Photo taken on March 30, 2021 shows the portrait of Sonam Yarphel in Mainling County of Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
LHASA, April 13, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Sonam Yarphel, an 84-year-old man in Mainling County, was once a serf in old Tibet.
"We grazed cattle on mountains all year round, but not a single one belonged to us. Hunger was my deepest memory when I was a child." said Sonam Yarphel when recalling his life in the old time.
In 1956, Sonam Yarphel decided to leave home to enter a monastery. On his way to Lhasa, he met a fellow countryman who was doing translation work for the Chinese People's Liberation Army at that time. And under his advice, Sonam Yarphel gave up the idea to become a monk, chose to go to school and became the first batch of students from Tibet to study in inland areas.
In 1959, Sonam Yarphel voluntarily signed up to return to Tibet to participate in the democratic reform work. Later, He became a district governor, leading the villagers in pursuit of a better life.
Now, Sonam Yarphel has retired. He lives in a Tibetan-style villa and leads a happy life with his children and grandchildren.
Sonam Yarphel has a cup of buttered tea at home in Mainling County of Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, March 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
Sonam Yarphel spends time with a kid at home in Mainling County of Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, March 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
Sonam Yarphel (R) poses for a photo with his wife at home in Mainling County of Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, March 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)■
