With the Beijing 2008 Olympics drawing near, the Tibetans are drawing the attention of the whole world to their plight. 

Tibet has been occupied by the Chinese for nearly fifty years.  The citizens of Tibet are under the Military rule of China.

Now that the Olympics are being held in Beijing in August, 08, the Tibetans across the world are using this as an opportunity to show the real face of the growing super power, China to the world.  They want the world to intervene and support them in their struggle for Independence.  The Tibetans’ human rights have been grossly violated under the Chinese Colonial regime.  A sad fact. In today’s times where everyone speaks of equality, liberty and freedom, Tibet is under Chinese oppression.

The Dalai Lama has been meeting the leaders of different countries of the world to gather support for his country.  While most of them are afraid even to meet him, some have assured support.  Even most Chinese support this cause.  But the Dalai Lama does not want his country men to protest against the games. Because he wants a peaceful resistance. 

But this is also a peaceful resistance, a non violent one. So why the hesitation?

Yesterday’s newspapers showed a picture of some Tibetan demonstrators in France trying to send an extinguished torch to China.  The Olympic torch was already extinguished five times.  Now the extinguished torch has been sent for the Olympics!

The same is happening in United States too.  In fact Hillary Clinton, the presidential candidate of the United States has dared President Bush to boycott the Games in Beijing.

 This is their way of protest – a non-violent protest.  They want the world to boycott the Beijing games, to condemn China.

While here in India, opinions are divided about the Olympics and Tibet.  Baichung Bhutia asserts that he will not carry the torch in protest while other sports persons say that politics and sports should not be mixed.  Bollywood actor Amir Khan said that Olympics don’t belong to China.  Though he supports the Tibetans, he says he will carry the torch.

I personally feel that this is the right time to highlight the struggle of the Tibetans that has been going from many years.   

The Tibetans refugees in India, under the ‘Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement’ have organized a March from Dharamsala to Tibet that has started from March 10 2008. 

The Tibetans want our support – the support of Indians who themselves have achieved their freedom after several struggles. 

I have read in a magazine named Communalism Combat in an article by Tenzen Tsundue that the Tibetans want us to join them in their march, for a day, for an hour for a week.  They need help from the media besides writers, technicians, nurses.  Most importantly they need prayers. 

People interested in helping in whatever way they can, or even just interested to know more about this uprising, please log on to: www.TibetanUprising.org

People from all walks from all over the world have been joining in this protest to free Tibet.

Let’s do our bit too.  Let’s pray if there is nothing we can do - For the Tibetans’ liberty their right to live – a life with dignity.  Let us uphold the Human Rights of all those rights are being violated.  Be it in Palestine, India, Tibet, Iraq, Darfur or anywhere else….

The Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights says:

Everyone has the right to live. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.