London, October 24: Like in other parts of the world, Tibetans and supporters in UK celebrated on October 20 rejoicing over the awarding of the US Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
President George W. Bush on October 17 presented His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet with the highest civilian honour of US Congress for his contribution to peace, non-violence, human rights, religious understanding and efforts to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue with the Chinese leadership.
The celebration event in UK was organised by the Tibetan Community in Britain (TCB) at the Kailash Centre located next to the Tibet House/Office of Tibet, London. The gathering watched the CNN’s live broadcast of His Holiness receiving the US Congressional Gold Medal from the US President followed by His Holiness’ acceptance speech that ended with a standing ovation from the who’s who of the American leadership and their guests. Tibetan Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Karma Chophel, His Holiness’ Special Envoy Lodi Gyari and His Holiness’ Representative Tashi Wangdi, based in the New York Office of Tibet, who attended the elaborate ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda were also shown on the CNN’s coverage.
Welcoming the London gathering, the Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain, Mr Tenzin Samphel, said the US Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award in the world to His Holiness the Dalai Lama since the Tibetan leader was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for leading the non-violent Tibetan freedom struggle. Mr Tenzin urged the Tibetans to follow His Holiness’ guidance and to actively shoulder the responsibility of the common Tibetan cause.
Speaking on the occasion, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr. Tsering Tashi, said Tibetans were most fortunate to have someone who is respected throughout the world as their spiritual and temporal leader. Recalling his experience of having previously served at the Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the Press Officer, Mr Tashi told an attentive gathering that even prominent editors of the world media were drawn toward His Holiness for his humility, confidence to speak from the heart and consistency of message.
Reading extracts from some key speeches made during the official Washington D.C. medal presentation ceremony, Mr Tashi said that in the 50s and 60s one could interpret American support for Tibet as to being part of their fight to contain Communism. However, he said the current American support for Tibet is genuine because of their respect for His Holiness and recognition of the plight of the Tibetan people and importance of the unique Tibetan cultural heritage. “It is inspiring to note that the vast majority of American Congressmen and Senators who have been on the forefront of championing the just cause of Tibetan people and have sponsored Tibet-related resolutions in the US Congress do not enjoy any Tibetan vote!” he said.
Mr Tashi quoted President George Bush, who personally presented the Gold Medal to His Holiness as saying, “Members of both our political parties and world leaders have seen His Holiness as a man of faith and sincerity and peace. He’s won the respect and affection of the American people and America has earned his respect and affection as well”.
In his interview by the BBC World, on the day His Holiness was awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal, Representative Tashi said he told the news presenter that the negative official Chinese reaction and the Chinese claim that the award had hurt the feelings of the Chinese people did not make much sense. “I explained that the feelings of the Chinese people were hurt when hundreds and thousands of Chinese students and people were killed in 1989 in Tiananmen Square for asking for freedom and democracy”, Mr Tashi said in his speech.
“Recent events in Tibet have shown how the spirit of the Tibetan people, despite all the difficulties, remains strong,” Mr. Tashi told the gathering. He also quoted the British actress Joanna Lumley, who was also interviewed by the BBC World as having said, “If the Chinese authorities consider Tibet to be a part of China, then they should feel happy because a Chinese has been given the Gold Medal”.
Mr Tashi also used the opportunity to thank Tibet supporters and principled world leaders, such as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who met His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his visit to Germany in September. He urged fellow Tibetans to continue strengthening the common Tibetan struggle and offered prayers for the fulfillment of His Holiness’ wishes for the Tibetan people and the world.
The atmosphere at the London gathering was full of positive energy. As children spent their time playing and running around happily, adults were seen sharing their emotions and feelings of this victorious moment in Tibet’s history. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and drinks prepared and arranged by the Tibetan Community in Britain. The celebration ended with traditional Tibetan circular dance (gor-shey).
Based on report filed by Tibetan Community in Britain (www.tibetancommunity.org.uk)
