Tibetan Uprising

The marchers spent the day at Banspatan where they anxiously waited for news about their arrested colleagues. From 10am to 6pm, the marchers held a religious ceremony to pray for Pema Tashi’s soul.

The marchers spent the day in Banspatan. A downpour at 9am flooded many of the tents, forcing the marchers to find higher and drier locations to pitch their tents.

At 11am, the highest lama on the March led a group of 20 monks to the site of the Gangolihat bus accident, where they prayed for the souls of those who were killed on May 21.

In the evening, the marchers watched the documentary “Orange Revolution”, with translation and commentary provided by Lhakpa Tsering, a member of the organizing committee.

The marchers left Seraghat at 8am after the usual singing of the Tibetan and Indian national anthems. They walked 19 kilometers to Banspatan. They were in high spirits today as the marchers were all excited to be marching again. There was no interference on the part of the police.

The March was joined by 8 new marchers today, who traveled from Kathmandu, Nepal, to participate.

In the evening, the marchers watched the documentary “The Shadow Circus: The CIA in Tibet” with commentary provided by the producer and director, Tenzing Sonam.

At 10am, the marchers gathered in a meeting to be updated on the discussions with the local police and authorities. This was followed by an update on the situation inside of Tibet from Tenzin Jigme, the field research officer for the International Campaign for Tibet, who was visiting the March. His briefing was from a research perspective and included the latest protests in Kardze County [Ch: Ganzi], Sichuan Province.

The marchers were deeply saddened to hear of a bus accident in the nearby town of Gangolihat, in which 20 people were killed. In the afternoon, they conducted prayers for those who died.

In the evening, the marchers watched the two documentaries about the March and the slideshow presentation about the international Tibetan uprising with photos of protests around the world and inside Tibet. They also watched the documentary “Bringing Down a Dictator”.

Our thank yous go out to four Tibetans from Berinag, Namgyal Dhondup, Dhondup Tsering, Tsering Dolma, and Pema, who generously donated bottled water to the marchers today.

The marchers departed at 7am, and walked 31 kilometers. It was one of the most tiresome days so far. They paused after the first 18 kilometers, eating lunch on the side of the road.

Camp was set up at Sheraghat. For the second day in a row, it rained in the evening. Fortunately this time, the tents stayed dry.

In the evening, the sub-district magistrates (SDMs) of 3 neighboring districts visited the campsite to raise their concerns about the March.

The marchers left Petsahab at 8am, walking 24 kilometers. The marchers set up camp at the Inter-Government College in Dhaulchhini. In the evening, a giant rainstorm flooded all the tents. Luckily, the college and a community hall allowed the marchers to stay there and they were able to good night’s sleep under a solid roof.

The marchers left Almora in the afternoon and covered 18 kilometers. They camped the night at Petsahab.

On May 12, the marchers departed from their campsite at 8am. They marched 13 kilometers to reach Almora, one of oldest hill stations in Uttarakhand State. The Tibetan residents of Almora warmly welcomed the marchers at Ghandimarg, where the organizing committee held a short media briefing to tell the press about Pema Tashi’s demise and update them on the march.

The marchers camped at the Dikung Kagyu Monastery located on top of a hill, where they also stayed the following day. On May 13, an orientation on non-violence was given to the new marchers joining the group.

Local Tibetan residents hosted dinner for the marchers while they were in Almora, which was greatly appreciated by the marchers. The organizing committee would like to especially thank Mr. Pasang (President of the Tibetan community in Almora) and Mr. Sonam who helped with the logistics of the march for these two days.

The marchers woke up early to continue performing rituals for Pema Tashi. His body was draped in a Tibetan flag and a mountain of khatas, and cremated at 7am.

The marchers solemnly left the site after lunch and walked 18 kilometers. They spent the night at a road side camp, 8 kilometers before Almora.

The marchers left Kainchi Dam at 7am and walked 18 kilometers. Upon reaching Kagrighat, they were informed of Pema Tashi’s accident.

After the marchers settled into the campsite, the puja began for Pema Tashi. A tent was erected where the monks took turns chanting prayers all night for their lost comrade.