Dharamshala turns festive with His Holiness’ return
Tuesday, 3 October 2006, 2:30 p.m.
Dharamshala: Today Dharamshala looked very festive with archways put up on different stops from Gaggal airport to His Holiness’ residence by the Tibetans here, to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to congratulate His Holiness for the award of the honourary Canadian citizenship and the US Congressional Gold Medal.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived here this afternoon after successfully concluding his visits to Canada, United States and Finland from 6 September to 1 October.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his way from Gaggal airport |
The Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies canceled its morning session and all the deputies lined the streets to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the honourary Canadian citizenship on 9 September from the Federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The decision to confer the honourary citizenship to His Holiness was unanimous in both the Houses of Parliament.
The US Congress on 13 September passed a bill to award His Holiness the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal, the most distinguished award bestowed by the US Congress.
Welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
The bill enjoyed broad bipartisan support, with 387 cosponsors from both the House and Senate, representing more than two-thirds of Congress.
During his three-day visit to Vancouver from 7 to 9 September, His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated and participated in the Vancouver Dialogues 2006 organised by the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education.
In US, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave teachings, public talks and participated in interfaith services.
The band party and shcool children lined the streets to welcome His Holiness |
The last leg of his visit took him to the Finland capital, Helsinki, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave public talks and participated in interfaith meeting.
By end of this week (8-10 October), His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit the Czech Republic for the sixth time to attend the international Forum 2000 conference under the auspices of former President Vaclav Havel.