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These young students, most of whom have taken admission in under-graduate courses in city's colleges, hail from Gangtok, Siliguri and Darjeeling. They have formed a group called 'Students for a free Tibet' and are trying to create awareness among their fellow brethren about their cause.
"None of us have ever visited Tibet. But we feel strongly for our motherland," says Pemba Bhutia, president of the organisation.
The Tibetans have a close-knit society. While most of the girls stay in the Lady Jane Dundas hostel, boys stay in the Ogilvy Duff hostel. Some of them have also been able to find a paying guest accomodation.
After completing their studies, they return to their home and join their family business like running shops or restaurants.
As part of their movement for a Free Tibet, they organise small rallies. Now, they are planning to distribute food items among the poor to mark the birthday of the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan families, who have been living in the city for years, also provide financial support to this group that help in carrying out their awareness campaign.
The friendly behaviour of the locals for them has encouraged them to choose Kolkata over other city.
“It is easy to get admission here (Kolkata) and we get to live in a cosmopolitan place which is close to home. It helps to broaden our horizons," said Nawang Choden, a student of political science.
The students said they never faced any discrimination in the city. "Our teachers and classmates are very helpful," said a student of Scottish Church College.
However, one thing that sometimes makes them angry is that they are mistaken for the Chinese. “The only thing that I don't like is that people think we are Chinese. I want to tell them again and again that we are Tibetans,” Bhutia said.
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