By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, April 21 – The Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum organized the largest Tibetan candlelight vigil in Kathmandu on April 20 which saw participation from over 2000 Tibetans including monks, nuns, lay people, local Tibetan leaders, officials and Nepali Human Rights activist Mr. Sudeep Pathak.
The vigil was aimed to draw world attention towards the current Tibet crisis, and to urge international investigative bodies into Tibet. It also demanded that China allow freedom of movement and stop its propaganda against His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Over a thousand Tibetans gathered at the Tibetan Community Center in Boudha for mass prayer that had resumed since 12th April. The prayer session ended around 5 pm where Tibetan MP Ven. Yungdrung Gyaltsen briefly addressed the gathering and requested people to carry out the vigil peacefully. Mr. Pathak also addressed the gathering and assured Tibetans of his support in their struggle for human rights.
The vigil took place around 5.20 pm led by Mr. Pathak and Mr. Dhondup Tsering, Tibetan Welfare Officer of Boudha and Jorpati. Two men carrying a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama were followed by monks and nuns some of whom were very young. Students from Songtsen School and Namgyal High were also present among scores of men and women of all ages. Free Tibet T-shirts were a common sight and prayers were in order.
The human line was about 2 kilometers long starting from the Community Center to Boudha and back via Mahankal and Chuchepati making a round trip of about two and half hour and covering 7 kilometers on foot.
A participant told Phayul, “We will continue with our protest in Nepal in various forms until there is some resolution to the current Tibet crisis”.
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