March 21 – The Tibetan Women’s March from Dehradun to Delhi halted at Meerut today to address a large public gathering organized by Himalaya Parivar at the main traffic intersection of Begampur. Hundreds of local residents turned to witness the gathering that was attended by the All India president and vice president of Himalaya Parivar, Mr. Ajay Chauduri and Mr. Rakesh Gaur respectively. Mr. KP Singh of Himalaya Parivar’s U.P. region was also present. TWA president Mrs. B. Tsering Yeshi read out the statement and presented clearly the demands of the peace march and issues that needs immediate attention from the international community. She further stated that the Middle Way approach proposed by H.H. the Dalai Lama would ensure peaceful settlement to the Tibetan issue and that negotiation in this regard should be pursued at the earliest time possible.
Soon after a press conference was held at the Gandhi Ashram where the main guests included Mrs. Atul Sharma (director, National Amnesty Protection Organization) and Mr. K. Bakshi (president, Kalyanam Karoti). Major news channels and regional media attended the conference and asked about the ongoing peace march. Mrs. B. Tsering answered the questions from the media persons. Later tonight, the marchers led by TWA president will hold a candle light vigil in Meerut.
The marchers from Pune to Mumbai concluded the march on March 19. This group on March 16 reached Kapuli where they held a public gathering attended by over 100 residents. Dr. Ashok Mordak (MLA, Kapuli), the main speaker at the gathering turned out to be a highly knowledgeable man on the Tibetan issue and spoke in detail the strategic importance of Tibet as a free country. Followed by RSS representatives, Mr. Suranbat Patel and Nanda Ozri, these local leaders helped a great deal in circulating the message of the marchers to the village residents. The marchers reached at Panvel on March 17. Arranged by Himalaya Parivar leader, Mr. Indresh Kumar, another public gathering was held at Panvel where Mr. Indresh Kumar and Mrs. Gita Tai, convenor of ABVP Maharashtra Women’s Organization were the guest speakers. The leaders of the peace march led by TWA Joint Secretary, Ms. Tenzin Bhuti, RTWA Bylakuppe president Mrs. Dolma Yangchen and others addressed a press conference at Mumbai’s Press Club accompanied by Mr. Indresh Kumar. Around 25 print and TV journalists attended the press conference. The same night this group organized a public gathering at Panvel where local leaders and politicians were invited to speak. The attendance of locals at this gathering was over 200.
On March 18, the marchers left Panvel and reached Vashi the same day and held a public meeting. The list of guest speakers includes Mr. Gopinath Munde (Maharashtra BJP vice president), Mrs. Anjali Shinde (head of Thane district), Bapunaoji Mukishi (head of Konkan region), and Vijay Kapre (head of Samajik Samrashtra Manch).
March 19 marked the closing ceremony of the peace march at Yashwant Bhavan in Mumbai. Around 200 people attended the function. Ms. Youdon Aukatsang spoke on behalf of TWA. She particularly spoke on H.H. the Dalai Lama’s Middle way approach and especially gave detailed clarifications on the recent misconstrued analysis reported in the press on the Dalai Lama’s March 10 statement. The guests at the function were Mrs. Sanjeevini (member, MLC), Mr. Dilipji Pai (secretary, Konkan region), Mr. Ashok Mandhe (Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch) and Dr. Suvarna Rawal (Secretary, SSM).
The marchers from south India submitted a memorandum to the Chinese Consulate in Mumbai today to call for an early and actual negotiation on the future of Tibet. They will also address a press conference today.
