Delhi: On 6 July 2025, the Tibetan community in Delhi joyfully celebrated the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of over seven million Tibetans. The celebration was held with great devotion, enthusiasm, and community spirit.

The day began with invocation prayers and offerings to the powerful celestial beings who are believed to protect the fate of Tibet and its people. The settlement officer, along with local community leaders from various organisations, welcomed the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the ceremonial throne. Guests, dignitaries, and attendees then offered traditional khataks to the portrait as a gesture of deep reverence.

The chief guest for the occasion was Vikas Tang, Councillor of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Special guests included Amos Simon, Head of Public Relations, representing the International Buddhist Confederation, and Pankaj Goyal, National General Secretary of BTSM. Also in attendance were representatives from the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi; the former Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile; and more than 700 individuals, including foreign and domestic journalists and members of the general public.

Students of the TCV Day School opened the formal program with renditions of the national anthems of both India and Tibet. This was followed by a traditional recitation of the sixty-verse Drukchu Yangden birthday song, presented in sequence.

Ceremonial butter tea and sweetened rice were served to all guests and attendees. A cake-cutting ceremony was also held, with guests slicing the cake and distributing it to the audience, symbolising unity and shared celebration.

Settlement Officer Dorjee Tsering read the official statement of the Kashag, Central Tibetan Administration, while the Chairman of the local Tibetan Freedom Movement presented the statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The chief guest and special guests also delivered speeches, highlighting the significance of the day and His Holiness’s contributions to global peace, compassion, and the Tibetan cause. They all offered heartfelt prayers for the long life and continued well-being of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

To commemorate the occasion, vibrant cultural performances were presented by students from the local T.CV. Day School, the Tibetan Women’s Association, Utsang Cholka, Dokham Chushi Gangdruk, Cholsum Sarjor Tsokpa, and representatives from Ladakh Dharamsala Budh Vihar. These groups performed traditional Tibetan songs and dances, enriching the cultural spirit of the event.

The official ceremony concluded with a community lunch served to all guests and members of the public. In the afternoon, the stage was opened for public participation, with circle dances and entertainment games organised for everyone to enjoy according to their interests.

The celebration culminated in a communal evening meal, bringing the joyful event to a warm and harmonious close. The 90th birthday celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was a resounding success, made possible by the collective effort and support of all local associations and organisations within the Tibetan settlement.

-Report filed by TSO, Samyeling