NEW YORK CITY: A long life prayer offering and grand celebrations in honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday was organised in New York City by the North American Tibetan Association (NATA). Over 15,000 people, the largest gathering of Tibetans outside Tibet or India, assembled at the Javits Convention Centre for the event on 11 July.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Obama, Ms. Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Richard Gere, Prof Ming Xia and Matteo Mecacci, President of ICT. Two ministers from the central government of India have also attended the 80th birthday celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama which was held at Dharamshala on 21 June.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay introduced Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and former House Speaker and House Democratic Leader, Ms. Nancy Pelosi.

Ms. Jarrett, who spoke first, gave a very powerful and personal account of her relationship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and how it changed her life after meeting His Holiness in Dharamshala.

She said: “His Holiness the Dalai Lama, monks, people of Tibet, dignitaries and guests, good afternoon. What an honour to be among so many friends. I am here on behalf of President Barack Obama to convey the warmth of the American people to His Holiness. Very few other people have made such a positive contribution to humanity as His Holiness with his unwavering message of compassion. We celebrate today an extraordinary leader, a good man, a man with amazing grace. I wish you health and vigour to live to 120.” Her words were met with a rousing applause from the public.

Ms. Jarrett is one of the most influential persons in the White House. She came to New York City solely to attend the birthday celebration and as a gesture of support stayed throughout the event, which went far beyond scheduled time.

Ms. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, was the first woman Speaker of the House and has led the House Democrats for 10 years, while representing California for 28 years.

“Good afternoon everyone,” she began. “I was told there would be speeches, with some cultural performances in between. But how wonderful they’ve been.”

Ms Pelosi was showing appreciation of the many groups, including Canadian Tibetans; Mongolians and Mongolians from Buryatia, Tuva and Kalmykia; Tibetan Americans from Minnesota; the Bhutanese Community of New York; Himalayan Communities of Nepal; Tibetans from New York and New Jersey; and Tibetans from the Capital Area who put on spectacular performances of song and dance, by turns graceful, athletic and alluring. She continued:

“Your Holiness, it is with profound gratitude and humility that we celebrate your 80th birthday. It was President Obama, at the National Prayer Breakfast earlier this year, who said that you are such a powerful example, speaking up for compassion and the dignity of all human beings, evoking a great response. President Bush similarly praised His Holiness when he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.”

Ms. Pelosi remarked that His Holiness has a long connection with American Presidents going back to Franklin Roosevelt who sent him a watch when he was a young boy as a token of friendship between the US and Tibet. Democrats and Republicans recently voted to celebrate his 80th birthday unanimously. She added:

“In September 28 years ago, His Holiness presented his Five Point Peace Plan to Congress. When he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize he was the first Peace Laureate to also be recognised for his work to create awareness of the need to protect the environment. When we awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal, we didn’t have space for all the people who wanted to attend the ceremony.

“There is no better way to stand with His Holiness on his 80th birthday than to stand with the Tibetan people.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, in his address, thanked Valerie Jarrett, Ms. Nancy Pelosi, Richard Gere and all the other dignitaries present at the ceremony for attending the event as a gesture of respect for His Holiness and support to the Tibetan people.

He reiterated the Tibetan people’s pledge to abide by His Holiness’s advice, reminding everyone that these celebrations were a mark of gratitude and that it was important to let young people know the immense contribution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama towards the Tibetan people.

Speaker Penpa Tsering of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile also expressed the Tibetan people’s gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “Despite the tragedy that we have undergone, the rest of the world gained an acquaintance with His Holiness. Everyone knows what he has done for us; I’d like to thank him on behalf of all Tibetans. We have a responsibility to preserve our culture and identity. If we remain united, external forces can’t do much to us,” he said.

Speaker Penpa Tsering’s address was followed by Hollywood actor Richard Gere, a longstanding friend of Tibet. As he greeted the audience, he said:

“Tashi Delek, my Tibetan brothers and sisters, Tashi Delek, my Inji brothers and sisters, there are 15,000 of us here, with Valerie and Nancy, a Sangha of Rinpoches and other leaders; let’s never forget how fantastic it is to be here with His Holiness. What an opportunity it is to listen to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to be able to see his face. How extraordinary this is for us all. Every day, His Holiness gives of himself for us, thank you.”

Gere recalled a private screening of Martin Scorsese’s film of His Holiness’s life, Kundun, in 1997 and the scene showing His Holiness wistfully watching his bodyguard of Khampa warriors riding back into Tibet as he reached the Indian border. His Holiness told him later that as he looked into India, with almost no friends beside him, he had no idea what was going to happen next.

“And now he has all the friends in the world. Let’s make a date to be with him for his 90th, his 100th, his 110th and his 120th birthday.” The audience cheered to his every word.

The event came to a close with concluding remarks from Mr. Tashi Namgyal, Tibetan Parliamentarian from North America.