A peace march from Ravangla (Sikkim) to Siliguri ( West Bengal), for six days, covering more than two hundred kilometers, has started on 5th March 2007, organized by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Ravangla. The peace march is aimed to create awareness on the continuous Chinese occupation of Tibet with an emphasis on the denial of religious freedom in Tibet, in the Himalayan state of Sikkim and West Bengal. The 75 participants of this peace march are Tibetan residents of Kunphenling Tibetan Settlement, Ravangla and South Sikkim, India.
Sikkim is one of the smallest states of India bordering Tibet. Recently, India opened it’s Nathula border opening the trade route of Tibet and India. Since many of the inhabitants of the state of Sikkim and Himalayan region of West Bengal follow Tibetan Buddhism, the need to create awareness on the Tibet issue, with an emphasis on the denial of religious freedom in Tibet, was felt relevant and important.
On the opening ceremony, Mr. Tenzin Choephel, President of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC), outlined the need of creating awareness on the Tibet issue in this region. The peace march is flagged off by Mr. Chunang Tsultrim Dorjee, General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, TYC, amidst the presence of other dignitaries. He highlighted the need to seek the support of every Indian for the Tibetan freedom struggle. The peace march is organized by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Ravangla. The March will culminate at Siliguri on 10th March. The peace marchers have passed through Namchi, Manpur, Melli, Teesta, Kalijorah, Sevoke and will reach Siliguri on 10th March.
