New York July 4 – The Tibetan Communities of New York & New Jersey celebrated the 70th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sunday. This year the celebrations were special for it is the 70th birthday of His Holiness. Dr. Ngawang Rabgyal, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas attended the celebrations as the Chief Guest. Representatives from the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Buddhist Centers and Tibet support groups were also present at the function.
More than 2500 Tibetans and Tibet supporters joined the celebrations at the Central Park in New York. Dr Nawang Rabgyal was honoured with the”Appreciation Award” by the New York & New Jersey Tibetan Communities, Tibetan Youth Congress & Tibetan Women’s Association.
The Tibetan communities of the two places expressed thier thankfulness to Dr. Rabgyal for his guidance and cooperation over the years. Ms. Chime Dolma from the Sunday Tibetan Language School was honoured for achieving the award for ‘Top studen’t in the New York Public School System. The students from the Tibetan language school performed cultural shows along with Cholsum Dance troupe. The highlight of the cultural event was the tribute paid by the Kalmyk Mongolian professional Dance troupe to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion.
On the second day, over 3200 people gathered to watch the first ever Tibetan Opera produced by the Cholsum Dance troupe and other well known Tibetan artists. Buddists from outside the Tibetan community who rever His Holiness as much as the Tibetans also took part in the celebrations. The volunteers and the Board of Directors of Tibetan communities of New York and New Jersey had jointly organised the event which was a great success.
