DHARAMSHALA: The Central Tibetan Administration organised a function to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, at the Kashag secretariat today. (watch video)

Speaking to the press after hoisting the Indian national flag, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said, the Tibetan administration is observing the International Day of Non-Violence coinciding with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as per a resolution passed in the UN general assembly in 2007.

“Mahatma Gandhi ji has made a tremendous contribution to India as well as the world. His commitment to peace and non-violence is well respected all over the world,” he said.

“As His Holiness always mentions, India is our guru and we Tibetans, are their chela and as far as non-violence is concerned, Gandhi ji is one of our most important guru,” he asserted.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay also paid homage to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, former Prime minister of India.

Employing non-violence and peaceful agitations against the British Raj, Gandhi ji has led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat on 2 October 1869.