By Tenzin Sangmo
New Delhi, August 7 – The Tibetan People’s Mass Movement was launched on the eve of the Beijing Olympics in New Delhi today. Around forty two regional chapters of the organization across the country showed up at Rajghat to mark the beginning of the campaign.
Some three thousand members of the youth lobby body marched from Rajghat to Jantar Mantar protesting and raising slogans against the illegal occupation of Tibet and the Beijing Olympics. The strong contingent symbolized their unwavering resistance against the colonial empire.
TYC President Tsewang Rigzin addressed the crowd reiterating the fact that Tibetans in exile owed it to those inside Tibet to keep their struggle alive. He said, “Tibetans inside Tibet are brave enough to defy the Chinese rule. They risk their lives and those of their families for our cause. Their bravery and courage is a source of inspiration to us who live in a free world.”
Chief Guest Yashwant Sinha, former Foreign Minister of India said it gave him immense satisfaction to join the Tibetan struggle. “Olympics is a symbol of human spirit, to hold it in a country which lacks the very moral that the Games stand for renders it valueless. China does not deserve this honor.”
He further opinionated that China maybe a powerful country with world class infrastructure and a budding economy but it was far from a ‘great nation’, he said it did not possess the character that makes a nation great.
A street play was presented by members of RYTC-Delhi focusing on the reality of Tibet as it is today and what awaits those who opposed the repressive Chinese system once the Beijing Olympics is over.
The day’s event concluded with an hour long prayer assembly and a candle lit vigil around the vicinity in the evening.
China celebrates as it gets ready to play host to the most prestigious sporting event in the world. For Tibetan Youth Congress, August 8 2008 will go down in history as a day facilitated by the blood of innocent Tibetans.
Tenzin Norsang, Joint Secretary of TYC told Phayul, “Tomorrow is a big day for us, apart from the usual routine we are going to do something different to show our disapproval of the Beijing Olympics.” He refused to provide any further detail.
The second batch of six hunger strikers along with Asha Reddy entered its second day. Though they seem to move and talk freely without any assistance at present, the coming days will prove to be a test of physical and mental resilience.
TYC’s Mass Movement is based on Gandhi’s principles of non-violence and Satyagraha. They aim to put forward their demands and actions leading towards its sustenance through peaceful means only.
