For Immediate Release
August 3, 2008

Contact: B Tsering: 9418792810 (Tibetan, Hindi, English)
Chime Youngdung: 9418069179 (Tibetan, Hindi)
Phuntsok Wangchuk: 9418324751 (Tibetan)
Tenzin Choeying: 9816368335 (Tibetan, Hindi, English)

Mcleod Ganj - After traveling around the world and covering almost every state in India carrying a message of truth and resistance, the Tibetan Freedom Torch, that had a high profile start from Olympia on March 10th arrives Dharamshala - heart of the Exile Tibetans - 5 days before the opening of the Beijing Olympics. The Torch is welcomed here by hundreds Tibetans and supporters along the route as it runs through the town Chanting ‘Bhod Gyalo’ (Victory to Tibet).

Since March 10th 2008, Tibetans in Tibet have been voicing their deep rooted resentment against China’s illegitimate rule of their country and demanding fundamental rights. The Chinese government responded with a brutal crackdown to the nonviolent uproar of the Tibetan people, killing more than 200 Tibetans and detaining thousands. Denying the widespread peaceful protest as an indication of the failure of their unjust policies in Tibet the Chinese government began aggravating the “patriotic re-education” campaigns forcing Tibetans to express their love for the Communist regime and denounce H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama.

“The Chinese government has and is still trying to fool the world using the Beijing Olympics to cover its atrocities in Tibet and its abysmal human rights record in China and abroad”, said Chime Youngdung, President of National Democratic Party of Tibet. “Tibetans and supporters all over the world will make sure that the world sees the brutal face of China during and after the Olympics”.

For Tibetans, the Olympics offer a rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s illegal, unjust occupation of Tibet for the past 50 years. It also highlights the importance of Tibet issue and for the Tibetans to show the Chinese leaders that the time has come to heed upon the Tibet problem with seriousness and resolve the matter without further delay.

“The Tibetan Freedom Torch represents the hope and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice, and the commitment of people around the world to helping make this dream a reality”, said Dr. B Tsering, President of Tibetan Women’s Association.

The torch has been traveling the globe starting from Olympia, Greece, on 10th March, 2008 and thereafter toured more than 50 cities across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Uruguay before finally reaching India on the 9th July.

The current India leg of the torch started from Delhi on the 10 July and ends in Ladakh on 8 August 2008. During this month-long tour, it has been received by Tibet Supporters in 28 different cities including capital cities of almost all the states in India. The next stop will be Shimla.

***

Torch Route in Dharamshala:

Mentsekhang (Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute)

Gankyi (Central Tibetan Administration Compound)

GuChusum (Former Political Prisoner’s Movement) Jogiwara Road

Mcleod Ganj

Upper TCV school

Function:

Oath Taking by Chief Guest, Dr. Kuldeep Chant Agnihotri ( Director of Himachal University and National Coordinator of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch)

Torch Introduction by Tsering Choedup (Coordinator for south east Asia - International Tibet Support Network)

Speech in Tibetan by Dr. B Tsering (President, Tibetan Women’s Association)

Speech in English by Tenzin Choeying (National Director, Students for a Free Tibet - India Network)

Speech by Kalsang Dhondup (Manager, Tibetan National Sports Association)

Speech by Chief Guest Dr. Kuldeep Chant Agnihotri

Torch Bearers:

Ngawang Gelek (student captain -Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute)

Tenzin Dolkar (Former Athlete and Vice President -Regional Tibetan Women’s Association (Dharamshala)

Bidoo (President - Mcleod Taxi Union)

Kalsang Dhondup (Manager - Tibetan National Sports Association)

Phuntsok (Former Tibetan National Football Player)

Khechok (Tibetan National Football Team)

Lobsang

Lobo Tsering Kyi (Former Miss Tibet)

TCV students and staffs

The Tibetan Freedom Torch has made its triumphant arrival in Dharamsala, after traversing the Indian subcontinent for the past month. As the historic Freedom Torch Relay reaches its celebratory conclusion, Tibetans around the world now focus their attention toward Beijing.You can follow the Olympics through the eyes of SFT live online starting August 6th: www.FT08.tv

