20,000 Tibetans Mark Prayers and Fast for Peace in Bylakuppe

New Delhi: Some 20,000 Tibetans living in Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe, in south India, along with members of the regional chapter of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society, observed the 12-hour mass prayer and symbolic fasting for world peace, initiated by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee, on 30 August.

The Tibetan Solidarity Committee - convened by the Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile - is leading exile Tibetans' activities under its unified leadership based on non-violent and Middle-Way Approach to bring an immediate end to the ongoing Chinese repression in Tibet.

Headed jointly by Mr Phuntsok Tsering, representative of Tibetan settlement in Bylakuppe and Mr P.K. Devaiah, president of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society, the synchronized prayer sessions and symbolic fasting were held in various monasteries, schools and in the Tibetan community hall at Bylakuppe.

Starting from 7 am, while observing fast, people prayed for peace and happiness for the entire humanity and end to suppression of fundamental human rights of Tibetans in Tibet.

While addressing the gathering, Representative Phuntsok Tsering read out the Kashags' statement on the importance of organising the important non-violent action.

Later, Mr P.K. Devaiah also addressed the gathering and explained the significance of the event. He explained that the fasting is mainly aimed to enhance the collective merits of the Tibetan and Chinese people, and to reinforce their commitments to non-violent principles in their fight for the truth of Tibet.

He said it also aims to bring relieve to all those Tibetans, who are suffering under the brutal Chinese oppression and remember those, who sacrificed their lives in the peaceful demonstrations in Tibet since 10 March this year.

He further said the action also called for a meaningful discussion between the Chinese leadership and envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to bring a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of Tibet.

The prayers are offered for the long life to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr Devaiah added.

The president of the Rotary Club of Kushalnagar, Rtn Mahesh Nalwade, accompanied by the secretary and other members, also joined the fast.

Similarly, the president of the Kushalnagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Rajashekar and all his committee members participated in the event. Before departing, both the presidents of Rotary and Chamber of Commerce addressed a large contingent of press, including electronic and print media.

On 31 August, the national news channel aired a special program documented on the non-violent campaign and extensive reports were published in all other local newspapers.

--Report filed by P.K.Devaiah ji, President, Bylakuppe chapter of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society [an error occurred while processing this directive]