His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Leh[Monday, 10 August 2009, 11:04 a.m.]

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah receives His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Bakula airport in Leh on Sunday, 9 August

Dharamshala: On
his arrival at Bakula Airport at Leh in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday,
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was received by Chief Minister Omar
Abdullah, who himself drove His Holiness in an official vehicle from
the airport to Choglamsar.Large crowds of locals, including
Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus, in their traditional dresses were lined
up on both the sides of the road holding flowers and Khatags right from
the airport to Shivetsal palace at Choglamsar.Soon after
reaching at his Palace, His Holiness the Dalai Lama extended thanks to
Abdullah and other dignitaries for warm welcome.In a
conversation with the Chief Minister, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said
he had a very friendly relationship with his grandfather and founder of
National Conference Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and his father Farooq
Abdullah.His Holiness said the Jammu and Kashmir State has a
very long and bright future under the young and dynamic leadership of
Abdullah.His Holiness will
stay in Ladakh till 29 August during which he will give Buddhist
teachings and confer initiations in Leh and Zanskar.