Indrani Basu
The Times of India
February 14, 2013
On Wednesday, Tibetans and supporters worldwide commemorated the centennial of ‘Tibetan Independence Day.’
Tibetans and supporters in Dharamshala took part in a day-long event with an exhibition displaying historical facts asserting Tibet’s ‘independent status’ followed by a talk on His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama and his efforts in securing Tibet’s independence. It culminated with a concert in the evening celebrating the 100 years of Tibetan Independence during which former political prisoner Ama Adhe unveiled the Proclamation of Independence scroll with 100 flags displayed representing the centennial of Tibetan Independence. Candlelight vigil and prayers were held in respect to all the Tibetans who have sacrificed for the struggle including the Tibetan monk who passed away after setting himself on fire in Nepal on Wednesday.
“In occupied countries, observing Independence Day has become a powerful expression of a people’s desire for freedom,” said Dorjee Tsetan, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), India. “Another Tibetan has self-immolated this morning in Nepal in protest against the Chinese rule in Tibet. At this time when nearly 100 Tibetans in Tibet have carried out such act, a global commemoration of this historic occasion will help to renew our spirits, reaffirm our vision, and strengthen our struggle.”
A press statement from SFT described how in 1910, Manchu troops invaded Tibet, prompting the 13th Dalai Lama to escape into exile. In 1912, the Manchu dynasty collapsed and Tibetans seized the moment to expel the Manchu troops. The Dalai Lama returned to Tibet and issued a proclamation restoring Tibetan independence on February 13, 1913, said the statement.
The multitude of actions organized around the world included individual actions of solidarity by raising the Tibetan flag, copies of the Proclamation of Tibetan Independence were presented to one’s elected representative, community actions involved requesting one’s local elected representatives to issue a “message of support” for the Centennial of Tibetan Proclamation of Independence to express their support for Tibet, and a ‘hard-fact’ exhibition on Tibet’s historical independence was held, along with a community parade with a marching band playing the Tibetan national anthem.
SFT chapters in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore organized such similar events to commemorate the day.
