DHARAMSHALA: Thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered at Tsuk-la Khang to mark the 25th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The celebration was honoured with the gracious presence of Mr. Virbhadra Singh, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. The chief minister said in his keynote address that his family has had a long relationship with the Tibetan people since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama. He expressed his happiness for the invitation and paid his deep reverence to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He referred to His Holiness as a symbol of true spiritual guru, who works for the Tibetan people. He concluded his speech with best wishes for a quick resolution of the Tibet issue.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay in his speech said that the celebration was not only for the Tibetans in-exile but for the Tibetans in Tibet as well. He said that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is the life and soul of Tibet and the Tibetan people, hence the 14th Kashag announced the observation of 2014 as the year of Gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Sikyong mentioned that the CTA takes pride in its democratic form of administration, a legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s leadership. Sikyong said that the Middle Way Approach, the official policy of the CTA to resolve the issue of Tibet is a win-win solution for both China and Tibet, and the best way to solve Tibet’s issue is to have dialogue with the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who regards himself as a simple Buddhist monk, continues to prove himself to be a shining beacon of peace, non-violence and compassion to millions of people across the world. Through the decades, His Holiness has relentlessly endeavoured to achieve his three commitments: promotion of basic human values, inter-religious harmony, and preservation of Tibet’s peaceful and non-violent Buddhist culture”, Sikyong mentioned in his statement.

As 10 December is also marked as the International Human Rights Day, Sikyong, on behalf of the CTA, Central Tibetan Administration prayed for the Tibetans inside Tibet. Since February 2009, 132 Tibetans have self-immolated themselves against the brutal invasion of Tibet. Out of which 113 Tibetans have died. He reiterate that the Chinese govt. should release Tibetan political prisoners including the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, Tulku Tenzin Delek, Jhadrel Rinpoche, and lot more.

Sikyong thanked the people and the Government of India for their continued support to Tibet including the recent announcement of Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014.

Mr. Penpa Tsering, the Speaker of Tibetan Parliament paid his deep gratitude and sincere thanks to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for his gracious presence and the people of the state for all the support.

​He said that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is the true legacy of Ahimsa, laid by the great Mahatma Gandhi. He took this opportunity to congratulate child activists Mr. Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their contribution in child’s rights and winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2014. The speaker added on that, in this world of violence and harm, there is a great need of work for peace and liberation.

“I am very happy to be here with you today to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace. I feel honoured, humbled and deeply moved that you should give this important prize to a simple monk from Tibet. I am no one special. But, I believe the prize is a recognition of the true values of altruism, love, compassion and nonviolence which I try to practise, in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and the great sages of India and Tibet”, Speaker Penpa Tsering quoted from an acceptance speech by the Dalai Lama on 10 December, 1989.

The Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative assembly Mr. Brij Bihari Lal Butail also spoke at the occasion. He said  it is a matter of great pride to have His Holiness the Dalai Lama reside in Mcloed Ganj, Himachal Pradesh. He expressed his appreciation of His Holiness the Dala Lama’s love towards India and the world at large. He called His Holiness the Dalai Lama an apostle of peace, not only for the Tibetan people, but also for the entire mankind.

The celebration concluded with the launch of several books on His Holness the Dalai Lama and the performance of Tibetan traditional dance by the Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts (TIPA) and also by the Tibetan students.

International Himalayan Festival kicks off in Dharamshala

A two-day International Himalayan festival  began yesterday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Himalayan Festival was started in early 90’s to commemorate the Nobel peace prize awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The festival resumed this year due to financial support from the state government and the Central Tibetan Administration.
Mr. Sudhir Sharma, minister for Urban Development and tourism inaugurated the festival at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.

Cultural troupes from various Himalayan regions and 7 other states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim participated in the festival.

The Tibet Museum of the Department of Information and International Relations is holding an exhibition on Indo-Tibetan relations at the festival. Other Tibetan institutions participating in the festival include Mentseekhang, Tibetan Institute of performing Arts, Hotel Tibet, and Himachal tourism department.