The Freedom marchers rose up to a great ecstasy and exuberance on the morning of the 7th the day of the landing. Shortly after the prayers and the singing of National Anthem and Longsho, the marchers bid farewell to Swami Dayanand Yati and other priests of Shri Ramakrishna Sadana Kendriya in Murthal in Haryana state.
The march continues on its mission, passing through several villages. At Rai village, the marchers encountered sudden greetings and receptions from the Sarpanch of the village, Shri Mahendra Kaushik, who is also congress candidate from the constituency. Shri Mahendra treated the marchers to water, tea, snack and sought their wellbeing. He also assured his moral support for the Tibetan freedom struggle and conveyed that he is a great admirer of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Around 11am, the freedom marchers let out massive cries of joy and exultations as they entered Delhi border. The marchers filled the air with war-cries of KI-HI-HI, LA-GYALO, BOD GYALO etc leaving the border security forces wonder-struck. It was a moment of great satisfaction and relieve- for it was the day of the landing after almost a month. The freedom march has finally reached the threshold of their mission. The marchers put up for the night at Shiv Mandir in Tikrit village on the outskirt of Delhi.
The next morning, the freedom marchers were received at the By-pass by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and the GRSWA (Guest house, restaurant, shops and welfare association) of Samyeling Tibetan settlement and offered drinks for the marchers. Later the march escorted by the RTYC and GRSWA proceeded to Tibetan Youth Hostel, Pitampura raising slogans and distributing leaflets. There the marchers were received to a grand applause by the Indian dignitaries viz: Dr.N.K Trikha, National Convenor, Indian Core Group for the Tibetan Cause, Mr. Amrit Lal Sharma Delhi State Convenor, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch , Shri Bihari Lal, Delhi State Convenor, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, Mr.Cheokyong Wangchuk, Coordinator of India-Tibet Coordination Office, Mr.Karma Yeshi, former Vice President of TYC, Mr Jigme, Director of Youth Hostel and over 200 students of the Hostel.. After serving light refreshments for the marchers, a function was held to felicitate the marchers, addressed by Mr. Sharma, Mr. N.K. Trikha and TYC Joint Secretary Ms.Dolma Choephel. In their speech, the dignitaries lauded the efforts of the marchers and advise on intensifying their campaign for the cause. Later RTYC Delhi and Students Council and Hostel Administration hosted tea and snacks, lunch and dinner for the marchers.
On 9th morning, the Freedom March left Tibetan Youth Hostel around 8.00 am and went on procession through Shalimar Bagh, Azadpur, Model town, Delhi University campus, Timarpur, arriving in Majnu-Ka-Tilla around 12.00 am. There the marchers were accorded grand reception at Tibetan Day School by the Welfare Officer, President,Local Assembly, Executives of TWA chapter and other organizations and general Tibetan public numbering over several hundred. The marchers were served drinks followed by a felicitation function. The function was addressed by Ms. Dolma Choephel, Mr. Gadong Jigme and Mr. Lobsang Yeshi- the leaders of the Freedom March. The leaders stressed on the objectives of the Freedom March, its progress reports etc. The trio focused on the worsening human rights situation in Tibet and Chinas devious campaign to destroy the Tibetan culture, religion and the race and the need to intensify our freedom struggle etc. Later the Welfare Officer, President Local Assembly and President TWA chapter etc. addressed the Freedom Marchers. The function was attended by various media personals including RFA, Bod Gyalo, Phayul, Associated Press and several Indian press reporters. Later a lunch was hosted by the Regional Tibetan Women Association for the Marchers.
Thereafter, the Freedom March left Majnu-Ka-Tilla for Ladakh Buddha Vihara, where the marcher were received with equal respect and admiration by the Tibetan
Refugee Market Association and its 100s members. A minutes later the marchers were treated to tea and snacks by Gyurmey Monastery.
This was followed by a function in the evening addressed by Shri Vijay Kranti, Senior Indian Journalist and a long time friend of Tibet, Prof. Anand Kumar,ITFS General Secretary and Mr. Prabhakaran, former President All India Student for Free Tibet and a research scholar, Mr.Jai Prakash from Jawaharlal Nehru University etc. The function was also attended by Chief Coordinator Mr. Choekyong Wangchuk of India-Tibet Coordination Office.
Later, a Dinner was hosted to the marchers by the Tibetan Refugee Market Association of Ladakh Buddha Vihara in the evening. The Pradhan, Tsering Phuntsok of the Association offered scarf and delivered a felicitation message for the marchers and assured their continuous support for the Tibetan cause.
Thus comes to close, the eve of the FINAL COUNTDOWN.
