Tibet Independence March, covering a distance of almost 500 kms within 21 days across three Southern Indian States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, culminated here in Chennai city on the 31st December with a grand closing ceremony.
The March organised by Tibetan Youth Congress had over 146 volunteers from 9 different regions namely Bylakuppe, Mundgod, Hunsur, Bhandara, Mainpat, Dharamshala, Delhi, Darjeeling and Bangalore. The present March is typified by its' majority monk participants from Sera and Gaden Monasteries based in the Karnataka State.
Earlier on, the marchers, on their arrival at the Gandhi Statue Park on the morning of 31st December, were accorded floral reception by Tibetans and the Tibet supporters. This was folllowed by a closing function presided over by Honourable Shri.Bashisht Narayan Singh (Member of Parliament and Convener of All India Parliamentarian Forum for Tibet) as the Chief Guest. The function was also graced by Mr. Bernard D.. Sami (Reader of History Dept of Loyala College and member of Amnesty International) and Mrs. Aasha Reddy (active Tibet supporter) as the Guests of Honor. Mrs. Shahuna (Tibet supporter) Mrs.Usha Kriss ( freelance photo-journalist who been to Tibet in 2002), Mrs. Jyanti (Freelance Journalist) Swami Sharta ( Tibet supporter), Mrs.Bargavi, Ms. Nandini, Mrs. Anu Reddy, Mr. Rajni, Mr. Hyko from Germany, Mrs.. Uma Mohan, Mr.Rahul, Mrs. Manju, Mr.Mohan, Mr.Ragu, Mr.Lukas from Germany and Ms.Amandille from France. TSAM Tibetan students, local Tibetan sweater sellers and the representatives of Tibetan settlements etc also particiapted in the reception and the Closing ceremony.
The ceremony began with an introductory address by Mr.Lhakpa Tsering, the Cultural Secretary of Tibetan Youth Congress who briefed the gathering of the aims and objective, demands etc of the March . Mr Lhakpa Tsering while highlighting on the situation of the Tibetan people inside Tibet also asserted that this (Tibet Independence March) is the beginning of TYC activities in a run up to 2008 Beijing Olympics. Honorable Bashish Narayan in his address appealed the local Indians to stand up for Tibet for the benefit and interest of India. Besides vowing to raise Tibetan issue more often in the Indian Parliament, Mr Narayan also urged China to have a direct dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mr.Bernard D. Sami emunerated on the threats pose by China post its occupation of Tibet. Mrs. Usha Kriss congratulated the Marchers on the success of the March and also offered her best wishes for the future programmes. She concluded her speech by raising slogans 'MURDABAD CHINESE' ' TIBAT DESH ZINDABAD'. Swami Sharta, later, appreciated the determination and the dedication of the marcher for the cause of Tibet. Similarly, Mrs Jayanti promised to write a report about Tibet and the March in her daily. TYC International Relation Secretary Mr.Penpa Tsering while offering a vote of thanks also promised to raise the Tibetan Freedom Movement to a new level of effectiveness and success. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Tibetan and Indian National anthems and the Up-Rising (Memang Langlu) song.
Tibet Independence March, being the longest March ever in the South India by the Tibetans, succeeded in creating a huge awareness about the Tibet issues in millions of Indian people down south. The March also received massive coverage in the electronic and print media in various local Indian languages. Despite various difficulties, the Marchers braved every odds and demonstrated great determination, dedication and love for their country and contributed to the success of the March. Venerable Gelong, marcher and the founder of the Monks' Association for the Tibetan Freedom Movement in his interview to RFA stated that the Tibetan freedom movement cannot be bogged down by China as they would continue to strive to struggle for Tibet through forums such as this March led effectively by TYC. Mrs. Ama Yeshi Chonzom, aged 73 from Samyeling, MT (Delhi) earlier said 'I dedicate the 'Last Walk' of my life for Tibet’s Independence and the happiness of the six million Tibetans.' Venerable Ngawang Palsang, marcher and President of Regional Association of Monks Freedom Movement, Mundgod stated that the Tibet Independence March had succeeded in realising its objectives of contributing towards the Tibetan cause and that the March has brought daylight on the tibetan cause amongst the Indians in the South Indian States and had earned innumerable admirers and supporters there.
The 21 day long Tibet Independence March, commenced with the announcement of the same in a press conference led by Mr Tsewang Rigzin, President, TYC at Press Club, Bengaluru city on the 9th December. The March that commenced from Bengaluru, city from December 10th 2007 to December 31st 2007 at Chennai, had the following demands:
1: Independence for Tibet
2: Withdrawal of Order no 5, China’s new regulatory measures for recognition of reincarnations of Living Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism.
3: Immediately STOP all human rights violations in Tibet
4: No Olympics in China until Tibet is Free
5: Release of all political prisoners including Gedun Choekyi Nyima (Panchen Lama), Tulku Tenzin Delek and Ronggye A’drak.
Tibet Independence March is coordinated by Centrex members Mr Lhakpa Tsering, Cultural Secretary, Tsultrim Dorjee, Information Secretary, Mr Penpa Tsering, International Relations Secretary and Kunchok Yangphel, Public Relations Officer.
The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) is a worldwide organization of Tibetans united in the common struggle for the restoration of freedom in Tibet. With more than 30,000 active members under 91 regional branches all around the globe, TYC is the largest, most active and the most conclusive mouthpiece of the Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet.