KALIMPONG, July 6 — The 69th birthday of Dalai Lama was celebrated in a grand fashion. The celebration, which was held at the Central School of Tibetans (CST), was attended by a large number of followers of Dalai Lama, including a large number of students, many of whom participated in the cultural ceremony.
The day’s programme began with what is known as the Samu Puja (puja by all) and the enthronement of the Dalai Lama’s portraits was done with prayers by the monks. The day’s attraction was, however, the cultural show in which students and elders participated.
Among the dances presented were the Yak dance (a presentation of the nomadic scene), Dopa Doldrung (dance with the drum beat) and the Repla dance.
There was also an exhibition of a large number of various Tibetan items. Among the items displayed were the typical dresses of the Kamba, Ando, and Uthang sub-caste of the Tibetans, ten different varieties of Tibetan hats, and a number of attractive Tibetan shoes.
“Today we all prayed for the long life of his holiness and for world peace. This gathering is organised every year,” principal of the CST Mr Tashi Dhendup said.
“HH, a recipient of the Nobel Prize for peace has blessed the hills, where peace and tranquillity has always been maintained. Bless us all for the protection of the peace set up by the people of the hills,” president GNLF, Kalimpong Branch and chief guest Mr Dawa Pakhrin said.