We invite you to read some of the wonderful press articles about the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay here:

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-dharamsala-ahead-of-the-beijing-olympics_10079481.html
http://www.beijingnews.net/story/389807
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?article=Tibetan+exiles%2C+supporters+greet+Tibetan+Freedom+Torch+in+Little+Lhasa&id=22219
http://www.andhranews.net/India/2008/August/3-Tibetan-freedom-torch-57158.asp
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20080803/808/tnl-tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-dharam.html
http://www.freshnews.in/tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-dharamsala-ahead-of-the-beijing-olympics-43065
http://rtv.rtrlondon.co.uk/2008-08-03/21719e01.html
http://www.wikio.com/world/asia/tibet
http://www.bombaynews.net/story/389856
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/389856/cs/1/
http://www.newstrackindia.com/printnews/9811
http://in.ibtimes.com/articles/20080803/tibet-exile-freedom-torch-beijing-olympic-dharmsala.htm
http://www.worldofnews.com/view-2523864-Tibetan-freedom-torch-back-in-Dharamsala-ahead-of-the-Beijing-Olympics.html

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/City-NGO-takes-up-Tibetans-cause/339728/
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=22219
http://www.odishatoday.com/Orissa/Tibetan_Freedom_Torch_rally_200708-95642153687.html

Some previous articles from the beginning of the India leg of the Freedom Torch relay:

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/tibetan-freedom-torch-to-arrive-in-india-july-10_10069534.html
http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/380285
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/tibetans-exiled-march-with-freedom-torch-in-delhi_10070105.html
http://www.pr-inside.com/tibetan-exiles-carry-shadow-olympic-torch-r695896.htm
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=21913&t=1&c=1
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/tibetans-run-relay-with-freedom-torch-in-delhi_10069985.html

10th July:

The Torch Arrives Delhi on 9th at ITCO office. TFT Relay began its India Leg on 10th July. The Relay was conducted from Samtha Sthal to Jantar Mantar, about 6kms run. Celebrities, sportsperson, politicians, activists of India and Tibet namely Nafisa Ali, Kirti Azad, Kiran Rijiju, Lama Chotsphel Zotpa, Core group Chair person Mr. N.K. Trikha were gathered at Jantar Mantar followed by crowd of around 100 people from different backgrounds joined the Relay. Dozens of media people came and spotlight the events. Small program was held at Jantar Mantar with speeches from guests and speakers.

11th July: Jaipur Relay

In Jaipur, around 20 people gathered including Rashtravati Muslim Manch president Dr. Manohar Chowdhary and his family, Vice Secretary of Muslim Manch Masood Taqvi, Himalayan Parivaar president Vijay Shankar. These distinguished guests were present during the relay from Choti Chopad to Tripolia Bazaar via Sangeneri Gate which covering around 2kms. news 24 (video news) and other newspapers including Rajasthan Patrikar, Dainik Bhaskar have done the coverage of the events. Left Jaipur at 2am to reach Bhopal via Kota.

12th July: Unhappening day at Kota. Had to wait for a day to catch train to Bhopal the same night of arriving Kota. Booked a hotel and booked a ticket to Bhopal via train. Left Kota at 2am due to 3hours delay of Jodhpur-Bhopal Express.

13th July:

Reached Bhopal at noon by the time the program has finished. Did some photo shoot with Ashok Patil, Secretary of Buddhist Society of India and others at Karuna Budh Vihar, Near Jain Mandir, Bhopal. Left Bhopal around 6pm to Ahmedabad via Rajkot Express train.

14th July:

Reached Ahmedabad early in the morning around 8. Met Jyotikar ji with Baroda Students at Train Station. Left for Vadodara right away by bus with students. Reached Vadodara at around 2pm and started a relay and photo sessions with media around 5pm at Maharaja Sayaji Rao University Campus. Around ten different media people were present. Booked bus to Mumbai and flight from Mumbai on 16th morning.

15th July: Mumbai Relay

It was done in haste and in urgent. Called Kalianpur through whom got Metok’s number. Met Metok, a student in St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. Discussed the things and got the police permission late and called media around 7pm. TOI, Indian Express, Asian Age, ETV and others were present. Four Tibetan and 2 Indians did the relay at Azad Maidan to Central Railway Station. Few metres distance relay.

