His Holiness the Dalai Lama honours Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration commemorates 50 years since the arrival of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Dharamsala and to thank the Government and people of Himachal Pradesh on Friday at Dari Ground, near Dharamsala. The special event was graced by the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Honourable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh as the chief guest.Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal and Honourable Industrial Minister, Mr. Kishan Kapoor were welcomed by recitation of auspicious prayer and monastic music by the monks of Nechung Monastery. This followed with the thank you Himachal song performed by the artists of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.  Expressing profound gratitude to the government and people of Himachal, His Holiness said the freedom in exile for the last five decades have greatly helped the Tibetan community in exile to highlight the issue of Tibet throughout the world. His Holiness remembered and offered prayers for those local Himachal residents for their invaluable and sincere contributions to support the Tibetan community.His Holiness advised the Tibetan people living in Himachal to maintain good moral behaviour to keep a harmonious and cordial relationship with the local Indian community.Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said communication gaps between the two communities sometimes cause petty disputes, which he appealed to the local Indian Administration to try to quickly and amicably resolve. As an expression of gratitude, Kalon Tripa said the Central Tibetan Administration would offer funds to facilitate furnitures for local government schools, Science Center, disabled organizations, to build public toilets at Dari and contribute to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented scroll painting of Buddha Shakyamuni as a memento to the Honourable Chief Minister as a gesture of Tibetan people’s gratitude.Kalon Tripa honoured Sri Kishan Kapoor, Minister of Industries, Himachal Pradesh with a scroll painting of Buddha Shakyamuni. The event was attended by District Magistrates, Liaison Officer, Deputy Commissioner, and heads of the various departments and offices of the Indian Administration.  The members of Bharat Tibbat Sehyog Manch, Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and Indian schoolchildren and a large number of both local and Tibetan public joined the celebration.His Eminence the Gyalwa Karmapa also graced the event with his presence. Dignitaries of the Central Tibetan Administration, heads of NGOs and senior official of CTA took part in the historic occasion.More pictures:

Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, CM,Prof. Prem Kuma Dhumal, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Eminence the Gyalwa Karmapa, and Minister of Industries, Shri Kishan Kapoor at the function.(From left)