This year, the Tibetans in Dharamsala will not recite prayers, but raise loud slogans for freedom for Tibet. Although the Tibetan Government in Exile led by Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been committed to find a peacefully negotiated solution to the Tibet issue, China’s non-reciprocation to the on-going five years of dialogue process has pushed the Tibetans to find other ways to a solution.
Tibetans this year all over the world will come out into the streets, it is approximated that thousands of protesters composing of Exile Tibetans and Tibet supporters across the world will come into the streets to protest the ongoing China’s occupation of Tibet. Tibetans on this day will come into the streets, submit memorandums to Chinese Embassies, seek support from governments and parliaments internationally and other direct actions. Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and other cities across India will witness Tibetans protesting. Tibetans living in America, Canada, Europe, Australia will also organize protest rallies as never seen before.
Dharamsala, the capital of exiled Tibetans will speak the loudest. For the past four years, the protest rally that went down the hill from the Dalai Lama temple to Dharamsala town has been a meek line of silent protestors mostly saying prayers as a mark of support to the Exile Governments request not to protest as to create a “conducive atmosphere” for dialogue with China. But this year, the protest rally is being organized jointly by four non-governmental organizations: Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet (an association of former political prisoners from Tibet), Tibetan women’s Association, Friends of Tibet, India, Students for a Free Tibet, India.
The protest rally will begin from the Dalai Lama’s temple immediately after the formal government function. This rally is being expected to grow beyond 10, 000 Tibetans as thousands of Tibetans are here presently attending a 15 day Buddhist teachings by his Holiness the Dalai lama in Dharamsala.
The line of programmes for the day, at 2pm, Gu Chu Sum movement of Tibet will present a drama show at the TIPA hall. It’s an account of prison experienced being enacted by former political prisoners. It’s entry free show for public.
In the evening at 6pm an outdoor Music concert at TIPA will gather Tibetans Indians, Tibetan supporters and the Dharamsala tourist for a more creative expressions for freedom. There will perform live band about freedom songs, films recounting the images of 1959 Uprising will be shown. Tibetan historian and former cabinet Minister Sonam Topgyal will speak on the occasion.
For more details please see www.march10.org
Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet (an association of former political prisoners from Tibet), Phone:9418102483
Central Tibetan women’s Association Phone:9816437387
Friends of Tibet, India Phone:9816479812
Students for a Free Tibet, India Phone:981668335
