New Delhi, July 6: India’s former National Security Advisor (NSA) and Ambassador Shivshankar Menon praised His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a “truly remarkable statesman” of the highest level.
Ambassador Menon was speaking as the Special Guest at the Reception organised by the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi to celebrate the 82nd Birthday of His Holiness at India Habitat Centre.
Speaking to over 300 invitees that included personalities from religious, political and diplomatic background, from India and abroad, the former NSA spoke of his long association with Tibet and particularly with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“I am what I am today because of the blessings I received from His Holiness when I was five, in Lhasa”, the Ambassador recounted about his first association with His Holiness the Dalai Lama when his father served as the Consular General of India in Lhasa, Tibet.
He said His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching resonates ancient Indian wisdom, and embodies the great knowledge of Nalanda tradition that His Holiness has single-handedly revived, despite being in exile and under difficult circumstances.
Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, Kasur Ngodup Dongchung welcomed the guests. In his brief address, the Representative shared with the gathering the good news of His Holiness’ sound health following recent check up he underwent at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, USA, which was received with jubilation.
Earlier in the day, Representative Ngodup Dongchung along with the Secretary and all staff of Bureau of HH the Dalai Lama attended the official public birthday celebration at the Samyeling Tibetan Colony, Aruna Nagar.
Over 700 Tibetans and Indian supporters had gathered to celebrate the occasion. The local MLA, Sushri Alka Lamba was the chief guest along with other Indian dignitaries from the locality.
While Tibet House, New Delhi opened an exhibition on “Enthronement of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama: Impressions of an India Artist” to mark the 82nd birthday celebration of His Holiness. An interfaith prayers and tree-planting ceremony was held on the same day.
Elsewhere in Delhi, people from different faiths and groups have reported of celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 82nd birthday with prayer gatherings for long and healthy life.
– Report filed by Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based in New Delhi –