Submitted by Wangpo BASHI
About 700 people, Tibetans and their supporters, marched in total silence in the vicinity of Chinese Embassy to observe the 44th Tibetan National Uprising. Led by 10 Gyuto monks who are currrently in town, with banners, placards and hundreds of black head bands inscribed with “Free” and “Tibet”, Tibetan flags big and small, the procession and the solemn ceremony which commenced at 1530 terminated at 1830 at the prestigious Place du Tocadero. It was jointly organised by Tibetan Community in France, Tibetan supporters and Bureau du Tibet.
The ceremony begn with introduction of the Day by Mr. Kunsang Chophel, President of Tibetan Community in France. Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, read part of the Tibetan text of the Statement of His Holiness and was followed with reading of the French translation by Mr. Wangpo Bashi, Secretary, the Bureau du Tibet, Paris. Then the Silent march began in dignity. Total discipline of silence was observed. It was obvious that it was effective, felt both by the participants and the observers. One could notice equal measure of satisfaction and respect from the local police who were present in large number.
As it reached rue de Broccador, the nearest point to Chinese Embassy permitted by the police, the procession stopped and sat at the point in complete silence for 10 minutes waving gently the flags and banners in the air. The ten Gyuto monks then led the congregation in singing the prayer of Words of Truth and the prayer supplicating the Tibetan protector deities. Two minutes of silence was observed in respect to the Tibetans who have died for the cause of Tibetan freedom.
Thence the procession reversed in same silence and dignity, and returned to Place du Trocadero. Mr. Vincent Brossel, Director, Asia Pacific, Reporters Sans Frontiers, spoke at length on various violations of human rights in Tibet, especially the freedom of information and press. Ven. Matthieu Ricard, eminent writer, Buddhist scholar and translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, delivered a definitive testimony, observed in course of his frequents visits, on current situation in Tibet . Mr. Tashi Phuntsok concluded by thanking the participants and elaborated that, under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government, Tibetans have embarked on the non-violent and peaceful course of struggle to obtain a genuine autonomy for Tibet, and requested the supporters to help the Tibetan people as before. The day was terminated with singing of Mimang Lang Lu and Tibetan National Anthem.
Coming after March 10 having been observed very successfully in Brussels together at the European level the day before, where the French contingent was represented by 7 buses ( Mr. Wangpo Bashi and Mr. Rinchen Phuntsok from the Bureau du Tibet participated) and the day falling on a working day, the Paris manifestation was indeed dignified and effective.
Connected to the 10th March, Bureau du Tibet, Paris, sent to 104 mayors in France who hoist the Tibet flag permanently till the Tibet regains autonomy, a letter of thanks, statement of His Holiness in Frenc, and a gift of Tibetan flag to each of them. To those mayors who have been hoisting Tibetan flag on every 10th March (in 2002, there were 388 ), Bureau wrote a letter of thanks enclosed with a statement of His Holiness for the 10th March 2003.
