BANGALORE, Jan. 15: Bangalore Tibetan Youth Congress launched the first-ever Gratitude Day to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Tibetan Youth Hostel, Bangalore earlier this week. The group, which is composed of and run by Tibetans students in Bangalore, announced it would lead and organize a Gratitude Day every year, starting from 2015, to pay tribute to and express their gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Around four hundred Tibetans residing in Bangalore participated in this event, which also saw the presence of several Tibet supporters and eminent Tibetan personalities such as parliamentarian Ven. Atuk. Mr. Tashi Wangdu, Chief Executive Officer, Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives of India (FTCI) was the chief guest of the event.
The day began with sangsol offering at 8 am, followed by the singing of the national anthem and the observation of a minute-long silence to show solidarity with Tibet’s martyrs.
The students also paid tribute to His Holiness through songs.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Mr. Tashi Wangdu said, “This program is innovative, well planned and unique as its theme focuses solely on expressing our gratitude to His Holiness. I really appreciate this initiative by the Bangalore Tibetan Youth Congress.”
Ven. Atuk also lauded the group on this initiative and said, “Our best gift to show our gratitude to His Holiness is to meaningfully follow his advice and guidance. As a student, he/she should study well and be disciplined.”
Later that same day, the Bangalore TYC also observed a grand prayer and Tsok offering for the long life of His Holiness. A photo exhibition was also on display the same day. These were followed by a documentary film screening on the life of His Holiness.
This day was also symbolized through several other ways, including the release of a badge bearing the message “We Love Dalai Lama”; changing the profile picture on social networking sites and applications such as Facebook, Whatsapp and Wechat, among others, to the image of the badge bearing the message “We Love Dalai Lama”; and sharing of wall hangings that have His Holiness’s quotes and teachings by the students and Tibetan residents of Bangalore.
