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An International Satyagraha was organised by Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj

at Kalimpong in the West Bengal State of India. The Satyagraha was started

on 2nd October,97 which falls the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The

Satyagraha was arranged by the Himalaya Committee for Action on Tibet,

Indo-Tibet Friendship Society and Non-Tibetan Government Organisations at

Kalimpong.

About 80 followers of Mahatma Gandhi from 30 different States of India

arrived at Kalimpong on 1st October, 97. Before their arrival, full

arrangement of lodging, bording and transport are made by the above

mentioned NGOs.

The main figures who participated in this Satyagraha were Kumari Nirmala

Deshpandey, the Member Parliament, Sri. Nanaji Deshmukh - follower of

Gandhiji, Sri. Ram Gandhi, a freedom fighter and follower of Gandhiji,

Prof. Dr. Anand Kumar- Prof. of Jawahar Lal Nehru University and General

Secretary of Indo-Tibet Friendship Society at All India level, Prof. Ramesh

Tiwari, Miss Champa Basin and many well known Gandhi followers and Social

Workers.

On 2nd October 97, the Satyagraha was began with a peace March in the town.

The Peace March was led by Kumari Nirmale Deshpandey. In the centre of the

town at Dambal Chowk the Satyagrahis were given a rousing welcome by the

Non-Government Tibetan Organisations of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Gangtok and

Salugara.

Addressing the gathering, Kumari Nirmala Deshpandey said that the main

objective of organising the Satyagraha is to appeal the people and the

government of the world to persuade the authorities of China to start

unconditional dialogue with H.H. the Dalai Lama to find out a peaceful

solution to the problem of Tibet. The others who addressed the gathering

were Prof. Anand Kumar, Prof. Ramesh Tiwari, 34 years old Sri. Deshmukhji,

Sri Yadavji, and others. After that a batch of 30 Satyagrahis left for

Tibet via Zalek La through Sikkim border. But at the Sikkim border at

Rishi, the Satyagrahis were stopped by the Sikkimis Security personal and

they were not allowed to go Tibet. The Satyagrahis walked about half an

kilometer from the Sikkim border towards Tibet and than sat for prayers and

meditation. After that they returned to Kalimpong by shouting slogans like

Long Live H.H. the Dalai Lama, restore human rights in Tibet, and Free

Tibet etc. The Satyagrahis were given a touching welcome at the lodge. On

3rd October 97, the Satyagrahis started their Satyagraha with a peace march

around the town. They visited the famous Hindu Temple Nangal Dham and

offered prayers. After that they attended the main function at Dambam Chowk

where the gathering was addressed by Col. Verma and Redt. Police General

H.M.Joshi. After that a batch of 30 Satyagrahis left for Tibet's Zone as on

the previous day but they are again stopped by the security personals.

After offering prayers at the border, they returned back to Kalimpong.

Later, they were given a very warm and touching send off by the Organisers

and people of Kalimpong.

In the evening of 2nd October 97, the Non-Government Organisations of the

Tibetan Community at Kalimpong hosted a dinner to all the participants of

the International Satyagraha to liberate Tibet from Chinese.