SHILLONG, JULY 6: Tibetans in-exile in Shillong celebrated the 81st birthday of His Holiness – the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso
with prayers and best wishes floating at a gathering.
Born on July 6, 1935, he assumed the position of the Dalai Lama in 1940 and his birthday is also celebrated as ‘World Tibet Day’ in an attempt to generate greater awareness about the problems being faced by the Tibetan population.
It was in 1959 the Dalai Lama along with 80,000 Tibetans took refuge in India and has been living here ever since.
Organized by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause (CGTC), an apex coordinating body of more than 250 Tibet Support Groups all over India, the celebration was the first ever to be conducted in the state.
Young Tibetan children dressed in their traditional attires were also seen celebrating the birthday of His Holiness with a tribute song.
A minute of silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the Tibetan martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet and also to those who still resists and suffers under the Chinese communist rule.
According to CGTC national convener RK Khrimey, there have been over 150 self-immolations by Tibetans for the cause of Tibet. There are cases of self-immolations by those who have not even seen Tibet in their lives, he said.
Addressing on the occasion, former Meghalaya chief minister DD Lapang recalled the occasion when he met the Dalai Lama on his first visit to the state in 2014 and said the Dalai Lama means ‘ocean of wisdom’ and the name is honoured and respected by everyone.
“He is not only world renowned spiritual and political leader but is also God’s ambassador. He is greatly admired and respected globally,” Lapang said while praying and wishing God to bless the Dalai Lama.
Earlier in his speech, former state minister Manas Chaudhury drop in few interesting lines of the Dalai Lama – “Our prime purpose of life is to help others. If you can’t help them, don’t hurt them” and said, “His greatness comes from his simplicity.”
Echoing similar views, NPP legislator James K Sangma shared with the gathering on how he drew inspiration from the words and teachings of the Dalai Lama saying – “There is self-realization from those simple words, they made me realize a lot of things.”
“To some he is a spiritual leader, a philosopher, a teacher, a noble laureate, apart from all these to me he is the embodiment of inner peace and compassion,” he said adding “His message carry what is required in this present world and also carry key ingredient in solving many problems.”
Extending his best wishes to the Dalai Lama, Sangma said he is optimist that the sacrifices of Tibetans will not go in vain adding the rising sun will one day dispel darkness from Tibet.
Earlier, the statement of Kashag (Council of Ministers) was also read out by Chockyong Wangchuk, Kalon, Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Cultural programmes by Tibetans from Shillong, Arunachal Pradesh and others were organized to mark the celebration.-By Our Reporter
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