NAGPUR: National Campaign for Free Tibet Supporters (NCFTS), Wardha, in coordination with India-Tibet Coordination Office organised a day-long Tibet campaign on the occasion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar “Dhamma Chakra Parivartan Din” at Dikshabhumi, Nagpur from 3 – 4 October.

Over 5 Lakh Indian Buddhists from across the country have come to receive blessings at Dikshabhumi stupa in remembrance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on the day.

Co-inciding with the occasion, forty bikes with 100 people held a bike rally from Wardha to Nagpur in support and solidarity with the cause of Tibet and the Tibetan people. The bikers covered a distance of more than 80 kms with T-shirts reading “Free Tibet, Save India”.

The rally was organised to create awareness about Tibet and to garner support from Indian Buddhists towards the cause of Tibet. The bikers on reaching Nagpur were received by Norgyeling Tibetan Legislative Assembly, Secretary of Tibetan Settlement Office, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women Association, Representative of monasteries and Nagpur Tibetan sweater sellers.

A Tibet stall was set with a banner citation of Dr. Ambedkar’s statement on the issue of Tibet. The citation reads: “Instead of according recognition to China in 1949, had India accorded this recognition to Tibet, there would have been no Sino-Indian border conflict”.

Tibet-related books in Hindi which include Bharat Aur Tibbat, Tibbat Aur Tibbat Ke Log, Bhartiya Netawon ke drishti main Tibbat, Tibbat Upniveshwak kai Pachas Saal and leaflets “Tibbat Ek Tathya” in Marathi, English and Hindi were displayed and distributed among the people.

Large number of Indian Buddhists appreciate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision of Peace and Compassion in the 21st century. The people were also enlightened on the present grim situation with reference to self immolations which has reached more than 130 till now.

“We also raised the issue of territorial and water dispute between India and China which has direct connection with the illegal occupation of Tibet in 1959 by People Republic of China (PRC). Tibet issue is not only of Tibetans but it’s also in India’s own interest,” a participant of the rally said.

Shri Arvind Nikose, Regional Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause said the Exploitation of Tibetan Plateau and Tibet’s Environment by People Republic of China indifferent policy will have a great impact to downstream nations specially India.

Mr. Jigmey Tsultrim, Coordinator, India Tibet Coordination Office spoke on the India Tibet relations and importance of Tibetan plateau. He acknowledged and appreciated the support and concern shown by Indian Buddhist friends on the issue of Tibet.

Report filed by: India-Tibetan Co-ordination Office (ITCO)