Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing

72nd Wellbeing Camp (Alappuzha, January 8-10, 2020)
Glimpses From The Wellbeing Medical Camp
Report: Friends of Tibet
Photography: Sylvie Bantle
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For the Friends of Tibet Volunteers, a Wellbeing Camp is much beyond a Medical Camp. For them, it is a great and rare opportunity to serve those who suffer and in despair; it is an ideal place to meet with other volunteers and to discuss the latest on the Tibet issue and the Chinese aggression on Tibetan people; it is also the best time for them to heal and also to contemplate. According to many Friends of Tibet Volunteers, during these medical camps conducted regularly in Mumbai and Kerala, they gather confidence, knowledge and a better understanding of the purpose of life. Sylvie Bantle, German writer and a close Friends of Tibet Associate who recently returned to India after a month-long medication back in Germany photo-documents the 72nd Wellbeing Tibetan medical camp organised by Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing and Men-Tsee-Khang, Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute of HH the Dalai Lama at her Sylviander House in Alappuzha from January 8-10, 2020.

The Wellbeing Tibetan Medical Camp usually begins at nine in the morning. Some of the regular non-Indian participants of the camp are from different countries like France, Czechoslovakia and Austria. They travel several hours in the morning to reach the Wellbeing camp venue at Alappuzha early ensure that they come early so that they get the maximum time with the Tibetan doctors to discuss their health issues and other concerns. Participants are seen sharing morning tea and snacks before their consultation.

The Wellbeing Tibetan Medical Camp usually begins at nine in the morning. Some of the regular non-Indian participants of the camp are from different countries like France, Czechoslovakia and Austria. They travel several hours in the morning to reach the Wellbeing camp venue at Alappuzha early ensure that they come early so that they get the maximum time with the Tibetan doctors to discuss their health issues and other concerns. Participants are seen sharing morning tea and snacks before their consultation.

Sturm Ingrid Barbara and Sturm Jiri are from Austria but currently settled in Amritapuri Ashram belonging to Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, a renowned spiritual teacher from Kerala, also called 'Hugging Saint.' They've been consulting Tibetan doctors in Kerala for the last several years and for both long-time Tibet supporters, missing a medical camp is something they are not comfortable with. Both Barbara and Sturm ensure that they buy enough medicines and carry them when they travel to Europe every year.

Sturm Ingrid Barbara and Sturm Jiri are from Austria but currently settled in Amritapuri Ashram belonging to Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, a renowned spiritual teacher from Kerala, also called 'Hugging Saint.' They've been consulting Tibetan doctors in Kerala for the last several years and for both long-time Tibet supporters, missing a medical camp is something they are not comfortable with. Both Barbara and Sturm ensure that they buy enough medicines and carry them when they travel to Europe every year.

Tibetans are used to the Tibetan diet, except when they are at the Sylviander House at Alappuzha, the venue for the Wellbeing medical camp in Kerala. They love Indian food as many of them from the younger generations are born and brought up in India like any other Indians. Pure organic, vegetarian food is being cooked and served for all three days of the camp which is enjoyed by both the members of Men-Tsee-Khang and Volunteers of Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing.

Tibetans are used to the Tibetan diet, except when they are at the Sylviander House at Alappuzha, the venue for the Wellbeing medical camp in Kerala. They love Indian food as many of them from the younger generations are born and brought up in India like any other Indians. Pure organic, vegetarian food is being cooked and served for all three days of the camp which is enjoyed by both the members of Men-Tsee-Khang and Volunteers of Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing.

Traditionally, the health diagnosis of the participant is usually done by the Tibetan doctors through the analysis of the pulse; quality and flow of the urine and from the reading of the tongue of a patient. In the photograph, Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar, Chief Medical Officer of Men-Tsee-Khang is seen looking at the urine of a Wellbeing participant in the early hours of January 9, 2020. Participants whose urine analysis required are requested to come early in the morning by the Tibetan doctors.

Traditionally, the health diagnosis of the participant is usually done by the Tibetan doctors through the analysis of the pulse; quality and flow of the urine and from the reading of the tongue of a patient. In the photograph, Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar, Chief Medical Officer of Men-Tsee-Khang is seen looking at the urine of a Wellbeing participant in the early hours of January 9, 2020. Participants whose urine analysis required are requested to come early in the morning by the Tibetan doctors.

