March 20 – The Peace March organized by Tibetan Women’s Association on March 12 in four different regions of India has served as a fitting run-up to the upcoming visit of Chinese premier Wen Jiabao to India in the beginning of April. This march carries an appeal to the Indian public and the government to vigorously encourage the Chinese leadership to engage in an early and actual negotiation on the future of Tibet. The marchers can hope and pray that the message reach Wen Jiabao.
Meanwhile the peace march from Siliguri to Kolkata, which has the largest concentration of youngsters, has been plagued oftentimes by tragedy and problems: natural and otherwise. This group covers the longest route of hot and humid temperature with mercury touching 39Celsius yesterday coupled with the constant problem of alien language and environs. Most of the towns and villages on this route have long been declared sensitive and communally charged with round-the-clock police vigil. This group had frequent problems looking for a proper accommodation for the night hauls.
On the night of March 19, the marchers from Siliguri to Kolkata reached Jharbari and were put up at a High school by the local police who provided necessary security. Just 2 kms away from this makeshift lodge, there had been a robbery cum bomb blast the night before which explains the extra cautious police security to the marchers. The next day’s march had many participants sick and dehydrated due to severe heat. An elderly woman from Gangtok had to be sent back when it was found that she suffered from Hepatitis B. On March 16, another woman suffered miscarriage and had to be sent back home for further treatment. When the group reached Malda, a relatively large town, a girl fell unconscious due to heatstroke and had to be hospitalized. However, she rejoined the march soon after gaining strength. The response and level of curiosity among the Malda people were great save for the initial problem when the marchers were mistaken for Nepalese people. The Bengali pamphlet came in handy when making explanations on the Tibetan identity and why the march is being staged. The group had enough media attention the next day. On March 18, the principal of SN Hussain college at Faraka in Murshidabad district let out all the classrooms to the marchers during the night, even when there was an exam the next morning at the school. The group had an added responsibility on hand when a participant was detected with malaria on March 19. Every attention and treatment possible is provided to this patient who apparently is refusing to return home. As of now the marchers have reached Bidhiradori, 142 kms way from Kolkata.
The marchers from Dharamsala to Chandigarh have reached Gurudawara, 8 kms beyond Una. Another large public gathering was held at the Budget Bhavan in Una attended by the eminent social worker and journalist Kanwar Hari Singh, Chairperson of Una Women’s cell, Mrs. Shanti Devi Sharma, Mr. Girdhari Lal of Senior Citizen Forum and representatives of Rotary Club and Inner Wheel organization. The marchers received a traditional welcome at the Bhavan with Himachal caps and shawls. Mr. Singh honored the oldest and youngest participants of the march. Mrs. Sharma gave an extraordinarily moving speech emphasizing the need to encourage the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people whose leader H.H. the Dalai Lama was a living example for all to emulate. Mr. Singh in his opening speech spoke about the age-old cultural and spiritual ties between India and Tibet and said India was morally obligated and responsible to support the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama in achieving freedom.
