The marchers today reached Pakwara, Uttar Pradesh, about 9 kilometers before Moradabad. After dinner, they held a special prayer session for the Tibetans killed in the uprising in Tibet.
The marchers were happy to welcome 54 new people to the March. The group of new marchers reached the camp at 3am.
The freshly rested marchers quickly covered the 23 kilometers to reach a Hindu temple outside Jalal Pur. During the march, the Manager of Bharat Petroleum gas station, Gajraula, generously provided cold water to all marchers to quench their thirst. Near the night’s resting place, the local A-1 Plaza offered free showers to the marchers in their sleek facilities. Later in the evening after the daily prayer session, the marchers actively participated in a discussion on India’s involvement in the Tibet issue.
To celebrate the Panchen Lama’s 19th birthday, the marchers rested in an ashram in Bridge Gat near the Holy Ganges River. The day began with a khata ceremony and a birthday cake for the Panchen Lama (sponsored by Ashang Lhakpa Tsering from the Organizing Committee). In the afternoon, the marchers watched a documentary of the Panchen Lama’s life, entitled “Tibet’s Stolen Child”, on the roof of the ashram. The marchers also contributed to a fund to buy biscuits and treats for the local children to celebrate the day.
The marchers enjoyed special meals throughout the day. At breakfast, they had Tibetan butter tea and sweet dey see with cashew nuts. Lunch featured cold soft drinks sponsored by the Ngawang Woebar, President of the GuChuSum Movement of Tibet.
The two local tea wallahs had a booming day as the marchers relaxed in their shops. The local street monkeys also enjoyed a bountiful day of gifted and stolen food.
The marchers left Simbhali campsite at 8am and walked 10 km to Bridge Ghat near the Holy Ganges River. They reached Ashram where they were to spend the night by 11:30am and spent the rest of the day.
An unfortunate incident happened at the Ashram when a local monkey fancied the mobile phone used to do the live Comvu webcast. The mischievous monkey chewed it into several pieces making it impossible to do any live webcasts for a few days until the mobile is fixed. The Communications Team apologises for any inconvenience.
Leaving at 7am, the marchers quickly covered the 15 km from Chopla to Simbhali to reach their campsite at 11:30am.
The communications team stayed at the campsite to work in the home of the Chaudary family who provided a delicious lunch. When the power went out, Dr. Kala Saraswat took the communications team to their home so they could continue to work there.
The marchers left Hapur at 8am and walked 15 km to Chopla. Mr. Satendar Chaudary and his wife, Anju, let all the marchers camp on their property and offered the second floor of their house for the older people on the March. Every one truly appreciated their generous gesture.
Two married doctors from a nearby clinic, Dr. Shyam Kumar Saraswat and Dr. Kala Nidhi Saraswat, provided the second floor of their clinic to house all the women on the March. They also invited all the Organizing Committee Members for tea in the evening and brought cold drinks for all the marchers. We continue to receive kind gestures from many Indian friends as our journey progresses. Again and again, they prove true the old adage: In India, the guest is God.
The marchers walked 18 km from Pilkuan to Hapur where we camped next to a huge beetroot field. The farmer who owned the land allowed all the marchers to use water from his well for bathing and laundry purposes. A nearby villager gave us plenty of cow dung cakes to burn at night to rid the campsite of mosquitoes. We are extremely thankful to all our Indian friends who supported us in many different ways throughout the march.
The marchers left Ghaziabad at 6AM and covered 23 km today to reach Pilkuan at 1:30PM. Mr. Lucky Gulari and Mr. Ashok Vatwa, friends of one of the March Organizers, generously provided drinking water for all the marchers. To escape the scorching sun, many marchers had ice-cream along the way which resulted in many upset stomachs for the nurse to handle.
The marchers left the Gurdwara at 6am and walked 20 kilometers to Ghaziabad where they are resting in a building that is under construction. The marchers crossed into Uttar Pradesh (UP) State late morning. Throughout the day’s walk, Delhi Police and UP Police provided much appreciated traffic assistance.
Despite the soaring temperature, the marchers were very enthusiastic and in extremely high spirits as they marched homeward.
The marchers made their way to the Rajghat Gandhi Samadhi where they prayed and paid tribute to Gandhi Ji prior to the Press Conference. Presidents of the organizing NGOs arranged the press conference to address the future of the March to
The Tibetan People's Uprising Movement aims to revive the spirit of the Tibetan national uprising of 1959, and by engaging in nonviolent direct action, bring about an end to China's illegal occupation of Tibet. The March to Tibet was one initiative of this historic Movement.
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