Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 24: Tibetan activist Lodoe Palden, who embarked on a 90-day nationwide bike rally to raise awareness about Tibet and the Tibetan freedom struggle, sustained a minor injury following a road accident on December 20 while en route to Gangtok.
Palden began the three-month rally on December 10 from Dharamshala alongside veteran Tibetan activist Jamyang Tenzin, both in their 60s. Phayul was told that the accident occurred when a vehicle traveling ahead of Palden suddenly applied its brakes. In an attempt to avoid a collision, Palden also braked abruptly, lost balance, and fell from his bike onto his left side. The fall resulted in an injury to his left leg, which had previously been injured.
Following a medical examination, doctors detected a small crack in his left leg and advised him to take rest for a period of time. Although disappointed by the setback, Palden told Phayul that he remains determined to rejoin his rally partner within a week or two once he has fully recovered. He said he began the rally with the resolve that “no matter what happens, I will complete it.”
In Palden’s temporary absence, another Tibetan activist, Tenzin Jamphel from Kalimpong, has joined Jamyang Tenzin to ensure the continuation of the bike rally.
The 90-day nationwide bike rally was launched to coincide with the 36th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The initiative is also dedicated to celebrating the Tibetan spiritual leader’s forthcoming 90th birthday, as the Tibetan exile community observes 2025 as the ‘Year of Compassion’ in honor of His Holiness’ lifelong message of compassion, non-violence, and universal responsibility.
Throughout their journey, the activists have been distributing pamphlets highlighting Chinese repression and human rights abuses in Tibet, while also holding press conferences in various cities to engage the public and media. At a press conference in Siliguri, the activists reiterated that Tibetans remain deeply grateful for India’s longstanding support for the Tibetan people. At the same time, they firmly urged India to acknowledge that it shares a border with Tibet, not China.
The Siliguri press conference was organized with the support of the North-East Regional Tibetan Youth Congress. Speaking at the event, Regional President Tenzin Tsephel emphasized that the road to freedom is long and challenging, but called on Tibetans to remain determined and optimistic about the Tibetan freedom struggle.
Tenzin Lobsang, General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, also addressed the press conference, stating that individual initiatives such as the bike rally play a crucial role in sustaining and strengthening the broader freedom movement. He urged the Tibetan people to support and encourage such efforts.
The two activists, both former Special Frontier Force (SFF) veterans, have said they plan to conclude the rally in New Delhi on March 10. The date holds deep significance for Tibetans worldwide as Tibetan National Uprising Day, commemorating the 1959 peaceful uprising in Lhasa against Chinese colonial rule.
Through this initiative, the activists expressed hope that their journey would inspire Tibetan youth to take an active role in the freedom movement and carry forward the legacy of resilience, unity, and non-violent struggle.
