By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, FEB. 13: Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday visited India’s premier police training academy in Hyderabad where he addressed close to 200 trainee officers soon to be inducted into the police force all over India.
This is the second visit by the octogenarian Tibetan leader to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy. Speaking to the congregation that included 139 IPS (Indian Police Service) probationers and 15 officer trainees from Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal, the Dalai Lama said the law enforcement line of job may include prospects to violent acts yet the intention and the motivation of each officer while carrying out their duties that should be to protect.
“In 1956 when I first came to India I noticed the bulge under one of my bodyguard’s jacket and asked him what it was. He showed me his gun saying ‘This is an instrument of sin.’ However, I think we need to be clear that whether a human action is ‘sin’ or not depends on the motivation and goal involved. In your case as members of the Indian Police Service, part of your job is to protect the institutions of this most populous democracy. I think it is worth noting that among India’s various neighbours, this country is remarkably stable and peaceful. You may carry a gun, but it is for a protective purpose,” the Dalai Lama said.
He further advised the soon to be officers, “In India, where police have a role in the protection of democracy, if you are honest, your work will be transparent. Your subordinates will trust you. If you say one thing, but act differently yourself, there’ll be no trust and no friendship. Therefore, it’s essential for police officers to be honest, truthful and transparent.”
On a personal note, the exiled Tibetan leader who fled Tibet in 1959 following a Chinese invasion said he is grateful to the Indian police for providing him protection all these years. The Tibetan leader is one of the most protected VVIPs in India. Currently, the 81 year old leader is accorded with the Z-plus security, one of the highest protection detail provided by the Indian government and is listed among ‘no frisking VIPs’ at airports all over India
