DHARAMSHALA: Shri. Virbhadra Singh, the honourable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh yesterday renamed the road from Mcleod Ganj, the official residence town of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Dharamshala via Gangchen Kyishong, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration, as Potala Road.
The road was renamed in honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday on the second day of the two-day celebration. Coincidentally, the birthday of the Chief Minister himself falls on the next day (23 June), which led His Holiness the Dalai Lama to reciprocate the greeting to honour the joyous occasion.
The idea for renaming the road as Potala Road was initiated by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, during his numerous interactions with local authorities. The idea was finally processed through the Divisional Commissioner’s Office with the unanimous approval of all the local politicians, MLA and finally by the Chief Minister himself.
Extending his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the people of Himachal Pradesh, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay said, “I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for this beautiful gesture on the part of the Chief Minister and the people of Himachal Pradesh.”
Sikyong also wished the octogenarian Chief Minister a happy birthday and gratefully recalled his many other assistance to the Tibetan community.
The new Potala Road has a powerful symbolism of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return to the Potala Palace in Tibet from this Potala Road in Dharamshala, reflecting the fervent prayers of all the Tibetan people residing inside and outside Tibet to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama return to Tibet with dignity.
Earlier known as Jogiwara Road, the road laid in dire need of construction for the past several years. However, the road was re-constructed recently with a generous financial assistance from the state government. The road is now widened and completely renovated with 7-inch concrete to withstand the long monsoon of Dharamshala, notorious for its high-density rainfall.
The road stretches all the way from Mcleod Ganj in upper Dharamshala via Gangchen Kyishong to TCV School in Lower Dharamshala. The span of the road encompasses the entire political and cultural hub of the Tibetan community.
“With the reconstruction of the road, His Holiness the Dalai Lama who journeys regularly through this road during his numerous out-station visits would surely have a smoother experience,” a local Tibetan resident exclaimed.
The thousands of domestic and international tourists, who flock to Dharamshala to attend the teachings of His Holiness or to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place, would breathe a sigh of relief too. Traffic is also slated to increase more with the renovation of the road as more tourists would visit the place, increasing economic activity in the district.
