Naley, a Somalian national and a graphic design student in the city, who until then, had no knowledge of the history of Tibet and its present crisis, did a research on the Tibetan struggle and decided to join Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), an organisation of students which works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence.

SFT, formed world wide in 1994, is soon going to have the formal launch of its Pune chapter as more and more non-Tibetan students like Naley, are coming forward to support the cause of Tibet.

“It all started with the informal talks we have had with our classmates and their friends on Tibet. Most of them didn’t know anything about the country. Some even thought that Tibet is part of India. That is how we thought we should have a forum where even non-Tibetan students can support us that will strengthen our fight for justice,” says Tenzin Dolkar, a Tibetan member of SFT.

The SFT had been active during Olympic protests and uprising day marches across the world in support for a free Tibet. Up till now, the city had only a Tibetan Students' Association, which had close to 15 members. The association also will be merged in SFT now. So far, nearly 30 students in the city have registered with SFT, which include students from countries like Sudan, France, Mauritius, Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Bhutan and Eritrea. “I could relate to Tibetan struggle better. The ongoing civil war has shattered my country. I too cannot go back to my homeland. So, I know how it feels like,” says Naley, 25, who has lived most of his life in Saudi Arabia. He added that he is trying to create awareness among as many friends as he could on the Tibetan issue and bring them under SFT's fold.

“I have nothing against China. But, I am against Chinese policies on Tibet. A country should have its freedom. Its people should be allowed to live peacefully,” says Naley, who is also the cultural co-ordinator of International Students’ Council, Symbiosis University.

Dolkar, who was the vice president of the erstwhile Tibetan Students Association, Pune, says they would like to have more Indians in SFT as well. “We live in India and we are grateful to the country. But, it is sad that most Indians do not even know that there exists a country called Tibet. Also, SFT would serve as a platform to discuss various international human rights issues. There will be more voices and more ideas now and we are confident that we have support from across the world,” she says.

Until the Beijing Olympics torch reached his country, which invited widespread protests from the supporters of Tibet, Joseph Danamme, a French national and now a student of Symbiosis Law College, didn’t know what Tibetans were fighting for.

But, as he started learning more about it, he felt students should be educated on the subject and thus, he joined SFT. “Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, was a spiritual city and China converted it into a business capital. There were lots of temples then but now pubs are aplenty. This is cultural genocide. SFT can do a lot to create awareness,” he says.