By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, July 6 : The 71st birthday of His 
Holiness the Dalai Lama was celebrated today at Community Ground of Jwalakhel Tibetan Refugee Camp in Lalitpur District of Kathmandu Valley amidst a crowd of over 5000 Tibetans living in the Valley. As usual, this year’s celebration was also grand with full day presentation of songs and colorful cultural dances by school students, community groups, individual singers and a special performance by the Dharamsala-based JJI Exile Brothers Band (Jamyang Jigme Ingsel) from India.
The chief guest of the function was Mr. Sudeep Pathak of Nepal National Human Rights Commission. There were some other local and foreign mission dignitaries, Drubthok Rinpoche, members of the exile Tibetan Parliament, Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD), officials of exile Tibetan Government institutions and local Tibetans on the Kathmandu Valley.
The celebration started with prayer for long life of His Holiness and offering of ceremonial scarves in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait by dignitaries and officials followed by Tibetan National Anthem led by small young students of Atisha Primary School on drums and flutes. The guest and public were offered tea and ‘drelsi’ (traditional Tibetan rice meal) by the event organizers.
Mr. Lhoudup Dorji, Manager of the Tibetan Refugee Transit Center & Coordinator addressed the gathering about the life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Mr. Tsetan Norbu La, a member of the ATPD read out the message of ATPD on the occasion of His Holiness’s birthday. Chief Guest Mr. Sudeep Pathak in his address to the gathering said he admired the work of His Holiness and that he had met His Holiness on two occasions. He said His Holiness was a strong supporter of peace and human rights.
Prizes were distributed to various Tibetan sports clubs and students of eighth, tenth and twelfth grades of Tibetan schools in Kathmandu Valley who topped in Tibetan subject were awarded certificates.
The presentation of songs and cultural dances started with a colorful full stage ‘nyamshe’ (group song) by Namgyal Higher Secondary School. Namgyal Middle School, Songtsen School, Atisha School and HIMS School also presented different traditional cultural songs. Various associations and ‘kyiduk’ (community groups) like Dotoe, Domey, Ngari, Gawa, Nyanang, Walung and organisation like Tibetan Women’s Association, etc also presented various songs and traditional dances.
The star attraction of the day was the Dharamsala-based JJI Exile Brothers Band who performed two patriotic songs and really moved the public. The celebration went on till late evening at the community ground, Tibetans just enjoying and having a good time with their folks.
Later in the evening the JJI Brothers performed at the Soalte Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Drokpo group organized the evening with a 2-hour debate competition for school students after which the JJI Brothers performed various patriotic and rock songs and enthralled the audience of over 300 people. An onlooker gushed, “they are the best Tibetan band I have ever seen so far. They are superb musicians, singers and they really seem to love their music. Their songs are really patriotic and I really love them, I feel proud that we have such talented artistes and they are brothers, its just amazing”.
Popular singer Tsering Gyurmey La of ‘Tsawai Lama’ fame also performed two songs with ‘dramnyen’ (Tibetan lute).
——————————————————————————–
