The “Flame of Truth” Relay in South India presently in tour of the Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement reached the picturesque hill station of Madikeri amidst monsoon shower and gentle breeze. Dubbed as the “Scotland of India” and the “Mini Kashmir”, the Madikeri town’s scenic popularity is equally rivaled by the bravery of its martial Kodava tribes the likes of General Cariappa etc. And the “Flame of Truth” for the Tibetan Freedom was aptly received and honored in the town by Lt General B C Nanda, a retired and a decorated Military Commander of the Indian Armed Force.

The Torch was also welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner of the town as well as the Editor in Chief of the Shakti Daily, Mr. G Rajender and the members of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society.

In a reception function held in a Town Hall, Mr. Lobsang Yeshi, the member of Tibetan Parliament in exile in his powerful opening address stated that China’s colonial occupation of Tibet and the subsequent policies of political repression, social marginalization, cultural and religious assimilation and unwarranted environmental destruction had pushed the Tibetans to the brink of extinction. He asserts that despite China’s tall claims, there is sheer lack of Freedom, Democracy and rule of law in Tibet and that the unprecedented spree of over 46 self immolations and mass protest demonstrations inside Tibet sends a powerful political message of Tibetan people’s rejection of Chinese policies and their aspiration for freedom and Independence from Chinese occupation.

He further clarified that supporting Tibet is still in the core of India’s economic, political, cultural and strategic interest and that China continues to be India’s worst adversary with its unabated anti-India containment campaigns. China is the worst road-block for India’s aspiration for prosperity, peace and power, he stressed.

Later the chief guest of the function, Lt General B C Nanda in his keynote address to the packed hall of nearly 500 participants said, “I immensely appreciate and respect the Tibetan people for standing resolutely alone in their struggle against China despite lack of any concrete political support from anywhere.” While inspiring the Tibetans in their struggle for freedom, Mr. Nanda quoted history of Estonia and Bulgaria’s freedom struggles. He emphasized that Bulgaria which was occupied by Turkey for over 500 years finally gained its independence and survived after a long freedom struggle.

Before concluding he hoped and prayed that the “Flame of Truth” relay will succeed in jolting the UN and the world in implementing the Tibet resolutions it adopted in 1959, 1961 and 1965 and May God above bless the Tibetans in their struggle.

Mr G Rajender, expressing his support for the Tibetan struggle and the Flame of Truth Relay stated that he is proud of the Tibetan people for their hard work, good nature and services for the local people. Tibetans have become a symbol of inspiration and motivation for the local people. “I hope Flame of Truth brings positive change in China.  We are with you”, Mr. Rajender emphasised.

Earlier that day, the Torch Relay commenced from the Main Square of the Madikeri town and passed through the town market before it stopped at DC Office to forward a Memorandum. Thereafter the Relay continued to the Town Hall. All along the procession, leaflets were distributed, slogans raised and signature campaigns carried out with active participation and response from the locals.

Earlier on 26th July, similar Torch Relay was carried out in the neighbouring town of Periyapatna which concluded with a grand reception function jointly hosted by the Principal and students of Pushpa PU College and the local Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society. The function was addressed by Mr. Jawra Gowda, General Secretary of ITFS who spoke to the gathering of over 450 people including the students and staff of the college.

Mr. Gowda informed the gathering about the history of Tibet and the nature of Tibetan freedom struggle and urged the local Indian students to learn about the Tibetan freedom struggle and support the Tibetan cause. He also suggested a student-exchange programme with Tibetan counterpart schools and students etc.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest reverend Father Samuel George stated that Tibetans have not only entered the land of India but the hearts of Indians. “His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not only the leader of Tibet but also the greatest Guru of the Indians and that if China does not change and act in favour of truth, justice and freedom of Tibetan people, world should act and we should act for Tibet” Reverend George stated.

The Campaign in the nearby Kushal Nagar town was a huge success with over 350 Indian students from two local colleges and a school marching along the Tibetans during the procession as well as in the reception programmes.  

The Flame of truth campaign in the Bylakuppe settlement successfully concluded on 29th evening following which the Coordination Committee of the Bylakuppe escorted and passed on the Torch to the Hunsur Rabgyelling settlement. The reception delegates including Chitue Tsering Youdon and the Settlement officer Yeshi Choedon etc received the torch at the main gate of the Hunsur settlement. Later a grand reception was accorded with over thousand Tibetans mostly monks of Gyumey Monastery and Dzongkar Choedoe etc marching in a procession to the Gyumey Monastery where a grand reception ceremony was also held. The reception of the torch was auspiciously accompanied with a light drizzle all through the programme. The ceremony ended with a slogans of Bod Gyalo.