Shimla: Alice Walker once said, “ Thank You is the best prayer that anyone could say. It expresses ones extreme gratitude, humility and understanding.”
One of the many things that remarkably describes Tibetan people is their culture of gratitude. The ‘Thank You’ movement led by the Tibetan people across the world, particularly in India, under the leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration, clearly resonates the culture of gratitude.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has time and again described the relationship between India and Tibet as that of a ‘guru’ and a ‘chela.’ In order to repay the guru, the Tibetans through Thank You movement are solemnly offering Guru Dakshina (tradition of repaying one’s teacher)
Likewise, the ‘Thank You Himachal’ public event comes on the heels of series of Thank You events organised by CTA in the year 2018, marked as ‘Thank You’ year.
After a successful Thank You Karnataka event organised by the five settlements in Karnataka, the Tibetan people in Himachal Pradesh are organising a public event tomorrow to Thank the people and the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh is one of the significant niches of the community for Tibetans in exile: not only is it the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but also the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration which is why preparation for the events operates at the highest level.
The ‘Thank You Himachal’ event is being jointly organised by 15 Tibetan settlements in Himachal Pradesh and will take place tomorrow at the Ridge ground in Shimla.
The event will see the presence of many important government officials and dignitaries of Himachal Pradesh and CTA. Honourable Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Acharya Dev Vrat will grace the event as the Chief Guest. CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay will be attending the event accompanied by Finance Kalon Karma Yeshi, Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok.
Meanwhile, Health Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk along with Finance Kalon Karma Yeshi and Secretary Sonam Norbu Dakpo of Department of Information and International Relations paid a courtesy visit to Shri Acharya Dev Vrat, Governor of Himachal Pradesh at his residence.
The event will also feature cultural dance performances by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Tibet Museum of the Department of Information and International Relations will hold a thematic display of photo exhibitions: Indo -Tibetan Ancient Ties and Current Bond, Journey into Exile etc. Dorje Drak monastery of Shimla will exhibit Buddhist religious artefacts such as Tibetan conch shell, cymbals and will display the creation of sand mandala and Torma (butter sculpture) thus showcasing Tibet’s rich religious heritage.
The zeal and intensity that is palpable in the face of people engaged in the preparation of the event indeed reflect the magnitude of gratitude and respect they have for the people and the government of Himachal Pradesh.