With “Shangsho-Shangsho”, the wake up call for the Marchers, at 3 am, hushed-up one and all into frantic activities. In quick succession, morning chores were completed, so does the loading of the baggage into the truck.
After breakfast, around 6 am, Lhasol (God propitiating ritual) was conducted joined by the Tibetan Sweater-sellers of Mohali city. The March for the day started an hour later passing through the Mohali market, accompanied by the local Tibetans. The March entered Chandigarh city around 10.30 am. In each sector i.e. 15, 16, 17 and university campus, procession was staged and slogans were raised with distribution of pamphlets. On reaching sector 17 Market square, the participants were accorded warm reception by the RTYC Chandigarh and the city based Organisations like Bharat Tibbat Sayog Manch. This was followed by an hour-long demonstrations through the Market and Govt. offices amidst pursuits of ceaseless flashlight of over a score press reporters and photographers. The Marchers, that swelled in considerable number with the participation by Tibetans from Mohali, Tibetan students of Chandigarh and Indian supporters, raised vociferous and emotion-charged slogans, capturing the attention and concern of the thousands bystanders. Many broke into tears as the slogan raising caught tempo with each cry-the cry of desperation and the cry of fear and virtual appeal for an urgent and critical help to Save Tibet. Simply a look at these innocent faces would have convinced the world that they are the genuine owners of Tibet.
Thereafter, a function was held participated by many Indian dignitaries including Mr. Baldev Pandey of Bharat Tibbat Sayog Manch, Mr. Arvind Thakur of Lawyer for Human Rights International, Mr. Gurpreet Singh and Mr. Ram Swaroop, advocates from Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. Sudeep Rawat, RTYC Press Officer and Tibet supporters. The huge public gathering was addressed by Mr. Baldev Pandey, who in his speech spoke vividly on the atrocities committed by the Chinese on the Tibetans.He further spoke on the virtues of the Tibetans and the need to change Indian policy on Tibet. Mr. Arvand Thakur also spoke on the human rights condition in Tibet and the monitoring of the same by LHRI in collaboration with Amnesty International.
Later, Mr. Lobsang Yeshi, Organisational Secretary of Tibetan Youth Congress, one of the leaders of the Freedom March, addressed the public gathering. In his speech, he explained how Tibet existed as an Independent Nation in fact and law, all through its history until communist China forcibly invaded Tibet in the 1950s. He also commented on gross atrocities committed on the Tibetans who suffered deprivation of entire human rights, facing a total marginalisation and who are virtually pushed to the brink of annihilation. Stressing on the grim future, he cautioned, “Situation is deteriorating day by day and we have very less time. 2007-2008 is the date line for the ‘Operation Rescue Tibet’. Beijing says the Railway link would be an economic salvation for Tibet but for us that would be the last death-nail on Tibetan Independent struggle”.
Meanwhile Information Secretary, Gadong Jigme and Joint Secretary, Dolma Choephel briefed the press and city channels about the TYC, objectives of Freedom March and the expectation of the TYC and the Tibetans from the Indian Govt. and the people besides other world bodies. Likewise former political prisoner Ven. Ngawang Dorjee and Ngawang Yangchen accompanied by Mr. Lobsang Yeshi of TYC, gave a special interview to the press reporters on their prison experiences, torture methods and flight to India. Major focus was laid on the plight of Tibetans in Tibet and their aspiration for a Free Tibet. The procession finally concluded at BJP Bhavan in sector 23, where the local youth chapter hosted a lunch for all. In the evening the students prepared a special Thentuk for the Marchers. The Freedom March was also felicitated by the representative from RTYC Poanta Sahib and Puruwala, who traveled all the way from their respective settlements to extend their solidarity with the participants. They also offered scarf, tsampa, khapse and a small donation for the March. The day’s event received wide coverage in various newspapers and televisions the next day.
The Freedom March left Chandigarh on the morning of 24th February and traveled a distance of 20 km, stationing for the night in Derabassi village in Zirakpur town. There the local Tibetan Sweater-sellers accorded a reception, offering scarf, refreshments and a donation for the March. This was also followed by a procession was taken out in the market as usual. By the end of 14th day, Freedom March has travelled a distance of over 310 km, nonetheless the Marchers are raring for more.
Contact for more information:
Lobsang Yeshi: 9816098637
Gadong Jigme: 9816083228
Dolma Choephel: 9418079448
