Day 7 of the Black Hat March began early at 5:00 AM, as usual. However, unlike other days, it commenced with the solemn chanting of Mani prayers in remembrance of the late Ngari Rinpoche Tenzin Choegyal, marking the 49th day since his passing. The prayers were offered with deep reverence, reflecting on his spiritual legacy and the profound impact he had on the Tibetan community. Following this moment of reflection, the organizing committee briefed the marchers before they commenced their journey towards Sundernagar.
At around 12:30 PM, the marchers were warmly welcomed upon arrival in Sundernagar. Members of the taxi union, jeep union, local businessmen, and residents greeted them with flower malas (flower garland) and showered them with petals. Under the leadership of Krishna Chand, Durga Dutt (Palu Sharma), Tara Chand, and Balak Ram (Tek Chand), the local community came together in strong support of the Tibetan Youth Congress Black Hat March campaign and the Tibetan cause. They also expressed deep appreciation for the courage and determination of the marchers.
After a brief halt of about an hour, the marchers proceeded to their place of stay. Notably, the pace of the march was faster than in previous days, reflecting the growing strength and determination of the participants. Despite continued efforts by China to suppress the Tibetan people, the resolve of the marchers remains strong with each step.
In the evening, the marchers were served a traditional Tibetan dinner of thenthuk, prepared by the team’s cook. The meal evoked memories of their forefathers and provided a comforting sense of home after a long and demanding day.
