Dolma, Dharamshala.

“I used to be a guide in Tibet and I have easy life. Good money, good house and good food. Everything is perfect except for one. And that one is, we don’t have freedom.

Therefore, I came to India.  Life is difficult in India but the good thing is that Dalai Lama is right beside me. I have freedom. Even though I am having a hard life, I am happy.

I have this small stall where I sell fried potato, which is 30rs per plate. It is the only source of income for me, for my daughter and for my cousin who is only 12 years old. 

This idea of selling fried potato when I was thinking about what can I do in Dharamshala. There are a lot of expenses, rent, electricity and so on. I am so happy that Yangchen is so kind to have me one of her stall.  We always spend time talking while there are no customers.

Most of my customers are Tibetan. But this business is very new in the community. In Tibet, this business is so good. There were so many success stories. So, I am just trying my luck.

What problems I have? So many, ha ha ha ha ha. Seriously so many of them. But these entire problems are not such a big problem. When I think about those people who don’t have eyes or legs and begging on the street. I feel happy. So, even though I have a lot of problem, it is all right! I can handle it! I am old enough to handle these problems.

Everything is good about McLeod Ganj. It is perfect. Yet, sometimes the business is very slow.  Especially, when it is monsoon. I can’t even open the stall. Well, that’s all.

I am the one who sells potato on the street leaving the good house, good food, good life in Tibet simply because all I want is to be near to His Holiness and have freedom. So I am happy. “

NOTE: Dolma’s stall is few second down from the post office.

Dolma, Dharamshala.

Interview and photo: Kunsang Tenzing