Qiangbagesang, 65, is the director of the Administrative
Department of the Potala Palace, also known as the guardian of the
Palace. In fact, Qiangba has been the guardian for 20 years.
"I have been to Spain, Denmark, Germany, Britain, Japan and the
US, where people had a very high opinion of my work," said Qiangba
proudly.
Currently, the Potala Palace is under its third renovation (the
first two being held in 1989 and 2002 respectively). The renovation
will enhance water and moth prevention of the palace. The staff
members of the Administrative Department are busy registering the
cultural relics in the palace.
Many workers are working in the palace these days, and their
songs can be heard from nearby the palace in the day.
"In fact, the money for renovating the palace is not enough, but
the problem will be solved very soon," said Qangba.
What worry Qiangba most are fire and theft, both of which might
bring disaster to the palace.
In 1984, the Buddha Hall of the palace caught fire. Though no
severe damage had been caused, it still took more than 20 years to
recover the tomes of Tibetan Buddhism classics.
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(Chinanews.cn July 19, 2007)