Gyalo Thondup, Dalai Lama’s brother, dies in Kalimpong
Times of India | 9 February 2025
123 Kalimpong: The Dalai Lama's elder brother, Gyalo Thondup, who was a towering figure in Tibetan politics, died at 97 at his Kalimpong residence on Saturday. "He passed away peacefully due to old age," said a family member.
Thondup was born in 1928 in Taktser, Amdo. "He dedicated his life to Tibetan politics. He mostly spoke on behalf of his brother, the 14th Dalai Lama, and met world leaders to fight for Tibet's freedom," said well-wishers.
In 1939, he moved to Lhasa with his family. At 14, he went to study Standard Chinese and Chinese history in China's Nanjing, where he met influential leaders, including Chiang Kai-shek. In 1948, he married Zhu Dan, the daughter of a Kuomintang general. As tensions in China escalated, he left Nanjing in 1949 and eventually settled in Kalimpong.
Six years ago, Thondup shared his experiences of life in exile, his business ventures and his role in Tibetan politics with this reporter when his noodle factory was gutted in a fire.
He said after fleeing Tibet in 1952, he arrived in Darjeeling and struggled to find work. At that point, an official in Sikkim suggested he start a business, but he had no experience. Indian govt gave him an import licence and his friends in Kalimpong helped him establish his business.
He later started a noodle factory. "My wife and I discussed it, so I looked for land in Kalimpong. The prices were high but I was lucky to buy a plot near St. Philomena's School for Rs 7,200," Thondup had said then.
By 1966-67, he had set up his residence and noodle business, which supported his family for over five decades, with the name ‘Tagtser House' in Kalimpong. However, in 2019, a fire destroyed the factory.
Thondup also detailed his life experiences in his memoir, ‘The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong'.
After his death, his sister and brother-in-law came from Dharamshala. Senior officials of the Tibetan govt-in-exile are expected to arrive in Kalimpong on Monday. Thondup's funeral will be held on Tuesday at 6.45am in Tirpai, Kalimpong.
Kalimpong: The Dalai Lama's elder brother, Gyalo Thondup, who was a towering figure in Tibetan politics, died at 97 at his Kalimpong residence on Saturday. "He passed away peacefully due to old age," said a family member.
Thondup was born in 1928 in Taktser, Amdo. "He dedicated his life to Tibetan politics. He mostly spoke on behalf of his brother, the 14th Dalai Lama, and met world leaders to fight for Tibet's freedom," said well-wishers.
In 1939, he moved to Lhasa with his family. At 14, he went to study Standard Chinese and Chinese history in China's Nanjing, where he met influential leaders, including Chiang Kai-shek. In 1948, he married Zhu Dan, the daughter of a Kuomintang general. As tensions in China escalated, he left Nanjing in 1949 and eventually settled in Kalimpong.
Six years ago, Thondup shared his experiences of life in exile, his business ventures and his role in Tibetan politics with this reporter when his noodle factory was gutted in a fire.
He said after fleeing Tibet in 1952, he arrived in Darjeeling and struggled to find work. At that point, an official in Sikkim suggested he start a business, but he had no experience. Indian govt gave him an import licence and his friends in Kalimpong helped him establish his business.
He later started a noodle factory. "My wife and I discussed it, so I looked for land in Kalimpong. The prices were high but I was lucky to buy a plot near St. Philomena's School for Rs 7,200," Thondup had said then.
By 1966-67, he had set up his residence and noodle business, which supported his family for over five decades, with the name ‘Tagtser House' in Kalimpong. However, in 2019, a fire destroyed the factory.
Thondup also detailed his life experiences in his memoir, ‘The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong'.
After his death, his sister and brother-in-law came from Dharamshala. Senior officials of the Tibetan govt-in-exile are expected to arrive in Kalimpong on Monday. Thondup's funeral will be held on Tuesday at 6.45am in Tirpai, Kalimpong.