By Tenzin Dickyi
New Delhi
January 10: “Pad Yatra” – A Peace March in support of early solution to Tibet Issue and the demand of inclusion of Bhoti language in the eighth schedule of constiitution of India which flagged off from Jammu on 1st January 2007 via Shimla and Chandigargh organized by Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet (HCAT) came to an end here in New Delhi this morning. The Core group for Tibetan Cause along Himalayan Parivaar and India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) welcomed the marchers with flowers and great appreciation for their bold move.
The closing ceremony was observed around 4 in the evening with a prayer session near Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat. The marchers reached Rajghat accompanied by local Tibetans in Delhi where they were honored with traditional Tibetan scarfs. An 85-year old woman was one of the 40 people participating in the peace march in support of the Tibet solidarity.
The marchers have put forward an appeal to help in their campaign to raise the Tibet Issue and mobilize such movements in one’s locality. They have set few major appeals which includes,
•Chinese government to talk to Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
•To take up a concrete step and start a dialogue for Tibet Issue.
•Release Panchen Lama Gedun Chokyi Nyima from Chinese Custody.
•Leave Indian territory from Chinese Occupation.
•Liberate Kailash Mansarover from Chinese occupation.
Present at the closing function were Shri. Surender Kumar and Dr. Anand Kumar of Core group for Tibetan Cause, Mr. Bhupendra Kansal, General Secretary (Himalayan Parivar) and Chairman of Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet, Lama Chospel Zoepa. Beside there were other Indian TSG’s like Himalaya Parivar, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch – Delhi, India Tibet Friendship Society – Delhi.
Other guests were Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok and Mr. Choekyong Wangchuk (members of the Tibetan parliament), Mr. Lhakpa Tsokhoa, Secretary for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Bureau in New Delhi and Welfare Officer and representative of Majnu-ka-Tilla.
Mr. Surender Kumar stressed the need to organize more and more activities like the peace march as it helps in keeping alive the issue of Tibet and called H.H. the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way Approach as pragmatic and most feasible in bringing a change in the present political situation in Tibet. Lama Chospel Zoepa expressed his appreciation to the marchers as well.
The peace march finally culminated with great admiration and support from many organizations and individuals.
Photo courtesy: India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO)
