STORY: Former Tibetan serf recalls 65 years of change
SHOOTING TIME: March 26, 2024
DATELINE: March 27, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:43
LOCATION: LHASA, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Sonam Dhunzhup's daily life
2. file of serfs in Xizang
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Tibetan): SONAM DHUNZHUP, Resident of Khesum community in China's Xizang

STORYLINE: 

SOUNDBITE 1 (Tibetan): SONAM DHUNZHUP, Resident of Khesum community in China's Xizang
"I became a serf to the serf owner when I was eight years old, and my life was miserable back then."

Sonam Dhunzhup was born in 1943 
at Khesum manor in old Xizang. 

Before the democratic reform in 1959, for many generations, 
his ancestors worked as serfs at the Khesum manor. 

SOUNDBITE 2 (Tibetan): SONAM DHUNZHUP, Resident of Khesum community in China's Xizang
"I lived a life oppressed by serf owners, often beaten by them. I didn't have enough to eat or warm clothes to wear. Some people would starve to death and some people would freeze to death."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Tibetan): SONAM DHUNZHUP, Resident of Khesum community in China's Xizang
"At that time, all I could wear was patched and tattered clothes, and at night, I had to cover myself with a draughty quilt. And I could only sleep outside, not indoors."

Khesum was the first village in Xizang to launch the democratic reform 
in 1959, when all serfs were emancipated from feudal serfdom.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Tibetan): SONAM DHUNZHUP, Resident of Khesum community in China's Xizang
"After the democratic reform, we no longer have to endure beatings or suffer exploitation from serf owners. Now we live very happily, with very good living conditions such as good clothing, food and drinks. There's nothing to worry about anymore."

Now Dhunzhup lives in a well-furnished traditional Tibetan-style courtyard 
in Khesum community, and enjoys his old-age life with his family.

SOUNDBITE 5 (Tibetan): SONAM DHUNZHUP, Resident of Khesum community in China's Xizang
"In old Xizang, the idea of children going to school was simply unheard of. Now, seeing my own grandchildren able to go to school, I think this is a source of great happiness. Now I live a good life and feel very happy."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lhasa, China.
(XHTV)