Takna, Deputies Pay Tribute to a Martyr
hats off, two Pawos face to face |
Dharamsala, 29 April: The 6th anniversary of Pawo Thupten Ngodup’s death was observed here at Lhagyalri. A modest function along with prayer offering was attended among others by Vice Chairperson Gyari Dolma and twelve members of the 13th Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies. Veteran political prisoner Takna Jigme Sangpo presided over as the chief guest.
“I appreciate the Tibetan Youth Congress for the political activities it carries out and hope that such activities would continue to be carried out in the future as well”, Takna noted.
“I thank the Tibetan Youth Congress and the exiled Tibetans for observing this day as Martyr’s Day”, Takna told a gathering of about 300 people.
Paying his tribute to Pawo Thupten Ngodup, Takna offered traditional scarf to the portrait below the bust sculpted in memory of the martyr.
Ms. Gyari Dolma and the deputies also paid tribute to the martyr.
Meanwhile, since last evening 38 nuns from Dolma Ling Nunnery and six students sat on a 40-hour strike without food. Five members of the Tibetan parliament joined them this morning after the function at Lhagyalri.. Deputy Dawa Tsering, Deputy Dawa Phunkyi, Deputy Sonam Damdul, Deputy Karma Choephel and Deputy Phurbu Dolma (3 working committee members and 2 non-working committee members respectively) joined them in the hunger strike.
deputies sit on hunger strike |
Deputy Karma Choephel said that the deputies have joined the strike on their personal capacities. “We are here to offer our solidarity with the three hunger strikers, their demands are genuine and justified but whether these demands will be fulfilled is a different matter. Our task is to demand what is our right”.
” I thought of having all former executive members of the Tibetan Youth Congress sit on a 24-hour hunger strike in the days to come to show support to the trio in New York but most of them are now officials of the Central Tibetan Administration which gives utmost priority to creating conducive atmosphere for dialogue with China. Since Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche is not here I approached Kalon Thubten Lungrik la to allow them to sit on strike and the permission was not given “, he said.
The deputies will also participate in the candle light vigil later in the day.