By Phurbu Thinley
Dharamsala, April 30: Tibet’s exiled leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama Friday said he and a sizeable Tibetan population had lived in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh for so long that he felt it had become their “second homeland”.
“For the last 50 years Himachal state has practically been our second homeland, where we enjoyed all the freedoms to pursue our desired responsibilities,” the Dalai Lama said during a function organised to mark his arrival to Dharamsala, his exile hometown in north India, 50 years ago.
Dharmsala has also served as the base for the Tibetan Government-in-Exile ever since the Dalai Lama fled Tibet following the Chinese occupation and a failed 1959 uprising against of Beijing’s rule.
The Dalai Lama arrived in Dharamsala on April 30, 1960, a year after entering India, to shift from his temporary base in Mussoorie in the present-day Uttarakhand state. Since then he has lived here with thousands of his followers.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s arrival in the hill state, the Central Tibetan administration here launched a two-day event named “Thank You Himachal” beginning this morning.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Chief Guest Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated the opening function by lighting lamps. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, senior leaders and officials of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and several Indian dignitaries were present during the function.
Addressing the event, participated by scores of local Indians and Tibetan exiles, the Dalai Lama thanked the people and the government of Himachal Pradesh and other state in India for providing asylum and necessary support and hospitality to him and thousands of Tibetans.
“If today Tibetans are identified as the most successful refugee community in the world, I must say India and people of this country, especially of this state, have provided us the foundation necessary to create a strong community in exile and earn that status,” the Dalai Lama said.
“So as an expression of sincere gratitude for the love and care the people and government of Himachal and other states in India have shown us over the years, I want to say thank you on behalf of all the Tibetan people in exile,” His Holiness told a huge gathering of Tibetan exiles and local Indian community here.
“Even Tibetans inside Tibet are aware of the love and support you give to us and they feel grateful about it. And I want to thank you on their behalf also,” the Dalai Lama added.
Chief Minister Dhumal on the other hand said it was an occasion to instead thank the Dalai Lama for his stay in Himachal State, saying it was a “matter of pride” for the people of the state and town of Dharamsala.
He said that the Dalai Lama’s presence alone brought the much needed fame and international recognition to Dharamsala and the state of Himachal.
“We feel blessed by His Holiness’ benevolent presence in this state, and I want to thank His Holiness from my side and on behalf of the people of this state for all his blessings,” Dhumal said.
According to Tibetan prime minister Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, who also delivered a keynote speech during the function, little over 35,000 Tibetans live in Dharamsala and 14 different Tibetan settlements across the hill state.
An estimated 150,000 Tibetans live in exile, the vast majority of them in India and Nepal.
Shri. Virbhadra Singh, the Union Minister of Steel of India and a former Himachal CM, will grace the second day of the event to be held at the Main Tibetan Temple here on Saturday morning. The event will be dedicated to honour some of the local senior citizens associated with the Tibetan community during the last 50 years. The Dalai Lama will attend the function.
Earlier on Thursday, the Lion’s Club of Dharamsala and several senior Indian citizens organised a programme here honouring the Tibetan leader on completing his 50 years of stay in Dharamsala.
