Sleeping on the streets of Mcleod Ganj in late November is definitely not a thought to salvage or a picture to frame, yet huddled up inside the blue tent, the hunger strikers woke up to smiles and a cozy ambience of their nationalism, undeterred with the fangs of winter as the Two Months Relay Hunger Strike for the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek entered its 4th day.
The first batch of hunger strikers were offered juice by the President of Gu-Chu-Sum Ex-Political Prisoners Movement, Ven. Ngawang Woebar la, breaking their 48 hr long fast, as the next batch of hunger strikers carried forward the vigil of the All India Relay Hunger Strike. Speaking to the gathering, Ven. Ngawang Woebar la recounted his own sufferings within the Chinese prison walls and urged everyone to contribute towards the pursuing campaign to secure the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek.
The students of Norbulinka congregated in full strength, accompanied by nuns form Jamyang Choekhorling Nunnery and students from the Men-Tsee Khang, taking the collective strength of the hunger strike to a 130 odd.
From the crowd of hunger strikers, she stood out. Not because she was wearing something funny or was having an unconventional hairdo. She stood out because she was a foreigner. A foreigner who voluntarily packed her sleeping bag and came to sit at the corner of the tent on hunger strike for a Tibetan she had never known or heard. When asked what prompted her decision all that she said was, “I can’t just stand and see an innocent person being killed.” The words were few but then there is lot to learn for us reading this in a cozy cyber cafe or at the comfort of your homes. Even if you can’t join a hunger strike, log on to the TYC website @ www.tibetanyouthcongress.org and participate in the online campaigns. Send petitions, emails, call the Chinese embassies in your country, fax them and demand the immediate and unconditional release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. Do something before it gets too late.
