DALAI LAMA MARKS 60 YEARS IN INDIA
‘THANK YOU INDIA’ CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF Leaders of ruling party at the Centre extend support to Tibetan cause
The Dalai Lama with Union minister Mahesh Sharma (2R) and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav (R) at the ‘Thank You India’ event organised at McLeodganj near Dharamshala by the Tibetan governmentinexile to mark the spiritual leader’s 60th year in India. The Indian leaders expressed solidarity with the Tibetan ‘guests’. Their presence came weeks after a government note advised senior functionaries and political leaders to stay away from the event.
DHARAMSHALA: Bharatiya Janata Party’s national general secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday said India and Tibet are spiritual cousins, underlining the ties between the two countries at the ‘Thank You India’ event organised by the Central Tibetan Administration to mark 60 years of the Dalai Lama’s exile.
“We know life for the refugees is a struggle since they end up in the last in the lines of citizens… India has always welcomed those in difficulty with open arms and hearts,” said Madhav, while crediting then Jawaharlal Nehru-led government for giving shelter to the Dalai Lama and his followers.
If today the 1,20,000 Tibetans, Madhav said, are able to stand up like one community the thank you should go to His Holiness.
“You are not refugees… It’s your land… at the most you are exiles. Your homeland is waiting for you…,” said the BJP leader. At the political level, he said, the Indian government has followed “One China Policy” right from the time of Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi.
“The relationship between India and Tibet is less political and more cultural, spiritual and religious in nature. We are bound by spirituality, religion, culture and knowledge… we are spiritual cousins, we are religious cousins… brothers don’t say thank you to each other,” he said. “For some it took over thousands of years and I am sure it will not take so long for you to be back home,” he said.
Union minister of state for culture
Mahesh Sharma, who was the chief guest at the event, also extended full support to the Tibetan cause.
“It is indeed an emotional moment for us. The word ‘refugee’
is painful to be used for anyone, anywhere. Tibetans are our friends and valued guests in India,” said Sharma.
“Whenever we take the message of peace, humanity and
brotherhood to the world, Tibet’s culture is integral part of it. We remain committed to protect and support the Tibetan culture, its heritage and history,” the Union minister said
“Tibetans preserved the Indian culture. Our relationship is like flower and fragrance and considering this emotion, the word ‘Thank You’ does not hold meaning,” he said.
Kangra MP and former Union minister Shanta Kumar remembered his over 50-year association with the Dalai Lama and prayed that he will soon return to his homeland.
“I hope China will have a change of heart. If China paves the way for his holiness’s return, the respect for the country will go up internationally,” he said.
‘TIBETANS PRESERVED CULTURE, IDENTITY’
Addressing audience at the event, the 82-year-old spiritual leader, said being refugees Tibetans faced many problems, but have preserved their culture and identity with the support of the Indian government. “We have lived with a lot of self-confidence and holding values of humanity and brotherhood,” he said.
He said when he came to India he thought the two countries had the relationship of guru (teacher) and shishya (disciple) and that spirit was still present.
Naren Chandra Das, a retired solider who had received the Dalai Lama when he stepped onto Indian soil, was also present as a special guest.
SANGAY SLAMS CHINA
Tibetan government-in-exile president Lobsang Sangay expressed gratitude to the Indian government and people for giving shelter and support to Tibetans for 60 years. “His Holiness calls himself the son of India and we are the grandchildren,” he said. Slamming China, Sangay said, “Last 60 years were of destruction of Tibetan culture, religion and identity and exploitation of Tibetan resources by China.”