| "Migyul
is aimed at creating a forum for discussion for the immigrant
Himalayan population on issues pertaining to life here in
the New York area." |
 |
| Tenzing L. G. Chadotsang, Editor |
Interest toward the Tibetans and the Himalayan community here
in New York has always centered around religion and politics —
the needs of our immigrant community has been ignored. This has
resulted in a social diaspora that needs to be addressed before
the Tibetans and the Himalayan community in New York are totally
decimated culturally, owing to the lack of interest towards our
immediate and long-term needs.
Ours is a new immigrant group and we face various hardships related
to the lack of access to public services and information. These
hardships are associated with issues of language barriers, loss
of cultural identity, assimilation of various detrimental cultural
trends, loss of social contact and issues relating to cases where
immigrants are victims of fraud and other malpractices.
While we cannot identify all such issues, we think that it would
be helpful if members of our community took part in a forum to
share their experiences and to guide future generations. Youth
groups like Migyul are not the result but a reaction of this impending
need for such forums.
Migyul was formed in a teashop in Jackson Heights when a small
group of friends sat together discussing issues that each one
of them faced. They realized that their problems were similar;
all pertaining to the lack of knowledge of the American system
or the absence of a service provided to them to understand the
workings of this system. As this group of friends went about helping
each other, they saw the need for such a service to be provided
for the large number of immigrants from the region where they
came from. Migyul was started and members have begun to pour in.
The teashop still remains a meeting place for the members to discuss
shared concerns.
At one of the early meetings that members of Migyul had with
the community members, the point was brought out that the migyul
(aim and aspirations) of MIGYUL should be freedom. Ask a Tibetan
child if he wants freedom and he will answer, "YES!!!".
It is a given. However the aspirations of Migyul lies in bringing
the community together to achieve a greater collective goal.
Migyul, the magazine, is aimed at creating a forum for
discussion for the immigrant Himalayan population on issues pertaining
to life here in the New York area. Members of Migyul have been
working hard at raising funds to make Migyul a free magazine.The
initial funds for the magazine were raised through donations from
the members as well as support from various organizations and
individuals who felt that there was a strong need for such a forum.
It is the hope of these young individuals that the community adopts
this magazine as a forum for active discussion and participation.
The magazine aims to bridge the gaps between communities; it aims
to link the past and the future by bringing generations of the
immigrant population together; it aspires to assist these immigrants
and become the voice of these people.
These initial steps — like those of the infant —
are the most diffcult: yet we have made them. As we walk from
strength to strength, we look to you for your continued support.
Tenzing L. G. Chadotsang, Editor
