Dharamshala: Days ahead of his 85th birthday, Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama appealed Tibetans and well-wishers around the world to abstain from big celebration due to the pandemic and instead urged them to recite mantras at the comfort from their homes.
In accordance, Tibetans in exile and around the world kept the celebrations very modest this year.
Tibetans in Shillong celebrated the occasion by distributing meals to the needy locals in and around the Jhalupara.
Tibetan settlement officer Mr. Pema Dhondup accompanied by the office secretary paid visit to dignitaries and officials of the state with traditional white scarf and memento to mark the auspicious occasion. The dignitaries and officials include his Excellency the
Governor of Meghalaya Shri Tathagata Roy, Chief Secretary Shri M.S Rao (IAS), Director of General Police Shri R.Chandranathan (IPS), Deputy Commissioner Smt. Matsiewdor War Nongbri (IAS).
At Sonamling Tibetan settlement in Leh, Chief Representative Office in collaboration with Ladakh Buddhist Association and Ladakh Gonpa Association celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 85 Birthday at Shivatsal, Choglamsar.Fire puja was performed by monks of Rutok Lhundup Choeling Monastery. His Holiness birthday ceremony was organised at His Holiness residence at Shivatsal, all guests paid their homage to His Holiness by offering scarf to His Holiness portrait followed by cutting of birthday cake.
Mr. Tseten Wangchuk Chief Representative Officer state that the best way to pay tribute on His Holiness is to follow His Holiness four commitments and also to put the effort into creating awareness of His Holiness commitments in the world. He also urged all followers of His Holiness to chant Avalokiteshvara’s mantra for His Holiness long life and for world peace.
Shri Ram Madhav, General Secretary of BJP, Shri Gyal P Wangyal, Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Member of Parliament visited His Holiness residence at Shivatsal and paid homage to His Holiness 85 birthday. Mr. Wangchuk, CRO briefed Shri Ram Madhav about Tibetans in Ladakh and upcoming development projects in Tibetan Settlement facilitated by Ladakh UT Government and LAHDC.
In Nepal, Tibetans kept the celebrations low key in accordance with the government’s guidelines and directives. At Choejor settlement in Kathmandu, Representative of Bureau office of HH Dalai Lama, parliamentarians, members of local assembly, and other dignitaries held a small gathering to mark the occasion. Likewise, Tibetans in Jwalakhel Samdupling and Gyalphak observed a modest celebration with a gathering of few dignitaries.
In honor of His Holiness long and healthy life, 125 trees were planted and meals were distributed to poor and needy locals.
In Gangtok, Tibetan settlement Officer along with representatives of six Tibetan associations, branch Men-Tsee-Khang, hotel Tibet made a courtesy call to His Excellency Ganga Prasad- Governor of Sikkim on 4th of July for the greeting of His Holiness’s 85th Birthday. TSO presented the governor a book of Joy by His Holiness and Desmond Tutu.
LTA and Tibetan Settlement office along with Presidents of 6 Tibetan associations, Mentsekhang, and members of the Gangtok Tibetan Language committee gathered at Sera Jey Drophenling monastery for celebration. The program was live-streamed to the Tibetan mass in Sikkim while the Tibetans in Sikkim celebrated HH Birthday from their respective homes. The Director of Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology, Sikkim Tashi Densapa and former Secretary for Land and Revenue and Disaster Management Tsegyal Tashi and Tenzing Gelek Rinpoche attended the celebraiton.
120 Tibetans in Gangtok, Sikkim participated in blood donation to STNM hospital under the blood donation drive organized by RTYC Gangtok. RTYC and RTWA also distributed meals to Mayalmu shelter home.
The winner for Thanksgiving tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama videos contest was awarded and presentation of their poetry recitation is displayed to the gathering during the program.
In Shimla, the celebration was attended by Tibet Support Group President Prof V.S. Negi. Following the event, the Tibetans in Shimla distributed masks and sanitizers to the commuter at Mall road.
Filed by TSO Shillong, Ladakh, Nepal, Gangtok