Maharaja Sukheldev Park, Sarnath, Varanasi, August 8 – For every Tibetan, Freedom is like our goal to achieve. It’s the 48 years since we lost our independence and the situation of Tibet is now at crucial stage. So, it’s an effort to make a difference. The students here decided not to attend their class but chose to take part in the hunger strike. In the support and respect to the 14 hunger strikers in Delhi for the cause of truth and justice. It is voluntarily organized by the Tibetan and Himalayan region students at CIHTS. Staffs of the university have also joined shoulder to shoulder. The fund of movement was an accumulation of sincere donation from all the students’.
Nevertheless; the strike was commenced from 7am with a peaceful procession from the institute gate to the site of hunger strike. At 7:30 am the program started by lidding a butter lamp. Both the Tibetan and Indian national anthem were sung and paid homage for a minute to those deceased patriots of Tibet. Ven Lobsang Norbu shastri (scholar of CIHTS) highlighted the aim of 1 day long hunger strike and expressed a solidarity or appreciation to the 14hungerstrikers in Delhi. Apparently, the hunger strike was preceded from 8: hr 08min 8sec a.m.
Some of the enthusiastic students shared their view about the need of standing up wholeheartedly for the cause of Tibet as well as urged the entire nation of the world especially the U.N.O to examine the human right in Tibet. Where as some students read the soul-stirring words of H.H The Dalai Lama and past Indian politicians to rekindle the flame of courage among the Tibetans for constant Endeavour. Correspondents mass and electronic media via, Aaj Tak, Sahara, Z.TV, Dainikjagran, Hindustan Times, Ani, Siti, India today, etc had visited the site and interviewed the strikers in English and Hindi version. In addition, two students were being interviewed by the VOA.
Braving a scorching sunlight condition of varanasi,5 students mounted on bicycle made a rally in the city of Varanasi to distribute a pamphlets on Tibet being an independent nation and the ongoing hunger strike in Delhi. They distributed 8000 pamphlets all over Varanasi i.e BHU, Sanskrit University, Kashi Vidya pit. Railway Station etc. more than that, a girl named Tenzin Choenyi currently learning in shastri 2nd yr had stayed a three day hunger strike at university from 5th evening till 8th evening appealing the world to support the cause of truth and to free our beloved nation.
Throughout the day, hunger strikers devoted their time in reciting a prayers and listening an instructive speech of the president of Tibetan youth congress. Moreover, they took a part in painting a large Tibetan flag which is 8meter at length and 4meter at breadth.
As the day passed by, it was yet another evening with the horizon painted with crimson and it was concluded by making a candle vigil procession till the Mulghand Stupa and returned back to the institute with the prayers in lips. Thus, it was a great success and everyone believes that this meting will prove to be a milestone in the development of Tibet. .
Bhod Gyalo!!
Report prepared by Tsewang Gyaltsen and Tenzin Wangmo.
