On the 27th February 2004, The “Freedom March” set off from a village on the outskirt of Lalru, a town 15 kms from Ambala city. As the morning routine concludes, the participants were informed about the sad demise of the former political prison, Tsemonling Dawa la besides briefing on his life story and his invaluable contribution to the Tibetan cause. Later the participants observed 2 minutes silence to mourn the departing soul. Simultaneously, the news of the release of famous political prisoner Ani Phuntsok Nyedon from the Chinese prison was relayed and a brief story of her accomplishments for the Tibetan cause related to the participants.
The march steadily passed through several small villages and towns where slogans were raised and pamphlets distributed. Around 11:00 am the March entered the Ambala Cantt where the marchers conducted the campaign for over 2 hours. At 1:00 pm, the Ambala based Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, led by District Convenor Shri. Jeven Ram Sharma and General Secretary Shri. Prem Kumar Sharma, Shrimati. Bantok Kataria, Zila Maha Mantri (MLA), Ambala Zila Parishad, Distt President, Shri. Ravinder Dhawan and over 50 Indian supporters received the leaders and the members of the “Freedom March” by offering garlands. Similarly, the leaders of TYC and BTCM reciprocated the gesture by felicitating the dignitaries by presenting traditional white Scarf (Katha).
Therefore, a function was held where in Ms. Dolma Choephel, TYC Joint Secretary addressed the gathering. Ms Dolma in her speech express gratitude for the government and people of India for their humanitarian support for the Tibetan refugees. However, she urged them for more concrete support in the form of political solution of Tibetan issue. She further dealt into the implications of Chinese occupation of Tibet on India. Later, Shri. Ravinder Dhawan, Shri. Jevan Ram Sharma and Shri. P.K. Sharma also addressed the gathering. In their speeches, they extend their solidarity with the Freedom March and lauded the spirit of the participants. They also spoke on the intricacies of the flawed Indian policy on Tibet.
The function which was also attended by several local based press and an American Documentary filmmaker, concluded with the serving of light refreshment for all.
Subsequently, in the evening, around 6 pm, the marchers accompanied by the members of BTSM including distt convener Shri Jevan Ram Sharma and G.Secretary Shri. Prem Kumar Sharma, staged a procession around main markets of the city raising slogans, distributing leaflets and pasting posters.
Public speeches too where delivered by Organizational Secretary Mr. Lobsang Yeshi, Shri. JR Sharma and Shri. P.K Sharma at Indra Gandhi Chowk, Rai market and Vijay Rath Chowk. This was followed by a candlelight procession, chanting Jangchup Semchog Rinpoche (Generating the precious Bodhisattva mind) through the market culminating at Punjabi Guruduwara. Procession was accompanied by the local press-photographers. The event received wide-scale repeating in several newspapers the following day.
On 28th February, The Freedom March covered a distance of 18 kms and stationed for the night at Shabad, a town 37 kms from Kurushetra city. After brief respite, a discussion was held in the evening addressed by the former freedom fighters of Mustang war. The speakers involved 76 years old Ven. Jampa Wangchuk from Deckyiling Settlement, 65 years old Lhundup Kalden, 66 years old Sonam Dorjee and 55 years old Tenzin from Pokhara. Each scrupulously narrated the tales of Mustang war fought against the Chinese. The tales of hardship and scarifies, hope and anxiety, despair and frustration over the unfinished mission. The tale by the unsung heros left all and sundry speechless, frustrated and deeply moved.
The march reached Khanpur on 29th February covering 20 kms and camped at Maa Ka Mandir. The evening discussion was addressed by Ven. Ngawang Dorjee, a former political prisoner from Tibet, who severed three years in imprisonment sentenced in Gutsa and Drapchi prison in Tibet. This talk on prisoners experiences, condition in Tibet and the torture of sufferings evoked a deep sense of sympathy and appreciation for his bravery and scarifies leaving the marcher disgruntled for hankering, “VENGENCE”.
Contact for more information:
Lobsang Yeshi: 9816098637
Gadong Jigme: 9816083228
Dolma Choephel: 9418079448
