On the sunny morning of 16th February, the Freedom March reached a small village called Dusara in Himachal State. Soon, the marchers grasped a brief respite by fanning out into the roadside stream for a washing spree. The afternoon camp was more reposed, as the nurse Kunga Chonzom and other youngsters helped out the elders – massaging their weary and cramped muscles and tending and dressing the blistered feet. Few of the young marchers listened to the tales of war recounted by the ageing brave hearts, who displayed bullet marks and maimed parts to vouch for their heroic deeds. Several nuns and ladies helped the kitchen staff in preparing the evening meal. Few more were busy fixing the tents. Couple of nuns squat on the nearby meadows, observing the rest with occasional giggles and reciting mantras all the same. Next morning, the marchers woke up at around 3.30 am, did the morning chores and left Dusara an hour later. Before the break of dawn, walking at a brisk pace in a single file, the marchers chanting prayers, headed towards Una, the next halt.
The Freedom March was accorded a grand reception at Zerra Wailla Dharamshala at Una, by the local associations and colleges including Himot Kosh, Rotary Club, Senior Citizen Association, Shiksha Bharati College, District Pensioners Association, Business Association, National Society for Prevention of Blindness and the local Tibetan Sweater sellers.
After the ceremonial reception and honoring of the Tibetan Youth Congress leaders and the marchers with garlands and mementos and shawls etc. from the various representatives, light refreshment and sweets were served to all. Then a function was organized which was attended by nearly 100 locals and press reporters. Shri. Kumar Hari Singh, President Himot Kosh, who also mastered the ceremony, delivered the welcome speech. Shri. H.K. Goal, President, Rotary Club, Pundit Girdhari Lal Sharma, President, Senior Citizen Association, Shri. Nirmal Singh Thakur, Principal, Shiksha Bharati College, addressed the gathering and lauded the peaceful effort of the peace marchers. In their respective speeches, they reaffirmed their sincere support to the Tibetan cause and extended their solidarity with the Tibetans. Later Mr. Lobsang Yeshi, Organizational Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress addressed the gathering. In his speech, he thanked the people of Una for their support and warm gesture. He also elaborated the objectives and demands of the Freedom March. Later he emphasized on the relation of India and Tibet and briefed on China’s mounting anti-India campaign that is creating a major dent on the security and the economy of the country. Following this was a press conference addressed by Mr. L. Yeshi, Mr. Jigme Gadong, Information Secretary, Miss Dolma Choephel, Joint Secretary who jointly briefed the press on the march and attended to their queries. Later the Indian supporters led the procession, accompanied by a local band playing patriotic tunes like, “Hum honge Kamyaab.. and Aye watan…. ” The procession took round of the Una market for an hour, raising slogans, distributing pamphlets and pasting posters.
The march continued thereafter covering a total distance of 28 kms for the day. The marchers rested for the night at a Gurudwara in a village called Dehal.
The March for the eighth day resumed at 6 o’clock in the morning, passing through several villages. In few hours the march entered Punjab State, raising slogans and greeting police personals. At Nangal, a procession was carried out through the market with slogans and pamphlet distribution. Posters were also pasted. Inquisitive well-wishers and onlookers were briefed on the objectives of the march. The march concluded for the day at a Gurudwara in Anantpur Sahib district with a total coverage of 24 kms. All through the march the reaction of the local people in the form of folded hands and thumbs-up signs signified that the ‘Freedom March’ is on the right track.