Sethu Das, founder and president of Friends of Tibet has a completely different role at the Wellbeing medical camps at Alappuzha, Kerala and in Mumbai. He takes care of new registrations and general coordination of the medical camps organised by Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing so that camps are organised systematically and as per the schedule. He dedicates four days at the camp venue along with other Volunteers from the organisation he founded.

Sethu Das, founder and president of Friends of Tibet has a completely different role at the Wellbeing medical camps at Alappuzha, Kerala and in Mumbai. He takes care of new registrations and general coordination of the medical camps organised by Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing so that camps are organised systematically and as per the schedule. He dedicates four days at the camp venue along with other Volunteers from the organisation he founded.

Lifestyle diseases are on the rise among young people in India. The number of Diabetic and kidney patients are on the rise simply because of a completely new diet people have adapated from the West, unknown and unsuitable to Indians. In the photograph, Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar and Dr Dolma Lhamo advise a young girl from Thiruvananthapuram, state capital about the need to shift to a balanced diet and the importance of regular physical activities.

Lifestyle diseases are on the rise among young people in India. The number of Diabetic and kidney patients are on the rise simply because of a completely new diet people have adapated from the West, unknown and unsuitable to Indians. In the photograph, Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar and Dr Dolma Lhamo advise a young girl from Thiruvananthapuram, state capital about the need to shift to a balanced diet and the importance of regular physical activities.

Tenzin Yeshi, young accountant with Men-Tsee-Khang needs to maintain a balance when it comes to accounting and dispensing in order to avoid errors. These young Tibetans born in India have already learnt the skills in calculations without the help of a computer or a calculator. Due to practical and technical difficulties, Men-Tsee-Khang staff do not use electronic debit/credit card swipe machines at Wellbeing camps.

Tenzin Yeshi, young accountant with Men-Tsee-Khang needs to maintain a balance when it comes to accounting and dispensing in order to avoid errors. These young Tibetans born in India have already learnt the skills in calculations without the help of a computer or a calculator. Due to practical and technical difficulties, Men-Tsee-Khang staff do not use electronic debit/credit card swipe machines at Wellbeing camps.

As a Government employee, Yeldtho Mathew finds it difficult to volunteer for the Wellbeing camps mainly due to time constraints and ongoing projects. Somehow he finds at least half a day to volunteer during the Wellbeing camps at Alappuzha. The photograph shows Yeldtho Mathew photo-documenting the tongue of a Wellbeing participant for the 'fasting culture' project of Culture Unplugged Centre for Transformation and Healing.

Being a Government employee, Yeldtho Mathew finds it difficult to volunteer for the Wellbeing camps mainly due to time constraints and ongoing projects. Somehow he finds at least half a day to volunteer during the Wellbeing camps at Alappuzha. The photograph shows Yeldtho Mathew photo-documenting the tongue of a Wellbeing participant for the 'fasting culture' project of Culture Unplugged Centre for Transformation and Healing.

Suresh Babu, former Coordinator of the Indian Secretariat of World Federation for Holistic Medicine and an Advisor to Friends of Tibet's Wellbeing Programme conducts a 'Briefing Session' during the 72nd Wellbeing Camp. All new Wellbeing participants undergo the briefing session as Tibetan doctors do not have the sufficient time to explain the science and methodology of the Tibetan Medical System to new participants.

Suresh Babu, former Coordinator of the Indian Secretariat of World Federation for Holistic Medicine and an Advisor to Friends of Tibet's Wellbeing Programme conducts a 'Briefing Session' during the 72nd Wellbeing Camp. All new Wellbeing participants undergo the briefing session as Tibetan doctors do not have the sufficient time to explain the science and methodology of the Tibetan Medical System to new participants.

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Friends of Tibet

Friends of Tibet Foundation for the Wellbeing, PO Box 16674, Mumbai 400050, India.
Email: wellbeing@friendsoftibet.org Web: www.friendsoftibet.org/wellbeing/

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