Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
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12.04.2008 - 02:28pm ET
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17 Paths to Enlightenment
CSR Commentary by Frederick Marx, Director and Producer
(CSRwire) Indigenous peoples are similar to our globe's flora and fauna in one key
way - many of them also face extinction. The systematic suppression of
Tibetan people and culture by the Chinese government has been well
documented. What is much less well known is that indigenous
Tibetan-related cultures are struggling to survive in homelands outside of
Tibet. Global economic forces can invade and devour these fragile social
systems if they’re not sustainably managed.
Zanskar is one. A remote region in extreme northwest India, historically
Zanskar was considered part of Tibet. The Indian government considered the
area impossible to administer, officially "closing" it to the outside world
until 1974. Cut off from the Tibetan motherland by the Chinese, the
Zanskaris found themselves in the Muslim dominated state of Jammu and
Kashmir along with their better known Tibetan brethren to the east in the
region of Ladakh. In the epicenter of central Asian geo-political
volatility, Zanskaris are mere miles from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the
sealed Tibetan border. The only road leading into the 12,000 feet high
Zanskar valley is controlled by the northern town of Kargil – site of
the most recent India/Pakistan battle. The best traveled "highway" out of
Zanskar is a trail leading over the 17,500 foot Shinku Pass. Most people
walk for 7-8 days to reach Darcha and points beyond in the neighboring
Hindu dominated state of Himachal Pradesh. Locals still refer to leaving
Zanskar for points south as "going to India."
In a situation reminiscent of the "education" of Native Americans in this
country, in their public schools Zanskaris have been taught Urdu, Hindi,
and English - not their own language, not their own history, not their own
culture. Against these odds the culture has still remained largely intact
to date. In a sense, Zanskaris very remoteness has protected their culture
from extinction.
All that may soon change. The Indian government is building a new road
from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, to Padum, the capital of Zanskar. A trip
that used to take up to 2 days and be impassable for seven or more months
of winter will soon take 3-5 hours and be open year round. Along with
infrastructure benefits like medical care, communications, and technology,
global economic reach will also bring the proverbial, if not literal,
Walmarts, McDonald's, and Coke. Children already consume an exclusive diet
of Hindi and Urdu music, television, and movies. Tibetan is not an
officially recognized language of the Indian government. The rich culture
in the area known as "Little Tibet" may not survive.
Many are doing their part, racing against the clock. The Dalai Lama has
spoken out about the importance of protecting these remaining Tibetan
cultures. Helena Norberg Hodge has advocated tirelessly for these people
with her book ANCIENT FUTURES and the NGO ISEC. Two monks from Stongde
village have promised the Dalai Lama they will do whatever they can in
Zanskar They have built a school in the 1,000 year old Stongde monastery.
When complete, the curriculum will combine the best of modern Western
education with Tibetan Buddhism. The monks are also building a museum to
house their relics dating back 8,000 years and a guesthouse to accommodate
tourists. In addition, they recently brought 17 children from poor families
in surrounding villages to other Tibetan schools and monasteries in
"India." A film crew went with them and documented their journey.
What can we do? Encourage responsible investment in Zanskar: businesses
that grow the fragile culture alongside profits, that protect the high
desert ecosystem by adding useable water not reducing it. Support the
monks’ efforts to maintain monasteries, to build schools and provide
free education. Encourage the region's few private schools a) to lower
tuition so more can afford it, and b) to teach Tibetan language, culture,
and history. Get the Indian government to officially recognize and
protect the language.
What we can do may be as simple as not offering locals money when they
graciously offer tea and barley wine to visitors on treks. Respect the
beautiful abundant generosity of the culture and just say thank you. Or
better yet, "Julay!"
About Frederick Marx
Frederick Marx is an internationally acclaimed, Oscar and Emmy
nominated producer/director with 25 years in the film business. He was
named a Chicago Tribune Artist of the Year for 1994, a 1995 Guggenheim
Fellow, and a recipient of a Robert F. Kennedy Special Achievement Award.
His film HOOP DREAMS played in hundreds of theatres nationwide after
winning the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and was the first
documentary ever chosen to close the New York Film Festival. He is the
producer and director of the documentary 17 Paths to Enlightenment.
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