Dalai Lama expresses gratitude to Himachal’s people

DHARAMSALA - Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama Friday expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Himachal Pradesh for providing asylum to him and thousands of his countrymen in this hill station for the past 50 years.

“I appreciate the people of Himachal Pradesh for their support, hospitality, love and regard accorded to the Tibetan community residing here during these 50 years. I thank the government for providing all facility, support, assistance, love and affection towards the government-in-exile,” he said in his address at a function “Thank You Himachal” to mark the occasion.

“I also thank the Indian people for protecting and preserving their rich religious and cultural heritage. I believe that Indian philosophy, culture and living style always remained as source of energy to me all these years for motivation, inspiration and meditation,” he said.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was the chief guest at the function, termed the Dalai Lama “a symbol of peace, humanity, love and tolerance”.

“His 50 years of stay in the state is a matter of pride for the people,” he said, adding that the town got international recognition due to the Dalai Lama’s stay there.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers ever since they fled their homeland after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

His government-in-exile, based here, is not recognised by any country in the world.