Features 
Dharamshala: In Goa on the 26th of August speakers, former state minister, freedom fighters, social activists, journalists, locals, including students from various schools, have gathered to show their solidarity with the Tibet issue in the Flame of Truth relay.This relay, organised by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, aims to impress upon the United Nations to discuss the issue of Tibet. The campaign demands independent international fact-finding delegations to be immediately sent to investigate the ongoing crisis in Tibet.
South India leg of Flame of Truth relay started from Kochi on 6 of July and has traveled through many villages, cities and towns in four South Indian states. At the end of August this relay finally reached Vasco city, Goa. Flame of Truth torch was led by Vice President Tsewang Gyaltsen and Tenzin Rabga, Public Relations Officer of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC).
The program was held at the Vasco Municipal Library hall and started with traditional lighting of the butter lamps and prayers. Representatives of Trailokya Bodh Mahasangh, Bahujan Hitay-Goa and Local Tibetan Association gave welcoming speeches and talked about current issue of Tibet. Speakers strongly supported the violence free fight for the freedom of the country.
Chief guest Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi also presented the facts of violence that Tibetans are facing under Chinese-occupation highlighting 49 self-immolations inside the country since 2009. He also invited guest to finally put pressure on world’s leaders to support non-violent fight for the freedom of Tibet. The successful gathering was concluded with over 50 people signing the petition witch at the end of this year is going to be presented to the UN.
A day before, Karma Yeshi met with many important people including Sh. Sunil Deshpande (Head of RSS for Goa, Gujarat & Maharashtra State), Deputy Speaker of Goa Assembly Mr. Simon D'Souza, Mr. Jose Philip D'Souza, former railway minister of Goa, Sh. Rajendra Arlekar, honorable speaker of Goa Assembly and students of Mapusa town, who were all informed about the Tibet issue and Flame of Truth relay initiated by Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. The leaders have expressed their generous support towards the cause of the relay and signed the petition while students promised to initiate signature campaign.
Flame of Truth relay was also escorted to Panaji where at the public meeting was held at the TB Cunha hall. The gathering included flowers and Tibetan traditional scarf to the photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama offerings. Well known Tibet supporter Mr. Dadu Mandrekar spoke Tibetan about a range of topics relating to Tibet’s struggle. Later Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi also commented on the Human Rights violations in the country and the results of these actions- self-immolations.
Later, with extensive media coverage, Indian freedom fighter Sh. Nagesh Karmali, actress and social activist Dr. Meenacshi Martins together with many local Indians showed the support and expressed their solidarity for the movement in signing the petition.
Meanwhile, the North East India’s leg the Flame of Truth relay has reached Tibetan Bon (an ancient Tibetan religion) settlement in Solan Himachal Pradesh on the 24th of August. That time monks, students and many local Tibetans participated and showed their support in collecting signatures. The Local Flame of Truth relay was organised by the Solan Tibetan Settlement.
The next destination of the Flame of Truth torch relay (South India leg) will be transported to Karwar, the border of Goa and Karnataka.
Photos:
1 North-east India Leg Flame Truth relay has reached Tibetan Bon (An Ancient Tibetan religion) settlement in Solan Himachal Pradesh.
2 At reception in Vasco Goa, on August 24.
3 At reception in Vasco Goa, on August 24.
4 Group photo with Bahujan Hitay Hostel students, Mapusa Goa, on August 24.
