Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Tibetans and millions of followers worldwide celebrated the 91st birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama on July 6 and wished him a long and healthy life.
“One day we will celebrate His Holiness’ birthday in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, without China’s oppression,” a Tibetan said.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), on behalf of the Tibetan diaspora, offered its heartfelt birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama, with sincere prayers for his continued good health, long life, and boundless compassion to benefit all sentient beings.
Huge crowds began to assemble since morning at the Tsuglagkhang temple in McLeodganj, a small and quaint hill station in the suburbs of the northern hill town of Dharamsala, to join the celebrations despite the Nobel Peace Laureate being in Leh in Ladakh for an extended stay following a successful left knee replacement surgery in New Delhi.
Extending the deepest respect and heartfelt greetings to the Dalai Lama, the International Buddhist Confederation said, “His Holiness has inspired generations across the world with his lifelong dedication to compassion, humanity, peace, and universal values. His unwavering message of kindness, dialogue and mutual respect remains all the more profoundly relevant globally. May His wisdom continue to inspire us all to work towards a more peaceful and compassionate world.”
Extending birthday wishes to the spiritual leader, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said, “May this occasion bring joy and the year ahead be filled with health and prosperity.”
“His life encourages people everywhere to embrace kindness, wisdom, and non-violence in the pursuit of harmony. On this special occasion, I pray for His Holiness’s good health, happiness, and long life as he continues his noble mission of promoting peace, compassion, and human dignity across the world,” Gadkari said.
