Felicitation Ceremony Held in Honour of His Holiiness The Dalai Lama
Thursday, 8 December 2005
New Delhi: The All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT) organised a felicitation ceremony on evening of 6 December at the Parliament Annexe Building in honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s selfless contribution towards promotion of international peace and harmony. Over 130 members of the Indian Parliament and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.
Shri. Bashistha N Singh, MP and also Convener of the APIPFT, started the ceremony by welcoming the hall-packed audience and the Guest of Honour, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Giving a brief introduction of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, he recounted how the APIPFT has been a strong supporter of the Tibetan issue both in and outside the Indian Parliament.
He expressed his pleasure over the fact that the felicitation ceremony was held when the Indian Parliament is in session and hoped that His Holiness the Dalai Lama would address the Parliamentarians inside the Indian Parliament some day.
Shri. Mohan Singh, MP and Convenor, APIPFT, then read out the felicitation letter which was later presented to His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with bouquets of flower.
In his address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his appreciation on the presentation and pleasure over meeting so many Indian parliamentarians at the gathering. In his unassuming sense of humour, he called himself the “longest guest of India” who has been living in India for more than 46 years. He thanked the Indian Government for being such a hospitable host to the Tibetan refugee community.
His Holiness reiterated his concern towards the ongoing cultural genocide in Tibet and China’s lack of concern for the Tibet’s unique and delicate environment and its effect on the Indian subcontinent. He also shared his hope of having a demilitarized Tibet.
Dr. L.M. Singhvi, a parliamentarian, chaired the ceremony. In his address, he praised His Holiness’ Ahimsa and non-violence struggle. Calling His Holiness as “an apostle of peace and non-violence,” he expressed his hopes that “His Holiness’ proposal for an autonomous arrangement with the Chinese Government will be considered in the spirit in which they were made.”
Shri. M.A.Kharabela Swain, MP and Convenor, APIPFT, gave the valedictory speech, wherein he conveyed his gratitude towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama for addressing the Indian parliamentarians and also thanked the parliamentarians and other dignitaries for their participation.
Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration, Lodi Gyari Rinpoche, the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Pema Jungney, Chairman of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies, and Tempa Tsering, Representative of H.H the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, also attended the ceremony.
This is the second time His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the Indian parliamentarians. Incidentally, his first address was also organised in the Parliament Annexe Building in 1995.
APIPFT is an all-party forum of Tibet supporter parliamentarians. It was establised in 1970 by Late Mr. M.C. Chagla. Since then it has been promoting the cause of Tibet under the leadership and guidance of prominent Indian parliamentarians including, late Mr. Madhu Limaye, Mr. George Fernandes, Mr. Rabi Ray, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr. T.N. Chaturverdi, Mr. Mohan Singh and Mr. Satyavrat Chaturvedi.
Presently it functions under the leadership of four members of parliament namely Mr. Mohan Singh, Mr. Bashistha Narayan Singh, Mr. Kharabela Swain and Mr. P.T. Gyamtso.
(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration.)