Serfs were classified into three categories in accordance with their possessions -- Tralpa, Duchung and Nangsan, with the third one being the most miserable who could be sold by his owner as cattle.

The People's Liberation Army soon quelled the rebellion and the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he established a "government in exile". Later, democratic reform was introduced to free the serfs and end their misery.

In his annual speech, the Dalai Lama once again claimed that "the ongoing oppression of the Tibetan people has provoked widespread, deep resentment against current official policies" and "Tibetans live in constant fear and anxiety."

"It is very funny to say that," said legislator Kelsang DrolKar from the Tama Village on the outskirts of the Tibet regional capital of Lhasa.

She said her fellow villagers have been immersed in festival joys these days as they greeted the traditional Tibetan New Year Saturday, which coincided with the opening of this year's session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

"I telephoned my mother on New Year's Eve and she told me that all villagers had their families adorned with the five-star red flag (the national flag), a usual practice in our village to celebrate the New Year and other festivals," Kelsang DrolKar said.

Actually, Tama means "red flag" in Tibetan language, she said.

Local villagers demanded the name of the village changed from the former "Chomla" to "Tama" several years ago after they had benefited from the government's policies and become wealthier, she said.

"The common people are clear-minded," she said. "During the March 14 riot in 2008, no one in the village was involved in the violence."

The March 14 riot in Lhasa resulted in the deaths of at least 18 civilians and one policeman. It also left 382 civilians and 241 police officers injured, businesses looted and residences, shops and vehicles torched. The unrest was believed to have been organized by the supporters of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan "independence" forces.

Government statistics show that Tibet's economy grew 12.3 percent in 2010 to 50.7 billion yuan (7.7 billion U.S. dollars), and expanded 79.5 percent over the past five years.

The per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen increased to 4,139 yuan in 2010 from 2,078 yuan in 2005. The per capita disposable income of urban residents in the region jumped to 14,980 yuan in 2010 from 6,569 yuan in 2005, statistics show.

"In Lhasa, the economy is growing rapidly, the society is harmonious and stable, and the people are living and working happily," said legislator Dorje Tsedrup, also mayor of Lhasa.

Actually, many other Tibetan legislators attending the annual NPC session in Beijing were unwilling to spare a minute to comment on Dalai Lama's remarks that tarnished Tibet's image, saying it was "sheerly unnecessary" to refute his words.

"Facts are very clear. If you go to Tibet and see for yourself, you will naturally understand the Dalai Lama are telling lies," Dorje Tsedrup said.

In the eyes of Qiangba Puncog, the Dalai Lama, as a Living Buddha, should have engaged himself in studying Buddhism, stood aloof from the worldly affairs, and refrained from participating in the politics and separating activities.

"Some ani-China forces in the West are still using his residual value," he said.