See how it works
Book Thubten with Paydesk
Make your booking securely through paydesk for these benefits:
1
Preferred Booking Channel
Thubten is more likely to commit to assignments booked through paydesk, as it is a trusted platform that validates the seriousness and legitimacy of each engagement.2
Insured Bookings for Peace of Mind
We provide basic insurance coverage with each booking on paydesk, giving both you and the media professional confidence and protection while they work for you.3
Effortless Online Payment
Paydesk offers a payment protection system to ensure payments are only finalized when you are satisfied with the job completion. Freelancers trusts our process that guarantees their efforts are rewarded upon successful delivery of servicesStill have questions?
Check FAQAbout Thubten
Born in Tibet in 1956. Thubten Samphel attended schools and colleges in India. Graduated from the School of Journalism at Columbia University in 1989. Since then edited Tibetan Bulletin, the official English language publication of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Served as the information secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations of the CTA from 1999 to 2012. In 2012 he became the head of the Tibet Policy Institute, a think tank of the CTA whose work is focused on research in Tibet. Journalism pieces on Tibet by Thubten Samphel have appeared both within India and internationally, including The Harvard International Review, Huffington Post, the Diplomatist, the Australian Age and Inter-press Service. Thubten Samphel is a regular reviewer for books on Tibet for the Hindustan Times, a major English language newspaper in India. He is the author of two works of fiction called Falling Through the Roof and Copper Mountain. He has translated into English New Tibet: Memoirs of a Graduate of Peking University and co-translated Tibet in Chains: Stories of Nine Tibetan Nuns. He has co-authored The Dalai Lamas of Tibet and Tibet from Tranquility to Turmoil. He is also the author of Tibet: Reports from Exile. He lives in South India.
English
Content Writing
Fact Checking
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Book Review: A Tiblomat’s Reflections
Thubten Samphel's book 'Tibet: Reports From Exile' is a comprehensive collection of his writings from the early 1980s to 2015, covering themes of Tibet, China, and Dharamshala. The book includes commentaries, columns, and opinion pieces, offering insights into Tibetan identity, culture, and the struggle for freedom. The review highlights Samphel's significant contributions to Tibetan literature and his authoritative perspective on Tibetan issues, while also noting minor typographical errors in the book. The book is recommended for those interested in Tibetan history and the Tibetan people's aspirations.
The Fractured Himalaya: India, China and the Unending Game
The article discusses the historical and geopolitical dynamics between India and China, focusing on the early years of their relationship and the role of Tibet as a central factor. It highlights India's initial misreading of China's ambitions and the contrasting views within India's leadership, particularly between Nehru and his deputy, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The piece references Nirupama Rao's book 'The Fractured Himalaya', which examines the significance of Tibet in India-China relations and the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The author, Thubten Samphel, emphasizes the importance of recognizing Tibet's geopolitical reality and the necessity for nations to pursue their national interests rather than rely on hollow expressions of friendship.
Review: A Childhood in Tibet; A Biography by Therese Obrecht Hodler
The biography 'A Childhood in Tibet' by Therese Obrecht Hodler recounts the harrowing experiences of Tendol, born in 1959, a year marked by Tibet's direct military control under the PLA. The narrative details the brutal thamzing sessions, the Cultural Revolution's impact, and the imprisonment of Tendol's mother, Choekyi. The book highlights the resilience of the Tibetan people, their faith in the Dalai Lama, and the eventual liberalization under Deng Xiaoping, which allowed Tendol to settle in Switzerland. It serves as a poignant contribution to Tibetan resistance literature.
Communist China’s ‘Final Solution’: No country for minorities in the Middle Kingdom
The article criticizes China's policies towards its ethnic minorities, particularly in Tibet and Xinjiang, likening them to a modern 'Cultural Revolution.' It highlights Beijing's strategies of cultural assimilation, including incentivized intermarriage, settlement of Chinese workers in minority regions, and the subversion of local religions and languages. The piece underscores the severe human rights abuses, such as the detention of Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps and the forced assimilation of Tibetan children. It also discusses the broader implications of these policies under President Xi Jinping's regime, emphasizing the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to maintain control through censorship and surveillance.
