- Wednesday, May 15, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE Dalai Lama turned 86 on Tuesday (6) and on the occasion, he said he has taken full advantage of India’s freedom and religious harmony and is committed to reviving its ancient knowledge. In a virtual address from his residence in Dharamshala in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, the Tibetan spiritual leader thanked people from across the globe who greeted him on his birthday and said he will continue to serve humanity and contribute towards combating climate change.
“Since I became a refugee and settled in India, I have taken full advantage of India’s freedom and religious harmony. I want to assure you that for the rest of my life I am committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge,” said the 14th Dalai Lama, whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso.
“I really appreciate the Indian concept of secular values, not dependent on religion, such as honesty, karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence),” he added.
“Now that it is my birthday, I want to express my deep appreciation to all my friends who have really shown love, respect and trust… I can assure you that I am committed to serving humanity and working to protect the climate,” he said.
The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959, urged people to practice non-violence and be compassionate towards each other.
“I am committed to non-violence and compassion until my death. This is my offering to my friends. All my brothers and sisters should keep these two things in mind — non-violence and compassion… On my birthday, this is my gift. I am just one human being. Many people really show they love me. And many people actually love my smile. In spite of my old age, my face is quite handsome. Many people really show me genuine friendship,” the 14th Dalai Lama, who was recognised as a reincarnation of the third when he was a child, said.
Prime minister Modi wishes the Dalai Lama, unlike in 2020
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called up the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his birthday and wished him a long and health life. Last year, he did not wish the spiritual leader on his birthday following the faceoff between the Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in the Ladakh region since the Dalai Lama is seen as a symbol of resistance against the Chinese.
This year, things have been different. Modi tweeted saying, “Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @DalaiLama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.”
Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of All India Majlis-e Ittihad al-Muslimin and a member of the Lok Sabha from Hyderabad in the South Indian state of Telangana, took note of Modi’s tweet greeting the Dalai Lama and said in a tweet that it would have been a strong message to China had he met the spiritual leader in person.
China does not acknowledge the Dalai Lama’s government-in-exile in India.
