FAREWELL TO THE "ROOF OF THE WORLD"

                   SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET

                                                                      -HEINRICH HARRER

Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian climber, wrote a book titled "Seven Years in Tibet" that details his adventures in Tibet during and after the Second World War. The book, which chronicles the author's travels, adventures, and encounters with the people and culture of Tibet, has been widely read and has become a well-known classic.

I LEAVE TIBET : 

                Heinrich Harrer's departure from Tibet after the Chinese invasion in 1950 is described in the chapter "I Leave Tibet" of "Seven Years in Tibet." Harrer had lived in Lhasa for a number of years, helping the young Dalai Lama as a tutor and friend, and had grown very attached to the nation and its people. In this chapter, Harrer discusses the perplexity, anxiety, and resistance that the Tibetan government and people put up against the Chinese invasion and occupation. Also, he thinks back on his personal experiences in Tibet, his interactions with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetans, and how his time there altered his outlook on life. Harrer ultimately decides to leave the nation despite his wish to stay and fight alongside the Tibetans in order to protect himself and draw attention to the plight of the Tibetan people. The chapter ends with Harrer's departure from Lhasa, marking the end of his seven-year stay in Tibet.

Dalai Lama :

Overseas, the Dalai Lama is a celebrated figure. In China, he is a despised troublemaker. Chinese officials have vilified him as a "wolf in monk's clothing" who seeks to destroy the country's sovereignty by pushing for independence. The Dalai Lama maintains that he does not advocate independence but wants an autonomy that would allow Tibetans to maintain their cultural, language and religion under China's rule.