Thousands of Tibetans across the globe went on a 12 hour long symbolic fast on Saturday and were hopeful that their spiritual leader Dalai Lama would join them.
Thousands of Tibetans across the globe went on a 12 hour long symbolic fast on Saturday and were hopeful that their spiritual leader Dalai Lama would join them. But the 73-year-old leader had been hospitalised following complaint of abdominal discomfort on Thursday after his return from an 11-day visit to France dashing hopes of him leading the protest.
But this afternoon, minutes after the Lilavati Hospital staff confirmed that Dalai Lama was showing positive signs of recovery, His Holiness kept his promise and joined the symbolic fast planned months in advance. The Dalai Lama had initially planned to go to Dharamsala, where 2000 Tibetans had gathered to mark the protest but the unfortunate events saw him join the supporters, sympathisers and refugees, who had gathered for the fast here at the hospital’s prayer room.
“Our meet started with a prayer for a long life for His Holiness after which, we will pray for the Tibet freedom movement,” said Aspi Mistry, founder of the Dharma Rain Centre, a Buddhist study group in Mumbai and one of the organisers of the meet.
Among the many Tibetan supporters at the meet was, Tsering Dholkar deep in meditation with her prayer beads and the Tibetan holy book Porcha. All she wants is that, “the God King get well soon.” St Xavier’s student Tenzin Mahtok, too, was present. Dressed in the traditional Chuba dress, Tenzin said, “We don’t use violence and that’s why our protest of 50 years has gone unnoticed. We want the world to be
aware of the human right’s violations committed by China.”
It is five days since the Beijing Olympics have finished and Ngawang Tenzin believes there is no better time than now to talk about how China has been filtering the news.
“But now it’s time the world got to know the other side,” says this library science and information professional who is working with École Mondiale World School.
Another educationist Anahita Devitre, principal of JB Petit High School, too, came to offer her prayers, “The Dalai Lama is the best inspiration for young students today. His magical journey has taught me so many things,” she said.
The prayers continued till 7.00 pm in the evening with the supporters talking about their hopes and aspirations for a free Tibet. However, the most appealing plea was made by one Tibetan lady who asked, “What is the point of all these media reports? When will we get our freedom?” voicing the opinions of the thousands of Tibetans across the globe.
m_irani@dnaindia.net
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