The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

{The Tibet Post International-05 August 2008}-It has been a week since these six brave individuals have not partaken a single piece of bread, neither a single drop of water, yet their determination is firm as ever. With their spirits held high, they act as a beacon for the freedom of their land, for Tibet.

They are now sanctified, their pale skin, sunken eyes, weakened bodies, dried throats and weak pulse strength show how much their body is suffering, however their minds are at peace knowing that they are giving the most precious gift, the gift of life for the cause of Tibet. Their bodies are now like temples, holy, precious as they now inspire and move every visitor. Many leave with tears in their eyes, inspired by their sacrifice and with a kind of a satisfaction which one feels after the completion of a pilgrimage.

Today on average, they have lost over 11kgs and are suffering from strong dehydration in the hot Delhi weather. Their throats are parched and their lips are dry, the texture of their skin is pale and they have shown numerous symptoms like acid dyspepsia, back aches, nausea and dizziness. Their health has deteriorated badly and all of them need external aid to make the basic movements that one would need to get up from their bed. Today, the hunger strikers spent most of their day resting and sleeping on their bed. Their daily activities have been restricted strictly for bathroom which also is minimal with their decreasing urine output due to having no food and water. The past 7 days has taken a major toll on their health, and the most critical days for the hunger strikers are ahead.

The crucial 7th day saw visits by numerous dignitaries. Honourable member of the House of Representative of Japan Mr. Jin Matsubara along with his delegation and Mr. Gyari Pema Gyalpo paid a visit to the six hunger strikers. One of the Hunger strikers, Ven. Sodhak thanked the delegation for their visit and appealed to them to support the Tibetan cause. He said, “Thank you for your visit, we are O.K. because we have freedom. Tibetans inside Tibet have no human rights and no freedom. We hope that you will do all you can to help Tibet. We also hope that you will lead an investigation inside Tibet and report about the presence of Human rights violations. I am sacrificing my life for the six million Tibetans and that is why on behalf of the six million Tibetans, I would like to thank you for your visit today.” The Parliamentarian was deeply moved and assured Mr. Sodhak and the rest that he will raise the issue of Tibet in Japan’s parliamentary discussions. Mr. Matsubara also addressed the media and the supporters. He stated “I will bring forward the issue of Tibet in the Japanese Parliament, initiate discussion with the Japanese government. I will also bring the world attention to this issue.”

Neera Shastri, Vice President of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Delhi Parishad, came to lend support to the hunger strikers and also stated that if Lal Bahadur Shastri (former P.M.) would have been alive, he would have fought the Communist Chinese and prevented the situation we are in today. She criticized the Government for not taking the right step and just remaining mum on the issue of Tibet. She was particularly concerned
    
about the condition of the Tibetan women on whom a lot of atrocities has been committed by the Communists and the battle that the Tibetans are fighting is of truth, which has a global support. Ven Wangchen, the director of Casa Del Tibet (Tibet House) in Barcelona Spain along with a group of Spanish visitors came to visit the hunger strikers. Professor Anand Kumar (JNU) along with Mr. Surendra from the Gandhi Peace Foundation also visited the hunger strikers. Prior to this, there was a medical examination of the participants by the police and a doctor from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Swami Agnivesh, an Ex Parliamentarian of India and the President of World Council of Arya Samaj came to show his solidarity and also appealed to them to discontinue as he was concerned with the long-term affect and the permanent damage their bodies may suffer. He remarked that there are other methods of protest and of reaching ones goals.

Ven Palden Gyatso, one of the most well known former political prisoners who is currently in the United States taking part in March for Tibet’s Independence, called from Wisconsin, USA to express his solidarity with the hunger strikers. He said, “ours is a long struggle and we must never give up”. Members of International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM), USA also called to say their prayers are always with the hunger strikers and they are thinking of the six Tibetan patriots while marching from Wisconsin to Chicago.

