Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrated

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, July 6

Thousands of Tibetans, Indians, and foreigners gathered at the Tsuglagkhang (main temple of the Dalai Lama at McLeodganj) courtyard on Friday to celebrate 83rd birthday of the Dalai Lama.

The chief guest at the celebration was Kishan Kapoor, Minister of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Himachal Pradesh, while Gopal Narayan Singh, MP, Rajya Sabha; and Janardhan Singh Sigriwal, MP Lok Sabha, were the two special guests.

The official statement of the Kashag was delivered by Officiating President Kalon Dr Pema Yangchen and the official statement of the Tibetan Parliament was delivered by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel.

Addressing the gathering, Kishan Kapoor spoke about the Dalai Lama’s life in Tibet before coming into exile. Kapoor also lauded the Dalai Lama for his commitment to peace, particularly highlighting the five-point peace plan proposed by him to resolve the Tibet issue in the late 1980s. “The five-point peace plan was a blue print to resolve the Tibet issue peacefully. It was rejected by the Chinese government but applauded by the international community as well as the Chinese living overseas ,” he said.

Janardhan Singh Sigriwal spoke about India’s continued support for Tibet and the Tibetan people. Since the days of Dr Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel, Ram Manohar Lohia, India has raised its voice for the Tibetan people.

The function also saw release of two books published by China desk of the Department of Information and International Relations, one book published by OOT Brussels, and the release of a new DVD album by Himachali folk singer Sunil Rana.