Chandigarh students document Tibetans living in exile in Dharamshala

Write articles and make a documentary under the 'Capstone Project'

Chandigarh 30 July ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : A group of students from Chandigarh spent a week researching the life of Tibetans living in Dharamshala. The students wrote pertinent articles and also made a video documentary to unravel how the Tibetans are trying their best to uphold their rich traditions and civilization after being ousted from Tibet by the repressive Chinese regime. The work of the students was supported by Edu Sensei, an education consultancy, and Kigen Academy, which specializes in project-based learning and examination services. The project was released in the form of a documentary and booklet called the Capstone Project - 'The Enchanting Realm -A Dharamshala Documentary'. It is notable that a Capstone Project is a multifaceted assignment that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual programme for students, undertaken at the end of a research based study. Punita Vadhera, Founder of Edu Sensei, said, "Collectively, these students have not only gained knowledge but also skills that will empower their future endeavors." The head of the Capstone Project and the students' Mentor Aashita Singh Vadhera said, "We have unveiled a booklet and documentary wherein the research of the students has been compiled in the form of articles and pictures, film, and voice-overs. The 'Capstone Project; exemplifies a remarkable fusion of creativity and adventure." She informed that students participating in the Capstone Project embarked on a transformative journey to Dharamshala. The idea was to explore & understand Dharamshala, which offers a vibrant tapestry of culture and acceptance, mainly because it is home to the Tibetan Government in Exile. Aashita further said, "We delved into the essence of Tibetan culture, gaining invaluable insights from its resilient people. " Brahmleen, a Capstone student whose article profoundly explores the Tibetan exile and the unwavering dedication of its people to safeguard their civilization, says, "My work articulates Tibet's sacrifices and determination, guided by the Dalai Lama and supported by the Indian government". Brahmleen added, "This story of revolution is really different from the ones we have studied so far because here, the motive of the Tibetans in exile is not to conquer back their homeland, but to impress upon the world the injustice being meted out to Tibetans by China", said Brahmleen. Kudratjot, another student's paper, sheds light on the remarkable advances Tibetan women have made over the centuries and captures their struggles and relentless pursuit of the Tibetan dream. The article showcases Tibetan women's progress. Arshaan, pieced together beautifully the highlights of Tibet's sacred art of Thangka Painting, reflecting the love and devotion of artists committed to preserving these magnificent techniques. According to Arshaan, "My article talks about the way the Tibetan culture is being carried forward through the art, and how the art form of 'Thangka' is a means for the Tibetan people in exile to preserve their culture and keep it alive for the generations to come.".Talking about the documentary, Aashita said, "The documentary is about 10 mins long and talks about our experiences in Dharamshala. I edited it, and the entire team collaborated on the script and video. You can hear the voices of our students in the documentary as they guide you through our journey, illustrating how profoundly this experience has shaped us." Aashita concluded, saying, "The booklet also documents the activities that we did, the students' photography, and also a write-up for the documentary. Additionally, the students have written captivating haikus -Japanese poetry, which is there in the booklet."