Tibetans Observe National Uprising Day [PHOTOS]

Tibetans, on Saturday, 10 March, commemorated the 53<sup>rd Tibetan Uprising Day, to mark a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

Tibetans around the world took part in rallies and processions to mark the anniversary. In Taipei, Protesters marched carrying model coffins with Tibetan flags and raising slogans to remember the Tibetans who have over the years set themselves on fire to protest against China's violation of their freedoms of religion and expression, reported Taipei Times.

In London, around 1,000 Tibetans and supporters marched from Downing Street and finished outside the Chinese Embassy on Portland Place.

In India, Tibetans in exile organised a grand ceremony to mark the anniversary at their main temple in McLeodganj, Dharamsala. Many Tibetans and other supporters gathered at the temple and sang the Tibetan national anthem followed by the raising of the Tibetan national flag by their prime minister in exile, reported The Times of India.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and foreign delegates were also present at the venue. They observed silence to pay respects to the Tibetan martyrs of the struggle.

Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Penpa Tsering said many protesters have sacrificed their lives in their fight for freedom.

He said, so far 25 Tibetans had been driven to self-immolation, out of whom 19 have succumbed to their injuries. As many as eight people became victims of police firing on peaceful Tibetan demonstrators in Tibet last year.

He said the whereabouts and well being of others were unknown, according to the central Tibetan administration web site.

He said world leaders should reiterate more forcefully the need to settle the Tibet issue through dialogue and also sought UN support.

Tibetan Uprising

In 1959, Tibetans under the leadership of the Dalai Lama, revolted in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, which was under the control of the Communist Party of China, on 10 March. Around 300,000 people protested on the streets demanding that Tibet be freed from China.

The Chinese government planned to abduct the Dalai Lama, but he escaped to the Himalayas and then formed a Tibetan government in exile in India. In 2011, the spiritual leader gave up his political role to allow Tibetans elect their leader.

In April 2011, Dr Lobsang Sangay was elected prime minister of the Tibetan government in exile.

Click start to check out images of Tibetans observing the National uprising day