Dalai Lama writes to Himachal CM Sukhu, donates for flood relief

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has written to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to express his sadness over the loss of life and destruction of property and infrastructure in several parts of the state due to extremely heavy rains this year.

“I would like to offer my prayers and condolences to you, to the families who have lost loved ones, and to everyone affected by this natural disaster,” he wrote. McLeodganj, popularly referred to as ‘Little Lhasa’, has been home to not just the Dalai Lama but thousands of Tibetan refugees living in exile. The headquarters of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the Tibetan Parliament is located here in McLeodganj.

“I am aware that the State Government and all concerned agencies are engaged in urgent relief and rehabilitation work. As a token of my solidarity with the people of the state, I have asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation as a contribution to the relief and rehabilitation efforts,” he wrote.

“As you know, Dharamshala has been my home for more than 65 years. I often refer to the state’s Chief minister as ‘our Chief Minister’. I deeply appreciate the friendship and hospitality that people from all spheres of society in Himachal Pradesh have shown me and my fellow Tibetans all these years.”

The Nobel laureate concluded by offering his prayers and good wishes.