100-km trek to retrace Dalai Lama's great escape to India from Tibet

A 300-strong group of monks, village chiefs, border-guarding forces personnel, tourists and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members embarked on a 100-km trek route along the Freedom Trail in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, retracing the route taken by the 14th Dalai Lama during his great escape from Tibet.

- PRASANTA MAZUMDAR @ Guwahati

The six-day trek commenced at Kenzamani and will culminate at Pungteng in Tawang on April 5, commemorating the day when the Tibetan spiritual leader arrived in this India-China border town in 1959.

Organised by the district administration, the inaugural ceremony began with prayers for long life of the Dalai Lama.

Addressing the participants, Lungla MLA Tsering Lhamu said, "As we embark on this journey along the Freedom Trail, we draw strength from the wisdom of His Holiness and hope for a peaceful future."