last three years selected by the Nepal Sherpa Student Forum
known as Sherpa Vidyarthi Manch, Kathmandu. Funds were transferred from
USA to the Himalayan Trust Kathmandu Office, which then is handed over
to the NSSF for distribution on the occasion of the “Sherpa Losar
Sanjh” program organized annually by the NSSF. We believe this to
be the best arrangement for implementing our intentions of helping the
Orphan and economically disadvantaged Sherpa students in Nepal.
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E-Talk: We have come to know
that you are working on a book on the background and history of Sherpas.
Can you share with us your motivation for writing this book? When can
we expect to read the book? |
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Tsewang Sherpalama: I was told by a very wise but uneducated Sherpa
elder that if there is no book written about us what are you looking for?
You should write about it. I have been reading many books on the subject
of the origins of the Sherpas for last four years, but find no answers to
any questions that I have as to the claims made in those books that I have
read. For example: If Sherpas were in fact migrated from Kham therefore
we were known as Sherwa in Tibetan as “eastern people” then
the question remains a) why was only a group of people singled out to be
called as Sharwa while people coming from Kham were called the Khampas?
b) where in the Tibetan, Mongolian and or Chinese History before 15th or
16th century do we find anything being written about the Sherpas coming
from Kham or as a migrant of Kham? So above and many other unanswered curiosities
were the motivation for temptation to write this book.
I hope with the help of right publisher I intend to bring my book to
the readers before 2006/2007.
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E-Talk: With all the
things you have been involved with and still are involved, how you can
make any time for an organization called Nepal Center in New York, of
which you are the president. What does the Nepal Center represent?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: The mission of Nepal
Center is to create a symbol of unity and identity for all Nepalese living
in and beyond NY. The center envisions to foster and enhance the well
being, unity and visibility of Nepal and Nepalese with related concerns
and to promote public understanding of Nepal, its people and culture.
The purpose of the Nepal Center shall be to form a COMMUNITY CENTER
whose goals are: (a) To promote community unity, educational, cultural
and social activities directed at furthering the well being and development
of the Nepalese community in New York and people with related concerns.
(b) To be instrumental in promoting a better understanding and unity
within the Nepalese community and with the people of other nationalities..
(c) To rent, own, or lease suitable real estate, buildings and any other
personal property that is deemed necessary for these purposes.
Again, I do not make time that I do not have; I am doing what I can,
when I can after fulfilling my obligation to my family first. However
I must add on that there are many great folks with open mind who are
volunteering for the cause of Nepal Center’s mission and goals
with dedication I could only wish I am able to match.
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E-Talk: Needless to say you
are a Sherpa. Needless to say you are a Nepali. Being in the United States,
needless to say you are an American. What do you consider you most as
and why? |
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Mostly I do consider me to be a simple human,
nothing more and nothing less. Now in terms of the social labeling of my
pride I consider myself a Nepali Sherpa working proudly in America, and
that is all who I am.
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E-Talk: Among the numerous
social causes you have contributed to, is there any one in particular
that has been the most satisfying?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: I get more satisfaction
when I am privileged to help those who are not helped by others.
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E-Talk: Home is where you
are, as they say. Where do you see yourself in 20 years? In Nepal or still
in the United States? And why? |
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Obviously I would like to be any where as long
as I am healthy and alive in 20 years. In seriousness, I will be in Nepal
hopefully to live in my village and spend the rest of what little good I
can do for my little village, or I will enjoy rest of my good times and
bad times with my wife in hot sun, with cool breeze and fruit cocktail in
Hawaii beach while Hula dancing in My Nepali songs.
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E-Talk: What do you think
has given rise to the Maoist situation in Nepal? Can there be a military
solution to this crisis? If not, what strategy should the Government adopt
to restore peace and security in the country?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: The institution of Monarchy,
the continuing system of governing the country by elite and few privileged,
the social mentality of cast hierarchy, the unemployment, the poverty
and defining democracy as a mere game of freedom to establish parties
for united thugs as political leaders to govern the powerless by the powerful
has given rise to the Ideology of Maoism in Nepal.
Yes, there will be a military solution to such crises. Unfortunately,
the end of one military force will be the beginning of a new military
force being born in the nation to rule.
The only way to resolve this crises is abolishment of the institution
of the Monarch and equal representation of the people by the people
for the people in the government that values democracy as freedom liberty
and equal justice for all.
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E-Talk: What is your view
on Nepal being declared a Hindu Kingdom? |
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Tsewang Sherpalama: God do not own Nepal whether it be a Christian,
Buddhist, Muslim or for that matter Hindu, but she is owned by its citizens,
Nepalis. Nepal is no longer a kingdom of some emperor who lost in battles
and found a new land to rule, but a motherland of her sons and daughters
who live in it and die for her. Even God would not have wanted humanoids
to claim sole sovereignty on its creation by declaring singular faith as
the owner of the nation. Such claims only reinforce the intention and insecurity
of a few elites and privileged in power which shall be of no value in modern
times.
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E-Talk: Do you ever regret
settling down in the US? Do you think you could have led a more satisfying
life if you had decided to stay in Nepal?
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Had I not gotten the
opportunity to settle in America I would have led an equally satisfying
life in Nepal. Do I regret settling here? Absolutely not. America has
offered me what a Hindu king and his kingdom has not been able to offer
to its own Hindu people in Nepal.
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E-Talk: There is a saying,
“Behind every successful man there is a strong woman”. What
role has your lovely wife Ang Phurba has played in your success? |
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Few pages would not be enough for me to appreciate
all the roles played by my lovely wife, Ang Phurba in my success. Therefore,
let me simply say that without my wife’s inputs, my life and my success
would have been like a plane flying to no destination. What else can I say!
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E-Talk: Do you think raising
children in the U.S. is more challenging than in Nepal? Please share your
views with us.
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Well, I presume raising children on your own is challenging no matter whether you are in Nepal or in America. Honestly, in my case I did not feel as I had a challenge to raise my children. Most of the challenges to raise our children to a better person were taken with great care, love and pride by my wife, Ang Phurba. All I had to do was to be there in their needs.
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E-Talk: What advice would
you like to give to the younger generation? |
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Tsewang Sherpalama: Be educated first. Respect and learn from elders
as we might be academically more educated but wisdom is not something we
can learn in schools and Universities. Be true to yourself, and speak you
mind. Try practicing the teachings of Buddha with what little you have,
instead of worshiping the Buddha with what you do not have. You will be
much happier in this way.
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