22nd November 2019, Tawang: A group of more than 350 Yatris forming the Eighth Tawang Yatra of BTSM assembled at historic Tawang Monastery to offer prayers and sat down for a brief Sadhna for self retrospection in the main prayer hall of this historic monastery.

Followed by this, Ven. Yeshy Khawo, Curator of Tawang Monastery Museum gave a detailed introduction of Tawang Monastery while welcoming all the Yatris and presenting a token of appreciation with Tibetan traditional scarves. The Yatris were also welcomed in the same fashion by Mr. Pema Dorjee and Mr. Lobsang Dorjee, members of Regional BRDL, Tawang.

The Yatris then marched from Tawang Monastery to Kalawangpo Auditorium through the main town of Tawang completing a distance of 4.5 km. They displayed a renewed energy of nationalism and solidarity by protesting against Chinese atrocities upon Tibet and the illegal incursion of Indian territories. The message reads as ‘Chin ki sima Chini diwar baki sab kabza hey, Dalai Lama amar rahey amar rahey, Tibbat ko Mukt karo Mukt karo, Bharat mata ki jai’.

As organised by local chapter of BTSM Tawang, the peace march was also joined by local residents of Tawang from ordained to laypeople. It also attracted a large number of foreign and domestic tourists witnessing a show of solidarity of all these Yatris from across the regions and states of India to have come and participated at the height of 8758 ft. at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

The peace march concluded at Kalawangpo Convention Hall where the Yatris and local residents joined for yet another program – a seminar entitled Guru Nanak’s outreach in North East India. The seminar began with an offering of butter lamps by distinguished guests including the singing of Indian National Anthem. The cultural troupe of MIPA (Monpa Institute of Performing Arts) displayed their professional cultural dance while the welcome address was given by Sh. Wangdi Dorjee Khrimey, State President, BTSM. He shared about his associations and learning from his beloved father Sh. R. K. Khrimey, inspiration from Dr. K. C. Agnihotri about BTSM and nationalism from Sh. Indiresh Kumar. He also stated about the pain and agony of His Holiness the Dalai Lama that he couldn’t able to return to his homeland Tibet for all these years which then allows him to find a reason for doing something for the cause of Tibet.

The seminar was also addressed by Sh. Pankaj Goyal, Gen. Secretary, BTSM, Sh. Jigmey Tsultrim, Coordinator, ITCO and Sh. Lhundup Choesang, District President, BTSM Tawang. Sh. Goyal reaffirmed the commitment of pursuing the cause of Tibet and solidarity with people of Arunachal Pradesh for the overall development and prosperity of Bharat Mata. 

BTSM Women Wing of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh also represented their support by displaying their cultural dance and also taking part in Peace March. 

-Filed by ITCO, Delhi-