By Tenzin Chodon
Dharamsala May 9 – Two days after they made their stop at Nainital the marchers have once again resumed their journey to Tibet and this time with a renewed strength of 48 additional marchers. The 313 marchers started walking at 7:00 in the morning and made their first stop at Kainchi, a small village near the town. They will then head towards Almora.
During their two day stay in Nainital the marchers yet again received more orientation on non-violence apart from participating in candlelight vigil and prayer sessions organized by the Nainital Tibetan Community. This goes on to show that they will be following the path His Holiness the Dalai Lama has preached for so long.
A press conference was held later in the day to inform the media regarding their plans as well as to answer any queries. The march as of now will be led by March Coordinator Lobsang Yeshi and President of SFT, India Tenzin Choeying.
“As we get closer to the Tibet border, the Marchers are reinvigorated and more determined than ever to cross into Tibet and join our brothers and sisters to unitedly protest China’s brutal Occupation of Tibet” said Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth Congress.
The marchers received encouragement and support from the Indian public throughout their journey in North India and are very hopeful in receiving the same as they continue with their march through the treacherous hills.
The March to Tibet began on the 10th of March from Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh to coincide with the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising of 1959. The first group of 100 core marchers were arrested and put under judicial custody. However, a second group of 48 Tibetan exiles resumed the march 2 days after the arrest on 15th March and were later joined by the first group soon after their release.
The marchers then made a stop in Delhi to participate in protest demonstrations as well as candlelight vigils and a 24-hour hunger strike. They then proceeded on the second leg of their march on the 19th of April. More than 60 days after the start, the march is still going strong despite many obstacles and difficulties.
Tibetans living in Exile in India launched the March to Tibet as part of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement. This historic movement aims to revive the spirit of the Tibetan National Uprising of 1959, and by engaging in Non-Violent Direct Action to bring about an end to China’s illegal occupation of Tibet.
