Daijiworld.com, India: 100-member Taiwanese Orchestra Marches for Human Rights

Report by Amarnath Dinesh Roy
Co-ordination: Adolf Washington

Bangalore, Jan 31, 2008

Bangalore, Jan 31: A 100 member orchestra called the Divine Land Marching Band that has been touring the world marched in Bangalore, January 29th, along with several organizations as part of the Global Torch Relay for Human Rights (GTRHR). The GTRHR is part of a global coalition of several organizations urging China to [stop] human rights violations and human organ trafficking before proceeding to host the Olympics 2008.

Dr. Ambrose Pinto, Principal of St. Josephs College told the gathering at the inauguration of the relay "The whole world is aware of the injustices taking place in China. The atrocities against Tibetan refugees and the Tiananmen square happenings are a testimony to it. We must denounce any kind of violation of human rights".

Guest of Honor, Bikram Sehegal, Vice President (MKTG) of Manipal Health Systems said "People with resources can fight for their rights, but the poor and socially deprived are under pressure to get the rights they deserve. Being part of Healthcare, our hearts beat for the injustices against Falun Gong practitioners."

At a colorful launch of the relay, the Taiwanese orchestra left both the rallyists and the public spell bound by their music rendition. President of the Indian Catholic Press Association and Managing Director and Editor in Chief of South Asian Religious News Father Adolf Washington, affirmed "We are here this evening not to oppose the Olympics in China, but to tell the world that there are human rights violations in China and it would be a mockery of human dignity if the Chinese authorities turn a blind eye to the gross human rights violations and organ trade that has been documented by highly reliable investigative agencies. Turning a blind eye to these truths and proceeding with the Olympics is blatant hypocrisy."

He added, "When we talk of human rights, we can't compartmentalize ourselves into the countries we belong to or the cultures, languages or religions we profess, because we all share a common humanity. Whether it is China or Falun Dafa practitioners or just about anybody or any country in the world, we are here this evening, as individuals and organizations, gathered to take this march for human rights, to tell the world that we share a common concern and uphold very dearly, the cause of human rights. China's pride over hosting the Olympics is like putting ash on burning cinders. Lets blow off the ash and see the fire of violence against the human person."

Among the other individuals and organizations that participated were Satya Narayan , International Athlete (Runner), Director of Indian Social Institute, Jose Xavier, MK Asha (International athlete), St. Josephs College, South India Cell for human rights monitoring and education (SICHREM), Falun Dafa Association, Manipal Health Systems, Paraspara Trust, Indian Catholic Press Association, Open Space, St. Josephs College and Indian Social Institute.

The march that began from St. Josephs college culminated with an hour long orchestra rendition and candle light service at the city's Town Hall. It seemed like a strange co-incidence that the Chinese ambassador to India was in Bangalore on the same day to inaugurate the Beijing 2008 Olympics exhibition.

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