Peter Terpstra
2012-08-27 16:06:14 UTC
Goa opens its arms for Tibetan ‘Flame of Truth’
Phayul[Monday, August 27, 2012 12:19]
DHARAMSHALA, August 27:The famous Indian tourist destination of Goa
welcomed the Tibetan ‘Flame of Truth’ with open arms as politicians,
social activists, students, and an Indian freedom fighter raised the
torch in support of Tibet.
The south India leg of the torch relay was received in the Goan capital
of Panaji by the Honourbale speaker of Goa Assembly, Rajendra Arlekar.
Tibetan member of parliament, Karma Yeshi briefed the Honourable Speaker
on the critical situation inside Tibet and explained the demands of the
‘Flame of Truth’ torch relay.
Speaker Arlekar expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the Tibetan
people and signed the relay petition urging the United Nations to
discuss the issue of Tibet based on its earlier resolutions, to send an
independent international fact-finding delegation to Tibet and to take
special responsibility to ensure that the basic aspirations of the
Tibetans inside Tibet are fulfilled.
The Speaker added that it is the moral responsibility of everyone to
support the Tibetan struggle.
The torch delegation led by MP Yeshi also met other political leaders,
including the former Deputy Speaker of Goa Assembly Simon D'Souza and
the state’s former railway minister Jose Philip D'Souza. Both the
leaders expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan cause and signed the
campaign petition.
A public meeting for the torch relay was held in Panaji during which
Dadu Mandrekar, a long time Tibet supporter spoke about the security
threat to India from China occupied Tibet.
Speaking in the same vein, Indian freedom fighter Nagesh Karmali,
President of Freedom Fighters' Association in Goa said that historically
Tibet has never been a part of China. “Tibet used to be a free country
before,” he said, urging the gathering to support the Tibetan cause.
After the public meeting, actress and social activist Meenacshi Martins
and many local Indians joined Tibetans and supporters at Azad Maidan to
express their solidarity and signed the Tibet petition.
The torch will then travel to Karwar, district, situated at the border
of Goa and Karnataka, from where it will be handed over to the Mundgod
Tibetan settlement tomorrow.
The ‘Flame of Truth’ began its global journey on July 6, coinciding with
the 77th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to express “solidarity
with the courageous and selfless acts” of Tibetans inside Tibet.
The relay, after traveling around hundreds of cities all over the world
will conclude on December 10, World Human Rights Day, with the
submission of the petitions, simultaneously to the UN Headquarters in
New York City, UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and UN information
office in New Delhi.
http://phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=31991&article=Goa+opens+its+arms+for+Tibetan+%E2%80%98Flame+of+Truth%E2%80%99&t=1&c=1
Phayul[Monday, August 27, 2012 12:19]
DHARAMSHALA, August 27:The famous Indian tourist destination of Goa
welcomed the Tibetan ‘Flame of Truth’ with open arms as politicians,
social activists, students, and an Indian freedom fighter raised the
torch in support of Tibet.
The south India leg of the torch relay was received in the Goan capital
of Panaji by the Honourbale speaker of Goa Assembly, Rajendra Arlekar.
Tibetan member of parliament, Karma Yeshi briefed the Honourable Speaker
on the critical situation inside Tibet and explained the demands of the
‘Flame of Truth’ torch relay.
Speaker Arlekar expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the Tibetan
people and signed the relay petition urging the United Nations to
discuss the issue of Tibet based on its earlier resolutions, to send an
independent international fact-finding delegation to Tibet and to take
special responsibility to ensure that the basic aspirations of the
Tibetans inside Tibet are fulfilled.
The Speaker added that it is the moral responsibility of everyone to
support the Tibetan struggle.
The torch delegation led by MP Yeshi also met other political leaders,
including the former Deputy Speaker of Goa Assembly Simon D'Souza and
the state’s former railway minister Jose Philip D'Souza. Both the
leaders expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan cause and signed the
campaign petition.
A public meeting for the torch relay was held in Panaji during which
Dadu Mandrekar, a long time Tibet supporter spoke about the security
threat to India from China occupied Tibet.
Speaking in the same vein, Indian freedom fighter Nagesh Karmali,
President of Freedom Fighters' Association in Goa said that historically
Tibet has never been a part of China. “Tibet used to be a free country
before,” he said, urging the gathering to support the Tibetan cause.
After the public meeting, actress and social activist Meenacshi Martins
and many local Indians joined Tibetans and supporters at Azad Maidan to
express their solidarity and signed the Tibet petition.
The torch will then travel to Karwar, district, situated at the border
of Goa and Karnataka, from where it will be handed over to the Mundgod
Tibetan settlement tomorrow.
The ‘Flame of Truth’ began its global journey on July 6, coinciding with
the 77th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to express “solidarity
with the courageous and selfless acts” of Tibetans inside Tibet.
The relay, after traveling around hundreds of cities all over the world
will conclude on December 10, World Human Rights Day, with the
submission of the petitions, simultaneously to the UN Headquarters in
New York City, UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and UN information
office in New Delhi.
http://phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=31991&article=Goa+opens+its+arms+for+Tibetan+%E2%80%98Flame+of+Truth%E2%80%99&t=1&c=1