By Tenzin Sangmo
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, 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.
