Dorjee Tsering succumbs to burn injuries

DHARAMSALA, Mar 4: Dorjee Tsering, the 16-yr-old Tibetan boy who self-immolated in Dehradun on Mar 29 to bring global attention to the Tibetan struggle for freedom has succumbed to burn injuries.

Three days after setting himself on fire, Dorjee Tseten, whose health condition was declared critical with 95% burns by doctors at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, passed away at the hospital at around 8:30 pm on March 3.

Dorjee Tsering set himself on fire at around 8:30 am on Feb 29 near an old people’s home in Lakhanwala, Dehradun to protest against Chinese rule in Tibet. He was immediately rushed to New Delhi for treatment.

Speaking to Tibetan community leaders in a video recorded at the hospital, Dorjee had said:

“Since, Tibet was invaded by China in 1959, many Tibetans had to escape into exile in India; some went abroad to foreign countries while many Tibetans stayed back in Tibet. I’ve always wanted to do something for my country. I bought the fuel and the match box myself. I’ve mentioned about carrying out a self-immolation protest to my parents earlier. They advised me not to take such a step and warned me that they would commit suicide if I did so. I have sacrificed my parents and set myself on fire for Tibet. Lastly, I wish a very long life to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and pray that Tibet becomes free.”

Dorjee Tsering was born in 1999 to father Thupten and mother Nyima Yangzom. He was a class X student of Tibetan Homes School, Mussoorie.