New Delhi, February 19 – Tibetan community today received Lifetime Achievement Award of the tenth Venu Menon National Animal awards. This award is for the Tibetan community as a whole for responding spontaneously for the call by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and animal welfare organisations to not to wear, buy or sell animal products.
Kalon Tempa Tsering, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, accepted the award on behalf of the community.
During the Amravati Kalachakra teaching in 2006, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke about the importance of wildlife conservation and compassion to animals. In his statements, the Tibetan leader also spoke strongly against the shameful act of wearing skins and furs of endangered animals by Tibetans. Tibetans all over Tibet as well as in exile reacted positively to His Holiness’ call by refraining from using animal skins and furs and, organized public rallies to burn skins of endangered animals in their possession.
This public action took a political turn when the Chinese authorities in Tibet immediately banned the public burning of animal skins perceiving it to be public demonstration in allegiance to their exiled leader, the Dalai Lama. The authorities even tried to promote the use of skins. Some blogs from Tibet carried pictures of official celebrations in Tibetan provinces with group dancers in traditional dress, chuba, trimmed with animal fur and tiger skin.
The Venu Menon National Animal awards are India’s premier awards that commemorate excellence in animal welfare. It is organised by the Wildlife Trusts of India and the Venu Menon Animal Allies Foundation.
Vice President of India Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the Chief Guest for the occasion, could not attend the award function citing health concerns.
