By Tenzin Tsering
Dharamsala, September 23 – The Tibetan biker, on his last leg of Free Tibet World Tour, still continues to run around for help in releasing his bike which has been in the custody of the Indian Customs Officials in Chennai since 15 September.
Chennai has the largest port in Bay of Bengal and is India’s second busiest container hub, handling automobiles, motorcycles and general industrial cargo.
“I am having problem with certain documents in India. The process here is different than in the other countries. I am asked to pay a bond for $18,000 here,” said Lhakpa.
Lhakpa has biked through 22 countries in 4 different continents spreading awareness about Tibet abd garnering support for Tibet. His last destination before India was Australia.
His tour currently stands suspended as the bike continues to remain under Chennai’s Custom office.
“ I have to get merchandise passports (Carnet) from the Canadian Automobile Association. I have applied for it,” Lhakpa told phayul saying he didn’t require the legal obligation in the other countries.
Lhakpa is reaching out to supporters to help him deposit an amount of $18,000 to the Canadian Automobile Association.
“Cash will be returned 100% when I finish my tour through the Company,” said Lhakpa, whose bike is currently at a storage and will remain there for ten days before it gets shipped back to the USA.
“Earlier the bike was at the Customs Office where it was charged $100 for three days. Subsequently, the fee doubles after a period of 6 days,” Lhakpa told phayul over the phone.
When asked if he could maintain the schedule of him concluding the Free Tibet World Tour bike at Dharamsala on the 23rd October, Lhakpa said that he has two options available and will “somehow make it Dharamsala on the date.”
“ If I am not able to procure my bike from the Customs Office by paying the bond deposit, then I will rent a bike from Delhi and ride to Dharamsala,” said Lhakpa.
The Biker is hopeful that “ if the bond deposit could be arranged, I will get my bike and resume my last leg of tour in India which involves biking from Chennai to Bangalore City, and from there to Bylakuppe and all the Tibetan settlements in the South. I will pass by other Indian cities of Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and reach Dharamsala.”