16th July: Kochi Relay

Left Mumbai at around 7:15 am to reach Kochi, Kerala around 8 via Air Deccan. Reached Kochi, Lobsang la and Namgyal la, business men came to pick me up to a hotel room, Saas Hotel in Kochi. Had Breakfast with them and rested for some time. Met JDU Kochi president, Mr.A S Radhakrishnan and other people and discussed the event.

Started Relay at around 5:30pm after Mr. S V Krishna Iyer, former Supreme Court Judge and former home minister of Kerala officially lighting the Freedom Torch at his office in Sathgamena followed by speeches from Mr. A S Radhakrishnan, JDU Kerala President; Mr. Thampan Thomas, Ex. M.P., H.M.S. All India President; Sreedharan Therambil, Chairman of human rights samithi , Kerala State and other JDU executives include V N Chandra Senan, Ousep Anto and M P Joy. Dozens of media people gathered at the spot. Started relaying for 3kms from Sathgamena to M.G. road about 2kms. Small speeches were given by each people after the oil lamp was lit on the pavement to represent hope and support for Tibetan cause. Finished the program around 6pm. Reached the Ernakulam Train Station at 7pm for Chennai Mail to reach Chennai.

17th July, 2008: Chennai Relay

Asha Reddy ji and Tennor came to pick me up at Railway Station, Chennai Eknore. Rested for some time. Discussed the things and made press release and things to be released. Everthing was ready by the time we left at the spot. Did some repairing work for the torch. Tibetan students and Tibet supporters in Chennai welcomes the Tibetan Freedom Torch, relays from Monroe Statue, Anna Salai to State Guest House, Wallajah Salai about 3-4kms. Photo sessions before the relay started. Everybody present wore White T-Shirts and short pants. After reaching the spot, Sang Memang Langlu, Tse Mey Yonten, Tibetan and Indian National Anthem. The event was simple, peaceful yet effective and powerful. Left Chennai by 11pm.

18th July,2008: Bangalore Relay

Reached Bangalore around 5:30am. Made Press Release and discussed about the program with RTYC Bangalore executives. The relay is scheduled at 5pm from Banappa park, Majestic to Gandhi Statue, M G Road covering around 3kms. The program is jointly organized by different Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Regional Women’s Association in the vicinity of South India. Around 200 people from heads of different organizations and members, students, business men and women, employees and others. One Indian group performed music and dance at the Gandhi Statue, M G road. Around 10 medias highlighted the event. It lasted about 2 hours guarded by police men and women.

19th July, 2008: Hyderabad Relay

Around 11:30 the relay started at Goshala near Hussain Sagar where H.Holiness consecrated the Buddha’s Statue. Around 60 people joined the relay. Students of RTYC Hyderabad, FOT member Dr. M N Rajesh, SFT member, local Tibetan business people, Leaders and members of Jai Bharat organization and local Indians relayed the 2kms from Goshala to Inder Park. They all ran this small distance and gathered at Inder park where they hold small function. The function began with national anthem of Tibet and India followed by speeches and H.Holiness prayer ‘Tsemey-yonten. I was asked to brief the event with introduction of Tibetan Freedom Torch. Around 10 media people were present. The whole event lasted about 2hrs.

20th July,2008: Nagpur Relay

The opening ceremony began at Dhiksha Bhumi with scarf ceremony to the statues of Buddha statue and Dr. B R Ambedkar, then National anthem of Tibetan and Indian, followed by Oath at about 1:15pm. The relay got started at around 1:30pm from Dhiksha Bhumi towards RBI Square via Lokmat Square/Chowk extending till 3:00 pm. More than 40 people joined the event including students of Nagpur University. Among the presence were Mr. Puram Meshram, Dy. Registrar, Nagpur University; Mr. Rabindra Singh Babra, Congress member; Mr. Jai Kumar Ramteke, Vice president Youth congress. ITFS, Nagpur; RTYC and RTWA, Bhandara jointly organized the relay and event.

