Dharamsala, Sep 15: The exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has urged victims of the cloudburst in Ladakh not to lose hope and rebuild their lives.
The exiled Tibetan leader Wednesday toured the flood-hit areas of Kargil and expressed his grief at the natural calamity. He visited Mulbekh and Bodhkarbu areas of Kargil where a huge gathering of people welcomed him.
“Those who passed away will not return. So, it is better to look forward. The disaster has already happened. Now there are many people, including many concerned governments, who are helping. Now utilise these resources and build your new life with confidence and vision, and look forward,” ANI reported the Dalai Lama as saying.
The Nobel Peace Laureate also applauded the heartwarming global response to the disaster, and said gestures shown by international governments were examples of a world united in adversity.
His Holiness also praised the media for its role in catalysing such actions.
“I think due to information…about what happened in some area, becomes immediately known to the rest of the world. So, the response to the disaster…such as in the tsunami and the Haiti (earthquake)…the worldwide response…helping…is really very, very encouraging,” the Dalai Lama said.
The Tibetan leader, who is on a three-day visit to Ladakh since Monday to offer prayers for flood victims and provide solace to people affected, also cautioned that natural catastrophe were results of man’s apathy and disassociation with nature.
“We really need more awareness about the importance of taking care of our ecology. This (planet) is our own home. This is the only planet where we can live,” he said.
Last month, the picturesque Ladakh region was left reeling under a destructive deluge of flash floods, caused by a sudden cloudburst.
At least 183 people, including 35 army men, some Tibetans and 5 foreign tourists were reportedly killed. Five villages – Sabu, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglamsar and Shapoo were the worst hit by the flash floods.
More than 7,000 soldiers were reportedly conducting rescue and relief work in the region.
The deluge in Leh destroyed homes, uprooted telephone towers and deposited boulders and mud up to 15 feet high on highways, cutting road links with the rest of India.
Earlier on Monday His Holiness offered prayers to provide solace to those affected by the devastating floods in Leh. The Tibetan leader later interacted with flood victims at Choglamsar and Jokang.
“I have contributed Rs. ten lakhs to the Chief Minister’s Relief fund for the flood victims. Now I have decided to contribute two lakhs more to the fund,” the Dalai Lama had said while addressing the flood victims at Choglamsar, according to a report on his official website.
Jammu and Kashmir Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora accompanied His Holiness the Dalai Lama to survey the rehabilitation camp at the worst-hit Choglamsar.
From Choglamsar His Holiness the Dalai Lama went to Jokhang, the main Buddhist monastery at Leh, and presided over a prayer service for the flood victims.
His Holiness later addressed a huge gathering at Lamdon school ground and urged the survivors to start a fresh new life and asked each individual to recite at least 100,000 to 600,000 Mani (Buddhist religious mantras).
