Himachal Pradesh, India: When You Have the Heart to Reach People, Doors Open – Part 2

(Minghui.org)

Continued from Part 1

All the before-mentioned challenges or “losses” were indeed followed by ‘surprises’ or ‘gains,’ according to the universal principle of “no loss, no gain.”

First gain: It was a huge relief to the Falun Dafa practitioner to finally be able to leave the extreme and unusual heat and humidity of her home area and to step out and travel again. 

Second gain: The several-hour-long ride on the toy train from Kalka to Shimla was an unbelievable, lovely experience through beautiful landscapes with small clean stations along the way.

Third gain: Throughout her stay in Shimla, which unexpectedly lasted two and a half months (and in fact also in the two other areas of Himachal Pradesh [HP] she visited), the air was very pure and fresh with many trees and green mountains all around everywhere. The locals were very polite and supportive, although at times some were a bit reserved. The weather was constantly changing; it seemed as if every few minutes it went from rain to blue skies to clouds, which sometimes felt like “being in the skies” or in some “other-worldly” realm.

Fourth gain: There seemed to be many truly predestined people, who often “appeared out of the blue,” anywhere and at any time. Sometimes, these were not people the practitioner was expected to meet at the various offices, etc., but rather someone working there, on the way to somewhere, here and there—totally unexpectedly. This happened continuously from the very beginning to the very last day, not only in Shimla, but even on the taxi to the little airport leaving HP at the beginning of November. 

Fifth gain: The 6-room guesthouse where the practitioner stayed, although a bit away from the center of Shimla, but within walking distance from the center, was located very close to the Chief Minister’s residence, a few minutes walk to the secretariat office and still walking distance to the official residence, where the Hon. Governor of HP lives and also receives visitors. Due to this rather unique location, the practitioner did manage to visit these important places and indeed met the VIPs. 

A Falun Dafa practitioner meets with the Hon. Governor of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Sixth gain: More and more people were happy to put up Falun Dafa posters in their windows, shops, or restaurants, one being the owner of one of the oldest shops in the Mall, which is in the center of town. He put three posters right in his front windows, he also listened to two Shen Yun orchestra DVDs and was ready to help. 

One of the young men working at the guesthouse took a variety of posters, fliers, etc. to his hometown hours away and upon his return said that he had put them up in shops, and other places, and distributed them to friends and family. He asked for more to take for his next home visit. 

Other people reported that they had shared the information with others, often online. Then there were others who took various materials to far-away areas; these areas were at times exactly where the practitioner had hoped to visit, called “tribal circuit,” bordering Tibet and Ladakh, where the culture and religion is Tibetan. She wasn’t able to go there as there were several severe, even deadly landslides and all were advised not to travel there this time. 

What a wondrous experience to sit in one place, yet through helpful hearts, minds, and hands the precious materials in the form of fliers, bookmarks, posters, flowers, etc. spread like seeds near and far!

There were many other experiences: A woman who teaches German said that her students would be very happy to study the German materials, such as a magazine, Shen Yun brochures, bookmarks, and other materials she was offered. There were even a few Chinese shopkeepers who were indeed surprised to get Chinese informational materials, and also English ones. A woman was happy to hear that the practitioner had been in her home state. She also took fliers and posters to put up and distribute in her restaurant. 

Then there were more Tibetan connections made: A few Tibetan institutions were visited, and a female officer, after she was given a calendar and other Shen Yun-related things, said that she was going for a meeting to the United States soon, and would very much like to watch the Shen Yun show there. She was also willing to distribute to other Tibetans all the other materials that clarify the truth and inform about Falun Dafa. This way of distribution had also been done by other Tibetan officers in other parts of India. 

The hand-made lotus flowers, little plastic flowers with the messages of “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance” and some Shen Yun flowers often have an amazing effect, as they made many who received them in their offices arise from their seats when these flowers were offered to them.

The mayor of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, arises from her seat when offered a hand-made Falun Dafa lotus flower and asks her staff to take a picture when receiving a Shen Yun flower.

Libraries: First of all, huge amounts of materials such as Zhuan Falun and Falun Gong books in Hindi and English, books that clarify the truth, magazines, print-outs, fliers, bookmarks, DVDs, etc. were given to the main libraries, then to VIPs, lawyers and a judge in the local courts, as well as school principals for their libraries, and to several others. 

Although naturally most materials were distributed to locals from Himachal Pradesh, there were some school principals from other states from all over India, also many visiting domestic tourists from other states, who accepted materials. 

Schools and colleges: All “major” and also “minor” schools and colleges and the HP University were visited, which in itself was something like a miracle, as they were all officially closed due to Covid. Only the principals and some teachers and other staff were available, organizing online classes. 

Some of the persons reached were indeed deeply touched by the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, the goodness and beauty of Falun Dafa, and the appalling human rights violations in China. They expressed sincere and deep words of respect and admiration towards Falun Dafa, often regarding the fact that the practice is being spread totally voluntarily, without any considerations of money, donations, name, or fame. 

Many others, here and there, too many to mention, also appeared deeply moved and at times very carefully read through some of the appreciation letters from previously visited schools and colleges, and looked at the many pictures of Falun Dafa sessions. Especially Tibetans, but also many others, expressed their deep thanks and profound gratitude for raising awareness of the atrocities committed by the CCP. Some of the principals deeply regretted that due to the Covid restrictions no Falun Dafa sessions could be held at their schools and expressed their hope for future “better times.”

(Continued in Part 3)