Dharamshala April 14 – The Regional Tibetan youth congress set off on a cycle rally for freedom from Dehra Dun to Delhi via Saharanpur, Ambala, Chandigarh, Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat. The rally began today and will conclude on 25 April coinciding with the birthday of 11th Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima who is considered the youngest political prisoner in the world.
The 38 rallyists from Dekyiling Tibetan settlement aims to seek support from the Indian masses and the Indian Parliamentarians to facilitate the Dalai Lama to Address the Indian Parliament in order to highlight the current Tibetan issue, to appeal the Indian government and its public to help resolve the Tibet, to seek support in releasing the young Panchen Lama and Tulku Tenzin Delek.
The rallyists also are against the awarding of 2008 Olympic Games to China which they say is the chief violator of human rights in the world. “We are also carrying out a signature campaign seeking support to their efforts to facilitate the Dalai Lama to address the Indian Parliament.
The rally was flagged off from Dekyiling Norling park this morning. The Tibetan welfare officer was the chief guest at the flagging off ceremony. The president of Local assembly was also present at the ceremony.
Another function was held at Dehra Dun parade ground where the chief guest Hira Singh Bhist, Uttaranchal transport minister addressed the rallyists. Also present were the members of the Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch and Himalaya Parivaar.
The rallyists stopped outside Dehra Dun for lunch. The Special Frontier Force (establishment 22, an independent unit of Tibetan regiment under the Indian Special Forces) served water to the rallyists to display their solidarity with the cyclists.
