Ladakh saw one of the biggest gatherings ever on the 8th August when Tibetan Freedom Torch arrives at this autonomous hill region. A mass gathering and a procession rally was organised by Himalayan Committee for Action of Tibet (HIMCAT) in association with Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) and Regional Tibetan Women's Association. 2500 Tibetans and ladakhis took part in the Freedom Torch relay.

The day began at 8 am at Spituk where Jhangtse Choejhe Rah Rinpoche, who will become the next Gaden Tripa, the highest gelug lineage holder, lighted the torch and carried it till outside of the Spituk monastery and handed over to Chapche Khenpo Rinpoche of Thiktse Monastery. Then Many eminent figures of Ladakh Hill Region such as the head of Ladakh Buddhist Association (Retd DIG) Mr. Lobsang Rinchen, Ven. Choedak of Ladakh Gonpa Association, Singer and actor Mr. Phonsok Ladakhi, President HIMCAT Mr. Tashi Dhargye Dembir, Executive Councillor of Health Mr. Dorjee Mgodup, Executive Councillor for Forest Mr. Mohd. Khan and Mr. Nazir, President Ladakh Muslim Association along with many scholars and prominent citizens carried the torch through out Leh Bazaar.

The relay culminated at Polo Ground and many of them gave very inspiring and emotional speeches relating the two communities of Tibetans and Ladakhis who share many common cultural heritages.

On behalf of all the Tibetans in Ladakh region, Mr. Chemi of RTYC gave very inspiring speech both in Tibetan and Ladakhis.

The oath ceremony delivered by Jhangtse Choejhe Rah Rinpoche was an emotional sight to been seen, people repeating it with choked voice and moistened eyes. The oath was translated into Tibetan/Ladakhi language. That is why emotion were oozing from everybody's heart.

Every Ladakhi was saluting and paying great tribute to the Tibetans inside Tibet who are facing the harsh and inhuman atrocities in the hands of communist regime of China, and their hope and support in the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is unparallel.

HIMCAT members were particularly happy for the ITSN for its consideration in bringing the torch, on its last leg in India, to Ladakh on the border of occupied Tibet. They are enthusiastic and optimistic that one day they will carry the same torch into a Free Tibet starting the torch journey from Ladakh.

Phonsok Ladakhis' Uprising Song 'Longsho' literally inspired the whole crowd to get up and say 'Bodme tso longsho'.