Bangalore: On 6 July 2025, at Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, Teachers and the Students of institute, in presence of distinguished delegates, celebrated the 90th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The event commenced with the welcome address by Chief Representative Officer Jigme Tsultrim, of south zone, followed by the reading of Kashag’s statement.
The chief guest of the event was former MP Shri H. Hanumanthappa of Karanataka. In his moving address, He recalled his early involvement in the rehabilitation of Tibetan refugees, noting that he was the third person to take on this responsibility, after Prime Minister Nehru and Shri S. Nijalingappa. “Tibetans,” he declared, “are not just guests in Karnataka—they are family.” His heartfelt message included, prayers for the longevity of His Holiness’s live, and reaffirming his unity with Tibetans .
The special guests of the celebration included Dr. Madan Gopal Krishna, retired IAS officer; Shri Shankar Bidari, former IPS officer; Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chancellor of MS Ramaiah University; Shri Harsh Vardhan Umre, Additional Director General at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN); Dr.K.J.Purshotham, founder of JR Group. Each of these respective guests addressed the celebration where they reflected deeply about changes that His Holiness’s brought about personally and internationally through his message of compassion.
Special guest, Dr. Madan Gopal Krishna, In his address, reflected on the plight and perseverance of the Tibetan people. He emphasised that his support stems not from sympathy, but empathy—rooted in a personal understanding of displacement and persecution. He commended Tibetans for preserving their cultural legacy, from art, music to monastic education. He recounted how Karnataka (then Mysore state) became a sanctuary, with the assistance of Chief Minister Nijalingappa’s letter to the Prime Minister, offering to host any number of Tibetan refugees. That commitment laid the foundation for today’s vibrant Tibetan Diaspora in the south India
Guest Shri Shankar Bidari, a former IPS officer and Director General of Police, Karnataka, shared his recent audience with His Holiness, where he personally extended birthday wishes to His Holiness. He praised the Dalai Lama as the moral compass of the modern world, and a living embodiment of Ahimsa (non-violence). He underscored his statement further by saying ”His Holiness reminds us that peace is not merely the absence of violence but the presence of peace and justice”
The esteemed guest Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chancellor of MS Ramaiah University, talked about how the 90th birthday celebration of His Holiness is far more than a ceremonial tribute—it is a global call for compassion, unity, and justice. He emphasised that His Holiness’s life and teachings transcend borders, offering a timeless message of peace and moral clarity that the world needs now more than ever. Dr. Jayaram also acknowledged the Tibetan community’s resilience and cultural richness, and praised their meaningful contributions to the spiritual and educational landscape of India.
The guest in presence, Shri Harsh Vardhan Umre, Additional Director General at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), highlighted that the year 2025 has been designated as the Year of Compassion—a profound tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong commitment to the service of humanity. Shri Umre emphasised that this theme reflects His Holiness’s core message: the promotion of compassion, non-violence, and peace, and the shared responsibility we all carry to build a more compassionate and kinder world.
The celebration concluded with Dr. Tenzin Passang, Principal of the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, emphasising about the significance of the institute as a living embodiment of His Holiness’s vision—a place dedicated to nurturing compassionate, mindful, and socially responsible individuals through education rooted in Tibetan values and global understanding. And Dr. Dorjee Rapten presented mementos as a token of appreciation to the guests and delivered the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making today’s celebration a resounding success.
-Report filed by CRO, South Zone
