The father of Tibetan teenager Tenzin Choeying, who died after setting himself on fire, today urged Tibetans not to take the fatal step and instead pursue their cause through stronger means -- like education.
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral procession of 19-year-old Choeying, who succumbed to his burn injuries on July 22, after attempting self-immolation on a university campus in Varanasi, on July 14, demanding a "free Tibet".
Among the attendees were officials from the Tibetan government-in-exile, exiled Tibetans and supporters.
Choeying's father, Ngawang Khedup said his only regret was not speaking to his son before he took the extreme step.
"I urge the youth to pursue more powerful means such as education to contribute substantially to our cause," said Khedup.
"We must have the determination to achieve our goals, i.E. The freedom for six million Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Potala palace and place the Tibetan national flag back on the world map," he said.
Following the service, the body was taken to the McLeod Ganj crematorium, in upper Dharamsala.
Speaking highly of Choeying for his "dedication towards the Tibetan issue and preservation of Tibetan culture and language", Tibetan Youth Congress vice-president Tamding Hrichoe urged the Chinese government to heed the calls of Tibetan self-immolators.
"I would also urge the United Nations and remind them that they are the global organization formed to address any abuse of human rights and freedom," said Hrichoe.
Tibetan parliament Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel said that all Tibetans had a collective responsibility to fulfil the late teenager's wish "of preserving the Tibetan language, and culture which is the main source of strength in our struggle".
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