Tibetans in Dharamsala celebrate 26th anniversary of conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness
DHARAMSALA, Dec 10: Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters today gathered at the court yard of Tsug-lag-khang, the main temple in Mcleod Ganj to attend the official function to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Shmt Sarveen Chaudhary, former minister of Himachal Pradesh and current MLA from Shahpur district of Himachal Pradesh attended the function as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries at the ceremony include Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Speaker Penpa Tsering of the Tibetan Parliament, Chief Justice Commissioner Mr Kargyu Dhondup, and senior officials of the Tibetan administration.
Expressing her deepest reverence to His Holiness, Shmt Sarveen Chaudhary referred to His Holiness as a ‘messenger of peace’ and noted that the conferment of the Nobel Prize to His Holiness was a victory for peace and the Tibetan people’s peaceful approach to resolving the issue of Tibet.
Describing Tibet as a sacred place for Indians as Mt Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva and Mansarovar Lake which are considered sacred by the Indians lie in Tibet, Shmt Sarveen Chaudhary highlighted the centuries old religious, cultural and linguistic bond shared between India and Tibet and encouraged the sustenance of that bond in exile through exchange of culture between the two peoples and mutual respect for each other’s traditions.
She also called for the need to safeguard Tibetan plateau’s fragile environment as it is the major source of fresh water in Asia.
Sikyong Sangay in his address expressed gratitude and respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and remarked that His Holiness’ contribution to the cause of Tibet and preservation of Tibetan culture in exile will forever be etched in the history of the Tibetan people.
Sangay reiterated the Central Tibetan Administration’s commitment to ‘Middle Way Approach’, envisioned by His Holiness, to resolve the issue of Tibet.
“It is aimed at the long-term benefit of both the Chinese and Tibetan people, and has galvanised support from governments, opinion makers, intellectuals including many Chinese writers and scholars,” he reasoned.
As December 10 is observed across the world as World Human Rights Day, Sikyong Sangay highlighted the critical human rights situation in Tibet and called for the release of Tibetan political prisoners, including the Panchen Lama and Jadrel Rinpoche.
Referring to His Holiness as the ‘champion of world peace’, Speaker Penpa Tsering in his address said His Holiness has endured numerous hardships and travelled extensively across the world to bring peace and happiness to the world.
Reiterating Middle Way Approach as the realistic solution to resolve the issue of Tibet, Speaker Tsering urged the Chinese government to do away with their hard line policies in Tibet and address the grievances of the Tibetan people.
A new thematic report titled ‘“The Panchen Lama Lineage: How Reincarnation is Being Reinvented as a Political Tool” was lauched by the Department of Information and International Relations during the ceremony which concluded with cultural performances from local Indian and Tibetan dance troupes.
