Minor Accident Sidelines Palden in Tibet Freedom Bike Rally; Replacement Steps In
DHARAMSALA, 23 Dec: A minor accident has temporarily sidelined Lodoe Palden, one of two veteran activists conducting a three-month motorcycle rally across India to raise awareness about Tibet’s struggle under Chinese occupation. In his absence, Kalimpong-based activist Tenzin Jamphel joined Palden’s partner Jamyang Tenzin to continue the bike rally.
At a press conference organised at Siliguri by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) North-East, it was announced that Lodoe Palden had met with a minor accident four days ago on their way to Gangtok. Medical examinations revealed a small crack in his left leg, and he has been advised to rest for some time.
Although disappointed, Palden remains determined to rejoin his rally partner, Jamyang, within a week or two once he has fully recovered. He stated that he began this rally with the resolve that, no matter what happens, he will complete it.
Veteran Tibetan activist Jamyang Tenzin, 65, along with his comrade Lodoe Palden, a former member of the Special Frontier Force (SFF), launched the nationwide Tibet awareness motorcycle rally from McLeod Ganj on 10 December 2026, the 36th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on the Dalai Lama. The rally aims to inspire Tibetan youth and encourage them through this campaign to actively advocate for the Tibetan struggle and engage in the movement for Tibetan freedom.
Along their route, the activists have been have distributing pamphlets highlighting Chinese oppression in Tibet and holding press conferences in various cities. At the Siliguri press conference, they reiterated the gratitude of the exiled Tibetans for India’s support, while firmly urging India to acknowledge that it shares a border with Tibet, not China.
Following the first major challenge of the rally, Tenzin Lobsang, the General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, stated at the press conference that such individual initiatives like the bike rally are an important part of the broader freedom movement and called on Tibetans to support and encourage such efforts.
Tenzin Tsephel, the President of the RTYC North-East added that the road to freedom is long, but urged everyone to remain determined and optimistic about the Tibetan freedom struggle.
Beyond the political campaign, the 90 nationwide rally, which will conclude on 10 March 2026, is also being held as a tribute to mark the 90th birth anniversary of their spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, in honour of his lifelong commitment to compassion, nonviolence and universal responsibility.
