Tibetan Solidarity Committee's Global Movement on Tibet

Dharamshala: On 27 March 2008, Mr Karma Yeshi and Mr Dawa Tsering, members of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), visited Miao Choephelling Tibetan Settlement in northeastern State of Arunachal Pradesh to began the global action of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee.

Karma Yeshi(left), Mr Zubeen Garg, a renowned Bollywood singer (center) and Dawa Tsering(right), members of the Tibetan Parlaiment-in-Exile in Guwahati, Assam, Northeast India

On 28 March, a meeting was conducted where both the members of the TPiE briefed the Tibetan people on the current situation inside Tibet and the formation of Tibetan Solidarity Committee. Local Tibetan Solidarity committee was formed on the same day in Miao Choepheling settlement.

Dhargyeling Tibetan Settlement, Tezu

On 29 March, both the members reached Tezu Dargyeling Settlement in Arunachal Pradesh and addressed the public on current situation inside Tibet and the Tibetan Solidarity Committee.

Peace rally was held in which Tibetan students and few local people have participated. A minute silence was observed for the death of those brave Tibetans who sacrificed their lives in the recent peaceful protests in Tibet. The march covered the whole of town and district offices.

Mr Karma Yeshi, on behalf of all the Tibetans, thanked people and government of India as well as local people and concerned offices for supporting Tibetan people for more than four decades and appealed them to continue their support in future as well.

Peace Rally and Press Conference in Dibrugarh, Assam

On 31 March, Tibetans from Miao, Tezu, Tinsukia and Dibrugrah town took part in peaceful demonstration at Dibrugarh. A group of local Buddhist monks and local Nepalese(Nye-shang) also joined the march.

Lekhi Dorjee, settlement officer of Tezu spoke on the importance of carrying out this peace march. A group of delegation led by two members of the Tibetan parliament submitted the memorandum to additional deputy commissioner of Dibrugarh district in the name of prime minister of India. The additional deputy commissioner read-out the memorandum addressed to prime minister of India and agreed to submit the original copy of memorandum to him.

A large number of the representatives of local media and few representatives of national media like DD-TV, Newsline TV, and PTI and NE TV were present to cover the event. In the afternoon a press conference was held where the two members of the Tibetan Parliament answered media's queries on the current situation inside Tibet.

Tenzingang Tibetan Settlement, Bomdila

On 1 April, the two members of the TPiE visited Tenzingang settlement in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh.

Huge banners showing the photos of China's brutal actions on Tibetan peaceful demonstrators were displayed in Tenzingang and Bomdila. Representatives of local Monpa people attended the meeting.

Later in the evening, Gaden Rabgyaling Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh organised a long life puja for the Tibetan people inside Tibet and for all those Tibetans working for the Tibetan cause as a gesture of Monpas' solidarity with Tibetan people.

On 3 April, peace rally was organised in Bomdila where more than 400 Tibetans from Tenzingang, Bomdila, Dirang, Rupa, Tenga, Itanagar and Dahung and monks from Gyuto Tantric monastery joined the rally. A minute silence was observed to pay homage to the great martyrs of Tibet.

Mr Dawa Tsering in his opening speech underlined that the Tibet struggle is not only a struggle of Tibetan people but it is a struggle for the survival of great Himalayan culture and identity.

Delegation of Tibetans and local Monpas led by two members of the Tibetan Parliament submitted the memorandum to Rinchen Tashi, additional deputy commissioner of West Kemang district addressed to the Indian prime minister and chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. The memonrandum appealed them to support the cause of Tibetan people and pressure China to stop repression in Tibet. Mr Tashi agreed to forward both the memorandum to the respective heads.

Meanwhile, Mr Karma Yeshi addressed the large gathering in Hindi thanked local administration and Tibetan supporters for showing solidarity with the Tibetans. He said that time is not far when His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans will return to Tibet through Bomdila route and for this to happen support from Himalayan communities is essential. He urged the people of Himalayan region including local Monpas to continue their support for Tibetans struggle.

Peace rally in Shillong

On 4 April, the two MPs visited the Tibetan community in Shillong and the local Tibetan Solidarity Committee was convened after meeting with the people.

On 5 April, under the leadership of Karma Yeshi and Dawa Tsering, Tibetans in Shillong organised Peace Rally and candle light vigil.

