Every Saturday as a part of its shoutout campaign, DIIR’s Social Media Desk will be profiling a civil servant of Central Tibetan Administration. This week we are pleased to profile Tenzin Nyima.
Question: Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
Answer: I am proud to be a Tibetan woman and a feminist. I believe in not leaning back in any phase of life, standing for yourself, speaking your mind, following your passion besides working for a good cause and not giving up in difficult situation. I believe in the importance of going through failure, facing the challenges and becoming stronger. I am Tenzin Nyima, born in Dharamsala, did my schooling from TCV and Bachelors in English Literature from St. Bede’s College, Shimla. Working at CTA was not the top priority for me when I was about to finish my Masters. However the critical situation in Tibet after 2008, the no of self-immolation that took place in Tibet have deeply touched and shaken me. And of course my parents have motivated me to work at CTA. I have been working at CTA for almost 5 years. I took charge of Tibet Corps for more than 4 years and Tibetan Solidarity Alliance/ Blue Book for more than 2 years. I currently work at Scholarship Section of Education Department after my transfer to Education Department
Question: Please explain your job description and how best does your work represent you or vice versa.
Answer: Most of the CTA staff is assigned the kind of job as per the need of the Administration as we are public servant. My current job is directly related to outreaching and communicating with the students who want to pursue further studies abroad through scholarship. I have always liked outreaching to people, be it students or Tibet Supporters, which I had to do in my previous job. Communicating, outreaching and convincing people are something I have loved and something I can do.
Question: What inspired you to serve the Central Tibetan Administration?
Answer: Ours is a cause that we are working for and is completely different from independent countries. We are working for a movement, Tibetans in Tibet are extremely dedicated for Tibet and Tibetan cause, and they have lot of hope for Tibetans living in exile where there are ample of opportunities to work for our cause. This has inspired me to serve Central Tibetan Administration.
Question: What does it mean for you to be a CTA Civil Servant?
Answer: CTA Civil servants are those working for Tibetan cause and Tibetan people living in exile.
Question: How best do you think you could make a difference to CTA?
Answer: I have always believed in the importance of bringing output in the kind of job one do and making a difference irrespective of how long one serve at CTA. That’s imperative for me! It’s just been a while I have been working at Education Department. With my previous job as a Tibetan Solidarity Alliance (Blue Book) Program Outreach Officer, it’s the no of people who support our cause and the no of contribution that they contribute should increase in order to help raise more fund and make it a movement to help make our larger movement stronger and I have given my best effort in doing that. In case of my current job, the scholarships available are given to students who get through.
However bringing output can be done through making effort in getting new scholarship or more scholarship for students so that they get more opportunities to pursue their studies. Other than my specific job, I think gender issue and women empowerment is extremely important. Although CTA has given equal opportunity for both men and women, it’s extremely important to help encourage other women in our community who cannot raise their voice. Our community needs to accept potential women as well practically when it comes to taking political or other bigger responsibilities. Women empowerment initially comes from an individual thinking. Women should never stop leaning back especially after getting married and after giving birth to a child. You need to think you can do and then both men and women in the community should accept and support capable women. Because women have the power to change and make a better community and world at large.
Question: Who is your role model and why?
Answer : Michelle Obama is a role model for me because she is a woman who uses her knowledge, skill and power to help change a nation for better and she has emphasised for women to receive education across the globe. A fashion icon, a devoted mother and an accomplished lawyer and writer, a great personality, she is multi-talented. She has made difference and continued to do so.
Question: What is your piece of advice for young Tibetans serving or wishing to serve at CTA?
Answer: We should never forget that we are incomparable to independent countries. Let us not forget how much Tibetans in Tibet are devoted for our cause and how much immense faith they have in us. We are working for a movement to help resolve our issue.Each individual Tibetan’s skill and contribution for our cause and community matters a lot. And since Tibetan youth have a special responsibility, you should use your energy, skill and potential for CTA. It is crucial to use your potential, make an impact and make a difference.