When Indian football star Baichung Bhutia said he won't be China's Olympics torch when the torch relay runs in Delhi on April 17, 2008 there was a huge cheer among the Tibetan community. The ace footballer's withdrawal from the torch relay gave supporters in India a reason to believe that the world understand Tibet's pain and that their campaign to a huge moral boost.

Today Indian Film actor Aamir Khan silently published on his personal blog his response to many of request saying "…when I do run with the torch on the 17th of April it is not in support of China. In fact it will be with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet…"

Acknowledging pressure and effects of Tibetan campaign he wrote: "Over the last few days I have received several requests not to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay. Requests through members of my family, personal friends, people who are associated with the Tibetan struggle." But defending his position to run in the torch relay he said: "I feel that the Olympic Games do not belong to China." Many people left messages commenting on his position one even suggested to him to wear a Free Tibet T-shirt while running.

As this was happening in Mumbai, deeper south in Kerala state, Friends of Tibet President Sethu Das caught Indian star sportswoman PT Usha on a live debate on Manorama Vision TV and publicly asked her to withdraw from the torch relay she was to take part in. The former Indian Olympian said: "All we could do now is to participate and protest."

Tibetan activists are not sparing anybody. Indian police woman star, known for reforming Indian police and reworking prison conditions in central Indian jail Tihar Kiran Bedi got caught in a major Indian TV channel with a the vice president of Tibetan Youth Congress. Saying that she has respect towards Tibetan cause, she said the Olympics torch should run as per tradition, but those who have grievances, should also be given equal opportunity to protest.

So it seems china's Olympics torch will run, but the whole spirit will be for Tibet. This is truly sign that everybody keep in mind the pain the Tibetans inside are under going under china's repressive regime. New Delhi is expected to see a maximum number of Tibet to converge to capital during the torch relay.

To know more or to get involved with the activities, contact Tenzin Tsundue at: +91.9418079832 /
tenzin.tsundue@friendsoftibet.org

Friends of Tibet
PO Box: 16674
Bombay 400050, India.

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Friends of Tibet is a people's movement to keep alive the issue of Tibet through direct action. Our activities are aimed at ending China's occupation of Tibet and the suffering of the Tibetan people. Friends of Tibet supports the continued struggle of the Tibetan people for independence. To know more, visit: www.friendsoftibet.org . . . . .