By Wasfia Nazreen
Dharamsala, March 12 – This day marks the 48th anniversary of Tibetan Women’s Uprising, on which day in 1959, the Tibetan Women’s Association unofficially formed when thousands of Tibetan women took to the streets of Lhasa and courageously voiced opposition against the Chinese imperialists.
The Tibetan Women’s Association Regional Chapter Dharamsala, under the advice of Central TWA held a gathering earlier this morning in order to commemorate the continued struggle in exile. Phuntsok Nyidron, who was imprisoned for fifteen years from 1989 to 2004 for her courageous action to secure Tibetan’s political and religious freedom, was invited as the chief guest and awarded with the National Hero Award by TWA. She is the longest serving Tibetan female political prisoner in Tibet.
In light of China’s ongoing campaign of terrorism inside Tibet for the past 48 years, TWA recognizes the coming long struggle and supports His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama wholeheartedly. TWA believes that a Middle Path can be reached with China to solve the Tibet issue and urges China to be aware of the long-term benefit in giving up its exploitation of Tibet’s people and environment. TWA also asks the Tibetans all over the world to continue standing in solidarity and know that the force of nonviolence cannot be defeated.
Following the gathering, women marched with loud slogans and rallied towards the Kachari area, Lower Dharamsala where Ram Swarop, former President of Indo-Tibetan Friendship is scheduled to address the crowd.
There is a TWA sponsored candlelight vigil starting from the main Mcleod Ganj square to the Tsuglakhang temple at 6pm.