The Tibetan participants in the Solidarity committee dedicated the candle light vigil to the indefinite hunger strikers and prayed for the well being and success of the movement. They were also joined by student members of RTYC Rohini. Prayers and well wishes were relayed for them from the crowd. Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Kathmandu also organised a candle light vigil and held prayer meetings in support of the six hunger strikers and for the success of the Tibetan People’s Mass Movement.

The mercury dipped late in the evening with a light down pour bringing some relief to everyone. The state of the six hunger strikers remains critical with each passing day. They are now a shell of their former self, the sacrifice they are making is truly enormous. Just like each flicker from a candle gives hope, the 6 give courage, determination and the spirit for freedom.

The 6th day of the TYC led Indefinite Fast for Tibet without food and water started as a calm morning, with the rising sun, growing heat and humidity taking its effect on the hunger strikers. The early morning weight check showed that they have lost an average of over 10 kgs as they continue their fast without not only food but also not a single drop of water. The health of the six had fairly deteriorated which was evident from the falling blood pressure, the nauseating feeling that the 6 were suffering from, coupled with throat pain as well as stomach aches. There was a clear lack of strength in their voices and needed assistance in even getting up. They complained of suffering from acid dyspepsia and their body revealed strong signs of dehydration.

However, their smiles and spirits were intact whenever a visitor came in to extend support. Supporters kept pouring in which included students, laypersons as well as RTYC executives from numerous chapters. Indian supporters from the Gandhi Peace Foundation Mr. Surendra Kumar, a core committee member and Dr. Brajesh Kumar Sharma the treasurer of the India Tibet Friendship Society Bihar, came to show support to the six brave patriots. The two hunger strikers for the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy who visited were immensely moved by the fact that the six were not even partaking water.

Dr. N.K Trikha, the National Convener of The Core Group for Tibetan Cause also paid a visit and expressing his solidarity wrote “These sacrifices will lead to freedom of Tibet. Let there be no doubt in the minds of the Chinese and everyone else. I salute these brave fighters of the Tibetan cause”. Mr Vijay Kranti, the special guest on the opening day of the Fast for Tibet, out of concern has paid daily visits to the hunger strikers. Exile Cabinet Minister and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative in New Delhi Kalon Tempa Tsering also visited the hunger strike site to acknowledge the hunger strikers and appreciated their zeal for Tibet.              

The rain gods did smile upon us for a short time, which brought some amount of relief to the six patriots. With the volunteers working round the clock accompanied by the chanting from the 200 odd monks, there is an ever increase of courage and vigour among the 6 brave souls for Tibet. There was some amount of anxiety when the Sub Inspector and the Head Constable from the Connaught Place Police Station came to inquire about the fast.

With each passing day, each single breath that these 6 brave individuals take becomes precious, they carry in them a message to all the athletes participating to stand up to not only the ideals of the Olympics but also for the sake of truth and justice which is  cherished in the free world and absent in Tibet and China. Their courage and determination are an inspiration to all Tibetans to come forward and join the Tibetan Peoples Mass Movement on the 7th of August 2008 and rise up for Tibet before and during the Olympics to protest against the continuing illegal occupation of Tibet and oppression of Tibetans by the illegal Communist Chinese regime.

Today is the 5th day of the Fast (no food, no water) organised by TYC. The health of the 6 patriots has deteriorated which is reflected by the average weight loss of 8 kgs. Two of them have turned pale. All of them require external aid and support even to be mobile, however in them we can see a resurgence of determination as well a will to overcome all odds for Tibet. This was further accentuated by the presence of around 300 monks who braved the strong rains, marching through Jantar Mantar and raised slogans to boost their morale. The visit by the Indians as well as Tibetan supporters added courage in them. These supporters further offered traditional scarves to the six hunger strikers expressing their solidarity to these courageous individuals.

