News and Views on Tibet

Tibetan activist walks 2300km ‘March for Freedom’ till Nathula

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Tibetan marcher Tenzin Dhondup (Phayul photo)

By Choekyi Lhamo

DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 5: Tibetan peace marcher Tenzin Dhondup reached the final destination of his ‘March to Freedom’ after traversing the distance of over 2300 km distance from Dharamshala, considered the exile capital of the Tibetan diaspora to Nathula, Sikkim near the Tibetan border on Wednesday. He was accompanied by his fellow activist Tenzin Nyima who joined him from Chandigarh. The 29-year-old activist participated in press conferences, met with many individuals and political representatives from different states. “I don’t know if I succeeded in what I set out to do. However, we’ve done all we could in the nine states that we crossed,” he said.

Tenzin Dhondup told Phayul about the overwhelming end of his march, “When I first started, I hoped that people would join me on the march. This wish was eventually granted as I met Tenzin Nyima in Chandigarh and Tenzin Choephel in Siliguri and on the last day in Gangtok, there were around 80 people marching with me. I think this is my biggest achievement.” The activist assured that he will continue to work towards raising awareness about Tibet in the future.

The Tibetan community in Gangtok, Sikkim welcomes Tibetan marchers on Feb 3 (Photo- Tenzin Dhondup)

The marcher thanked his supporters and well-wishers who helped him along the journey, “I got both financial and emotional support from different individuals without whom this journey wouldn’t have been possible.” Dhondup said that the Indian public resonated with two of his resolutions linked to environmental protection and boycott of Chinese goods. He further spoke to us about the support he received from the Tibetan community, and especially mentioned the Gangtok community and the state government who helped him finish the march effectively. The march passed through nine Indian states; Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.

Dhondup set out on the three-month journey in November to protest China’s onslaught on Tibet with three major issues on his agenda; deteriorating environmental situation in Tibet, recognizing Tibet as an occupied country; and boycott Chinese goods. At the commencement event in Dharamshala, he emphasised that the country is still suffering from the brunt of Chinese occupation, “Tibet stands as a testament to China’s flawed and unethical leadership.” 

One Response

  1. Congratulations to Tenzin Dhondup, Tenzin Nyima and Tenzin Choephel.
    Well done. Actually this March to Freedom has to be carried out by our top leaders in Dharamsala to draw more attention around the world and get more support to our meaningful struggle. This would also establish stronger unity within our Tibetan community and eventually more trust in our leadership. Preaching without practice is taking meat without killing.
    When Mao completed his Long March from 1934 to 1935 from Jiangxi to Shaanxi approximately 6500 kilometers people started trusting more of his leadership and eventually he defeated Nationalist Party of Kongmingtang. Examples like Gandhi in India and Martin Luther King in the USA have influenced their movement around the world.

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