DHARAMSHALA: Thousands of joyous Tibetans, Indians and foreigners thronged the Tsuglagkhang courtyard today to celebrate the 82nd birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
The chief guest at the celebration was Shri Kishan Kapoor, Former Minister of State for Industries and Transport, and the guest of honour was Shr Ninong Ering, Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh and a staunch Tibet supporter.
Addressing the celebration, Shri Kishan Kapoor expressed the Indian community’s greetings on the 82nd birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and said that he feels blessed to be invited to celebrate the occasion.
He paid tributes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong efforts to bring peace in the world and urged everyone to keep His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s messages of love and compassion in heart for a happier and contented life.
He further said that in a world beset with violence and terrorism, His Holiness the Dalai Lama stands as a hallmark of peace and compassion from which humanity seeks solace.
He particularly expressed gratitude to His Holiness for making Dharamshala one of the most well known destinations for peace and tranquillity in the world.
“We feel blessed that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has chosen Dharamshala as his abode after coming into exile. Since then, Dharamshala has become a well-known destination all over the world. Earlier, no one has heard about Dharamshala. But today, the whole world wants to come here. And for this, I deeply thank His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” he said.
He further called His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the true manifestation of Lord Buddha. “Just as Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are manifestations of Lord Vishnu, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the true manifestation of Lord Buddha”.
He lauded His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his efforts to strengthen and reinvigorate the Tibetan democratic polity, exemplified by the devolution of his political authority to an elected Tibetan leadership in 2011. He also called on the world to hold China accountable for its brutalities in Tibet.
“History is witness to China’s oppression of the Tibetan people inside Tibet. The world should hold China accountable for its violation of human rights and destruction of Tibetan culture. However, I feel that through the power His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s love and compassion, China will also change over time and freedom will be restored in Tibet,” he said.
Shri Ninong Ering, member of Lok Sabha from Arunachal Pradesh, affirmed his continued support for Tibet as a pledge to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 82nd birthday. He recalled Arunachal Pradesh’s special bond with His Holiness the Dalai Lama since his arrival in the state after crossing the Tibet border in 1959.
He described His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a beacon of truth and the centre of modern Buddhist philosophy. He expressed his good fortune to be able to attend the birthday celebration and promised to return again to celebrate in future.
Shri Ninong Ering, who is also a member of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT), promised to raise the issue of Tibet in the Indian parliament and at the same time, urged Tibetans to retain the robust Tibetan democratic administration in exile.
Officiating President Mr Karma Yeshi delivered the statement of the Kashag and Acharya Yeshi Phunstok, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile delivered the statement of Tibetan Parliament.
The function also saw a series of book releases and cultural performances followed by serving of lunch to all members of the public and guests.