Review: Old Demons New Deities edited by Tenzin Dickie
The anthology 'Old Demons New Deities,' edited by Tenzin Dickie, explores Tibetan identity in the modern world through the works of various Tibetan writers. The book addresses the impact of modernity and communism on Tibet, the transformation of Tibetan society, and the role of Tibetan exiles in preserving their culture. The anthology includes contributions from established and emerging Tibetan writers, offering a platform for Tibetan voices to reach a global audience. The review highlights the anthology's significance in promoting Tibetan literature and culture.
Review: Tibet: When the Gods Spoke by Claude Arpi
Claude Arpi's book 'Tibet: When the Gods Spoke' examines the historical relations between India and Tibet, focusing on the period of Chinese consolidation in Tibet post the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement. The book delves into archival Indian reports assessing Tibetan leadership and the impact of Chinese policies, which led to the 1959 Tibetan uprising. Notable Indian officials such as Apa Pant, PN Menon, and PN Luthra provide insights into the Tibetan social structure, the Panchen Lama's views, and the dynamics between the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama's imprisonment and his critical petition to the Chinese Communist Party are highlighted, alongside the Dalai Lama's flight from Tibet. The book is a valuable resource for researchers of Tibet-India relations, offering a clear portrayal of the character and insights of Indian frontier officials during a tumultuous period in Tibet's history.
Review: Bells of Shangri-la by Parimal Bhattacharya
Bells of Shangri-la by Parimal Bhattacharya is a tribute to the explorers, scholars, diplomats, and spies who mapped Tibet during the age of exploration. The book delves into the Western fascination with Tibet, highlighting key figures like Alexander Csoma de Koros, Sarat Chandra Das, and Kinthup. It also touches on the Nazi expedition to Tibet and the Great Game between British India and Czarist Russia. Despite minor editorial errors, the book is praised for its detailed portrayal of the era and its characters, drawing parallels to modern geopolitical strategies like China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Review: Will Tibet Ever Find Her Soul Again? by Claude Arpi
The article reviews Claude Arpi's book 'Will Tibet Ever Find Her Soul Again?', which examines China's strategic objectives in Tibet and the geopolitical dynamics between India and China. The book is based on previously unseen documents from the Nehru Memorial Library and Museum and the National Archives of India. It highlights the contrasting mindsets of India and China during the period, with India hoping for de-colonization and peace, while China pursued its own imperial ambitions. The review praises Arpi's scholarly contribution and suggests that his work serves as a guide for understanding the historical and current geopolitical landscape, particularly in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Review: Blessings from Beijing: Inside China’s Soft Power War on Tibet by Greg Bruno
Greg Bruno's 'Blessings from Beijing' explores the complex dynamics of the Tibetan exile community and China's efforts to undermine it. Through travel and reporting, Bruno examines the internal and external challenges faced by Tibetans, including migration, declining birth rates, and China's strategic influence. The book highlights the resilience of the Tibetan diaspora and the global support for their cause, while also acknowledging the uncertainties and potential future struggles. Essential reading for those interested in Tibet and its cultural preservation.
Why Tibetans Shouldn’t Be Offended by India’s Snub to Dalai Lama
India's government advised officials not to attend the 'Thank You, India' event organized by the Central Tibetan Administration to mark 60 years of Tibetan exile, suggesting the event be moved from New Delhi to Dharamsala. Despite this, the article argues that Tibetan refugees should recognize India's substantial support, which has enabled them to establish a strong community and preserve Tibet's cultural and spiritual heritage. The Dalai Lama's efforts have attracted global students and scholars to India.
Brand Tibet China's and Tibetan Exiles' Contrasting Narratives on Tibet
The article explores the contrasting narratives between China and Tibetan exiles regarding Tibet's history and current situation. While China portrays its rule as a liberation from feudalism, Tibetan exiles argue it is an occupation leading to cultural and economic marginalization. Despite China's economic and political power, Tibetan exiles have successfully influenced international public opinion, creating a global brand based on Tibetan Buddhism and values. The article highlights the challenges and successes of the Tibetan struggle for recognition and autonomy.
×
Thubten's
confirmed information
✓
Financial institution
Verified May 2022
✓
Joined
May 2022