Official anniversary to celebrate 31st anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to the Dalai Lama
DHARAMSALA, 10 Dec: The whole world should celebrate the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the champion of peace, non-violence and compassion, says Ajit Kumar Nehria, the President of Into-Tibet Friendship Association, Dharamsala.
“As today marks the 31st anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the occasion should be celebrated by not just Tibetans and Indians but by the people from all over the world because His Holiness has always been advocating and spreading the message of peace, non-violence and compassion in the world,” Nehria said at the official anniversary celebration held at the Sikyong Hall at the Central Tibetan Secretariat here in Gangchen Kyishong.
He further said that it is a matter of great pride for the local people that the Dalai Lama choose Dharamsala as his second home after coming into exile.
As the day is locally marked here as International Himalayan Festival of Dharamshala by the Into-Tibet Friendship Association to offer the local communities’ high salutations to the Dalai Lama, Nehria expressed disappointment over being forced to cancel the event this year owing to COVID-19 restrictions and regulations.
Nehria concluded by reiterating Into-Tibet Friendship Association’s support for Tibet’s independence.
“Into-Tibet Friendship Association has always stood up for calls for Tibet’s independence, and through this stage today, I would like to assure you all that we will remain so in the future as well.”
CTA’s officiating President, Kalon for Department of Religion and Culture, Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok and Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Pema Jungney delivered the official statements of the Kashag (the Tibetan cabinet) and the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile respectively.
The officiating President described the Dalai Lama as one the world’s most beloved leader whose tireless initiatives to usher in a more peaceful world has, in turn, garnered support for the Tibet cause globally.
Speaker Pema Jungney described the occasion as “a golden age moment of great nobility” in his address.
“This day, which also marks the world human rights day, is observed by the Tibetan people in general as well as, in particular, by all people across the world who cherish democracy, freedom, and peace as the day on which His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize in order to thereby hold in joy and in highest regard, respect and admiration for His incomparable deeds.”
The 31st anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama was curtailed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
less than 50 dignitaries comprising of heads of the three pillars of Tibetan democracy including the Kashag, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, Secretaries and Additional Secretaries of the CTA departments attended the celebration.
The ceremony also included presenting the award of mementoes to six health workers for their over 25 years’ service and a compilation of five books published by CTA’s religion and culture department as a party the CTA’s celebration of the year of gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
