19-yr-old Tibetan student self-immolates while President Lobsang Sangay was giving talk to students at CUTS
DHARAMSALA, July 14: A 19-yr-old Tibetan student of Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS) at Sarnath, Varanasi has set himself on fire today for the cause of the Tibetan people.
According to Chime Namgyal, President of Varanasi chapter of Tibetan Youth Congress, Tenzin Choeying set himself on fire near the university’s boys hostel entrance at around 9 am while the President of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay was giving a talk to the students of the university.
He is currently being treated at Heritage Hospital located near Banaras Hindu University.
“Though his face and head remain unhurt, his body has sustained 66.66% burn injuries. Tenzin Choeying said he set himself alight for the cause of the Tibetan people,” President Chime Namgyal who met Choeying in the afternoon at the hospital said.
In a hand written letter addressed to his best friend Nubz (probably a nickname), Tenzin Choeying states: “My body is for Tibet and Tibetan youngsters to open their eyes to learn Tibetan language.”
Born on Feb 12, 1998, Tenzin Choeying is the youngest of four children born to a Tibetan family in Kollegal Tibetan settlement in South India. He is a second year student of Purva Madhyama at CUTS.