Gangtok, August 23, 2012:

The Flame of Truth, a torch relay by the Tibetan Parliament in exile which commenced on Jul 06, 2012 from Shillong, today reached the capital.

Due to the grave and worsening situation in Tibet, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile has decided to carry out a number of activities as discussed during its closed door meeting held on March 22, 2012. Accordingly on March 27, the standing committee of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile decided on the Flame of Truth relay as one of its activities. The said relay which started today in the capital from Chandmari will be reaching Ravangla on August 29.

This particular relay is being conducted carrying forward the 3 main demands of the Tibetans, which are, free Tibet, return of HH the Dalai Lama to his homeland Tibet and absolute Buddhism in Tibet. The relay also demands the UN to look into the issue of Tibet based on the resolution that it has passed in 1959 and 1961 and continuously make efforts to fulfill the substance of these resolution, an independent international fact finding delegation must immediately be sent to investigate the ongoing crisis in Tibet and further it demands the UN must take special responsibility to ensure that the genuine aspirations of the Tibetans to be fulfilled. Hundreds of thousands of signatures will be collected in different countries across the world, including India through which the Flame of Truth will travel. This historic relay will conclude on December 10, 2012 with submission of appeal letters and signatures.

Over the last sixty years since communist China has been brutally oppressing Tibet and its people and until now it has never changed its hard line policies on Tibet. This has resulted in China not only exploiting Tibet’s rich natural resources but mass massacre, torture and harassment to the Tibetan populace. Since 2008 the Chinese security forces have particularly cracked down hard on Tibetans leading to numerous death and countless tortures.

However, the Tibetans all over the world have hold on to their struggle and demand for justice. The Tibetan people have been self immolating demanding a peaceful resolution over the Tibet issue, demanding HH’s return to Tibet and also to let the United Nations and the international community know about the Tibetan people’s aspiration and sorrows hidden deep within their hearts.

Therefore, standing in solidarity with the courageous and selfless acts of their brave brothers and sisters and to make world aware of their selfless acts, the Tibetan Parliament in exile decided to commence the Flame of Truth relay on the auspicious day of July 06, as the day marks the birthday of their beloved spiritual leader, the XIV^th Dalai Lama.

Sikkim Mail

 

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