CHENNAI:Three students, who have lived in India ever since they escaped from Tibet, are on a cycle expedition across the country to create an awareness on the state of their people in their homeland. Having started their rally from the Tibetan settlement at Baylakuppe in Karnataka on January 20, the students intend to cycle across the country and reach Delhi on March 20.The 3,000-km rally is intended to raise awareness and canvas local support for the cause of autonomy for Tibetans within the People’s Republic of China. The three students, who are currently studying Class 12 in Gopalpur in Himachal Pradesh, also recounted the oppression of their people by the Chinese government and their arduous escape to India.“Discrimination is happening in a big way. They are trying to make the Tibetans the same as Chinese. We can’t get jobs or get proper education. Most of the universities in China are out of the question for Tibetan students because the medium of instruction is Chinese,” said Gyaltsen, one of the rallyists.Along with Lugoen Thar and Tselo Gyal, Gyaltsen appealed for increased support for the Tibetan cause, noting that though support was available from all quarters, it wasn’t quite enough to save the Tibetan people and culture.“India has given tremendous support to our people. But we understand that the Indian government is under pressure from the Chinese not to help us. What we are looking for is moral support,” said Gyaltsen.The three students now plan to go to Mundgod, Goa, Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Gandhinagar and Jaipur before winding up their rally in Delhi. A large number of Tibetans from Chennai had gathered to welcome the three cyclists and see them off along their way.
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