76th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Celebrated in Paris at the French Senate

Office of Tibet, Paris, hosted a traditional reception at the French Senate on 6th July 2011 to celebrate the 76th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Over 100 friends of Tibet gathered including diplomats, members of the Parliament, officials of the Foreign Ministry, representatives of Tibet Support Groups and NGOs.

Venerable Thupten Wangchen, Member of the exile Parliament elected last March for the 15th legislature from Europe area was also present.

Mr Robert Badinter, former Justice Minister and prominent political figure of France graced the event.

Mr Jean-François Humbert, President of the Tibet Group at the French Senate, in his opening speech expressed his great pleasure to host the anniversary of His Holiness at the Senate. He reaffirmed strong public support for the Tibetan cause in France and praised the ever deepening ties between the Exile Tibetan administration and the French Parliament. Taking note of His Holiness’ declaration of the 10th of March, he supported the amended Constitutional Charter adopted by the exile Parliament for the long-term benefit of the Tibetan people and healthy growth of democracy. He also announced the upcoming August visit of His Holiness in France.

Mr Wangpo Bashi, Secretary of the Office of Tibet in Paris, while welcoming all guests, underlined the tremendous achievement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for humanity in general and the Tibetan people in particular. He focussed His Holiness’ exemplary achievements in the area of humanity, moral authority, peace, non-violence, environment, democracy and religious tolerance. He thanked for its active role the Tibet Group of the French Senate for its dedicated and long time support to the Tibetan people.

Special two page literature on His Holiness’ biography and major lines of the amended Constitutional Charter that confers specific roles to His Holiness was distributed to the guests.

This is a third time the Office of Tibet is hosting the anniversary of His Holiness at the French Senate. The Office has previously hosted the event thrice at the National Assembly, Lower House of the French Parliament.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 76th birthday celebrated in Delhi

The 76th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was celebrated on 6 July at a dinner reception attended by over eleven ambassadors, eight Deputy Head of Missions, senior Indian governmental officials, academics, activists, journalists, professionals, writers, and artists.

Hosted by the New Delhi Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at India Habit Center (IHC), the guest attendance this year is one of the largest since the tradition to host dinner reception on His Holiness’ birthday begun a few years ago.

As the evening progressed, the Silver Oak Room of IHC was bursting at the seams as Bureau staff struggled to accommodate the growing number of attendees.

Ms V. Radha, who until recently was the liaison officer from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to His Holiness the Dalai Lama raised the toast in honor of His Holiness and recollected her experiences of working along side His Holiness. The first liaison officer, Mr Inder Malik raised the toast in honor of His Holiness at the reception last year.

Earlier in the day, Tibetans in Delhi celebrated His Holiness’ birthday with a grand event filled with prayers and traditional music at the Samyeling Tibetan Settlement. Mr Choekyong Wangchuk, member of Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD) read out the statement issued by ATPD followed by Kalon Tempa Tsering who delivered the Kashag’s statement on the occasion. Ms Youdon Aukatsang, member of ATPD also addressed the gathering. The public was invited to a special lunch prepared by trainees of Food Craft and Hotel Management courses at TCV Selakui.