Torch passes quietly through empty Delhi streets

Security prompts a quiet procession

IHT
April 17, 2008

NEW DELHI: The Olympic torch made a strange and lonely procession through central Delhi on Thursday, with the event so comprehensively overshadowed by fears of the anti-Chinese protests that had marred its appearances in other cities that no members of the public were allowed close enough to witness it. (more…)

Day 39 Update – Marchers Join Torch Protests

The marchers left the Majnu ka Tilla Gurdwara at 8am and participated in the Tibetan Solidarity Committee’s Parallel Torch Relay in New Delhi. Before starting the Parallel Torch run, an interfaith prayer - Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist - was held at Rajghat. The Parallel Torch Relay went from Rajghat Gandhi Samadhi to Jantar Mantar, covering a distance of over 4 km, twice the distance of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay. Some of the marchers ran with the Torch during the relay while others cheered them on.

Indian supporters from all walks of life including parliamentarians, writers and social activists carried the torch with 500 Tibetan runners. The likes of Kiran Rijiju, Member of Parliament, Arunachal State; George Fernandez, Former Defense Minister; and Arundhati Roy, Acclaimed Novelist also attended the Parallel Torch Run.

Jantar Mantar was turned into a little Tibet with a Traditional Tibetan dance called Tashi Shoepa, prayer flags, butter lamps, a huge painting of Potala and the chanting of monks.

The Program concluded at 6pm with a prayer for all those Tibetans who lost their lives since March 10.

Scores arrested in India as torch relay ends

April 17, 2008

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Scores of Tibetan demonstrators were arrested Thursday as thousands of police and soldiers defended the Beijing Olympic torch on a suffocating run through the Indian capital.

The heart of New Delhi was almost totally sealed off for the most sensitive leg of the protest-hit global relay to date, with security personnel far outnumbering the schoolboys and other select onlookers allowed to watch. (more…)

Day 37 Update from the March

After spending the night at Jantar Mantar, the marchers broke their fast at 9am and returned to the Gurdwara for breakfast.
After breakfast, the marchers had the remainder of the day free.

Day 38 Update from the March

The marchers received half a day of orientation workshops today. The orientation included sessions on non-violent resistance and discipline, media and messaging, health issues, and rules and regulations of the March to Tibet. The marchers will continue to receive such workshops to further strengthen their commitment to the principles of non-violence and their conviction in the vision of the March to Tibet.

After lunch Dr. Nyendak visited the Gurdwara to give physical check-ups to the marchers.