Tibetans and supporters in exile marked December 10 as 25 years since His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The occasion was celebrated around the world with thousands of people gathering together in different countries, and with dances and singing.
Shri Virbhadra Singh, CM of Himachal Pradesh launching a book on His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Photo: tibet.net
The Central Tibetan Administration and the exile community in Dharamshala, India observed the day at an event at Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan temple, which is also the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Shree Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh, joined the celebration. In his address, the Chief Minister said that his family has had a long relationship with the Tibetan people since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama. Referring to His Holiness as a symbol of a true spiritual guru who works for the Tibetan people, CM Singh said, “We will wait for a day when His Holiness the Dalai Lama and all the Tibetan people return to a free Tibet”.
Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (centre) at the celebration. Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay delivers the Kashag’s statement
Photo: tibet.net
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the elected leader of the Tibetan exile community, extended the Kashag’s greeting on the occasion. In his address, Sikyong said, “Today is the Silver Jubilee of the momentous occasion of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. … Over the past twenty-five years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has unwaveringly continued to confirm and strengthen the ideals of the Nobel Peace Prize. His Holiness, who regards himself a simple Buddhist monk, continues to prove himself to be a shining beacon of peace, non-violence and compassion to millions of people across the world. Through the decades, His Holiness has relentlessly endeavoured to achieve his three commitments: promotion of basic human values, inter-religious harmony, and preservation of Tibet’s peaceful and non-violent Buddhist culture. .. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the life and soul of Tibet and the Tibetan people. The 14th Kashag therefore with joy announce the observation of 2014 the “Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.”
Artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts at the celebration in the temple
Photo: tibet.net
Artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and students from Tibetan schools performed Tibetan and local Indian dances.
In the afternoon, the Chief Minister launched the two-day Himalayan Festival that saw artists from different Himalayan Buddhist countries and Indian states perform traditional dances and songs.
In New Delhi, a five-day Festival of Tibet was organised at Delhi Haat “in gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama”. The festival included a film screening, talks on Tibetan religious topics and on Tibetan medicine and astrology, and Tibetan cultural performances.
Young monks carry His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s picture through the streets of Kathmandu
Photo: Tibet.net
In Kathmandu thousands of Tibetans thronged the streets to celebrate.
December 10 is also commemorated as International Human Rights Day. Tibetan non-governmental organisations and support groups organised campaigns in different parts of the world. The International Tibet Network, Tibetan Women’s Association and Tibetan Youth Congress focussed on the critical Human Rights situation in Tibet, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia and for the Uyghur people. “Growing repression by China has only led to growing resistance. China must heed those voices of freedom and seek to genuinely address them,” Phayul quotes Tenzin Jigdal, International Co-ordinator of the International Tibet Network.
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