Dharamshala:- Born in 1969 at Golog Serta of eastern Tibet, Jigme Gyatso, the Tibetan monk who helped Dhondup Wangchen film 'Leaving Fear Behind'- a film featuring Tibetans talking about the situation in Tibet- safely arrived in Dharamshala, India on 18th May.
Jigme, a Buddhist monk and human rights activist has been honoured recently by an international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF)based in Paris as an information hero.
He was welcomed by friends and various NGOs upon arrival at the reception centre. He was not available for comments at the moment, but will be holding a press conference in the next few days.
The RSF list includes media (information) activists (aged from 25 to 75) from 65 countries who have helped to promote the freedom enshrined in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through their courageous work or activism.
Jigme was imprisoned in 2008 for helping Dhondup Wangchen in the filming of the movie and has escaped to India upon release.
In 2007/2008, Jigme Gyatso assisted Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen in the filming of 'Leaving Fear Behind', a powerful documentary film featuring interviews with 108 ordinary Tibetans, discussing various topics. Jigme, a monk at Labrang monastery, was born in 1969 in the village of Ragtham in Golog Serthar (Chinese: Seda), eastern Tibet.
He is also known as a social activist, teaching children about Tibetan culture, advocating for Tibetan language, and assisting in relief efforts after a magnitute 4.9 earthquake struck Yushu, Kham, in April 2010. Jigme is described by local Tibetans as a "monk of moral integrity and a sincere social worker".
