Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 29: After eight days on the road, 59-year-old Tibetan activist Tashi Thakchoe arrived in Dharamshala on September 28, completing a solo peace march from New Delhi aimed at raising awareness about the Tibetan cause and encouraging greater participation among Tibetan youth.
A member of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) Hunsur chapter, Thakchoe began his journey from the Indian capital on September 20. He reached Dharamshala at around 8 p.m. on September 28, bringing to an end a physically demanding journey undertaken largely on foot.
Upon reaching McLeod Ganj, Thakchoe was received by local Tibetans and members of the TYC Centrex at the McLeod Main Square. The gathering welcomed him at the conclusion of his journey, marking the completion of his eight-day march from Delhi to Dharamshala.
Speaking about the journey, Thakchoe said he set a daily target of covering between 40 and 45 kilometres. The long distances, however, left little room for extended rest. When exhaustion became difficult to manage, he said, he would book a hotel during the afternoon and take a short break of one or two hours before resuming his journey.
The march was not without difficulties. Recalling one incident in Panipat, Thakchoe said he encountered a group of Indians whom he described as being under the influence of drugs and who chased him during his journey. The encounter was among the challenges he faced while travelling alone over the long route from Delhi to Dharamshala.
Beyond the physical demands of the journey, Thakchoe said the march was intended to draw attention to the Tibetan cause and serve as a reminder of the need for continued public engagement.
He particularly emphasised the role of younger Tibetans in sustaining the movement, expressing concern that elderly Tibetans constitute a significant presence at many forms of activism, including peace marches and protests.
Thakchoe urged Tibetan youth to take a more active role in the movement and participate in campaigns and public actions related to Tibet. For him, the journey was therefore not only a personal endurance test but also an effort to encourage a wider and more sustained participation in the Tibetan cause.
