Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

DHARAMSHALA, September 3: The second leg of the ‘Flame of Truth’ torch relay was flagged off in North America, simultaneously from Washington, DC and Ottawa, on September 2, coinciding with the 52nd Tibetan Democracy Day.

The relay, initiated by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, to express “solidarity with the courageous and selfless acts” of Tibetans inside Tibet, has been campaigning all over India since it began on July 7, the 77th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Members of Citizen Congress Watch announce the results of their performance scorecard for legislators during the first session of the eighth legislature in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times

Dozens of Tibetans and supporters of the Tibetan cause yesterday began a motorcycle ride across the nation, as part of a global campaign to raise public awareness of the Tibetan issue and to celebrate Tibetan Democracy Day.

After congregating in front of Longshan Temple in Taipei, dozens of Tibetans and their Taiwanese supporters marched from the temple along Tibet Road to Liberty Square, where the eight cross-island riders were given a freedom torch and khatas — traditional Tibetan scarves made of silk presented to show hospitality or respect — Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama chairman Dawa Tsering, who is the de facto ambassador of the Tibetan government-in-exile in to Taiwan.