21st July, 2008: Raipur

The small relay was conducted at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur. Students in the engineering college from different states of India jointly welcomed the torch in Raipur. The event took half an hour for the completion and later had little time discussing the Tibet Issue.

22nd July, 2008: Bubaneshwar Relay

At around 5:30pm, the event started with the welcoming of the torch with dozens of people with polices and medias awaiting the event just outside the Ram Mandir. After the gathering, the photo shoots took place after which the relay got started and the march went on for nearly an hour till Post Master General Office, Vidhan Sabha infront of legislative assembly of Orissa via Lower Janpath and Master Canteen and finished at P M G. The procession was followed by anthems and prayers. The whole event took about one and a half hours time.

23rd July, 2008: Ranchi Relay

Only two people were there, Anil Kumar, ITFS and Amar Nath Raj, Founder, ITFS and presently Gen. Secretary, Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, Jharkhand. The press conference was conducted at a hall in Ranchi with around 10 media. It rained cats and dogs outside. The conference went smoothly.

24th July, 2008: Kolkata

The previous day there was press conference. No events took place. People from Gangtok, Sikkim, especially RTWA executives and member came to join the relay. We all stayed at Metro-Politan Hotel, Drakers lane; looks good from outside yet world apart once walk inside the lodge. Lots of street foods and Chandni Bars and Hotels nearby.

25th July, 2008: Kolkata Relay

People from different groups, Tibetans, Nepalis, Indians, all gathered at Academy of Fine Arts at around 2pm to welcome the Tibetan Freedom Torch and relayed together for 5kms distance Torch relay of 1hour till Metro Channel via Maidan.The relay organized by Advocate Ruby Mukherjee of Ganasamannay; SFT, Kolkata; RTWA, Gangtok and various other groups and supporters and total of not less than 150 joined the relay. The peaceful relay went on with slogans and patriotic songs. At Metro Channel, small stage was set up where all of us sang National anthems and songs and raised slogans after which young guys of SFT, Kolkata, presented a small skit. All the media started taking the pictures once the play got started. The atmosphere was tense and dramatic. Chinese Uniforms beating red robed monks and suddenly all the media taking shots of the dramatic short play. The whole event lasted till 4:00pm. It was a success.

26th July, 2008: Siliguri Relay

After reaching at the New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri early in the morning, I was to aboard outside railways station. One guy was awaiting me at the railways station with his driver and white jeep. We directly moved to Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association Monastery and School campus, Salugara where banners hanging everywhere welcoming the Tibetan Freedom Torch. Dozens of cars, jeeps and small trucks ready to relay. Hundreds of people gathered at the ground where H.Holiness the Dalai Lama once gave Kalachakra Initiation. Sonam Lhundup, gen. secretary, HBCA, was busy telling people to go here and there, do this and that and all. The procession started around 10:30am from Malguri, Siliguri with dozens of camera men and media people taking shots to prepare the next morning newspaper. Then the press started asking questions to the coordinators and representatives of different organizations and groups. The 7kms distance torch relay got started at 11am from Malguri to Salugara. The roads full of vehicles, people and animals. Around 500 people joined the relay. Actually what happened was people from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok were to join the relay the same day but due to some problems at their localities, they were not able to join the relay. Otherwise around 2000 people were expected to join the relay. Then at end of relay, the closing ceremony took place with speeches and thanks giving ceremony. Among the relayers were sportspersonalities, actors and actresses, dignitaries from Mr. Sherab Tharchin,M.P. TGiE; representatives from Tibetan settlements in Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Ravangla, Sonada; SFT, TYC, HIMCAT, HBCA, ITFS and school staffs and students and common men and women.

