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Tibetans observe Gandhi Jayanti

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DHARAMSHALA, October 2: The Central Tibetan Administration today commemorated the 143rd birth anniversary of the father of the Indian nation Mahatma Gandhi at the Kashag Secretariat.

Elected leader of the Tibetan people, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay unfurled the Indian flag and later lighted a butter lamp in front of a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi amidst soft chanting of ‘Vaishnava Vachan’ Gandhi ji’s favourite bhajan.

Dr Sangay said the CTA was also observing the International Day of Non-violence, as announced by the United Nations in 2007, coinciding with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Mahatma Gandhi ji has made tremendous contribution for India and generally to the world and his commitment and belief in non violence is very much respected around the world,” Dr Sangay said.

“As His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, we regard ourselves as chelas to guru India and one of the gurus of India is Gandhi ji. We are his disciples and we are here to observe this day in honour of Gandhi ji.”

Commemorating Gandhi Jayanti, members of Students for a Free Tibet in Delhi yesterday delivered more than 3000 petitions signed by Indians to the office of Indian External Affair Minister S M Krishna urging him to make a “strong and clear statement condemning China’s crackdown in Tibet and calling for a multilateral forum to resolve the crisis.”

“October 2nd Gandhi Jayanti (Birth Day of Mahatma Gandhi) is a day that symbolises India’s ability to reject colonial rule through non-violence means which is the biggest inspiration for the Tibetan Freedom struggle,” said Dorjee Tsetan, National Director of Student for a Free Tibet, India. “The petition continues to highlight the unwavering support and concern by our Indian supporters and friends towards the Tibetan struggle.”

An online national solidarity picture campaign reading “My Gandhi Jayanti Pledge: I Stand for Tibet” is also being carried out by Tibet activists in various India cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Ahemdabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, and Pune.

“Please make yourself heard along with the hundreds of Indian from across the country standing for Tibet,” SFT India urged in a release. “Your simple action can bring change and hope for the Tibetan people inside Tibet who have faced 52 self-immolations till date.”

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