Published by: World Tibet Network News Saturday, October 4, 1997

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 Octob

er 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.