The peace march organized by Sera monastery was flagged off by Sri MAHADEV PRASAD, minister of Karnataka and culture on the 3rd of March at town hall Mysore. There are total of 150 monks along with 4 RTYC student association Mysore, RTWA Bylakuppe PRO Tsering Dolkar and Thinlay Chuki our Kanada translator.
The monks started their march from town hall around 10 am. Around 11:30am RTYC student association Mysore provided the marchers with mineral water at Mysore-Bangalore highway. The monk reached Srirangapatnam around 5:30 pm for their halt for the night. After their dinner, they gathered for prayer session which lasted for half an hour, after which they were allowed to sleep.
On 4th March, the monks after their breakfast started marching towards Mandya at around 7 am. Sub inspector Naveen of Mandya provided the monks with security on their way. After a short break for the lunch they reached Mandya around 6 pm. The accomodation was provided at a Sugar school in Mandya. After their dinner and prayer session they rested for the night.
On the 5th morning at around 7 am the monks left Mandya and marched toward Maddur. Sub inspector Naveen of Mandya handed over the security duty to sub inspector kiran kumar of Maddur. The marchers reached Maddur at 12:30 and had their lunch at an ashram. Around 2 pm the monks left for Somanahalli where they halted for the night.
The peace march till now has been very sucessful. We have got overwhelming response and support from the local people and the karnataka state police(KSP). The media and press has also been very supportive by providing us with wide coverage. The monks have been very enthusiastic, and very well disciplined. Througout the peace march the monks have been distributing pamphlets, carrying banners with their four demands written in Tibetan, English and Kanada as well. Some of them are carrying banners with the photo display of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi and 11th Panchen Lama. All marchers are wearing head band with slogans such as free Tibet and save Tibet. Thinlay Chuki has been propagating about the peace march and their demand in Kanada which attracted many locals and got overwhelming response.
Marchers have been recieving a lot of compliments from monks and authorities back in Sera monastery. Many Tibetan travellers on the way to Bangalore have been very kind and provided the marchers with mineral water and donations. The marchers haven’t faced any problems till now.
