By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, July 27: Tibetans in Kathmandu led by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) held a candle light vigil around Boudhanath stupa to support and express solidarity with the ongoing Tibetan Youth Congress indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi, India.
The hunger strike has entered its 20th day and the conditions of 14 Tibetan hunger strikers are reportedly said to be deteriorating. Imagine twenty days without food.
The RTYC led candle light vigil started early in the evening from the front of Majartsima Temple at the stupa circle. Hundreds of Tibetans took part in the solidarity march by chanting Buddhist mantras and prayers and walked three rounds of the sacred Boudha stupa, which stands as one of the most holy and well-known land mark sites in the Kathmandu valley.
At the end of three rounds, the whole crowd gathered in front of the Majartsima Temple and recited prayers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Addressing the gathering, the kathmandu RTYC Secretary Kalden said that the event is a move to support the fourteen brave Tibetans undergoing an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi. He urged the fellow Tibetans to go to the Indian capital to participate in the Tibetan People’s Mass Movement on 8th August.
While speaking to Phayul, RTYC President Tenzin Wangdu said that, “Everyone I met are taking interest and are asking about this movement. Tibetans here in Kathmandu have big hope that it would definitely bring change, everyone is supporting the hunger strikers and the movement”.
Mr Wangdu said that his organization is welcoming and registering people who would be going to New Delhi to play a part in the movement. Mr Wangdu assures that RTYC will do the necessary arrangements but he at the same is urging people to go by themselves voluntarily also.
Here in Kathmandu, the regional youth congress chapter is receiving unprecedented response in term of participants and donation funds from individuals and various Tibetan non-governmental organisations, sport clubs and ex-students groups.
An estimated 130,000 Tibetans live outside Tibet out of which over 20,000 live in Nepal since escaping Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against continuing Chinese oppression. Tibetans continue to flee Tibet every year unable to bear harsh political condition in Tibet, including severe religious and political persecutions by the Communist Chinese authorities.
The Tibetan Youth Congress headquartered in Dharamsala, India is undertaking a massive protest movement with five-point demands, which include seeking information on safety and whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, who went missing since 1995, and demanding China and the IOC to furnish concrete evidence that the Tibetans are enjoying human rights in Tibet.
Meanwhile, Tibetan support groups and other major Tibetan organisations are also gearing up for a major campaign movement beginning 4th of next month.
