Commemoration of the 47th Tibetan Uprising Day in Russia and Japan
Wednesday, 15 March 2006, 10:00 AM
Peace March in Japan |
Moscow (TibetNet): The commemoration of the 47th Tibetan uprising day in Moscow was held in the evening of 10 March 2006 in the Open World Centre’s Hall.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Russia, thanked the public for attending the events and also explained some of the features of the current situation of Tibet and the present level of Sino-Tibetan dialogue process.
The Russian translation of the statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of the 47th Tibetan uprising day was read by Mr. Narianin Alekzander of the Open World Centre. The copies of the statement in the Russian version were also sent to media in Moscow, Tibet Support Groups (TSG) in St.Petersburgh, Kalmykia, Tuva and Krasnodar. Venerable Choege Tsering Dhondup recited the prayers for world peace.
On that day, new museum relating to Buddhism and Tibet was opened by the local TSG in one of the schools in Kalmykia. This is the second museum of such kind in the region where the first Kalmyk and Tibet related museum opened by the TSG thirteen years ago is also in a school in Elista.
In Japan, around 150 Tibetans and Japanese observed the day on 11 March by marching peacefully in a busy traffic of Shinjuku in Tokyo. This is perhaps the largest 10th March event in Tokyo. Mr. Nishioka Takashi, a Tibet Support Group member, read the Japanese translation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s statement for the occasion.
Mr. Makino Seishu, former member of Parliament and convener of the Japan Parliamentarians’ Group for Tibet, addressed the gathering. He called upon the Chinese leadership to take the message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Middle-way-approach seriously. He expressed his happiness that this time many young Japanese have also joined, as this would prove crucial in continuing the Tibetan struggle for justice and peace.
The march started with a reverberating slogans seeking world’s attention to the Tibetan cause. Escorted by local police, it passed through the well-known grand Yasukunidori Street and Tokyo Metropolitan building. Many passers-by nodded and clapped in support of the march. The peace marchers carried the Tibetan flags and banners, which greatly impressed and drew the local people’s attention.
Leaflets on the Tibetan issue were distributed, plight of the Panchen Lama was also raised. Slogans were raised both in Japanese and Tibetan. Some Japanese came in Tibetan outfit, chupa.
The march and the events were organised by the Tibet Support Network Japan, a group of some fifteen major bodies in Japan supporting the Tibetan cause. The participants later met at Shinjuku eco-gallery for informal get-together where information and cultural exchanges took place. The participants expressed their satisfaction and urged the organisers for a bigger rally next year.
Report sent by the Office of Tibet, Russia and Japan
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