In the afternoon both the members of the Tibetan Parliament briefed the local media.

On 6 April, the worldwide prayer day was observed to show solidarity with the Tibetans who have lost their lives during the recent Chinese crackdown in Tibet.

Tibetans in Northeast India observes "Three-day Peace Procession"

A three-day peace procession was held in Northeast region of the Tibetan Settlement, starting 8 April 2008 to 10 April 2008 to mark the completion of one month non-violent protest inside Tibet.

On 8 April, around 500 Tibetans from Tezu, Miao, Kalaltang, Tuting, Tenzingang, Itanagar, Tawang, Dirang, Rupa, Tenga and Bomdila, Shillong, Dimapur and Kohima, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh led by two members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile under Tibetan Solidarity Committee along with Lhakpa Tsering, representatives of four NGOs gathered in Dighalipukhri Paar, Guwahati to observe a day-long hunger strike.

People voluntarily shaved their heads to show their solidarity followed by candle light vigil.

Tibetans demonstrating mock funeral in northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh

On 9 April, demonstration of mock funeral was conducted symbolizing the dead people in Tibet. The funeral ceremony began with the Tibetan and Indian national anthems followed by two minutes silence to pay homage and respect to the martyrs of Tibet.

On 10 April, demonstration of Skit show depicting China's brutal torture in Tibet was conducted where the demonstrators began with the slogans like "Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama," "China-Lift media Ban in Tibet," and so on. Many Indian supporters expressed their solidarity towards the cause of Tibet. Thousand of leaflets in both English and Assamese were distributed to the local people.

Mumbai

A three-day peace procession in Mumbai

The delegation of Tibetan Solidarity Committee, Gyari Dolma and Serta Tsultrim Woser reached Mumbai in Maharashtra on 2 April 2008. On 3 April, they attended a meeting with thousands of Indian Buddhist in the city.

The deputy speaker appealed the gathering for their support over the cause of Tibet. Ven. Mahathero Rahaul Bodhi expressed the support from all the Ambedkhariates (Dr. Ambedkhar’s followers) and showed his gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his contribution and promotion of Buddhism all over the globe.

A three-day programme, including prayer meetings, candlelight vigils and peace marches were held in Mumbai. Around 2000 Tibetans, including over 1000 Tibetan monks, along with other Indian supporters, friends and human rights NGOs participated in the programme.

This is the first time where huge of Tibetan monks and lay people ever held a peace procession in the heart Mumbai. The procession carried on for 2 hours where vivid images of the recent killings and tortured in Tibet were displayed with chanting of prayers in the backdrop.

Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari gave interviews to the media. She spoke about the aims and objectives of the procession and the present situation inside Tibet.

Tibetans praying for all those people who lost their lives in the recent peaceful protests in Tibet

On 10 April, candlelight vigil for human rights - "Tibet Needs You" - was held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

The deputy speaker gave a talk on importance and objective of holding this candlelight vigil. She urged the media and international community to support human rights in Tibet. The chief guest, Mr. Kelly Dorjee, actor/model said he is overwhelmed by the courage and hard work of Tibetan people inside and outside the Tibet. He said he is obliged to be the part of this event and extend his full support towards the Tibetan Cause.

One minute mourning was observed for the people inside the Tibet who were brutally killed by Chinese. Following the minute silence, wife of Danny Denzongpa and Mr. Kelly Dorjee lit the first candle of world peace and marched for over half a mile to show their solidarity and support for human rights in Tibet.

On 11 April, the prayer session was held where Tibetan Buddhist monks, Tibetans and supporters joined in the traditional Buddhist prayers for the martyrs killed during their peaceful demonstrations. Indian Buddhists, including followers of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also joined the procession. Several thousand of monks, nuns and lay people joined the event.

On 12 April, at the holy site of Chaitya Bhumi, Meenatai Ambedkar, daughter in law of Dr. B. Ambedkar, president of National Buddhist Society of India and other executive members expressed on behalf of their society and all the Ambedkariates Buddhists of India, their solidarity with the Tibetans and the Tibetan cause.

The deputy speaker thanked them for their support and she further requested for their continue support till the issue of Tibet is resolved.

The three-day program in Mumbai concluded successfully with extensive media coverage and support from various people on the issue of Tibet.