A Nepali boy Tshiring Lama makes the country proud:

For an average Nepali young boy who is born in a remote part of the country, to receive an international award and an opportunity to shake hands with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair could be no more than a dream, but for Tshiring Lama it has been a reality.

Lama, who received the “International Student Award 2006” expressed his feeling during the meeting with Tony Blair at the 10 Downing Street, London, in this way, “I was very happy. Though that was not my first meeting with any head of the state or government, I was feeling nervous since I was meeting a world leader.”

Born in a remote village of Helambu to the north of Kathmandu, Tshiring received education up to secondary level in his own village. Thanks to his passion and devotion towards voluntary work he has been able to acquire fame nationally as well as internationally.

When he completed his SLC, Tshiring wanted to do his "A level” but did not have money to find his education. Thanks to the lobbying by his brother Nima-- who is a source of inspiration and encouragement for Tshiring—their father agreed to take some loan from the bank depositing their piece of land as collateral.

When Tshiring arrived in Kathmandu from Helambu for his “A” level study, he had an opportunity to volunteer at the Kanti Children's hospital.

“I came to know that most of the diseases were preventive in nature and that the government was not paying proper attention to it. So I decided to pursue my study in public health,” Tshiring—who is currently in Nepal on a holiday—told Nepalnews.

His international exposure started with the opportunity to attend the International Student Festival in Norway in 2001.

Later, he also got an opportunity to attend a programme at the Harvard University where he was the youngest participant and was conferred with “Outstanding Delegate Award."

“Smile in everybody’s face will lead to brighter future of Nepal. So, let's all work for bringing smile in all Nepalis' face.”
He received the first Glenamara Scholarship from Northumbia University at Newcastle, UK for his contribution to the local community.

Pursuing a Master's degree in public health, Tshiring plans to undertake doctorate degree in tele-medicine, which he thinks would be beneficial for Nepal's topography.

"I always have the aim of serving the people of remote parts of the country, so tele-medicine could be the best method to reach to a large number of people and provide them service through the use of latest technology," said Tshiring.

“Places where doctors aren't available or aren't ready to go can benefit from tele-medicine as it makes use of the Internet, video conference etc,” said Tshering admitting, however, that the discipline was still in its early stage.

“I am planning to return to Nepal and try to use the technology and face real challenges as many Nepalis may not like to come out from the traditional mindset to adopt the latest technology,” he added.

If appropriate technology is adopted, we would be able to provide service of experts in very remote parts of the country at very affordable rates, said Tshiring.

Tshiring said he would discuss the issue with the Internet Service Providers, government and telecommunications authority to adopt the new technology.

While pursuing higher studies in the U. K., Tshiring continued voluntary work to engage himself in constructive work.

“It helped me to come out from the loneliness and isolation and concentrate in my studies,” recalls Tshiring.

Currently working as regional outreach coordinator of OXFAM international, which is campaigning to achieve the targets of millennium development goals of the United Nations, Tshiring has also been working as Assistant Librarian in his University to generate funds for his study.

“My day starts by scanning news on Nepal online then I attend my class from 10 o’clock and I devote most of my time in the Library. Mostly I devote myself in voluntary work during the weekend,” he said.

While being dubbed as a success story of Nepali student abroad, Tshiring admitted that most of the Nepali students enrolled in the U. K. worked elsewhere and had little time to focus on their studies.

Tshiring is worried at the state of education sector in Nepal. “Maoists have closed the school where I studied which is very sad. Closing the school doesn't do good for anyone. It simply pushes the country backwards,” he added.

There is tremendous goodwill towards Nepal and the Nepalis in the UK and other western countries, we need to capitalize it, said Tshiring.

“Not only the Maoists and the government everybody is responsible for the crisis in the country. We must all work towards finding a negotiated settlement to the Nepal crisis. I urge all to make the education and health sector free from conflict and treat them as a zone of peace,” said Tshiring.

“Smile in everybody’s face will lead to brighter future of Nepal. So, let's all work for bringing smile in all Nepalis' face”

During his interactions with Nepali students, Tshiring said they were more capable than him. "You must work hard, be proud of your country and work towards achieving higher goals," he advised.

“I received publicity in the U. K. which made me happy, but the love showered by the people here in Nepal was really heartwarming and means much more to me than anything else,” revealed Tshiring.

Nepalnews.com pb June 20 06

source: http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/others/feature/jun/news_feature08.php