Tibetan leaders offer condolences over former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit’s demise

DHARAMSALA, 22 July: The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well as the political head of the Tibetan people, Dr Lobsang Sangay have both offered their condolences over the demise of the 81-year-old Congress veteran who passed away on Saturday due to cardiac arrest.

“I am sorry to learn about your mother’s passing away,” he wrote. “Your mother lived a meaningful life, devoted to the service of others. It was an honour to meet her over the years,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said in a missive addressed to Mr Sandeep Dikshit, the son of the late minister.

The Dalai Lama has further described the late minister as a close friend of the Tibetan people and concluded the missive by offering his prayers for the departed and her family.

In a statement issued to condole the demise of the veteran Indian leader, President Sangay said he was deeply saddened to hear that the veteran Indian leader and dear friend of Tibet is no more.

“Throughout her 15-year stint as the Chief Minister of Delhi, she made an immense contribution to the state and her governance ushered all-round development of the national capital,” President Sangay said and added, “Tibetans worldwide will forever remember her as a torchbearer of Tibetan movement in India and a true friend. Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and supporters.”

Sheila Dikshit, who served as the Chief Minister of Delhi for a period of 15 years from 1998 to 2013, was one of the longest-serving chief ministers of Delhi as well as the longest-serving female chief minister of any Indian state.

She was cremated with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat crematorium in the national capital on Sunday. Her funeral was attended by a host of Indian politicians.

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