Dharamshala: 06-July-www.thetibetpost.com-Over three thousand Tibetans and their Indian and foreign supporters gathered in Dharamshala today to celebrate the 74th birth anniversary of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Likewise, the anniversary also commemorated by other Tibetan communities which scattered all around world by offering long life prayers, presenting traditional dance and culture shows.The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said he is sure he will celebrate his 100th birthday. "Through all your wishes, I will live longer. I do not know whether I can live for thousands years, but I am sure I will stay alive till I am 100 years old," he said. The special event in Delhi the Indian capital was graced by Indian dignitaries including former president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, CM of Himachal Pradesh Prem Kumar Dhumal and Arunachal Pradesh CM Dorjee Khandu. It was organized by Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association in collaboration with All Buddhist Organization of Himalayan Region.
An official function held In Dharamshala this morning. Among the dignitaries that were present to mark the anniversary were His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Mr. Namgyal Tsering Dralnang Justice Commissioner of CTA, Mr. Penpa Tsering the speaker of Tibetan Parliament in exile, Ven. Tsering Phuntsok acting Tibetan prime minister, the visiting Australian Parliamentary members; Mr. Michael Danby MP, Federal Member for Melbourne Ports (Victoria), the Hon Peter Slipper MP, Federal Member for Fisher (Queensland), Senator Nick Xenophon, Senator for South Australia Ms. Melissa Parke MP, Federal Member for Fremantle, Senator Scott Ludlam, Senator for Western Australia, and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Senator for South Australia.Mr. Michael Danby MP from Australia expressed his country's strong supports for Tibetan people and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. "we are gathered here, where the central Tibetan administration based, dedicated to preserve the future of the Tibetan people and to celebrate 74th birth-day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama," he said.
Danby said, Tibet was well-known nation of the world 1930s, but people in Tibet have no future at the moment. "In 1934, the colors of national geographic identified Tibet as one of the sixty eight known nations of the world." "In Dharamshala, we have also admired the Norbulingka art institution, the education of nuns, incredibly movingly the Tibetan children's home, which we understood, as many westerners don't understand, people who don't understand from outside, Tibetan people seen the children to preserve their future, because there is no future in Tibet at the moment."
Ven. Tsering Phuntsok, acting prime minister of exile Tibetan government expressed concern over the Chinese repression inside Tibet. "Since March 2008 until now, Tibetans all over the three traditional provinces of Tibet have been staging peaceful protests against the Chinese government, which the latter crushed by brute force. The fallout, as we can all see, is that many Tibetan protesters are being killed, beaten, tortured and incarcerated. While paying tribute to these heroic men and women of Tibet, as well as expressing our solidarity with them, the Kashag (Exile Tibetan Government) would like to reassure all these people that their great sacrifices will never go in vain."Ven. Tsering Phuntsok said, "Tibetan government in exile expressed its disappointment that the Chinese government's failure in China-Tibet talks. "This memorandum is the latest in the series of suggestions put forward by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the resolution of the Tibet problem. Rather than providing a rational explanation as to whether it agrees — or disagrees — with what is contained in the memorandum, the Chinese side has resorted to distorting the Tibetan proposal and leading the international public up the garden path by quoting bits and pieces of His Holiness’ statements issued many years ago,"
"We are ready or prepared to engage in dialogue on the already-submitted memorandum, which can obviously serve as the definite agenda for the future conduct of the dialogue process. There is no change whatsoever in our determination to continue the talks once we receive a clear signal from the Chinese government," he continued.
Mr. Penpa Tsering, the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile urged the Chinese leadership to understand the reality of the Tibetan issue and solve it in a peaceful manner. "I take this opportunity to urge the Chinese leadership to come out of their delusion, understand the reality and resolve the Issue of Tibet in a peaceful manner that will contribute to peace, stability and harmony not only in China but the whole region,""China will not find a more pragmatic leadership than His Holiness in finding a mutually beneficial solution to the Issue of Tibet. If China fails to make use of the opportunity, the present leadership of China will be held responsible for their irresponsibility by generations of Chinese people to come. The present Chinese leaders are deluded by their economic and military prowess but genuine respect could be commanded only with moral authority," he added
