Tears, memories, pictures, butter lamps, written messages and a video clip, friends of the Dalai Lama’s 45-year-old nephew Jigme Norbu — who was killed in a traffic accident during his latest “Walk for Tibet” campaign in Florida on Monday — gathered in Taipei to remember him.
“I learned about the news that Jigme Norbu was launching a ‘Walk for Tibet’ in Taiwan on Dec. 9 [last year]. I signed up to join him on the walk and departed the next morning,” said Huang Shu-chiao (黃淑嬌), who accompanied Jigme all the way on his 407km walk from Taipei to Kaohsiung over 13 days.
She was already in tears when she took the podium at the event to remember Jigme last night.
“I stayed with him until Dec. 24 [when he left Taiwan] and I was totally shocked to learn about his death — how could he be gone forever after we parted from each other in less than a month [sic]?” Huang asked.
Karen Cheng (鄭凱榕), who spent time with Jigme as his interpreter, recalled how strong-willed Jigme was.
“He always insisted on finishing the planned walk for the day and if others were too exhausted already, he would still complete it by himself,” Cheng said. “After finishing the day, when everybody else had rested, Jigme would upload all the photos onto his campaign Web site with stories to share with people all around the world who are concerned about the Tibetan issue.”
Although sometimes getting only about two or three hours of sleep a day, Jigme would still be the first one to wake up in the morning and was always full of energy and encouraged others, Cheng said.
“He always said that the pain he felt from walking a long distance was nothing compared to the suffering of all the Tibetans,” she said. “Although he has passed away, he lives on in our hearts and if we continue the struggle for world peace and Tibetan independence, he will continue to live among us.”
Tashi Tsering, president of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Taiwan, who also walked the whole length with Jigme, said he could not believe it when he learned of Jigme’s death, “because just a few days ago, we talked on the phone and he told me how thankful he was of the -Taiwanese people and that he would like to come to Taiwan again.”
Though saddened by the news, Tashi believed that passing away during a “Walk for Tibet” was an honorable way for Jigme to die.
“A true warrior should sacrifice his life on the battleground,” Tashi said.
Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association president Dachompa Payama told the audience that he was greatly inspired by Jigme, adding that he would also be willing to sacrifice his life for Tibet — and for Taiwan.
“If China comes to take Taiwan, give me a gun, I’ll fight them to defend Taiwan even if it means sacrificing my life. I’ve lived in Taiwan for so many years; I want China to keep its hands off Tibet and Taiwan,” he said, adding that Taiwanese and Tibetans should always help each other in the face of China.
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