28th July, 2008: Patna, Bihar Relay

Tens of people from different walks of life joined the Tibetan Freedom Torch relay in Patna. The 4kms distance torch relay, between 11:00am to 12:30pm, from JP Memorial at IT Golamber to Gandhi Memorial at Gandhi Maidan was joined by prominent people from different walks of life. The relay was coordinated by ITFS, Patna, Bihar. Among the relay were prominent people from Mr. Ramchandra Khan, Chairman, ITFS, Patna Chapter, Bihar; Dr. Gopal Pd. Sinha, noted physician, chairman of Citizen’s Forum for National Integration, Patna; Mr. Sanjai Upadhyay, National Director, Nirman Kala Manch, Professors, Mr. Manoj Kumar, ITFS and social activists were present. After the procession Mr. Ramchandra Khan proceeded with the introduction of Tibetan Freedom Torch and his views on Tibetan people’s rights and Tibet issue. Dozens of media spotlighted the events.

29th July, 2008: Bodh Gaya.

The relay started at around 10:30am from 80ft Buddha Statue where the lighting of the torch took place and several media people spotlighted the event. After three rounds of circumambulation by 50 people including monks and nuns, Tibetans and Indians, marched 2kms distance towards Maha Bodhi Temple. Small prayer ceremony was done by monks and nuns to benefit all. Prof. Rana Pratap, HOD Geography Department, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar conceded the event with speeches and followed by word of thanks from myself and Namgyal Monastery and Kirti Monastery people. The event finished by 12 noon.

30th July: Sarnath, Varanasi Relay
The Relay started at 5:30pm from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi with the few runners passing the torch one to other, reaching the Mahabodhi Temple within few minutes. Once reaching the Mahabodhi Temple, huge crowd of around 400 awaiting the Torch with medias all around. The relayed slowed down its pace while music band played the music and the opera or dance group performing the fantastic Opera Dance. At the end point, they have set up the Stage to deliver speeches. Eminent people from Vice Chancelor of CIHTS and other high ranking Indian personalities and professors delivered their speeches. The program ended till 7:30pm with everything from relay to the end of the speeches going smoothly.

31st July: Lucknow, UP
The Relay started from the Residency, old monument in the city of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar pradesh around 4:15pm. Among the presence were Mr. Hemendra Pratap Singh, President, Lucknow Journalists’ Association and executive member of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch; Mr. Sanjay Shukla, executive member, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch; Mr. Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan, Advocate, High Court, Lucknow and so many media personalities and advocates.The Relay finished around 5:15pm. Around 50people gathered and joined the relay.

1st August: Dehradun, Uttranchal
Once reaching the Gandhi Park in the heart of Dehradun, huge crowd of above 1000 Tibetans and Indians warmly waiting for the TFT. Speeches were delivered by different heads and leaders of different organisations. The mayor of Dehradun gave his eloquent speeches whole heartedly welcoming the Tibetan Freedom Torch and assuring his support for Tibet cause and Tibetan people’s rights and few high ranking Indians presented their speeches. I presented the statement and oath. Huge crowd from women to men, kids to old, all started running the 5kms distance from Gandhi park to Gandhi park via fewsquars/chowks. The event was full of drama, energy, slogans, songs and sweats. That was it. The event started at 11 am and lasted for 3 and half hours till 2:30pm.

20 July, Nagpur: Around 35 Indians and Tibetans carried the Tibetan Freedom Torch for the distance of 6 kms starting from Dhiksha Bhumi, the place where Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar took vows of Buddhism, to RBI Square via Lokmat Chok. The relay started at 1:30 pm and the runners reached the destination at 3 pm covering the 6kms route.

Present at the relay were Members of Indo-Tibet Friendship Society, Executive members of the regional chapters of Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association from Bandara Tibetan Settlement and other dignitaries.

The Olympics offer a rare opportunity for the Tibetans to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s illegal, unjust occupation of Tibet for the past 50 years. It also highlights the importance of Tibet issue and for the Tibetans to show the Chinese leaders that the time has come to heed upon the Tibet problem with seriousness and resolve the matter without further delay.

The Tibetan Freedom Torch symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice, and the commitment of people around the world to helping make this dream a reality.

The India leg of the Tibetan Freedom Torch started on the 10 July from Delhi and thereafter traveled to the West and South India covering 8 major cities i.e. Jaipur, Bhopal, Baroda, Mumbai, Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad before reaching Nagpur. The torch will now travel towards North-East India where it goes to major cities such as Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata and Siliguri before travelling its way to the North in Ladakh on the 8th August. We are anticipating good turn out especially in Kolkata, Siliguri and ladakh.