The Tibetan parliamentarian Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok along with the executives of the Yuva Janta Dal paid a visit to the hunger strikers to show their support. A message was written by Mr. R. Jugnoo, the State Vice President and spokeperson of the Yuva Janta Dal which reads as “I have simply no words to express my feeling for these people who are on serious hunger strike without food and water, they are my brothers and I felt today that their devotion must lead Tibet to be independent from the suzerainty of China”. The number of dignitaries visiting the hunger strikers increased. Mr. Bashist Narayan Singh, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and convener, All India Parliamentary Forum for Tibet came and expressed his solidarity with the hunger strikers followed by a visit by Venerable Chosphel Zotpa, Member, National Minority Commission and the President of Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet, who stated that he represented the Himalayan Buddhist Association which will always support Tibet. Mr. Shiv Kumar, Chief Secretary of Mr. George Fernandes (Former Indian Defence Minister and Indian Parlaimentarian as well as an ardent supporter of Tibet came to express his support to the hunger strikers. Gandhian Rajiv and Neeru Vora, long time Tibet supporter also visited the hunger strikers.

Tedon Dahortsang, President of Tibetan Youth Association of Europe (TYAE) in Switzerland visited the hunger strikers and thanked the 6 patriots for their courageous service to our country.

The media attention is strong and their basic queries were regarding the health of the hunger strikers. Petitions were submitted to almost all foreign embassies in Delhi. A candle light vigil and prayer service was held jointly by volunteers of the Solidarity Committee and the Indefinite Fast at the site of the Indefinite Fast to pray for and show solidarity with the six Tibetan patriots. A South Korean University Students tour group passing through, Jantar Mantar stopped by after reading the banner about the Indefinite Fast and after seeing the state of the hunger strikers, they were so moved and individually donated to express their solidarity with the hunger strikers.

The condition of the six patriots is declining on a daily basis but their courage and determination are still high, ever increasing than before. They are updated with Tibet related news including the fallacious allegation in Xinhua by the Chinese Government that the hungers strikers are drinking water at night. When hearing the Xinhua news, they felt very proud that this non-violent campaign has forced Beijing to at least acknowledge the campaign. The ball is in Beijing’s court now to meet the demands of the six Tibetan patriots.  

TYC hopes many Tibetans will join in the coming Tibetan People’s Mass Movement on August 7th 2008 in New Delhi.

On day two of “Indefinite Fast for Tibet without Food and Water”, all hunger strikers woke up with great spirit. A memorandum to the International Olympic Committee was submitted through the Office of National Olympic Association of India. The 130 support hunger strikers from Bylakuppe and Mundgod who are here to support the “Indefinite Fast for Tibet – without food and water” took part in a protest rally and offered prayers at the venue of “Indefinite Fast for Tibet – without food and water”. Some support hunger strikers also went to distribute flyers and poster-pasting around well known areas of the city. The police detained some of the monk activists and were later released at Jantar Mantar. A candle light vigil was held in the evening at the venue of the “Indefinite Fast for Tibet – without food and water” to conclude the day.

On day three, all support hunger strikers went to the United Nations Information Centre, New Delhi, to appeal for their support to meet the demands of the six hunger strikers. The monk activists were detained by police and later released. A steady flow of visitors poured   in to show their solidarity with the hunger strikers including former TYC President and Member of Tibetan Parliament Tsetan Norbu and other members of Tibetan Parliament.  In the evening, a candle light vigil was held at Majnu-Ka-Tilla by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Delhi Samyeling (Majnu-Ka-Tilla) where TYC President Tsewang Rigzin spoke about the dire situation inside Tibet and importance of people’s involvement and support for our movement. He also stressed the need of all Tibetans to perform their duty for our country at this critical time in our history and join hands with Tibetans inside so we all could be united soon in an Independent Tibet.

On day four, memorandums were submitted to the office of Prime Minister of India and United Nations Information Centre requesting their support to meet the demands of the hunger strikers. Even under heavy rain and completely drenched, the support hunger strikers held a protest rally at Jantar Mantar shouting slogans echoing the call from Tibetans inside Tibet for “Independence for Tibet”, “Long Live the Dalai Lama” and “Release Panchen Lama”. The heavy rain also forced the hunger strikers to shift their bed due to water leakage. But the spirit and the determination of the hunger strikers and support hunger strikers are as strong as ever. Some visitors also stopped by to offer scarves to the hunger strikers and show their solidarity.