outh India Leg of Flame of Truth relay in Goa: Prominent Indian shows
Solidarity to Tibetan relay
Goa, August 26: Speaker of Goa Assembly, former state minister, Freedom Fighter, Social activists, Journalists, Actress, Goan and students expressed solidarity with the issue of Tibet.
South India leg of Flame of Truth relay, which was started on July 6 from Kochi, traveled to many villages, Cities and towns in four south Indian states. Flame of Truth torch escorted by Tsewang Gyaltsen, Vice President and Tenzin Rabga, Public Relations Officer of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) Bangalore and reached Vasco city, Goa on August 24 evening. Reception programme was organised under the banner of Trailokya Bodh Mahasangh, Bahujan Hitay-Goa and Local Tibetan Association at Vasco Municipal Library hall. The programme began with lighting of lamp and prayers. One representative each from Trailokya Bodh Mahasangh, Bahujan Hitay-Goa and Local Tibetan Association spoke on the issue of Tibet in their welcome speech. Dhammachari Jindarshi and Dhammachari Amoghketu also spoke in support of Tibetan struggle. Later chief guest of the programme Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi gave keynote address. In his speech, he spoke on Flame of Truth relay programme, present atrocities in Tibet under Chinese-occupation highlighting self-immolations by 49 Tibetans in side Tibet since 2009. He also appealed international community to stand behind just cause of Tibetan people and put pressure on their leaders to support non-violence struggle of Tibetan people. Later gathering of over 50 people signed the Tibet petition and programme concluded successfully with prayers. In the end, master of the ceremony Mrs. Chhaya Korgaonkar, President of Savitri Bai Phuley Mahila Mandal, Goa thanked the gathering.
On August 25 at 9.00 a.m Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi met with Sh. Sunil Deshpande (Head of RSS for Goa, Gujarat & Maharashtra State) and local RSS leaders of Goa. He briefed them on the issue of Tibet and Flame of Truth relay initiated by Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. All the leaders of RSS signed Tibet petition to be submitted to the United Nations on December 10. RSS leaders expressed their support and solidarity to the just cause of Tibetan people.
On August 25 at 11.00 a.m a delegation led by Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi met former Deputy Speaker of Goa Assemby Mr. Simon D’Souza and briefed him on the issue of Tibet and sufferings of Tibetan people inside Tibet under China’s occupation. Mr. Karma Yeshi also briefed Mr. D’Souza on the Flame of Truth relay campaign. Mr. D’Souza expressed his support and solidarity with Tibetan cause. He also signed Tibet petition to be submitted to United Nations.
On August 25 at 12.00 noon Tibetan delegation met Mr. Jose Philip D’Souza, former railway minister of Goa at his residence and Mr. Karma Yeshi briefed former minister on the issue of Tibet and Flame of Truth relay campaign. Former minister expressed his support and both Mr. & Mrs. Philip D’Souza signed Tibet petition. Indian dignitaries present at former minister’s residence signed Tibet petition.
On August 25 at 3.00 p.m Flame of Truth relay was escorted to Mapusa town in Goa. Mr. Karma then visited Bahujan Hitay Hostel in Mapusa and Incharge of the hostel Mr. Anil Ugrekar gave welcome speech. Mr. Karma gave brief speech to the students. In his speech, he explained the issue of Tibet briefly and then introduced Flame of Truth torch and Tibet campaign to the students. He also advised the students to study hard and follow the path shown by Lord Buddha and Baba Saheb Bim Rao Ambedkar. Later 2 minutes silence was observed to show solidarity with the Tibetan people. Hostel students also promised to initiate signature campaign afterwards.
Flame of Truth relay was then escorted to its next destination Panaji, capital city of Goa. On August 25 at 4.30 p.m Public meeting on Tibet was held TB Cunha hall and programme began with offering of flowers and Tibetan traditional scraf to the photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Master of ceremony and long time Tibet supporter Mr. Dadu Mandrekar gave introductory speech. He spoke in local language touching various issues of Tibet. He even strongly stated that the issue of Tibet is related to the security of India. Later Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi spoke on the issue of Tibet highlighting violation of human rights in Tibet by China. He also spoke on current crisis in Tibet and informed the gathering that since 2009 49 Tibetans had self-immolated themselves asking for the freedom for Tibetan people and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. Mr. Karma Yeshi then spoke on the Flame of Truth relay and urged world leaders and global community to stand behind the struggle of Tibetan people. He also touched the importance of Tibet’s fragile environment for south Asian countries. Later Indian freedom fighter Sh. Nagesh Karmali, President of Freedom Fighters’ Association in Goa gave strong motivating speech. In his speech, he stated that Tibet had never been a part of China and Tibet used to be free country before. He will support just cause of Tibet and strongly appealed others to do same. Then a representative of Trailokya Bodh Mahasangh Dhammachari Jindarshi gave vote of thanks speech by thanking everyone present in the meeting and also urged all to support the issue of Tibet continuously. Over 100 people present in the meeting signed the Tibet petition to be submitted to United Nations on December 10. Large group of media representatives were present to cover the event and most of the local newspapers covered the event widely. After the public meeting, actress and social activist Dr. Meenacshi Martins and many local Indians joined Tibetans and supporters at Azad Maidan to express their solidarity and signed the Tibet petition.
On August 25 at 7.30 p.m Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi met Sh. Rajendra Arlekar, Honourbale speaker of Goa Assembly and briefed him on the issue of Tibet. Mr. Karma briefed leader of Goa lawmakers on the Flame of Truth relay initiated by Tibetan parliament-in-exile. Speaker sh. Rajendra Arlekar expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the Tibetan people and signed Tibet petition to be submitted to UN. He even stated that it is moral responsibility of everyone to support just cause.
Earlier on August 23, a day prior to Flame of Truth torch arrival in Goa, Mr. Karma Yeshi addressed the press conference organised by local Tibetans and Tibet supporters. He spoke on the issue of Tibet and Flame of Truth relay campaign. His media address was widely covered all newspapers of Goa.
Flame of Truth torch will be escorted to its next destination Karwar, district headquarter situated at the border of Goa and Karnataka State and will be handed over to Mundgod Tibetan community on August 28.
