By Phurbu Thinley
Phayul Correspondent
Dharamsala, December 3 – Marking 25 years of community service in various fields since its establishment in 1982, the Rotary Club of Dharamsala today celebrated the Silver Jubilee anniversary here at the Municipal Community hall and was graced by the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The event was attended by various dignitaries of the Rotary Club of Dharamsala, District Commissioner of Dharamsala, some senior diplomats from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and members of the club.
Speaking at the event, District Governor of the club, Romesh Rana mentioned among other things, of the possible plans to come up with projects along the peripheral areas of Tibet to reach out to fellow Tibetans there and in future looking for ways to start projects inside Tibet too.
Mr. Rana added that these futuristic visions are in line with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s suggestion on previous meeting with Rotarians.
Also speaking on the occasion, Rotary International Director Elect, Mr. Ashok Mahajan read out series of projects that have been successfully implemented lately by the club. Mr. Ashok also said that Rotary Foundation is a service minded organisation that works for the betterment of human world through local, national and international humanitarian, educational and cultural projects.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, while expressing deep appreciation of the club’s humanitarian contribution, said “I am an admirer and supporter of humanitarian projects and especially those that reaches out to the needy ones”.
His Holiness also suggested for the need of more such benevolent organisations that can really help build a better and more understanding human world. His Holiness in his address said he was pleased to hear one of his past suggestions being planned to put into practice by the club.
However, His Holiness said warm heartedness and compassion should be the key factors for a better future and should be the guiding principles in committing oneself or an organisation for the service of humanity. “Modern education alone is not enough. It can at times be more destructive if not guided by positive human values”, said His Holiness.
Acknowledging India still as a safe haven for these human values, His Holiness expressed concern of the growing uncomforting change. “This is visible from the widening differences between the moral values of the people in the urban India slowly deviating from moral ethics as against their rural counterparts”, His Holiness said.
Stressing on the importance of these ethical values, His Holiness urged for the more secular ways, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, to promote these human values. “Secular ethics can be the more effective and practical way”, said His Holiness.
His Holiness before leaving the venue place blessed the flagging off ceremony of the launch of Mobile Orthopaedic Clinic here in Dharamsala by the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, Mumbai and, supported by the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project and Mr. Kenneth Gambles (UK).
