By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
“The Government of Nepal should invite Dalai Lama and create conducive environment for His visit to Nepal” – Mr Sudeep Pathak
Kathmandu, July 6: Tibetans in Kathmandu celebrated the 72nd birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Namgyal Middle School in Ichangu, Kathmandu with splendid display of Tibetan cultural group songs and dances.
Cultural items were performed by over 25 different Tibetan schools and social organizations of Nepal amidst a staggering crowd exceeding 3000 people, which included Tibetan Government officials in Nepal, local Nepali guests, diplomats, members of Tibetan NGOs, and representatives of monasteries and schools, young students and general public.
The school’s football ground with a raised stage in the middle was jam packed with people that a large section of the public had to remain outside the school premises due to lack of space.
The Dalai Lama’s Birthday is one of the biggest celebrated events for Tibetans every year and mass celebrations were also held in various Tibetan settlements in Nepal.
Spiritual ceremonies and cultural performances mark Dalai Lama’s birthday celebration here.
Here in Kathmandu, the celebration started with prayer and sangsol for long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama led by His Eminence Drubthok Rinpoche followed by Tibetan National Anthem.
The chief guests of the function, Mr. Kapil Shrestha and Mr. Sudeep Pathak, former chairman and member of Nepal National Human Rights Commission addressed the gathering and expressed greetings to His Holiness.
Surprisingly, Mr. Sudeep Pathak strongly urged the Government of Nepal to create an appropriate environment to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Nepal, “…so that setting of His holy foot on this holy land of Nepal would contribute to a lasting peace in Nepal,” he said.
“Our country has become a secular state, and the Dalai Lama is the living statue of all mankind” he said, adding “within 2065 VS (2008), the Government of Nepal should invite Dalai Lama.”
“We send our invitation to Him through this stage and request Him to visit Nepal soon” Mr Sudeep said.
While, Mr Jigme La, secretary of Tibetan Office read out the message of the Kashag (Tibetan Cabinet), Mr. Sonam Damdul, member of ATPD (Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies) addressed the gathering and read out the message of ATPD at the function here.
The winner’s trophy of the recently concluded RTYC (Regional Tibetan Youth Congress), Kathmandu Soccer Tournament 2007 was presented to Phakshing United Team who edged 12 other participating teams in the month long tournament.
Snow Lion Foundation gave away certificates to toppers in Tibetan exam of different Tibetan schools of Kathmandu. The exam result of Nepal SLC Board Exam (Class X) was published yesterday and two Tibetan schools, Namgyal High School and Srongtsen High School achieved 100% results with over 70% of students securing 1st division.
Seeing series of cultural song and dance presentations by Tibetans, both old and young in such a lively beauty, one could very much feel the energy that Tibetan cultural traditions are still very much kept intact and well preserved by a handful of Tibetans in their exile communities.
Back in Tibet, ethnic cleansing as a result of a highly systematic Policy of China, continue to pose a major threat to the survival of Tibet’s cultural and spiritual traditions in the long run.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso was born Lhamo Dhondub to a peasant family in a small village called Takser in Amdo Region, north-eastern Tibet on 6 July 1935.
In 1959, after an aborted uprising in Lhasa against the Communist Chinese regime, thousands of Tibetans followed the Dalai Lama into exile and re-established Tibetan Government in Exile in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala where he now resides.
From Dharamsala he travels extensively around the world and occasionally meets with world leaders to present the case of Tibet.
Lately, the Dalai Lama has advocated a “middle way approach” seeking a meaningful autonomy for Tibet within the framework of Chinese Constitution.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his relentless non-violent movement for the peaceful resolution of Tibet’s issue through dialogue.