So far Bangalore and Chennai had the biggest turn out of people, around 250 Indians & Tibetans took part in the relays. The Bangalore torch relay started from Banappa Park, Majestic to Gandhi Statue, MG Road covering 3 kms and the Chennai relayed from Monroe Statue, Anna Salai to State Guest House, Wallajah Salai covering almost the same distance as that of Bangalore. Regional TYC and TWA from various south Indian Tibetan settlements along with the heads of different other organizations, students, businessmen and employed youths took part in the Bangalore run. A group of Indian musicians performed live msic and dance at the Gandhi Statue where the run was culminated.

The media interest and the response from general public to the Freedom Torch were amazing in all the regions. It has further enlivened the spirit of Tibetan protest which some media people feel have lost its momentum.

Released by: Core Group for Tibetan Cause in coordination with ITSN

Contact:

Tsering Dorjee, Coordinator, Core group: +91 931 328 2225

Tsering Choedup, Coordinator, ITSN: +91 941 822 1605

Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay begins its Indian leg

Phayul[Thursday, July 10, 2008 15:59]

By Tenzin Sangmo Dr. NK Trikha (Photo by Lhakpa Tsering) New Delhi, July 10 - The Core Group for Tibetan Cause organized a reception at Jantar Mantar to host the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay’s arrival in India today. The torch was lit by Lama Choephel Zoepa of the Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet at Samtha Sthal in presence of renowned Indian cricketer Kirti Azad and MP Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh. This was followed by the oath taking ceremony led by Kirti Azad. Addressing the media, MP Kiren Rijiju said, “We are gathered here because the issue of Tibet has been raised in every corner of the world today. For us the Beijing Olympics is being organized by suppressing human values and the spirit of the Games. You cannot have an Olympics where you butcher the rights of the Tibetan people. We have to make the Chinese government understand that they cannot bulldoze the rights of the people and continue to climb the ladder of world power”. The torch was taken through the streets of New Delhi and received warmly at Jantar Mantar after a six kilometer walk from Samtha Sthal. Torch bearers included National Convener Dr. NK Trikha from the Core Group for Tibetan Cause and other young Tibetans. Key members spoke about the significance of the Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay which stands for hope and aspiration of the Tibetan people for freedom, justice and the commitment of people around the world to help achieve this goal. Actress and social activist Nafisa Ali. (Photo by Lhakpa Tsering) Actress and social activist Nafisa Ali, Journalist and long time friend of Tibet Vijay Kranti, Dr. NK Trikha, Tsering Choedup, Coordinator of the India Tibet Support Network, Mahesh Chadha from Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, MP Choekyong Wangchuk and MP Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok from the Tibetan Government in Exile were among the speakers at today’s event. The Tibetan Freedom Torch began its journey in Greece March 10, 2008 and since toured more than fifty cities across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan and Uruguay before reaching India on July 9. The Indian leg of the relay is set to take off from Delhi today and ends August 8 in Ladakh after a month long journey through 28 major cities in India.

India receives “Tibetan Freedom Torch” with gusto; organizes 6kms run from Samantha Sthal to Jantar Mantar

LIGHT THE PASSION; SHARE THE DREAM, FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR TIBET

Delhi, 10 July: In August 2008, the eyes of the world will be focused on China as it hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But when the opening ceremonies begin, one flag will be missing, the flag of Tibet, the country occupied by China since 1949.

Since March 10th 2008, Tibetans in Tibet have been voicing their deep rooted resentment against China’s rule of their country and demanding fundamental rights. Rather than taking the widespread peaceful demonstrations as an indication of the failure of their hardliners policies in Tibet, the Chinese government has responded with a brutal crackdown, killing more than 200 Tibetans and detaining thousands. The Chinese government began intensifying the “patriotic re-education” campaigns forcing Tibetans to express their love for the Communist regime and denounce H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.

“The Chinese government is trying to use the Beijing 2008 Olympics to whitewash its atrocities in Tibet and its abysmal human rights record in China and abroad”, said Dr. N.K. Trikha, National Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause.

