53rd National Uprising Day in Chennai By TSAM and RTWA

Regional Tibetan Women’s Association of Hunsur (RTWA) and Tibetan Students’ Association of Madras (TSAM) jointly organised protest movement in Chennai in commemoration of 53rd Tibetan National Uprising Day.

TSAM and Regional Tibetan Women’s Association, (RTWA) Hunsur, jointly organised a protest on March 10, 2012 to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day against the illegal Chinese occupation. Both the Tibetan Students’ Association of Madras and Regional Tibetan Women’s Association based in Hunsur jointly started the day with a Press Conference at the Press Club of Chennai spelling out the reasons for the commemoration of the anniversary. The speakers include two spokes persons from RTWA, its president and the president of Tibetan Students’ Association of Madras (TSAM) around 12:00 noon lasting nearly one and half an hour following question and answer session. They briefed the media on the significance of March 10 and the dire situation prevailing in Tibet with spades of self-immolations. The media personnel present were The Hindu, UTI, Indian Express and number of Tamil channels and papers.

In the evening, the two associations started demonstration and protest at Memorial Hall, Chennai around 3:00 pm. The programme began with presidential speech from TSAM president, followed by speech from spokes person of RTWA. Several Indian student supporters from different colleges and Dr. Mani, head of department of politics and Public Administration, Madras University and Friends of Tibet Tamil Nadu chapter in charge Mr. Hubert also spoke in support of the Tibetan people and movement against Chinese rule. More than 150 Tibetan students and 50 members from RTWA, Hunsur have partaken in the protest movement. The programme included singing of National Uprising Song known as “Memory of 10th March” and Tibet Freedom Movement. Chinese flag was pulled down to the ground while the protestors hoisted Tibetan and Indian national flags at the same time. Skit and drama were also entertained to the media to showcase the condition of Tibetans under Chinese police in Tibet. Slogans were raised both in English and Tamil in order to ensure that local pedestrians also internalise our issue. 

The protest ended with the singing of Tibetan and Indian national anthems. All the media including several television channels stayed awed till the end. Finally, RTWA president gave a vote of thanks to all participants including the Indian friends and supporters. Students finally returned home walking till they reached home as a mourning a protest.