On the 46th anniversary of National Tibetan Women’s Uprising day, the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) is flagging off a Peace March from four different regions of India. Over 700 Tibetans mostly women are taking part in this march which coincides deliberately with the Women’s Uprising Day on 12 March 1959 when thousands of Tibetan women took to the streets of Lhasa to demonstrate against the illegal occupation of Tibet by the Chinese troops.
The TWA is calling for an actual and meaningful negotiation on the future of Tibet. This march will appeal for more proactive support from the Indian public as well as the international community to the ongoing confidence building measures between the envoys of H.H. the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leadership. The leaders of the peace march in respective regions will adequately address villages and towns on the Tibetan issue. TWA also places immense importance on creating awareness on Tibet as this will hopefully help inspire the moral conscience of the Indians and mobilise their support.
The regional chapters of TWA in and around Dehradun are setting off from Dehradun today and conclude the march in Delhi. The Central Executive president of TWA, Mrs. B. Tsering Yeshi is presently in Uttaranchal to oversee the execution of the Peace March. She is accompanied by the CENTREX member Mrs. Yeshi Dolma who will be leading the march from Dehradun. The oldest and youngest of the marchers are 72 and 15 years old respectively.
The southern chapters of TWA has gathered in Pune and has successfully held a press conference followed by a discussion on the Tibetan issue participated by prominent mediapersons and residents on Pune. This part of March will start off today in the evening at Ambedkar Statue. Pune marchers will wind their way all over Pune before leaving for Mumbai. The TWA Joint Secretary Ms. Tenzin Bhuti and Ms. Tsering Dekyi along with RTWA Bylakuppe president, Mrs. Dolma Yangchen will lead the peace march to Mumbai.
The northern chapters of TWA will march from Dharamsala to Chandigarh. Almost 150 people are taking part with the oldest and youngest participants being 65 and 17 years old. The TWA general Secretary, Ms. Passang Dolma and RTWA Dharamsala president, Mrs. Tenzin Dolma will lead the march from Dharamsala.
The Northeastern and western chapters of TWA will begin from Siliguri and conclude the Peace march in Kolkata. TWA Information Secretary, Mrs. Tamdin Dolma and RTWA member Yishay Chodon heads this part of the peace march.
