| "Our
agenda is to bring together the diverse Himalayan community
on issues of common interest and focusing on resolving identified
problems and to work collectively with the community to seek
a solution." |
 |
| Tenzing L. G. Chadotsang, Editor-in Chief |
| "In
discussion with our leaders, we find that our community's
strength lies in community organizing. Our communities are
formed for a cultural purpose and have to the present, ignored
most of our immediate needs. This is not intentional as community
leaders and people in our community don't know how to deal
with the system here. However just gaining access to that
knowledge is not enough. Programs need to be developed and
put in place." |
We dedicate the cover of this issue to His Holiness the Dalai
Lama on the occasion of his 69th birthday. We are always questioned
about Migyul's agenda. Queries range from how we manage our finances
and funds, how we run a free magazine and what profits lie in
it for us?
Our agenda is to bring together the diverse Himalayan community
on issues of common interest and focusing on resolving identified
problems and to work collectively with the community to seek a
solution. Migyul was started as a resource to cater to an identified
lack of knowledge, information and education in the community.
The entire effort is voluntary with no paid staff and very low
overheads. We run totally on funds and support from within the
community and it is through this support that we hope to continue.
The first fund raising party made it possible for us to continue
and we are organizing the next on 29th January, 2005. I would
like to invite you to the next fund raising to ensure Migyul's
survival.
We are amazed with the response that we receive from our community
and the community leaders who are totally supportive of our efforts.
In discussion with our leaders, we find that our community's strength
lies in community organizing. Our communities are formed for a
cultural purpose and have to the present, ignored most of our
immediate needs. This is not intentional as community leaders
and people in our community don't know how to deal with the system
here. However just gaining access to that knowledge is not enough.
Programs need to be developed and put in place.
Migyul the magazine in this issue decided to take a step in the
direction of "bringing the community together." Like
our editorial board that represents these communities, we brought
together community leaders from various groups to discuss and
share information on various community issues and share each other's
experiences. Forums of this kind have been held in the past but
this is probably the first time that community persons didn't
give lengthy speeches but involved themselves in a one on one
conversation and exchange of ideas. We hope to continue discussions
and forums of this kind, which will inform us on what our community
wants and direct us as the community's voice to action.
This issue is slightly hard hitting with too much information
and discussion while the entertainment section is lacking. This
was not intentional. There are people who tell us if you put all
your information in one issue you are going to run out of things
to put in the next. Pressing issues need immediate attention and
we would prefer to put that first- there is never going to be
a dearth of information to give back to the community.
In the period between the last magazine and this one, numerous
people have asked Migyul to focus on Education. Our high school
children need counseling and guidance as they move on to. As we
move towards making this the focus in our next issue, we would
like input from you in anyway possible.
Knowledge is not enough in this —we will need to develop
a program in order to help out the greatest numbers. As we do
this we ask for your support and help. Please email me at migyul@yahoo.com
to let me know how you can help or if you know of any resources
that could be of use to us in this endeavor. The magazine is for
the community and while there is no lack of participation and
appreciation for our efforts, we would appreciate if there was
constructive criticism of our work to continue to direct our efforts.
Tenzing L G Chadotsang