For Tibetans, the Olympics offer a rare opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Chinese government’s illegal, unjust occupation of Tibet for the past 50 years. It also highlights the importance of Tibet issue and for the Tibetans to show the Chinese leaders that the time has come to heed upon the Tibet problem with seriousness and resolve the matter without further delay.

“The Tibetan Freedom Torch symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and justice, and the commitment of people around the world to helping make this dream a reality”, said Dr. K.C. Agnihotri, National Co-Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause.

The torch has been traveling the globe starting from Olympia, Greece, on 10th March, 2008 and thereafter toured more than 50 cities across America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Uruguay before finally reaching India on the 9th July.

The current India leg of the torch starts from 10th July in Delhi and ends on 8th August 2008 in Ladakh. During this month-long tour, it will be received by Tibet Supporters in 28 different cities including capital cities of almost all the states in India.

For detail log on to: www.TibetanFreedomTorch.org

Released by: Core Group for Tibetan Cause

Contact:

Tsering Dorjee, Coordinator, Core Group for Tibetan Cause: +91 931 328 2225

Tsering Choedup, Coordinator, ITSN: +91 941 822 1605

Press Invitation

The Core Group for Tibetan Cause is organizing a reception to host Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay’s arrival in India on Thursday, the 10th of July 2008 at Jantar Mantar.

The programme will start with the lighting of the torch from Samntha Sthal at 11 am and end its 6 kms run at Jantar Mantar at 12 noon.

We request your precious presence to make the programme special with your kind blessing.

The “Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay” has started from Olympia, Greece on the 10th of March and will reach India on the eve of 9th July after traveling around the world for nearly four months.

Thanking you,

Yours truly,

Tsering Dorjee (Mr.)
Coordinator

Core Group for Tibetan Cause
2nd Floor, H - 10, Lajpat Nagar - III
New Delhi - 110024
India
Ph: +91-11-29830578/29841569/9313282225(Mb)
Fax: +91-11-51591553
e-mail:indiatibet@rediffmail.com
bharattibet@yahoo.com

We had a solidarity night for Tíbet on Monday July 7th. With the Freedom Torch here it was showed the film The Forbidden Team. The activity was carried out at the Ateneo of Montevideo, one of the most ancient cultural places in our city.
The audience was around seventy people, we hoped more than this number, but taking into account the cold and stormy night, it was correct. Previous the film it gave a lecture about the current situation in Tibet, the symbolism of the Torch and so on.  In the audience was a special guest — a member of the Mexican group Pensando en Tíbet (PET).
Coinciding with the event and the Freedom Torch here, Tibet Patria Libre has launched the campaign Tibet Palabra Libre (Tibet Free Word) in which we are inviting to write in favour of the cause showing our sympathy and compassion. All the works we receive will be published in the blog www.tibetpalabralibre.vox.com, basically the call is done for Spanish speakers but we accept works in other languages too. Doesn´t matter the genre or the style, the only important thing is to write for Tíbet lending our free words to Tibetans who have lost them. We receive the works in this address, tibetpatrialibre@gmail.com

Events include:

July 2nd, 10:00 am, press conference to announce the event and coming activities. All the participant groups including Taiwan Friend of Tibet, and some other Taiwan human rights groups, will be presented.

July 4th, 8:30-9:00am, at Freedom Plaza. The climbers will gather and get on the bus heading for the climbing points. Press and supporters will see them off. The campaign bus will go to the Taipei airport to “receive and welcome” the first flight of Chinese tourists.

The climbers with the torch will go to Chia-Yi. They will start climbing the next morning and will be on top of Jade Mountain on the early morning of July 6th, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday.

Activities will be on the Live Yahoo! (http://www.live.yahoo.com/taiwanfortibet) for the world at the following times:

July 2nd, Taiwan Time 10:00-11:00am

July 4th, Taiwan Time 8:30–9:00am

July 6th, Taiwan Time 8:00-8:30 am

July 6th, Taiwan Time 2:30–3:30 pm

Organized by:
Taiwan Friends of Tibet
Taiwan Tibet Exchange Foundation
Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association
Taiwan Association for Human Rights
Taiwan Foundation for Democracy