Dharamshala —“We believe that one day, Tibet will regain its place on the world map. We stand with you in this struggle for independence and we always will. Every Indian citizen is with you in this struggle. On behalf of the people of Himachal Pradesh, and Shri Jai Ram government, we bow to His Holiness with folded hands and on the occasion of his 87th birthday, I wish you all the best,” said Shri Rakesh Pathania, on behalf of the Chief Minister of HP, on the occasion of the 87th birth anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on July 6, 2022.
The Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetans and friends of Tibet celebrated the auspicious occasion of the 87th birth anniversary of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama in Tsuglagkhang, Dharamshala, H.P, India, on July 6, 2022. This anniversary was also celebrated with great joy and gratitude all over the world by Tibetans and followers of Buddhism on July 6.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Jai Ram Thakur virtually attended the celebration as chief guest, along with the staunch supporter of Tibet Richard Gere, Chairman of International Campaign for Tibet, and the 104th Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin attended the event as special guest and guest of honour, respectively.The other guests of the official celebration include Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Shri Rakesh Pathania (Forest Minister of HP), Shri Vishal Nehria (MLA from Dharamshala), Gianni Vernetti (former Senator and Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affair, Italy), heads of the three democratic pillars of Central Tibetan Administration, Kalons, Tibetan Parliamentarians, heads of the autonomous bodies of CTA and Tibetan people.
Hon'ble Forest Minister, HP, Shri Rakesh Pathania addressed the gathering on behalf of the Chief Minister, HP, who could not attend the programme in person due to bad weather.
“Best wishes to all of you on this auspicious day of His Holiness' 87th birthday. Today, for Himachal Pradesh and for the citizens of Himachal, our Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri Jairam Thakur, was supposed to join us on this auspicious day. But due to bad weather, the helicopter could not fly, and I had to come here on his behalf to wish and congratulate you all. Today is truly a great day for the state of Himachal Pradesh,” said Shri Rakesh Pathania.
“Sitting with me here, dear guests, when we speak of peace and harmony, the name that comes first is that of His Holiness. And the day that His Holiness - the living God on Earth - was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, that day, for Indians and the peoples of the world, for all peace-loving peoples of the world, was a source of great respect and pride. We are very proud that His Holiness has settled in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. We have been truly blessed and will always be blessed by His Holiness' presence in Dharamshala and his presence in Himachal Pradesh,” he continues.
“I would like to welcome Mr Richard Gere who, on the occasion of His Holiness' birthday, graced Dharamshala with his presence. When celebrities like him come to visit us, the message is sent all over the world that Dharamshala has become a centre of international tourism due to the blessings and presence of His Holiness. Honourable Sikyong ji, you have described in depth the history of Tibet today and we will add this history to the syllabus of schools in Himachal Pradesh, so that the people of the state are aware of the arduous journey that His Holiness had to make and the battle that he had to fight before coming to India,” Hon'ble Forest Minister of HP said.
“We believe that one day, Tibet will regain its place on the world map. We stand with you in this struggle for independence and we always will. Every Indian citizen is with you in this struggle. On behalf of the people of Himachal Pradesh, and Shri Jai Ram government, we bow to His Holiness with folded hands, and on the occasion of his 87th birthday, I wish you all the best,” said Shri Rakesh Pathania ji, on behalf of the Chief Minister of HP.
