By Tenzin Dasel

Chennai, Jan 21 : The Dalai Lama congratulated Barrack Hussein Obama who became the 44th president of the United States of America Tuesday amid a glittering ceremony.

The Tibetan leader was speaking yesterday to reporters in Auroville where he consecrated a newly completed International pavilion of Tibetan Culture.

The Dalai Lama said he would pray for his success.

“I express deep congratulations and prayers for the success of Mr Obama.”

The Dalai Lama, in a letter he sent to Obama on the latter's victory in November, said that he was encouraged to see that the American people have chosen a President who “reflects America's diversity and her fundamental ideal that any person can rise up to the highest office in the land”.

This is a proud moment for America and one that will be celebrated by many peoples around the world, the 73-year old Tibetan leader wrote in his congratulatory letter.

“As the President of the United States, you will certainly have great and difficult tasks before you, but also many opportunities to create change in the lives of those millions who continue to struggle for basic human needs” the Dalai Lama wrote, adding “You must also remember and work for these people, wherever they may be.”

The 1989 Nobel peace laureate had met Obama in 2005 at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee event.

On Monday, the Dalai Lama offered prayers and unveiled a statue inside a massive central hall at Buddha Vihar in Gulbarga, Karnataka. Thousands of people thronged the religious site where the ceremony was telecast on giant screens amid thunderous applause and chants of ‘Buddham sharanam gacchami’.

Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living led the Tibetan Buddhist leader into the massive structure built on 75 acres and assisted the latter in completing the ritual.

The Tibetan leader will address the students and staff of Madras university today here.