Penguin is proud to present
A first-hand account with details of the thrilling operation undertaken by an Indian officer that changed the relations between India, China and Tibet.
An Officer and His Holiness
How the Dalai Lama Crossed into India
Rani Singh
In 1959, the Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet into India, where he was granted refuge. Few know about the carefully calibrated operation to escort him safely from the Indian border. An Officer and His Holiness narrates how political officer Har Mander Singh successfully managed this assignment in the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) with limited resources, and despite a treacherous terrain and external threats.
Har Mander Singh kept careful diary entries of the period, which have been reproduced for the first time in this book. His niece and renowned journalist, Rani Singh, painstakingly documents the journey through extensive research, travel and interviews with the Dalai Lama, his youngest brother, Tenzin Choegyal, and Har Mander Singh.
Her own experience of retracing her uncle’s journey also provides a comprehensive overview of the situation today. Rare pictures and valuable input from experts bring alive this thrilling operation that forever changed relations between India, China and Tibet.
About the author
Rani Singh independently originates, produces and presents topical news stories with media organizations in short and long form. She reports for television, radio, print and online, and has a column in the reputed news weekly the Asian Voice.
