The week marks the beginning of the most critical days for the hunger strikers who are taking part in the Indefinite Hunger Strike in Delhi led by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC).
A week has passed without having even a tiny morsel of food, just surviving on limited water, in the morning and the evening. The oldest hunger striker can no longer walk on his own. He has to be supported to get to toilet or for other personal needs.
A Tibetan nurse, Yeshi Choedon, working at Max Balaji Hospital in Delhi, voluntarily comes to Jantar Mantar to read the vital signs of the hunger strikers. Today, she found that most of their pulse readings were low.
When asked about their health, the strikers emphasized that in order for the movement to succeed, they appeal to each and every Tibetan to unite in support of this movement, to show a unified front to the world, so that their efforts will not be in vain.
Blessing pills (chin-lab) and blessing cords (tsem-du), along with prayers, were received from His Holiness the Karmapa. The hunger strikers received the pills and cords with reverence.
Ven Bhaktro, a well known Tibetan former political prisoner, visited the hunger strikers. “While appreciating the efforts of the TYC executives in organizing the People’s Movement, which includes the hunger strike, I would like to appeal to all the Tibetan people living in any part of the world to support this movement.” he said.
Mr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, on behalf of the Tibetan community in Japan, also visited the hungers to express solidarity and support.
The People’s Movement is increasingly gaining momentum among Tibetans everywhere. Hundreds of supportive phone calls and emails are being received every day at the TYC offices in Delhi and Dharamshala.
At the annual North American TYC meeting, the agenda of the People’s Movement was a priority for discussion. While normally the TYC president or a Centrex executive attends the North American meeting, none could attend this year, as they were all in Delhi taking part in the Movement.
The Indefinite Hunger Strike at Jantar Mandar, Delhi, is part of the Tibetan Youth Congress-led Mass People’s Movement, pressing demands for accountability from China regarding the Tibet situation. Current updates and photos at http://www.tibetanyouthcongress.org
