New Delhi, 9 March, 2014: - 55 members from the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) have arrived in Delhi, the capital of India as a part of a peace march that began from Dharamshala.
The Tibetans who have used their long-march to the capital for a cause say that they aim to draw the world's attention to the current urgent situation in Tibet.
They received a warm welcome from the local Tibetan community, Tibetan NGOs and Indian support groups at the monastery of the Tibetan colony, Majnu ka Tilla in Delhi.
The peace marchers had arrived in the city via four Indian states, including Himachal Pradeshi, Punjab, Chandhigarh and Hariyana, after coveing a distance of about 600 kms within 31 days.
The peace march is aninitiative of the largest exiled Tibetan NGO in India. TYC Vice President Tamdrin Serchoe urged Tibetans in exile to pariticipate the 55th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day.
"It's now 55 years that Tibetans inside Tibet have not been able to see their beloved spiritual leader His Holiness The Dalai Lama," Serchoe added.
Addressing a public function at the Samyeling Tibetan settlement in Delhi, Serchoe said that "the Chinese government must positively respond to the demands of the self-immolators, who have called for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet."
The month long March also supports the aspirations of the self-immolators; and to show solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet.
"We call upon China to immediately free all political prisoners, including 11th Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima, Tulku Tenzin Delek and Rongye Adak who are in Chinese jails.
Speaking to the gathering, Vijay Kranti, a prominent journalist and a long-time friend of Tibet said he and his fellow Indians "always stand with Tibetans in their struggle for freedom."
Vijay Kranti spoke strongly in support of TYC in their fight for an independent Tibet. "Such baseless allegations against the TYC will only harm the unity of Tibet and create divisions among the Tibetan people."
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama always say India is our guru and we are your chelas, but I think His Holiness the Dalai Lama is our guru, said Sandesh Mishra, a long time Tibet supporter and a good friend of the Tibetan people.
"When our guru is having problems, we, chelas must do something, therefore I joined the peace march," he said with full of tears.
"I agree that genuine security of India lies only in an independent Tibet," said Mishra who is also the only Indian marched with the 55 Tibetans.
The youth group said "the March will conclude on March 10 at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi but until the Tibet issue is resolved and our demands are met, Tibetan Youth Congress vows to continue its campaigns in various phases for truth and justice."
