DHARAMSHALA, November 5: Former Tibetan Prime Minister Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche spoke on the Basic Education Policy at Mewoen Petoen School on his 74th birthday.
The students performed traditional dance and songs and also recited poetry to celebrate his birthday.
Addressing at the function, Rinpoche said, “Though there is nothing wrong in celebrating birthday but as the day of your birth and New Year approaches, it mainly reminds you that you are getting closer to your death. Each year one gets closer to their death. There is nothing much to celebrate.”
“But the celebration of birthday also means wishing prosperous for upcoming year”.
Speaking on Basic Education Policy, Rinpoche said that the policy aims for the Tibetan children not to lose their identity.
He added that the policy is “based on the actual needs of the exiled Tibetans” and was formulated by Department of Education after reviewing the state of Tibetan education.
The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile approved and passed the policy in 2004.
“To lead a happy life, there are three key ingredients- healthy body, healthy mind and a good livelihood,” he said. A happy life, Rinpoche noted, doesn’t mean a meaningful life.
Mewoen Petoen School was founded under Samdhong Rinpoche’s administration while he was the prime minister. This is the first school under the Basic Education Policy (BEP).
