A reception marking the arrival of flame of truth torch relay in Vasco, Goa, on 24 August
PANAJI: The Indian community in Goa, including Speaker of the Assembly, former state minister, freedom fighters, social activists, journalists, and students expressed solidarity for the Tibetan flame of truth torch relay in the state from 24-25 August.
Speaker of Goa Assembly holding the Tibetan flame of truth torch in Goa
Karma Yeshi, a member of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile who is leading the torch relay in Vasco city, met Goa’s Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar and legislators, and explained to them that the campaign was organised to get the international community’s support to end the Chinese government’s repression in Tibet. Speaker Rajendra Arlekar expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the Tibetan people and signed the Tibet petition to be submitted to the UN on 10 December. He even stated that it is the moral responsibility of everyone to support the just cause of Tibet.
Mr Karma Yeshi also met local RSS leaders of Goa and former state railway minister to apprise them about the issue of Tibet and the torch relay initiated by Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. The Indian leaders signed the Tibet petition and expressed their support for the Tibetan people.
The torch relay in capital Panaji also received strong support from members of the Indian community. During a public meeting, a long-time Tibet supporter, Mr Dadu Mandrekar, spoke on various aspects of the issue of Tibet. He strongly stated that the issue of Tibet is related to the security of India.
Former Railway Minister of Goa signing the Tibet Petition during the torch relay in Goa
In his address, Mr Nagesh Karmali, president of Freedom Fighters’ Association in Goa, said that Tibet has never been a part of China and Tibet used to be free country before. He said that he would support the Tibetan struggle for freedom and strongly appealed to others to do same.
Mr Karma Yeshi spoke on the prevailing crisis in Tibet and informed the gathering that, since 2009, 49 Tibetans have self-immolated crying for the freedom for Tibetan people and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. He also spoke on the Flame of Truth relay and urged world leaders and global community to stand by the struggle of Tibetan people. He also stressed on the importance of Tibet’s environment for South Asian countries.
The torch relay will travel to Karwar, district headquarter situated at the border of Goa and Karnataka States, from where it will be handed over to Mundgod Tibetan community on 28 August.
