
Tenzin Dhondup and Tenzin Nyima being accorded warm welcome at Gangtok, Sikkim. Photo/ITCO, New Delhi
4 Feb. 2021, Gangtok: Tibetan peace marchers Tenzin Dhondup and Tenzin Nyima after three months of the march on foot passing through 9 States covering a distance of 2300 km concluded their campaign “March for Freedom: Dharamshala to Nathula” on the auspicious occasion of Lhakar at the 1st check post (3rd Mile) of Sikkim Police near Nathula from where the Indo-Tibet border is just at the distance of 42km.
The duo was accompanied by Tibet Support Groups and Tibetans carrying Tibetan and Indian national flags. Due to security reason and border tension, the marchers were not allowed to go near the border. A brief concluding program was held at the check post. Hon’ble Minister Shri Karma Loday Bhutia, Minister of Forest, Environment & Wildlife, Mines, Mineral & Geology and Science & Technology, Government of Sikkim was the chief guest during the program. Also present on the occasion were Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch Sikkim Chapter President Prof. Rudra Poudyal, Regional Convener Shri Pema Wangda Bhutia, other Tibet Support Group members, Tibetan NGOs and locals. They observed Lhakar and prayed for a free Tibet.
Earlier on 1 February 2021, the peace marcher duo was accorded a warm welcome at Rangpo in Sikkim bordering West Bengal. Led by Shri Pema Wangda Bhutia, Regional Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India, Tibet Support Groups of Sikkim, Tibetan Settlement Officers and Tibetan organisations from Sikkim received them at the border check post. Teesta Urja Chairman G.T. Lachungpa, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile MP Youdon Aukastang and Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch Sikkim Chapter President Prof. Rudra Poudyal were dignitaries present there. The duo along with members of the Tibetan community marched uphill into Sikkim from Rangpo carrying Tibetan and Indian national flags.
March for Freedom: Dharamshala to Nathula had commenced from McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala on 2 November 2020 with a three-point agenda: (i) Seeking urgent attention to the deteriorating environmental situation in Tibet; (II) The world must accept Tibet as an occupied country; and (III) China should be punished for the recent attack at the Indo-Tibet border by boycotting products made in China. The march has passed through Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.
–Filed by ITCO, New Delhi

Peace marcher duo with dignitaries at 1st Check Post, Nathula. Photo/ITCO, New Delhi

Hon’ble Minister Shri Karma Loday Bhutia addressing during the concluding program. Photo/ITCO, New Delhi

Prof. Rudra Poudyal, BTSM Sikkim Chapter President speaking during the concluding program. Photo/ITCO, New Delhi

The members observe sangsol coinciding with lhakar on the occasion. Photo/ITCO, New Delhi

People marching along with the peace marcher duo. Photo/ITCO, New Delhi

A warm welcome program for the peace marchers at Rangpo, Sikkim. Photo/ITCO, New Delhi