By Tenzin Jigme Taydeh, DIIR Social Media Journalist
As His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama turned 86 on 6 July 2021, social media sites flooded with warm greetings and wishes from netizens across the world.
On the morning of His Holiness’ birthday, the office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama released His Holiness’ video message saying: “I want to express my deep appreciation of all my friends who have really shown me love, respect and trust. For myself, I can assure you, that for the rest of my life I am committed to serving humanity and working to protect the climate condition.”
His Holiness says that the best gift on his 86th birthday would be his friends and followers to embrace Non-violence (Ahimsa) with Compassion (Karuna) as life-long commitments. The promotion of these values has and continue to remain the core commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Central Tibetan Administration headed by Sikyong Penpa Tsering celebrated the official 86th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Sikyong hall; the joyous celebration was live streamed via Tibet TV’s Facebook page.
Shortly after the celebration, Twitter was abuzz with birthday greetings and glorious tributes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. For the first time in years, India’s Prime Minister Honourable Narendra Modi greeted the Tibetan spiritual leader via his official Twitter account.
PM Modi tweeted: “Spoke on phone to His Holiness Dalai Lama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.”
Likewise, many Indian Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, State Ministers and Ambassadors took to their official Twitter account and showered overwhelming greetings.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his warm greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama through his official Twitter account @SecBlinken. Secretary Blinken tweeted: “Delighted to extend His Holiness the Dalai Lama warm wishes on his birthday. He inspires us all to live each day with humility, compassion, and understanding. Here’s to many more years.”
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, on her official Twitter account @SpeakerPelosi released a video message expressing warm birthday greetings to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Speaker Pelosi tweeted: “It is an honour to join the Tibetan people and so many friends of Tibet to send warm birthday wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate His Holiness and the message of hope and spiritual guidance that he has shared with the world.”
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen on her Twitter account @iingwen expressed birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“Wishing a very happy 86th birthday to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Thank you for teaching us the importance of coming together to help one another through this pandemic,” tweeted Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen.
As always on the 6th of July, Tibetans in Tibet, despite the draconian surveillance and restrictions on every aspect of their lives, mark His Holiness’ birthday through symbolic and creative gestures. One such moment was captured and circulated widely within the exile Tibetan community.
Catch some glimpses of Twitterati showering warm greetings to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama on his 86th birthday: