Dharamshala, June 2 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama today presented the 2005 Himachal Pradesh award for excellence to noted Indian actor Anupam Kher who hails from the state. As the citation of the award was being read the man who has won eight filmfare awards had tears in his eyes. The award was conferred on him for his outstanding performance in film and theatre. The citation said that the award was in recognition of his work by the 65 lakh people of Himachal Pradesh. Anupam said that he had received many awards for his acting skills but that this award is a true recognition of him as a human being. He said that he is overwhelmed by the fact that he has received the award from His Holiness the Dalai Lama who leads the struggle of the Tibetan people.
In his address to the gathering, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that he very much feels like he is a citizen of Himachal Pradesh. His Holiness said that he does not have anything to say as far as development is concerned. “When it comes to development and strategies related to it I am zero, but I do feel the responsibility. I think you should hold more such seminars in future as well.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who has spent most part of his life in the north Indian state, thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh and their government for being wonderful hosts to the Tibetan people.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also launched the first copy of the poster of Anupam’s forthcoming film “Maine Gandhi ko Nahin Mara”, a film Anupam has made to remind the Indian people about the values and principles taught by Mahatma Gandhi.
Also present on the occasion were Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa of the Tibetan exile government, shri Bhishen Singh Bedi, former Indian cricketer. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said that development is important but not at the cost of environment and nature. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche who spoke in Hindi was of the view that the progress of Himachal will happen only if the poor is involved in the projects of development. He further said that there should be a development which does not transform humans into sinners and that every care should be taken to conserve the rich traditions of the state.
