Indian and Tibetan Community in Dharamshala jointly welcomed the torch
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.
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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
